James Christmas Party

We had the James family party the other day. It was a lot of fun! We decided last year that we were not going to give presents to all the kids but instead we were going to go and do something fun and put our money towards a memory instead of a dollar store present. Lets just say I think we all enjoyed that a whole lot more. My kids are still talking about the party.

Susan planed for all of us to go to Classic Skating in Orem. The kids loved it. My kids had been a couple of times thanks to the ward party up at Classic in Salt Lake but this time they didn't spend the whole night on their buts but were on their feet most of the time. Even Railey did great thanks to the skates she got for Christmas last year and all the practicing she did the days leading up to the party (once she found out we were going skating she wore her skates non stop). Even Steve was able to join us for an hour before he had to slip off to the temple (he's at the recommend desk for the next 6 months and couldn't get away)

Most of the time I was pushing Kenna around on her scooter but when I would let go and she would do it herself this is what would happen.

I did manage to finally get a good picture of her sitting up on the scooter (6 shots later)

Railey couldn't wipe the grin off her face the whole time we were there (well until we left and then she was screaming because she didn't want to go)

Damen tried out the roller blades and thought that was more fun than just normal skates

once again Kenna tipping over

After skating we headed over to the church for a yummy dinner and to play ball and make ginger bread houses. I don't know if the game of speed was a bigger hit than the gingerbread houses or not maybe it was a toss up but that game went on the whole time we were there. I think all had fun with both

Kenna mostly contributed by eating the candy and speeding the decorating process up a bit (less candy to put on the house!) It was funny we were just wanting to get the house done so once it was assembled we started putting candy on. Well several kids came up and got after us because we were already decorating and hadn't waited the 15 minutes their parents told them they had to wait. Oh well in the end we probably all finished about the same time.

After the houses were built we exchanged gifts amongst the siblings and then Grandma handed out her candy bar to the kids -- youngest to oldest. I didn't get a picture of the girls but I thought the ones of the boys were cute. She's telling them how much she loves them (I think).

We had a great time and look forward to it again next year. Thanks Susan for all the work you put into it. The kids really did love all of it.

James Reunion 2011

Right after getting back from Oregon, we had enough time to do laundry, water the garden and then the next Thursday we were off again to the James reunion. We had lots of fun but ended up having to leave earlier than expected when Steve couldn't end up finding a sub for the temple. Jenny planned it this year and put in lots of time and effort and made it lots of fun. We had it down in Loa and set up the tent trailer for what the kids called camping. At least there were some marshmallows the first night!

Damen and Railey roasting their mellows



Mike, Steve, Railey and Seth after having eaten their mellows and before heading back to bed.

The next morning we woke up and went running, oh it's cool down there. It was so nice to run almost wanting a jacket, it hasn't been that way here for a few days. But then after a yummy breakfast we headed down to Capital Reaf, where Steve and the boys went on a hike while Railey, Kenna and I went and played in a stream (red and muddy one at that)
Damen, Seth and cousins

Isaac, Damen, Kenneth, Joe, Seth

The kids loved finding all these crevices to take pictures in

After the hikes we had lunch then headed back for some games and relaxation.this pole. I guess we are off to some sort of start I don't know if it's good or bad, but she Before we started in on dinner I took Kenna out to the back porch where she played and played on sure is a good pole dancer (it helps her keep her balance, she does the same at the pool)

Here were some of the relay games that we played in the afternoon.

Damen going around the bat 10 times!

Thanks Jenny for all your hard work and making the reunion another fun, "Awkward Socializing" time.

Oregon with the James'

We had tried to get a hold of Dave and Judy (Steve's uncle and aunt) for a few weeks to see if we could visit with them but when we finally did they were going to be out town watching their grand kids so we kind of assumed we wouldn't be able see them but when they called and invited us to their 4th of July BBQ we knew we had to go. We have been trying to build a relationship with them and get to know them over the past few years and we looked forward to seeing them again. When Steve called to see what we could bring Dave mentioned to him that Grandpa James would be there. Steve was so excited and yet so nervous. The last time he had seen his Grandpa, his grandpa had kicked him off his front porch.

So we headed up to Dundee after being at Silver Falls. It only took about 1 1/2 hours to get there but it gave all the kids time to have a nap which by this time in our trip was greatly needed. We arrived at Dave and Judy's house and they took us out back to see Grandpa. He looked great! He is 95 and though he was in a wheel chair he seemed to be doing really well. I kind of sat back and let Steve and him talk. The talked all night long.

They had invited to their party Nathan and Jenny (son and wife) and their kids, Hunter and Dillan and then Jenny's parents and then another couple they are great friends with. Actually all of them are great friends with each other and I do things together quite often it sounded like. But oh my goodness, they had so much food. I know Jenny brought a salad but I think she was the only one, the rest Judy had prepared. I was commenting on the spread of food they had and said something like this must have taken you all day to do and she said "Oh it was more than just today it was a couple of days." Seriously though everything you could ever imagine at a BBQ including 6-8 different kinds of chips. It was more food than we have at a James party and there are 11 kids to provide for that. I don't know if that's how their parties normally are or if they put this all on because of us. I really do hope it wasn't just because of us but if it was we were very grateful. Then she brought out the dessert. Cupcakes and a couple of pies. They were gorgeous and delicious all together.

But the best part was just visiting. All the guys seemed to congregate together and all the girls as well. The kids got along great with Hunter and Dillan who are the same ages so we didn't have to really worry about them interrupting or bugging they just played and played in their immaculately beautiful yard.

Steve and Grandpa seemed to talk about anything and everything. We weren't sure he would know who Steve was (Dave had said he had some dementia) but he introduced Steve to one of the guys as his Grandson, which meant the world to both of us. He even asked about Momma and how she was doing. They talked about Alaska, fishing, and all sorts of things but Steve found it interesting that Grandpa kept sneaking peaks of him and would even reach out to touch Steve when he wasn't looking. Steve thought that Grandpa must have thought he looked a lot like his Dad, Stan and that's why he kept looking or glancing at him. He also really took to Kenna. See Grandpas name is Ken and one of the reasons we named her that was after him but he seemed to know that and would try reaching for her all night long and she would give him her ornery look and run away or give him a laugh as he tried to tickle her, it was really cute to watch.

Here are the kids eating their cupcakes

Here's Dillan he was taking pictures of me so I was taking them of him. He's Nathan's 7 year old

Here's a picture of all the guys. Grandpa, Steve, Seth, Nathan, friend

Kenna and her cupcake

Grandpa, Steve and Seth

Nathan, Dave, Steve, Seth, Dillan and Grandpa

Nathan, Dave, Damen, Hunter, Seth, Steve, Dillan and Grandpa

Steve and Grandpa

Damen and Hunter hanging out on the lawn chairs.

We ended up going out front for some fireworks that night and the kids had a blast doing them or at least watching them while they did their snaps

Jenny, Nathan, Hunter, Seth

Damen and Seth watching the fireworks.

It really was a wonderful night. We are so glad we took the time to drive up and be with them. As we were getting ready to leave (10:30 pm) Grandpa told Steve that he had a wonderful family (he told me the same thing) and then told him that he loved him to which Steve replied that he loved him too. And we do. Even if the relationship hasn't really been there Steve's whole life we got to see a good side while we were there and who knows if we will see him again on this side of the veil. If not it was a wonderful memory until we see him again. We owe a lot to Dave and Judy for bringing us together and helping make the night happen.