Everyone was here for Christmas except for Caryn, Michael and their five kids. We had a houseful with nineteen people. It was great! Our best present of Christmas besides having so many here is that Ryan and Kim announced (through a present full of baby bibs!) that they are having their first child in July. Joyous day. :)

Five of our six children, starting with our second child: Tami, Leslie, David, Megan & Ryan

Bryant & Tami, Ed & Leslie, David & Cambria, Megan and Brian (Boyfriend) Ryan and Kim

This is the house that Rick moved yesterday October 16. It was announced on the radio and it will be in the Sunday paper. It is a 1901 house (called the VanderBilt House) and was moved from Eldridge to Utter Street in Bellingham. People were lining the streets to watch.

Rick's mom staying warm in the white truck. Richard (our daughter-in-law's brother) also helped with the move. He is standing by the white truck.

Going around the corner! You can see Rick on the right. It was a stressful day for him! :)

Ryan was the rear pilot car. He made sure no cars came down the road where the house was being moved.

This is the biggest house Rick has ever moved, weighing 200,000 pounds.

Taya watching Colton, who discovered Chez outside.

Makayla wearing doctor glasses from her medical kit!

Gillian and Josie Newman with Sierra. This was Sierra and Gillian's first year at girls camp. The theme was "I Believe". Our branch's color was white (faith). The following pictures are just a few of the things they participated in.

Our campers ready with their skit. They did a great job.

Gillian and Sierra in the Stillaguamish River. They weren't in there long....very cold!

Sierra on the first years hike. It was a beautiful view.

Lynden Branch Girls Camp: Aubri, Gillian, Sierra, Josie, Mackenzie and Kaitlyn.

Unbelievable that my oldest granddaughter Sierra is 12 years old now. How did that happen so quick! We had a fun day at the pool celebrating now that summer finally arrived in the northwest.

We enjoyed going to the Vancouver Temple Open House on Saturday with my sister-in-law Marti and her kids plus two granddaughters. Pictured here are: Ally, me, Taya, Rick, Emily, Trevor, Lucas, Sierra and Marti. It was a great day!

I have to admit, blogging is not a strength of mine. I just don't have the knowledge, patience or dedication of some of my friends. However, I do know there are still those that would enjoy seeing my grandchildren and children. And since I am more than willing to show them off, I make the effort to at least get the pictures posted with some captions. The following pictures are a few of the over 500 pictures we took during the two weeks we visited our family. First with Leslie and Ed in Georgia where we drove down to Savannah to see the sights there. Next we went with Caryn and Michael to Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina. Last of all, we met David and Cambria in Chicago (they drove 5 hours to get there from Iowa). We enjoyed all of our children and grandchildren and we were sad to say good-bye as always. Half of our children now live near us, but only two of our twelve grandchildren are close by. There oughta be a law against that!! :)

Cook Family in Georgia: Talia, Ed, Coral, Leslie and Jeffrey

Rick and I posing by the river in Georgia. South Carolina is on the other side.

Jeffrey tolerating me taking his picture. Just too cool for it! :)

Coral and Talia strolling down the walk.

Princesses Coral and Talia. They love to wear pretty dresses.

Loving twins Coral and Talia

Cook Family: Coral, Leslie, Ed, Talia and Jeffrey

Enjoying ice cream on a warm day in Savannah, Georgia

Josh, Syd and Isaac on a rock at the museum.

On top of a high rock: Michael, Joshua, Isaac, Rick and Sydnee

Syd and Josh on another rock.

Sydnee, Zachary, Michael, Isaac, Caryn, Joshua and Caleb.

In front of the mile high bridge at Grandfather Mountain.

Rick and the Nieves Family on yet another rock.

Rick, Isaac, Caryn, Sydnee and Joshua on the bridge above the stream on one of the hikes.

Zachary, Michael, Caryn and Caleb

Me and the Nieves Family on our hike.

Rick and I above the falls. Caryn called our pictures "honeymoon pictures". Cute.

The Nieves Family on our hike at Grandfather Mountain.

Another mountain climbed!

Rick and I with our grandkids that live in the south. Notice Caleb trying to escape Grandpa!

Us grandparents with Caryn and Leslie's families before church.

Cook Family at church.

Nieves Family in front of their house after church.

Best buddy cousins Isaac and Jeffrey

Makayla and Grandpa Rick checking out the statue of children.

Makayla in front of Lake Michigan at Navy Pier in Chicago.

Grandma and Grandpa having fun with Makayla at Navy Pier in Chicago.

Makayla and me looking at the reflection in the giant "bean" at the park.

Cambria, David, Colton, Makayla and Rick at the park in Chicago.

Rick and I with our precious grandkids: Colton and Makayla

The VanderVeen Family: David, Colton, Cambria and Makayla. This was taken right before we had to say good-bye to them.

I'm so excited that all my children and grandchildren are on American soil once again. Leslie and Ed have a brand new address and will be moving in on Monday, February 8.

Makayla with her special presents from her other grandma. Isn't she precious?