Polar Express

A Polar Express Train inside, a trampoline in the backyard (with lots of neighborhood kids visiting frequently), and BeyBlades are a few of the things occupying these boys this week. The house is full of fun things to play with and we are blessed with loving family all around.

Gavin's 1st ride on BART

For Dominic's birthday, Megan and Brian took Dom and his buddy Gavin to the city for a fun day of trains and boats. I took Gav on the first leg of the trip to meet up with his buddy. This was Gavin's first time on BART and despite riding on the steam train in the caboose with all of his cousins with Christmas lights all around and a personal visit from Santa, he thought that the BART train was "the best train EVER!" Wow!
I couldn't get a picture of both 3-year-olds. They were much, much too excited looking out the window as they rode together. It is so much fun watching these two buddy/cousins enjoy their friendship.

Train of Lights

We were all treated to a ride in the caboose on the Train of Lights through Sunol Canyon a few days before Christmas. It was such a treat and so much fun. We all had a great time and hope this becomes a new family Christmas tradition.

Zoo

Vincent's Preschool Performance

Vincent's preschool class performed "Silver Bells" up on the big stage in front of a huge crowd. It was a great little show, so cute. Vincent was so excited to get up on the stage, he talked about it for days.

He was really excited to ring the bells too

As soon as he got up on stage, he tried out the microphone, saying "Hi" to hundreds of people in the audience.

Basics Club at Kids Against Hunger

Daniel and some friends got together to make meals for kids in Haiti. Kids Against Hunger is a wonderful organization that has developed a way to make fortified rice meals simply, cheaply and effectively delivers these meals to thousands of children around the world. Often, it's the only meals these kids eat each day.
Daniel and his buddies watched a little film about Haiti and the devastation it is still experiencing since the earthquake two years ago and he got to see how these kids live, kids just like him.
The cost for this life giving food is 25 cents per bag. One bag feeds five, it gets boiled in water for 20 minutes and then served to hungry kids eagerly waiting for it. Kids Against Hunger asks for a $25 donation to cover the cost of the 100 bags each participant packs. Daniel got $20 for his birthday and used another $5 from his piggy bank to pay for the meals himself. I'm so proud of him and touched by his tender heart.
If you are interested in scheduling a packing event with some friends, or for a birthday party or class activity, you can find information at www.kidsagainsthungerpleasanton.org. There are other Kids Against Hunger organizations throughout the country too.


Our five and six year old kids packed meals for nearly an hour. They worked hard and they enjoyed it. They were on a mission. After we packed over 1300 meals, we decorated some of the bags and wrote little notes to the kids who would receive them. They we prayed over the food and for the kids who would eat it.

Beanie Buddies

Riding the Tilden Train

We went on a train ride through the woods of Berkeley with our cousins and Auntie Megan. All had a great time. After the train ride, we visited the small farm up at Tilden Park. Cows and stinky pigs were great entertainment and a chance to run around and explore the world. We had to take advantage of Daniel's week off school.

Thanksgiving 2011

Grandma and Grandpa with all nine grandkids. There will be at least one more next Thanksgiving.

Auntie Nikki organized a cute turkey and pilgrim hat cookie craft for the kids. There was only a little snitching and snickers.


The kids had their Thanksgiving dinner first then Grandma's office was turned into a movie theater complete with popcorn and Polar Express. This held their attention long enough for the grown ups to eat.
Kia sent out feathers to all of us a couple weeks prior to the feast. We all wrote what we were thankful for and she assembled this Thanksgiving Turkey. We have so much to be thankful for. It's difficult to keep perspective on how very much we have, an abundance of family, food, shelter and love. When I consider that the great majority of people in our world live on less than $10 a day, many have no access to safe drinking water and so many more hardships, I am humbled by the abundance that we have been entrusted with...to share with those who need what we can give to just live one more day.

Visit to the Aquarium

We visited the Aquarium of the Bay this week while Daniel had the week off of school. Thanks to the library for giving us free passes through Discover & Go! We had a great time seeing all of the aquatic life, jelly fish and petting rays, starfish and anemonies.

Gavin's 3rd Birthday

Gavin is so excited to be three, and to be celebrated and to finally have his special day after watching both of his brother's have their birthdays. It seems like he's been waiting forever for this day to come. Gavin brings so much joy to our home. He's also our alarm clock waking up regularly between 5 and 6 am almost every morning. He's 37" tall, a great napper and very cuddly. He loves his brothers, cousins and buddies. He can spend an hour or so solid playing with legos and has great dexterity for his young fingers.

We celebrated all week. A few of his cousins and aunties came for a little celebration on Saturday. Auntie Megan brought this awesome Lightning McQueen cake.

Gavin loves his newest cousin, Travis. Seen here is Gavin's new camera smile...with utmost sincerity.
On Sunday, we celebrated Thanksgiving along with Gavin's birthday with Raena, Melody, Faye. Gavin won the wishbone split.

The Exploratorium

There was lots to explore and discover at the Exploratorium. The kids and moms all had a fun time. Yay free tickets from the library!

This one was Daniel's favorite.