Catching Up! Building Relationships!

We had quite a scare with Matti!

The river was running fast, and the culverts had a very powerful suction,

Matti was wading close to them and his leg was sucked in! Luckily Neisha was right there, she grabbed him and started pulling, but, it was so powerful that she needed Taffy's help to pull

him out! It was a real wake-up call...we were all very careful after that!

We felt so blessed that no one was hurt or worse!

This was the first time Taffy came and stayed with us!

What a treat for the little girls to have each other!

They had so much fun playing, practicing and performing for us!!

Gracie and Maci

This is a real glamor shot with the wind blowing their hair!

Luke - Jake - Jaxson

The boys love to play DS...and they love to watch someone play,

as much as the love playing themselves!

Cole brought his friend Ryan Dalley

They had fun making up songs that kept us all laughing!

It was cold with a lot of snow still on the ground...but that didn't stop the kids from playing in Hunter Creek! They love catching Crawdads!

Jaxson - Drey - Jake - Maci - Gracie

The kids loved baking and they frosting

Gingerbread Cookies!

Gracie and Maci with their works of art!

Little Cooper is so sweet and really is growing so fast!

Didn't get enough of him being a tiny baby!

Marley - Karissa - Crew

Marley is really coming into her own!

So feisty!

Sarah and D'Anne In America!

Sarah Damaze and D'Anne De'Beauville make it to America!!!

It has been our dream to have Sarah and D'Anne attend college here in the USA,

after lots of help, tons of paper work, months of prayers, they made it!!!

We drove to Utah January 8, 2010, checked them into the dorm, which is in the Plaza Hotel. Perfect location, they can walk to the college, Temple square, the mall and just about anything else they might need...it's perfect!

It was in the 20's while we were in Utah! Soooooo cold, I thought we would all freeze to death! Especially the two little Island girls! Cuddle Duds, coats, gloves, hats, boots and scarves did not help that much!

I was pleasantly surprised at how nice the LDS Business College is!

And it is great that everything they need is in one building...less reason to go out in the cold!

They were both in shock over all the changes in their young lives!

It was very hard to leave them on their own, knowing how much help they are going to need! But, they have the church, a wonderful bishop, who has already had them over for dinner, and lots of young students to help them figure everything out! They are in good hands!

New Year's Day 2010 - Cabin

Matti whipping down "Sled Hill"!

Cole, Keaton and Zach

The Three Amigos

Matti is having the time of his young life! Couldn't count the number of times he came sledding down the hill. The neighbors come from all around, because this hill is the best sledding hill in Hunter Creek. It also is on the North side and has snow until March!

Maci is such fun, she is darling and always up for a good time! She is going through the cutest time right now, she is adorable!

The Merrell Family

This was a rare occasion when Tony was able to be with his family at the cabin.

David and Jaimi were there for the first part of the week and took care of all the kids.

Then Tony and Neisha came and took over for the last part of the week.

All the cousins look forward to spending their free time together, relaxed and having fun.

D'Wayne and I went up just for the day...it was such fun to watch the kids playing in the snow and making great memories!

What a blessing to have the cabin!