GopherRose: 2010

Early (Un)Wrap

The Orange County based family members are headed is two directions for Christmas so we got together on Sunday, the 19th to enjoy a brunch and unwrap some presents. Aaron is spending a week in Portland with Parker, Viki and the As. Helen and I will be joined by Stephen and Marissa in Tulsa for Christmas before they head to Austin for a mix of fun and business. Thanks for the nice mix of gifts, P&V.

Our Thanksgiving(s) and Big A's 2nd Birthday

We got to celebrate Thanksgiving twice this year. Once in CA and once in OR. We also had the pleasure of celebrating Abner's 2nd birthday, and enjoyed playing with our Prince and Princess. Here are some pics from our great weekend. One final note, the shirt A has on at his birthday party I made from an old "Papa" shirt. I have pics of them both in it.

Ken in his shirt before I made it into the "Papa" shirt.

A in his "Papa" shirt, it even has the stain in the lower right.

A and his friend Izzy after the cupcakes!

A's friend Judah, enjoying the party.

A opening his presents.

Our Princess

Little a helping me with laundry.

What do you mean your going home?

Happy Turkey Day!!

Ken and I want to wish all our family and friends a happy Thanksgiving. We give thanks daily for all God's blessings that we have.

After enjoying Thanksgiving day with our children we have close, we will be traveling to visit our kids up North. There we get to enjoy celebrating with them A's second birthday, little a (of course, lots of cuddling) and a second Thanksgiving dinner.

Lots of pictures to follow ...

The Elwell's enjoy a Girl!!

We have had some fun times in the last week. First, Tavia coming in for the new granddaughter, she flew into John Wayne, and we got to have her for a few nights. Then, on the way to Kevin & Missy's we picked up Mark & Amy, coming from visiting the grandparents in Tulsa, to see the new niece (i.e. granddaughter). Miss Abigail Grace did arrive on Saturday, the 23rd, both her and Mom are doing fine.

Then on Friday, after Jerry had arrived from driving from Montana. We got together with all the "Elwells" in town and went to Disneyland for the day. Now, Grandma & Grandpa Elwell will be leaving here this week with the 3 oldest grandsons, for a month in Montana.

Here are a few pictures from our fun times:

Two Grandmas at the same time!

Pirates of the Caribbean

Gpa & Gma with Micah

What was I thinking - riding the Teacups!

What can I say, Halloween?!

Josiah, Ethan and Micah

Family Fun

Fun does seem to come in bunches and we had a good measure over the past week or so. Mom and dad (Campbell) visited us for a week and we talked, laughed and squeezed in a good meal or two (be nice, now). I even found an excellent air museum that dad and I had not yet visited (Palm Springs Air Museum). We drove up to Mike and Cindy's in Stockton and, 'lo and behold, Parker and Viki and the grandchildren were there! If you throw in a monkey book, a blow-up pool and both the OSU and OU football games - you've got a party.

Home from Portland

V & little a

Well, if you haven't been keeping up with us, we have been in Portland for a while. I went on the 28th and Ken followed on the 2nd. We have been assisting P & V with the kids, and enjoying every minute. I will try to give you a brief glimpse of the fun we had. I am also including a wonderful video of Ken, enjoying big A's record player. Your grandson can get you to enjoy anything.