Ashly's Birthday

Today is Ashly's 1st birthday and it has been great other than she didn't take enough naps so a bit cranky, but I guess if it's your b-day you get to be the star. We even let her eat her cake all

byherself but she didn't eat any!

Merry Christmas from Utah

Merry Christmas All!  Pete and I kept the celebration to a minimum this year.  Rogue had his 3rd surgery on Tuesday from his bison expedition and it looks like this one may hold, so he was our Christmas present.  I guess i'll have to dedicate a handful of stitches to each of my nieces and nephews this year instead of the usual loot.  I'm just glad big guy is going to be o.k... I hope.  Anyway our Christmas was nice, we had breakfast with our friend Blue's family and Pete cooked dinner for us and our friends Chelsea and Court.  It was quiet but nice.  Miss everyone and sorry we are so scattered.  Love shani P.S. just some random photos attached from the last month

Mom and Dad are in Michigan

Well, Mom and Dad are back in Michigan and brought some Christmas snow with them. We just got back from downtown Rochester checking out the Christmas lights - over a million total. Very pretty and a nice walk. The baby and River are enjoying having Grandma and Grandpa home - they make it nice - and extra busy. Merry Christmas everyone

Why is Uncle Chuck so tired?? He came for Thanksgiving and we wouldn't let him rest. Free turkey from us - forget it. But he wouldn't run with me - something about my calf hurts,now give me a cookie. So I made him dinner on Sunday and had him drive home through a snowstorm. Try that again, sucker!

HELLO FROM MAMMOTH LAKES

HI EVERYONE, JUST GOT BACK FROM OREGON 2 DAYS AGO, RAUM'S FIRST TRIP ON AN AIRPLANE, WE HAD SUCH A WONDERFUL TIIME, SO NICE TO SEE YOU ALL, I DONT KNOW IF ILL BE GOING ON ANY MORE ROAD TRIPS ANY TIME SOON, IM SURE YOUVE ALL HEARD IT TOOK ME 8 HOURS TO GET HOME FROM RENO, RAUM HATES HIS CAR SEAT, OF COURSE MY KID DOESNT LIKE TO TRAVEL, GO FIGURE, NICK AND I ARE GOING TO GET OUR CHRISTMAS TREE TONIGHT, NO SNOW ALTHOUGH, ITS STILL 60 AND SUNNY,MAYBE BY XMAS, I MISS YOU ALL, LOOK FOR MORE PICFTURES OF RAUMY ON SNAPFISH, LOVE D

Hello Family- I finally made it to the sight. I am in Portland this morning having peppermint coffee with Andy and Andi. It is a foggy day today but it looks really pretty. We are trying to decide if we are going kayaking on the coast today or go back down to Salem and hike a waterfall with Cathy, Shani and Jonna. The picture above is from yesterday, we explored Lincoln City, Depoe and Newport. The sunset was absolutely amazing. We had the perfect winter coastal day with the wind blowing off shore. Andy was a great guide. Destiny was here with Raum, but left on Sunday. She is a great mom. Joey and his kids came for the weekend too and he made a beautiful dinner for all of us. It is really great to have so much of the family together. a
Although some of you are missing....you know who you are. Maybe next year we will get all of us in one place. So vacation is great, I get to sleep in, see beautiful sights, dink wine while the stock market makes someone else crazy this week. Work has definately been my joy and challenge this year. When I get back to Detroit I have to hit my book and get my 66 passed. I think I will enjoy Christmas first. Josh I am really looking forward to seeing you. I miss you alot. I read some stuff about Rommel of the desert. I have questions about that when you get home. Dad and Sue are at my house this week Christmas shopping. Life is good. I think we are all blessed to have been put on this earth together. I love you all so much. Mayle

P.S. All of these pictures are from the visit here in Oregon except for the one of Brandy's family which was the baby's baptism at St Kierans. enjoy

My 2nd flight in 1 month

In October I won a trip to Jamaica and a chance to do a triathlon there - and the biggest test for me was getting my butt on the plane - a trip out of Vegas a few years ago really traumatized me. So with a little pharmaceutical help I made it - and one step closer to conquering my fears of falling out of the sky. I thought I was done flying for a while, but - Lucky me - I won a trip to New York to do a competition with Twinlabs, which meant - you got it - another set of flights. the only trick here is that i didn't have anyone going with me so my prescription was not an option. Apparently God has a real sense of humor, because not only did I not have any pills to help, my plane was delayed and then the wings iced, they de-iced the wings, etc. 3 hours later we finally took off and I think all of the adrenalin I made would have killed a small horse. needless to say, I felt like crap when I finally got to the city at 1 in the morning. I slept for less than 3 hours then went to my event. let's just say i've had better days and some of the people were real idiots(the real name I called them will remain unwritten), but my hotel was great (if super small) and in a not too bad neighborhood. Yesterday morning I walked all the way up 5th Avenue and saw the Empire State Building, The new York Public Library, Rockefeller Plaza and saw the Christmas tree, attended mass at Saint Thomas cathedral (with only 4 other people) saw Tiffany, Versace, Harry Winston (I think I left nose prints on the glass there) and hit FAO Schwartz for xmas gifts for the girls. I think I walked about ten miles yesterday. I wish I would have had Chad and the girls with me, but they would not have tolerated my insanity yesterday, so probably for the best. I made it home yesterday afternoon - and Chad did really great taking care of the girls - they were both clean, fed and healthy. The house, on the other hand, didn't fare as well, but I guess that's what I get.

hey Josh, Trev is trying to reach you, maybe get lucky with his other email. Hey Cath, we miss you. You better stay out of the canyons by the sound of what happened to Rogue. Come back home safe ok. Me and Con wish we could be with all of you. Sounds like its gonna be a fun time. hey Josh, your mom says to get a hold of Jery. Hes in Charleston and hes off on Sundays. Maybe you guys could hook up for awhile. Wish i was back in N.C. We are in the middle of a full blown blizzard. Supposed to get 2 foot. Yuk. I guess its okay if your a bear and ya can hibernate. Hate Michigan winters. How about my neices and nephews doing more frequent updates. Its really great to keep up on whats happening with you all. May, keep your promise and get on this little piece of the world. I love and miss all of you. Hey Karen, Connie says its been a long time since you guys danced with the parking meters. Maybe you guys could meet in Kzoo sometime. Looking forward to hearing from all of you. Hey Joey, Aunt Connie wants to see a pic of your honey. Hey Josh pleaseeeeeee call your mom and tell her about the black eye. Its really bugging her. lol. bye for now

from momma connie

hey AJ, I wish I was stepping off the plane with your other mother.can't wait til March. Give your kids a hug from Gramma.

Hi everyone, We beat the storm home late Sat nite. Really tired out from the trip but we had a great visit with Josh and Sean and Michelle. Left 65 and sunny and came back to crappy. ick!! Tried to talk Uncle Terry into heading south instead of north but you all know his love of ice fishing. doulbe ick. Shani, your belly is adorable. You look sooo cute. Miss all you guys. Keep sending pics Destiny. I share them with all. Baby is beyond adorable. Hey Joey, got to see the pic that Darby sent of the kids. You Foellers make really good looking kids. Hey Josh your mom says hi and she misses you. Hope you are doing well in New York Brandy. Kick butt! This site is the coolest thing since chocolate. Love and miss ya all!