Playing Games

Playing games is something we enjoy when we're all together. Lindsey and Donnie are the 'master game players' and have a full repertoire of different types, lengths, abilities...etc. With the group, including Thalia, we wanted some simple, lighthearted, and fun.

We started with Apples to Apples.We've been playing this game for quite a few years. We played for awhile and for some reason, it just wasn't as lively this year.Donnie was happy with any game. He, like I said, is a 'master game player.'Biscuit was... well, she was bored.

So we switched...

to Taboo!With Taboo, we were divided into two teams. If it's your turn, you're trying to get the others on your team to say a certain word. The catch is, it is 'taboo' to say certain words. If you say them, you get buzzed.
Joshua was concentrating... trying not to say the taboo words...Lindsey, on the opposite team, was lurking, waiting, hoping for Joshua to say one of those words...He seems to be doing OK...
BUZZZ.............

Sorry Josh. A point for your competitors.

Gifts

One thing I find among many of my 4th graders, is how the word 'gifts' is equated with material gifts...things you can buy. When I try to explain to them about gifts of the heart, many of them look at me with blank looks on their faces. Oh, they eventually understand... but their idea is still monetary gifts... big, expensive, monetary gifts.I'm not saying there's anything wrong with monetary gifts, I hope there's not, because I also like to give them. But for me, the best gifts can't be bought.
Not long after Joshua, Erica, and Thalia arrived, Joshua made a little comment about needing to do a little shopping for my guy and I... he asked what we would like. I told him that I already had it, that they were here and that's all I wanted. I believe he kind of mocked me because he knew I'd say that.

It's true. I love it when I have my kids with me. When I say 'my kids', I'm referring to Joshua, Erica, Thalia, Gabrial, Emily, Lindsey, and Donnie...all of them. Family is so important to me and to me, that's one of the greatest gifts I have on this earth. Having my mom here too made it all the more special.Reading the Christmas story in Luke on Christmas morning.

So what I later found out, was my kids got together and decided to go in together to buy a Christmas present for us... I still can't believe they did it... it was so unexpected ...Out with the old, 1986, Sony TV...How to carry out the 1986 cabinet that's held the 1986 Sony TV for the past 23 years...Good-bye old cabinet...Hello our new 50" TV...So this gift... was it a monetary gift? Absolutely. Was it a gift of the heart? More than absolutely. While my guy and I still cannot believe how much we love it, cannot believe what a huge difference it makes, cannot believe our kids did this... we are touched more by the idea, the thought that went into this. That they thought about something they felt we would thoroughly enjoy, that they just wanted to do something so generous for us.... THAT is what means more to me than anything. The gift of the heart behind it all.Joshua got it all set up, programmed whatever needed to be programmed. Donnie is by his side offering assistance and learning about the history of our county at the same time. He's a multi-tasker!Joshua, Erica, Gabrial, Emily, Lindsey, Donnie... thank you so much... for the TV, definitely, but even more so, for the gift of your hearts.

The Park on December 26th

Thalia loves to go look at nature... to find banana slugs to kiss. This year, it rained practically the entire time everyone was here. However, on December 26th, we had a little break in the rain so we took off to a local community park - a gorgeous park - a park full of redwoods and some trails to walk on.

I wanted to get a group shot first, so that was what we did before anyone got wet or muddy - or both. Donnie and Thalia were doing a little exploring while I was getting the tripod set up.
and a little rough-housing and smiling for the photographer...
I told everyone to arrange themselves in front of the greenery... actually, there were few places where there would not have been greenery, but I had a spot picked out.

I had to test the timer...
This was our first attempt. Thalia noticed the dogs weren't looking at the camera!
Everyone was back in position but they knew it wasn't 'time' since I wasn't running over... but the timer was going off when I wasn't planning... so we had a few mess-ups...
Here's the one we chose!
Lindsey, Donnie, Joshua, Erica, and Thalia took off for the trails. Oh yeah, Blu took off too - on his leash, of course. Emily wasn't sure she wanted to do any hiking, so she, Gabe, Mom, Biscuit, and I stayed back.

What a great time to take a few more photos...
Emily and Gabe
Me and EmilyGabe told me to "show some teeth" in this shot.
Me and Mom Mom and Emily
Me, Mom, Emily... Gabe was trying to get all the combinations possible.
Mom started telling some story...
and Gabe had the camera...
"Spit it out, Saddie," he said as he took picture after picture after picture...
"Put that thing away," Saddie finally demanded.
Well, he didn't put it away, he just redirected it toward his wife.
and his mother...
and back to his wife... who fortunately, is use to his antics...
Wanting to get all the combinations, he gave me the camera back so I could take a photo or two of him and his Saddie...
Gabe, Saddie, Emily
...again...I can't remember if Mom or Emily took these shots of Gabe and I. I imagine it was Emily.
...forever the ham...
...sometimes he can be just plain ole sweet...
And of course, to get all the possible combinations, we had to include Biscuit.
Ok...enough of this. I decided to run ahead and try to find the crowd on the trail.

It didn't take long to find them.
It was a bit cooler in the shade of the redwoods...
Isn't this beautiful?
Blu loved it.I stopped Erica and Lindsey for a photo or two. One with the hat, one without.A redwood forest...it's so beautiful...
Joshua was instructing Thalia along the way...
As we came to the end of the hike, I ran ahead, well, maybe I walked quickly ahead. I don't actually remember running.
I took some photos of Lindsey coming across the grassy plain... Um, I wonder if this would be called a 'plain'? Probably not, it's probably just a field, or a grassy area. Who cares, I took photos of her walking across whatever it was.

Look at this HUGE tree. Isn't it awesome?
When I took this photo of Linz, I knew I loved it the second it was snapped. I told Linz that and she wondered what it was about the picture that I loved so much. I don't know, I just love it.
Once we rejoined the Saddie, Gabe, Emily, and Biscuit group, well, only Saddie was there. She was "all by her lonesome." She had been deserted... abandoned... left behind.

Well, if the truth be known, Gabe had gone to find the men's room.
Saddie and Linz ... with the hat...
...and without...
When Gabe and Emily had gone to find the ... facilities... they had discovered this other little short trail that gave a great view of the town. We all, including Saddie, ventured along the path to see the view.Linz and DonnieHeading back... at this point, Saddie was w-a-l-k-i-n-g....
As we headed back toward the car, Saddie decided she would run. Gabe and I both about went into cardiac arrest, trying to stop her, telling her NO, DON'T DO IT! She looked at us like we were crazy and INSISTED it didn't hurt. So she ran...

"See? You all think I can't do anything!"

It was a great time at the park... lots of visiting, some hiking, lots of photos, and Saddie taking off on a sprint...

and not one single banana slug.