COMPANY - we love it! Keep em coming!

So even though I still haven't done the CATCH UP - I decided to show some recent activity in our world.

The last two weeks we've had some splendid visitors.

First my dear sister S came to visit with her two young ones. I got one picture and then mybattery died. So I hope she sends me some and I'll post em'.

I had a ton of fun with Sister S. We ate yummy food, watched good movies and just hung out together.

The best was shopping and out to eat at RED ROBIN!

Sister C, her beloved man and her 4 male humans - came to see us! Hurrah for us! This is quite the BIG deal since the last time the graced us with their presence was back in 2009.

So happy day - lets party!

Well, it's just known that when people come to see us we've got to go to the Zoo!

So we took our little darling ANIMALS to the zoo.

We didn't have very much time - it ended up actually being less than an hour but it seemed like the animals were waiting to meet us! It was awesome! First the tiger and the lions were there front and center.

We think it was feeding time. The 4 wild dogs were running around at the front of their enclosure and the rhino was perfectly positioned not too far from the fence.

What a good lookin bunch of humans.

This baboon came right up to the glass to visit a bit with #5.

Right before we went to the zoo - there was something else we had to get done -

The Bucket List

When discussing what adventures we should have with Sister C and her family

one thing she mentioned was that before she had her big dog 30th bday

she wanted to go shooting -- so shooting we did go.

Here's the boys taking out some BAD clowns.

Does anyone really like clowns anyway? why do we even have them?

Here's the C dog - she's lookin pretty tough and cute. Oh what a cute shooter!

When we got back home the boys had made a shooting range for the air guns

so we paid our 50 cents for the ammo and 50 cents for the gun -

It was way cool!

Here below are some of the chillin and playing done by the little people. Cousin are so much fun and we love em'. Yeh, we'd love to add to our cousin count around these parts.

Christmas 2011

It's Christmas Time -
well it was when these photos were taken.
It was lovely having the day of Christ's birth celebrated on the Sabbath Day.

We were able to rise early, get in our Sunday best - get a good reminder of what this special day really represented - and then move on to the gift giving.

Its a thing of beauty when children are playing happily together -
and at one point #1 favored us with a tune on the Baritone.

Cisco and I were just trying to stay awake but the kids had a fun morning!

One of the things I will remember the most is the absolute giddy Joy on the faces of the children

This little one could not contain her enthusiasm! Can you feel the energy!

2011 Holiday and Birthdays -

Here are some FUN family Celebrations - 2011 - we've got to fit these in somewhere just for history to know that we did do something on these special occasions.
the first picture is by Birthday - Hurrah for me. Man, I sure love all those humans with me!

This is #3's 9th birthday - Happy Happy Happy - our cousins were there to help celebrate. Can you also tell another (lesser) even happening that day - Go orange, go big BLUE -

Here is a glimpse of Thanksgiving at our house with all Cisco's family.

I couldn't resist this darling moment with Cisco and his baby!

the PARTY inside

This first picture is pretty lousy of the interior of the cabin but if you squint closely - you'll get the idea. There you'll see Papa Gary holding tiny T and I think cousin D near by. And Uncle Ray was visiting too.

Now back to the kid party

So lets break it down - we've got cousins B and H from the J clan and Big C from the P clan. Then my bright crew #2, #3 and #1.

Papa surrounded by some of his boys cousin B and #1 and #3

The Youngster also got in on the party-harty all the live long day! Cousin D and little C from the P-crew, then cousin Gg from the J bunch - and our own #5 tops it all off!

Party on the Stairs - #4 - Gg - #5 and the boys on the step cousins H and M

Now here's a glimpse at the kitchen - with our lovely models #2 and cousin Big C

Winter trip continued -

We can't leave out the older kids - so here's a few scenes of those
biggins as well.

SMILE big -
we're creating memories here
That means you #3

#1 in all his winter wonderland glory

#2 a little on the freezey side - playing with J family cousins

oh - and if you have some time later - I bet the kids will fill you in on the joint family vs some random boys - rumble in the snow.

THERE IS SNOW IN WINTER

We found some snow - a lot of snow- and some cousins too!

We ventured north in December - all the way to Driggs, Idaho - where the kids got to experience a true winter wonderland! Our little family along with Buckabu and Papa, Auntie A's family and Auntie C's family gathered at this lovely cabin - thanks parentals- for a few days of
interfamily bonding!
#4 with Cousin D and Cousin Gg bask in the joy of the "snow hole".

#3, #4, and cousin Gg frolic about the mounds of white while Cisco "chills" in the
background filming the event.

#4 has a bonding moment the elements - and offers a kiss of appreciation.

#5 is in full display of her winter attire which consists of things used, borrowed and blue.
She loved every moment of it.

Dance Recital -

For the first time the three oldest girls decided to be in dance.

#4 had been in dance before but this was a brand new experience for #1 and#5.

This little #5 I think loved it better than her sisters. She loves to tap her toe, shuffle and leap....really all day long.

You can see the Thrilled look on her face - for this performance -
as well as every day it was time to go to dance class.

For #2 is was a bit of a culture shock for her, her brothers and her father because they were use to seeing her in a karate gee instead of a leotard. She tried out Lyrical style of dance
- and was quite lovely -

As for our resident pro - #4 - I think she enjoyed the outfit most of all -

and posing for the pictures.