A wonderful Christmas here in Spokane!

We had all the family home for Christmas for the first time since 2005! We had such a good time, even though we spent at least half our time shoveling snow. We played together, some skied, pretended for a day it was summer at the indoor water par, ate lots of yummy food, and laughed and laughed. A truly wonderful time to be together and to count our blessings. We hope it was wonderful for all of you too!

Chloe's excitement

Uncle Luke had put a train around the Christmas tree, and Chloe's reaction was priceless. Oh to be so excited!

Christmas Eve and Morning 2008

Maggie enjoying Christmas Dinner, Megan and Mary smile for the camera!

Maggie checking out her stocking to see what else Santa brought! Ladd and Katie smiling for the camera, and unwrapping the unique gift from Luke (tied up with rope)

Miles and Maggie listening to a story

Marsha, Katie and Deanne on Christmas Eve.

Granma Mellor and Jennilyn!

More snow on top of more snow!

Maggie found her spot and Papa and Grandma make a Chloe sandwich!

Amid the constant snowstorms which dumped 60 inches of snow in two weeks, we found time to play at the gym(mostly to get out of the snow) and had a fun time!

Ladd and Chloe

here are a few pictures of Deanne, Katie and Luke shoveling (or playing) on the roof.

The Birthay Boy and bash at the indoor water park!

On Luke's birthday, we spent the day at the indoor water park in Hayden, enjoying the warmth while a blizzard raged outside. Then we had a party that evening for the birthday boy and his Mom!

Pictures in Pine River Park!

After a crazy morning, we all made it to the park, and voila, the pictures turned out well, and it wasn't even painful. We're sure grateful for our beautiful family! Ever seen such good looking children?


A rare straight on look at the camera from Maggie!


Mary



Careful, that log could be slippery!


Deanne and Patrick Ladd and Katie








Finding their place in the river!


Tree hopping!









A good family picture, but that water was really cold!





Patrick, Deanne, Maggie and Chloe

A family reunion!

Ladd, Deanne and Katie, showing their best at hula hooping! Deanne kept it up the longest!
Katie and Grandma, during the 7's game
Patrick and Ladd getting ready to roll!
On Monday, we went to Deer Lake for the afternoon. It was the most beautiful day. Sunshine, and no one at the lake except us. We swam, and canoed,played in the sand and even had a mini olympics, swimming and kayaking around the buoy. The team of Mary, Deanne and Patrick won, but Katie, Marsha and Ladd gave it a good try.
Dave and Grandma Graesser canoeing around the lake.

A family reunion! cont.

On Sunday, we all met up at church and Luke gave his homecoming talk. He did a great job, and he had a huge fan club there too! (All of his extended family) After church we had a BBQ in the back yard and everyone had a great time visiting together and eating yummy food. The day was beautiful and so was all the company! The cooks! Mike and Dave!

Dave, Marsha, Dorothy, Mike and Debby




D The three D's--Deb, Dorothy, and Dave
Chloe munching the watermelon





Shaefer, Grandma Graesser and Grandma Mellor









Are these look alike cousins? Deanne and Olivia

Welcome Home Luke!

Luke arrived late on tuesday night from his mission to Costa Rica. We anxiously awaited his arrival and we watched as he came down the escalotor and walked over to see us. He had a huge smile on his face and so did we. We had lots of long awaited hugs for him. We are sure glad that he is home and that he enjoyed his mission and did so well.

So happy to see our boy again!

The welcoming committee

Elder Luke

Some photos of Luke's Mission

































A baptism of a young couple in Costa Rica














Helping with the humanitarian project of distrubing wheel chairs!



A hike into the beautiful mountains of Costa Rica

Spending some time with some of our favorite kids!

Marsha, Deanne and Maggie

Papa with Chloe
Mary, Maggie and Chloe out for a walk

A day in the park with the grand kids!

C

Chloe not sure of the carousel Maggie at Riverfront park



Maggie and Chloe at the splash pad

Deanne, Maggie and Chloe came up to visit us this past week, and we had a fun day in the park. We went to the Shadle splash pad and got all wet and then we picked up Mary on her lunch hour and headed to Riverfront park for a ride on the Carousel. It was hot, but we had a wonderful time!

Mary with sunclad Chloe