Finally, this should work: Nate's Song

Sean and Kristi, you guys are amazing.

Back on the Blog

We've been out of the blogging world for a while. I hardly used the computer while I was in CA for 3 weeks...and since I've been back, I've been going non-stop to re-group after being gone almost a month, get back into homeschooling, getting us off CA time, piano, getting our house ready to sell, etc, etc!!! We have been alive and doing things, and had a great trip to CA that I wanted to post some pictures from. By the way, I have noticed that most everyone has updated their blogs with fancy templates and layouts. Someday, or some year, I hope to add some fancy tricks to mine. But first I have to learn how...and I'm not sure when I'll be able to squeeze that in. So if anyone would like to give me a crash course on blogging, that would be great. I spent a while last weekend trying to figure out how to post a song on my blog. No luck. I tried what they told me to do, but it wasn't working. I still want to put my sister's song on so you can hear it. So if anyone knows how, let me know!




It was bittersweet bringing Nate to our sweet spot at the Los Gatos Cemetery. Dave started a tradition a while ago...each time we are there, we kiss our thumb, and then put our thumb on Brie's "B". Nate got to join in...but he used his whole fist.

Lindsay, Sadie, Ashlyn, Tyler (cousins) showing off the school kits they made for children that don't have money for school supplies. Grandma Shelly sewed the bags and the kids bought and stuffed the school supplies.

Nate showing off for the camera with Grandma Walton at one of the many yummy Christmas meals! Thank you, Grandma and Grandpa Walton!
We were so glad we were able to visit with Great-Grandma Walton for a minute during her trip out. She had been taking a nap, so we visited while she could still rest in bed.

If you knew us when Ash and Sadie were babies, you'll recognize Dave's favorite trick. Nate is a pro and loves his trick with Daddy. Usually he has the biggest grin while doing it.

By the way, our new Sony camera has given us a lot of grief. It takes great outdoor pictures, but most indoor pictures come out terribly. A lot of our CA pictures are awful. Dave spent forever on the phone with Sony trying to return it, but to no avail. Boo Sony on their customer service. We won't be shopping Sony again...and we are on the lookout for a better camera.

Ashlyn, Sadie and Mrs. Moncrief, their piano teacher. The girls had a great time at their piano recital. Neither were nervous to perform (mom was when I had to play duets with them!) It was a fun evening.
Where else do you put totally conked out Sadie when you are at the airport, trying to unload 8 major pieces of luggage, juggle a guitar, baby, tired but awake Ashlyn? It worked perfectly putting her in Nate's carseat. We carried her this way from the airport, to the shuttle to get the rental car, and all the way to the rental car. She slept through it all.

I have a few more pictures from our trip but our internet is being stubborn. More to come...

Nate's Song

I had to share my favorite Christmas gift I received this year. My little sis, Kristi, had our family for the family gift exchange. We were spoiled with various home made gifts from the talented duo. After all of the gifts were were exchanged, she said she had one more little thing for me. But we all had to go in the family room where the cd player was. Kristi and Sean wrote and sang/played a song for me (and Nate!) I need to figure out how to post a song on the blog, and when I do, I will most definitely let you hear the song. It is amazing. Kristi is a little girl jam-packed with musical talent. She amazes me with her gift of music. They recorded the song at home with several different tracks. She played the guitar and sang at the same time, then recorded two different harmony parts to add to her singing, Sean played guitar solos, Kristi added a piano track...and I'm sure I'm missing some of it. You just have to hear it. But until then, here are the beautiful words. 

Oh, one more cute note. Kristi has spoiled me with songs, poems, and a movie over the past 2 1/2 years. Each thing has been about our hard times with our babies. They have been treasures to me and have captured feelings and memories better than anything ever could. Jokingly, I recently told her that I didn't want any more songs written for me (only implying that I didn't want to lose another baby). Before playing this song for me, she said "I know you didn't want another song, but I had to, because this was a happy one!"

Thank you, Kristi! I love it, love it, love it, and listen to it over and over with Nate in my arms! 

Did you imagine, the day, when you would hear me say

That I'm stayin, oh, I am staying, oh with you.

In your eyes, I see, the way you look at me,

That you like me, oh, that you love me, oh this way.

Now I can smile today,

Smile

Cuz I can Hear you laugh

And now I can hear you cry

And now I can sing you lullabye

No goodbye, this time.

You hear angels speak

You speak to me

And whisper softly to me,

So that I can Hear them laugh

And so I can hear them cry

And so I can sing them lullabye

Oh tell them I said "hi,"

You hear angels speak

You speak to me

And whisper softly to me,

No goodbye

No goodbye

Cuz I can hear you laugh

And now I can hear you cry

And now I can sing you lullabye

No goodbye

No goodbye

This time

Santa Claus Came to our Town!

Acting out the Nativity...Sadie was the lamb, Ashlyn was Mary, I switched between the angel and Joseph, Dave narrated and filmed. Of course, Nate was baby Jesus. He loved his role...he looked around and smiled the whole time.
This age has been the most fun yet to watch the girls be excited about Santa coming. Can you tell they were a little excited?
Ashlyn reading a Christmas story to Nate. You can't see it in the picture - but they had him propped up facing the Christmas tree so he could feel "Christmasy".
Nate didn't get too much from Santa. Santa knows that milk and loves are his favorite thing...which he already gets plenty of. But he did get him a Hot Wheel.

Thank you Karla!!!!

What a fun surprise the girls got in the mail today. We had just finished opening Santa's presents (yes, he came last night. It feels strange that the rest of the world isn't celebrating Christmas today. The phone rings and we wonder who would be calling on Christmas morning. Aren't they in the middle of opening presents too?) when there was a knock at the door from FedEx. Our friend Karla surprised the girls and mailed them their own real guitars! They were so excited!!! The guitars came with digital tuners, a strap, a case and a CD of guitar songs.
Ash having fun playing!
Sadie intently watching Dave tune her guitar.
This was not posed...
I guess Nate and I better learn to play so we can join the guitar gang! Thank you Karla, from all of us!!!!!!!!!!!!

No coal for me!

Nate doesn't seem too worried about getting coal.

Prayers about Santa

Tonight in Sadie's prayer she said..."Please bless Santa to not bring us coal." I wonder if she's really worried about it or if she's just trying to be funny. Santa comes Friday night (we asked him to come early since we will be in CA for Christmas). The girls can't wait. Either can the adults! I love Christmas!