Egg Nog?

 Yes, it is the 5th annual egg nog mile!  Gross as it is Drew keeps getting people to come back year after year, and lots of crazies that have never tried it before.

 Caleb is still the youngest begging for this unusual form of torture.

 Even Drew at times was looking like egg nog was becoming unappetizing.  He actually did this at WSU also before coming home.  Yes he is a glutton for punishment.

 And then there are those moments when you can tell he cherishes all the pain he can inflict on his stomach.

 Caleb is looking pretty good still here.  If you are not sure what is going on. You drink and 16 oz glass of egg nog run a lap, and do it again and again till you get your mile done.  If you are lucky you will get rid of the egg nog at some point and relieve your stomach of the pain of 1/2 gallon of the stuff.

 Drew savoring glass #4.  He is in the lead, and this will put 1/2 gallon of egg nog in his stomach.

 Looking a little harder!

 And definitely more so.....

 Now it is down-right painful---by choice.

 Ahh....the sweet release of an empty stomach!

 Caleb wondering if this is ever going to be over.

 Drew thankful that it is over, at least the running part.

 Coach Piet always a good sport in showing the kids how it is done.

 Caleb definitely wondering how he thought this would be fun.....again!

 Caleb heading out on his last lap, looking as 'green' as he can!

 Oh....way to go Caleb you missed the new track and the new turf!  Bet you feel better.

 Oh... the finish line and an empty stomach.

 Yes, I did it!

Drew with his good friend Richard and Coach Piet.

Happy Birthday Jesus Party

When our first set of kids were little we used to do a Happy Birthday Jesus Party with our good friends, The Wolfes.  We decided this was the year to resurrect the tradition with our friends, The Rondas and their 4 kids.

We had a nice chili dinner, then attempted to make graham cracker nativity scenes.  Why is it that Pinterest makes it look so easy?

Caleb making his shepherds.

With my help and a glue gun, Hannah was the first done. Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, a shepherd, sheep, and donkey.

Caleb quickly followed.  One thing I have found is neither of them are real into crafts, they will do them, but don't usually ask to do them.  Of course unless Caleb is making a new set of armor which is anytime he can get his hands on cardboard and duct tape!

Close up of Caleb's.  I think his donkey is sleeping.

All the finished projects.

Hannah and Madison quietly listening to the Christmas story---girl style.

Caleb, Aaron, and Josiah piled onto one chair eating peppers--listening to the Christmas story--boy style!  Caleb is not irritated, he actually loves it, he is asking for more peppers.

Blowing out the candles on the Jesus birthday cake.  All the kids left with candy canes and a note to surprise someone with.  It was a fun night and moms and dads got in two games of Ticket to Ride while the kids were watching The Nativity Story.

Thanksgiving

 Since the blog is still being happy and taking my pictures, I though I would catch up, since this is a journal of our family's journey.  And who would not want to see more pictures of cute Harrison all bundled up like a little polar bear to go on a cold evening walk.

 The crowd out for a walk, not all so willingly--LOL!  Some thought we were crazy--Danielle.

 Drew and Courtney on the other hand are very familiar with cold nights coming from Eastern Washington.

 Our cute little Harrison getting ready for bedtime before Thanksgiving.  He is such a cutie!

 Harrison can not believe they put him in an outfit with a large TURKEY on his BUTT! 

 My parents, Great Grandpa and Grandma Fogliasso, with their first great-grandchild!

 David's grandmother, Harrison's Great-Great Grandma Mae.  Yes we have 5 generations on both sides.

 Drew and Courntey

 Caleb and Harrison

 My mom and dad, Loren and Marsha

 Ryan and Danielle

 David and Grandma Mae

 Thanksgiving night hike.  Part way up you can see Medford totally socked in under the fog.

 You can see where they are headed behind them, Roxy Ann Peak.

 Wow!

The evening sunset over Medford---Beautiful!

Crater Lake--I Think

 Still doing make-up pictures since the blog is taking them now.  Over Thanksgiving weekend we headed up to Crater Lake when Drew was on his way back to college.

 We always have to stop so David can take pictures at the river..

 I sure do miss this guy when he is at school.  But we are very proud of the man he is becoming!  And the way he has handled the adversity of this lung issue he is dealing with.

 Can you tell it was cold?  Thankfully Harrison slept through the whole thing under that blanket.

 Yes, read the sign.  There was a steep drop off to the lake below in the fog.

 As you can see we did not listen very well.  And yes that is a large hole that I fell into and everyone was laughing hysterically, Drew so hard he did not even help!

 Such a beautiful picture of Crater Lake--NOT.  But what a nice family!

 Ryan, Danielle and Harrison.  Danielle kept saying this is why she lives in Santa Barbara!

 Drew with his girlfriend, Courtney, who came and enjoyed Thanksgiving with us.

 Love this picture--they look mischievous.  But then again that pretty much describes Drew's whole life:)

 David took about 100 pictures of Ryan, Danielle and Harrison trying to get Harrison to smile.  I was exhausted afterwords from all the jumping around and yelling his name.

This was my favorite.  I have a cute grandson, what can I say!

A Little Break

 Last week we were treated to a couple of days in Bend, courtesy of our big kids for our anniversary.  Yes, we took the littles on our anniversary trip!  Hannah and I with the Rabbit Ear formation behind us in the clouds.  As you can see we have been having fun with yarn extensions this holiday.

 David's overload on pictures.

 We were all packed up to go cross country skiing, but no snow at any of the mid elevations.

 So we enjoyed lots of nice long walks enjoying the tremendous beauty and quietness of Sunriver in the off season.

 We played lots of games and watched some football and Christmas movies.

 It was a great distraction for the kids waiting for Drew's arrival home from college for break. 

 Today we are enjoying a laid back day watching it snow out our own window here in Medford.  Not something it does very often.  Some school will get done, but right now it is Stratego time for Drew and Caleb after a tramp though the snow.  Interestingly Hannah does not seemed bothered by not playing, she is just happy to be near everyone.

 Danielle, Ryan and Harrison traveled to Hawaii this week to spend the week with Erinn and Michael.  I am excited for them to have this time together. We will miss both the girls and their families this Christmas.  Part of the hard stuff of raising a family.

 We have been watching Caleb grow in leaps and bounds, not only in height as you can see, but spiritually and emotionally.  He is learning to slowly recognize his emotional turmoil for what it is and is often times open to discussing what is going on.  Not always,  but who of us is. We are excited to see where the Lord is leading him.

Hannah is bouncing along as usual.  Not much bothers her most days, though recently she complained of a stomach ache like she was going to throw up, and we realized that the stress of Caleb getting into trouble was causing it.  She is very connected to all that is going on around her.  We are going to try to seek out the right place for her to get some strengthening and coordinating training in January.  She so much still looks like a colt trying to get her legs under control!

The last few weeks my blog has not allowed me to post any pictures and I thought I was going to have to do a new one, but I was thankful today it allowed me to.  Maybe in the near future that will have to happen.