HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Wrapping up another year is both exciting and a little depressing.

We get a fresh start on ideas and resolutions... and sad to think another year has gone by and we're all getting older. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to be in my mid 30's... I just hate to see the kids growing up so fast. Alexandra will be in high school in three years... Seven years until college. I suppose that is why we are told to enjoy the moment and take one day at a time.

Below are the last pictures taken in 2007. We had a calm Christmas & New Year's Day. Dad & John both had to work Christmas so we planned to meet up this past Friday to spend "our" Christmas together. Another factor of getting older... you don't get to see your loved ones as much as you'd like. Everyone has families of their own and busy schedules to handle. We make it work... that is what being apart of a loving family is all about, right?

Last week we received a total of 5" of snow in the foothills. We actually had a "White Christmas" Day. It didn't stick, but it did snow. We don't get that often so it was a treasure to us. Here are just a few pictures showing the kids enjoying the moment.

He enjoyed making a snowman
Just for the record, Miss Madison DID have a hat on....
don't know where it was when the camera came out, tho!


Yes, she did throw it... Paybacks will be harsh! LOL
Mom sent a few pictures over to me that I wanted to share.
This lovely picture is of Dad & 17lb Smokey.
I might have more cats than they do, but Smokey makes up for it in the ginormous factor.

Christmas Pajamas. Yes, Hunter is a little stinker.
My handsome brother, John & his family: Amy & Colton

My beautiful cousin, Billie & her family: Dan, Cassie & William

William, Colton & Ali... looking so happy to smile for the camera.

A few weeks back, Linn County Juvenile Detention Center had an Open House. I took the girls out of school and met Scott there. We toured areas that are usually closed to the public. Here is a cell. The toilet/sink is next to me. Kids have to fold the blankets up each morning. They are not allowed to lay down during the day. The only shelf for books is the slots they call windows. It's sad & depressing to see, but what we have to remember is they're not in there for the heck of it. Kids need consequences for their actions. They will end up here if laws are not obeyed. Pray for Scott. He is great at what he does but there are days that it's hard.

Of course, if you look at this picture, my kids don't look too scared, do they? *eye roll*

May 2008 bring each of you happiness, health & love!

The Knox5