Out with the old, In with the new

9 years, and 2 kids later it was time to get a car that fit our lifestyle. 

We are selling the Bronco... (This is an old pic from Matt's college days with one of his roommates.  Probably around the time he got the bronco.)

 We sold the Mazda...(This pic is from when we first bought it in 2007.  It was a great little car and we kinda miss it already)

And bought a 2009 GMC Yukon!  It has a lot of great features and best of all, we all fit comfortably!  My knees don't touch the dash anymore with the infant carseat behind me and I feel confident behind the wheel in the snow.  It will be an adjustment with being a one-car family but we are happy to have the change.

Christmas 2014

Here it is a few days after Christmas and time to publish our Christmas Blog.  I think we all had a great time and Mom and I appreciate all those who traveled, called, texted, Face-timed, sent cards and letters, slept on bunk beds and the floor, ate, and sang.

 

 Travis and Kelly flew into Spokane Monday night so Mom and I drove up and visited with Kevin, Matt, and families and then picked them up at the air port.  Tuesday we visited and then drove down to Moscow.  This picture is Kanyon, Raya, Adria, and Braxton in their living room.

 Travis and Matt took on the luminary project and had to battle the wind and cold.

 The stocking were hung on the new rail with care.  Kelly's bucket was there too.

 Mom had planned a delicious enchilada dinner on Christmas Eve.  It was very traditional except we were missing the T-shirts and ties.

 Time for the Christmas Eve program and out came the costume box.

 Here is our little troupe of actors and actresses.  Even "Lucy" (Riley's somewhat worn lamb) got into the act.

 Can't remember exactly what Cole was supposed to be but I thought it was a cute picture.

 I think Travis represented the Three Kings and Wise Men (checking their phones for any last details).

 I played Star of the East on our new piano.  Some said it sounded better than last year, thanks!!

 Mom, Kelly, and Kimbre, did a super job of singing all the Christmas songs we could think of.

 Christmas morning was so exciting I forgot to take many pictures.  As you can see, Riley was excited.  Matt and Cole - not so much.

 Riley helping Grandma make Butterhorns.  Great Grandma Zirker was looking down and smiling I'm sure.

 Kevin, Lisa, and family came down Christmas afternoon.  Mom, Lisa, and Kelly back in the kitchen fixing Christmas dinner.

 Adria at the piano.  The headphones are a life saver.

 All of us at Christmas dinner.

 After dinner the knitting began.  It is amazing what these three ladies can turn out.

 Friday Uncle Chuck had made arrangements with Steve Berglund to come out and shoot on his farm.  The Richards couldn't make it till Saturday and since Kevin's family had to leave Saturday morning to return home for a youth temple trip we went by ourselves.  We had the usual arsenal of hand guns and rifles.  It was cold and windy but no snow (yet).

 Braxton and Kanyon with 22's, rifle and pistol.

 Matt explaining the finer points of his personal hand gun to Kevin.

 Kevin putting the instructions to use.

 Matt demonstrating the fire power of his AR-15.  Berglund's house in the background.

 Travis's turn.

 Even Braxton gave it a try.

The next day (Saturday) it snowed.  Travis, Matt, and I, bundled up and went out with the Richards to do it all over again.  There were lots of adults and kids and luckily no one was injured.  You can just see the back of Matt and Kimbre's new GMC Yukon in the driveway.  Matt and a co-worker drove to the Seattle area and picked it up a couple of weeks ago.

We had a wonderful time but as always good things must end.  Monday, Matt and Kimbre went home and Mom and I drove Travis and Kelly to the airport.  All arrived home safely.  We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and is ready to give it their best in 2015.

P.S.  I have lots of pictures I didn't use.  If you want some of your family let me know and I can e-mail them or put them on a flash drive for you.