Happy Birthday Gideon!

I can't believe it has already been 3 years since you were born and I can't imagine life with out your smile! Love this Boy.

The Time of Christmas Peace....

For me, as a child, the time after Christmas and before New Years was always called the time of Christmas Peace. You had just cooked an enormous Smorgasbord, so you didn't need to cook and the house just seemed to take care of itself or I didn't worry about it. We read, played games and just enjoyed each other. I love this time of year and being snowed in just makes it better! We are supposed to be getting more snow tomorrow. Since we have lived in Missouri, this is the most snow I can remember getting. I love it! May peace be with you and yours.

Happy Santa Lucia Day!

Katie, Jenna, Ella, Hannah, Ashelyn, & Annie

Once again it is Santa Lucia Day and Grandma Fish had a wonderful event planned! We all went over to her house in the evening and Grandpa had a pathway we walked thru the woods. It was lit with candles and we came upon a Christmas tree, a tomte, and then in the distance we heard Silent night being played on a trumpet. As we got closer to the sound we found Joseph, Mary and the baby Jesus. Then from the woods we heard Oh Holy Night being sung. After the song was over we all sang some carols to the baby and then hiked back thru the woods to the house where we had cocoa and Swedish bread. It was a lovely night and I hope a lasting tradition. Gid couldn't resist wearing the helmet and really looks like a swede! Our Lucias were so beautiful. As the evening was winding down we watched last years Christmas devotional where they sang the friendly beasts and again we had fun remembering when the kids were little and sang that to their Grandma.
We also remembered Josh and sang to him! Happy Birthday son and I hope you got rolls where ever you were!

Happy Birthday... Again!

Here he is! Working at the quilt shop on his special day! This should pretty much tell you what kind of a guy this is! We love you Ron! Happy Birthday and thanks for all you do!

First Snow!

On Sunday everyone came over for the first Presidency's message and we had our first snow! The kids were so excited and I love how new everything looks to a child. Even our tired old snowman stood a little taller under the admiring eye of a grandchild. Gideon was so excited to play in the snow and the kids were wearing any gloves available just to be able to go out! I love the picture of the back of their heads and just as I snapped the picture Jenna said I think I see Santa!

Sunday Afternoons

So Sunday after Church...somehow Jason got to come home with Grandma and Grandpa by himself!

Ron decided to make cookies and Jason thought that was the best idea ever!

As you can see there was a lot of fun and some eating going on!

Arkansas Crisps!

Some of the Lester Crisp Family
Lto R, Donna, Danny, Laverne, Leonard, Gary

A couple of weeks ago we got a call from Gary Crisp..who is Ron's cousin. Gary's Dad is Lester and is Grandma (Irene) Doan's big brother.
So while we were out in Arkansas we were able to meet Lester's wife Laverne, and a few of the children. We had such a great time. It is amazing how quickly strangers become family! We are really looking forward to meeting many more cousins! We hear there are a passel of them.

Arkansas Happenings

While we were in Arkansas we had BIG rain! By some miracle we had an umbrella for every girl! They had a blast twirling and singing in the rain.

We also got a couple of shots with Phoebe and Jack. Years ago we made the kids puzzles with our pictures on them and I Phoebe loves them and wanted her own, so with a little bribery we got a great picture of them!

Is this a cute boy or what!!

Olivia's Baptism

Olivia Linnea Sperry was baptised November 14, 2009

We traveled down to Arkansas to be part of Olivia's special day. We took Hannah and Katie with us as they are the next ones to be baptised. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner that afternoon and we are still stuffed!
Congratulations Olivia! We are proud of you!

Thankful Cactus

Years ago my Mom gave me a piece of a Christmas Cactus that belonged to my Aunt Linnea. My Mom has had her cactus as long as i can remember. ..and as long as I can remember I have have had this in my home. My children grew up with this cactus and it never ceases to amaze me with it's beauty. It generally blooms at thanksgiving time. This year I have been so busy at the quilt shop, that my plants have been a "bit" neglected. So last night as I rushed in from the shop to go to a class, I see this profusion of beauty out of the corner of my eye. My Thankful cactus is covered with blooms and it stops me in my tracks. So I take a moment to think of all the things I am thankful for, and the list is endless. Mostly I am thankful for a loving God who sends us constant reminders, and sometimes stops us in our tracks, to remind us of all we have to be grateful for. So today I am thankful. As I am thinking about all I have to be grateful for, I am tearing up and since I have to work soon and I didn't bring extra mascara, Suffice it to say that I am overwhelmed with the love that is shown to me on a daily basis. I am truly a blessed women. Thank you to all of you who bless my life and make me smile.
I love you too!

Guess what Sarah forgot...

We had all the kids over today and after Sarah and Hillary's families had gone home we were cleaning up and putting food away and there in the fridge was Sarah's jello! It is hilarious how many time she has forgotten her jello! Anyway SARAH...this shot is for you! Love you !

For Katie!!

Awhile ago Katie was going on vacation and she was worried about her plant. It was about 2 inches high and she was taking very good care of it. She asked me if I would babysit her plant for her. Now it is about 8 inches and has a bloom! I don't know if you can see it but there are about 3 other buds that are ready to come out! So here you go Katie...I loved babysitting!

Gas and Steam Engine Show

This is one of the reasons why I LOVE small towns! We have a parade for everything! This weekend we have a Gas and Steam engine show. All the famers polish off their tractors and drive them in a parade down main street! Later on in the weekend we will have a parade of power, where the farmers will show off all their BIG tractors! It is a can't miss event! Yes there was even a GEO METRO in the parade! We also had horses and a few mules! I LOVE SMALL TOWNS!

Motorcycle Fun!

Jake and Ron are back at it! They have been working on this bike in the summertime for several years and this is the first time this summer they have been able to get together! But check out the wheels, handle bars and seat! It's getting pretty close to perfection!

Happy Birthday to Alan

One year older and wiser too...Happy Birthday to you!

Summer Fun

We get all the kids together as often as we can. These little cousins just love each other! They had so much fun playing at Sarah's and the park. Everyone is just growing so fast.

Fun Family Photos!

When Josh was out to visit...we got Sarah to do some family shots! I love this as all my frames need an update. Some of the kids cooperated better than others...but you get what you get and you don't through a FIT!

Natalie and Kids. From left to right Isaac, Noah, Sam, (notice he is taller than his mom!),Natalie, Hannah, & Jenny

Josh, Amanda and baby Talon

Jake , Misty, Gideon and Ashelyn.

Three Generations of the Doan Boys. Jacob, Gideon, Grandpa (Ron), Alan. Joshua and Talon

Guess who's coming to visit!!!

We are so excited...Josh and Amanda and baby Talon are coming out for a visit on the first of August! So clear your calendars and come on down...we are going to have the time of our lives!

Give 'um the BOOT!!!

It's GRADUATION DAY!
We finally turned the corner on my ankle healing.
The Doctor said to remember that I am NOT healed but that I have finally turned the corner and my X-Ray shows clear sign of bone growth! Still no exercising and back to the boot if there is any pain, but....for the moment I'm free!

Here I am today with my boot off. There is still alot of swelling as you can see. I had to loosen the buckles on my faithful Birkenstock, but I am out of the boot! I now have a new best friend ...
'brace' yourselves, you'll get a 'kick' out of this...
the ankle brace! Made in the criss cross fashion of neoprene fabric,
this sports the latest fashion in ankle wear!

Yeah for me!

Happy Birthday Jake Doan!

JULY 7, 09 is the Jake Man's Birthday!



He is a quarter of a century old!!!

Boy my little man grew up fast! I love you so much! I hope you had a wonderful day! I love you Jake!