Well, after almost a year of writing on this blog, I figured I'd join the club and start doing mine again! I thought it'd be funny to see what we looked like when I last posted compared to now...what do you think? haha
THEN...
NOW...
Not much difference...besides my grizzly husband!
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We had a wonderful (and I mean WONDERFUL) trip to see our family down south. We left bright and early, on Friday the 19th and headed down to California. Our original idea was to drive to Visalia and stay with some friends, get up and drive to Orange County, see some family and friends, and be on our way to Blythe for the Annual Game Dinner at my grandparents. Ok, so that wasn't the "original" plan, but the easiest one to explain. We ended up driving all the way to Whittier to stay with cousins Corinne, Davey and Mr. Brayden--which made for a really long drive--for Paul that is! I'm perfectly happy letting my wonderful husband drive me everywhere. I'm the 'sleep in the car, read' kinda co-captain. I'm happy to listen to most any kind of music and I don't care what temperature the inside of the car is, unlike my loving husband! haha We got up Saturday and had breakfast, then off to California we went! But not before we stopped and got part of my Christmas present...TADA!!
TOM'S!! I love love LOVE Tom's for what the company stands for, the quality of shoes and for what they do for those in need. Check it out for yourself!
After we fought the crowds at the Brea Mall (which, I can say with full confidence, I may never return again!) we headed to Blythe for the Annual Game Feed. We got to spend some time with family and friends who I've known for a long time. It was nice to see everyone. Sunday we got up and headed to Havasu to see Paul's family and start the week long Thanksgiving/Reunion!
TOM'S!! I love love LOVE Tom's for what the company stands for, the quality of shoes and for what they do for those in need. Check it out for yourself!
After we fought the crowds at the Brea Mall (which, I can say with full confidence, I may never return again!) we headed to Blythe for the Annual Game Feed. We got to spend some time with family and friends who I've known for a long time. It was nice to see everyone. Sunday we got up and headed to Havasu to see Paul's family and start the week long Thanksgiving/Reunion!
Before we headed Down River, we hung out with Skyler so she didn't have to go to preschool. We made breakfast...
We went to the library and just had a great time with her! It's so fun to see how much she's growing up and talking just like a big girl! She LOVED her Uncle Paul and after spending a full day with her laughing, coloring and snuggling, Uncle Paul was rightfully wiped out! But, he told me he had the best time with her. So sweet.
We went to the library and just had a great time with her! It's so fun to see how much she's growing up and talking just like a big girl! She LOVED her Uncle Paul and after spending a full day with her laughing, coloring and snuggling, Uncle Paul was rightfully wiped out! But, he told me he had the best time with her. So sweet.The family started heading into town on Wednesday so we headed Down River and began the four day feast! Seeing as this was my first Wolterman Family Reunion/Thanksgiving, I knew I was in for quite a treat!
Of course, I was disappointed. Lots of food, lots of laughs, lots of dancing, lots of love, too. Thursday brought enough food and cooking to feed a small army-which is basically what was there!
I'm pretty sure there was 6 turkeys, 3 or 4 hams, 30 pounds of mashed potatoes (made by yours truly and my mother in law!) and enough gravy, salads and rolls to suffice!
Do not be fooled...There was so much more food in the kitchen, this is just what could fit on the pool table! haha
Friday morning we headed down to Blythe again to see my grandparents. They recently bought a new jeep and wanted to try it out in the desert. They waited around for us to head out, and after we ate some yummy leftover turkey and cranberry sauce, we headed to the desert! Now, if you know anything about the Baker Family, it's that something always goes wrong. Be it the boat (which runs out of gas or breaks down) on the river, lake or ocean, or the car, the airplane, the quads, the rhino, the list goes on. So, getting in the Jeep, I knew full well what I was in for, and so did my Grandma. Poor Paul, had no idea! hahaha Needless to say, we got out to the desert and after driving for a bit, we stopped to get out and look around!
Grandma and I noticed the tire was quickly deflating! YIKES! Luckily, it wasn't 120 degrees outside and Papa and bought an air pump! The men got the tire pumped up and we were off! Only to hear the air actually spewing from the tire, with every revolution! UH-OH! So we stopped once more to fill the tire, just to get to the road and call my dad to come help us out!!
We could have changed the tire ourselves, but the previous owners got new wheels on the Jeep at some point and didn't change the lug wrench so we didn't have the right size to change the tire! Darn! Thank goodness for cell service, even out in the desert!
Once we got out of the desert, Paul and I had to dash out of there so we could make it to take the big Wolterman family reunion picture! We got really lucky and made it just in time for the last few pictures! Phew!
Friday night brought the actual reunion party with lots of dancing, hanging out and fun! What a blessing it truly was to get to spend so much time with Paul's family! Since we don't get to do it much, we really cherish every moment we spend with them. It was great to meet the extended family that I hear about but never have gotten a chance to talk to. One of Paul's distant cousins came with her husband and their 8 kids. What a great family! We started talking and I felt really blessed to talk to someone that had a lot of the same values as I did-God, family (lots of kids!), being a stay at home mom, etc. I really felt it was one of those "right place at the right time" kind of things. Truly a blessing!
We left on Saturday morning, worrying a little about the passes to get home, so we stayed in Redding and got up early Sunday to head home. It was nice to make a long drive in one day and be home in the early afternoon to unpack and eat a homecooked meal in my own house! We love traveling to see family but there's nothing better than putting your feet on your own couch and making a mess in your own kitchen! haha
We were so blessed to get to spend time with our extended family for this holiday! We are so excited for the rest of the holiday season, but will be missing our family down there. We'll be back in April for the Atkins/Wolterman wedding, and simply CAN NOT WAIT!
Now that it's Dec. 1st, we are going to start gearing up for Christmas! Probably going to get a tree in the next few weeks-I think we're going to Detroit to cut down one from the woods! So fun! Christmas cards will be going out soon! I can't believe it's December already! Many exciting things to come in the new year-babies (Not ours...yet!) , weddings, graduation and new jobs!
Hey i was there for all of that
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