There is one memory that I want to make sure my family, especially my children, never forget. That is that no matter what is happening in any of our lives, the holidays are the funnest part of growing up. And finding the perfect tree is the start of the holidays of us. We have found a tree farm that we have started the tradition of going to the last 4 years. You can really feel the joy of childhood when you see your children light up and enjoy the things you tend to overlook. So, let us all take time to stop and smell the fir trees and enjoy you days as we lead into this holiday season.

Schwing anyone?

American style wrestling is not the only style that a Swiss kid learns. Scott was starting the kids out on practicing their Swiss Wrestling (Schwinging). Of course Clara will not wrestle but will be the pretty crown princess when the time comes. She can some day also run for Swiss Miss. SO save your dollars and buy those buttons. And don't forget to cheer on Jacob.

Schwing Fest 09

Jacob and Uncle Buck having a laughing contest.

Amber's 25th Birthday cake.

Jacob pondering on that thought, really? are you serious?

Clara and Aunt Janie playing make believe

Jacob and Uncle Buck eating grass

Walking hand in hand

As they get older, these two will take on anything. Finding snakes, swiming, and even chasing girls. Two of the cutest boys you have ever seen. It is always nice to spend time with family.

Cousin two Cousin

The love two cousins have for one another is like nothing else. You don't choose your family, you are blessed with them. These two cousins love each other very much and when they are together, watch out world. It is awesome that they both get to experience growing up with a "sister".

Oh Bull Frog

It does not surprise me that my children will never be afraid of anything that crawals, slithers and slides. Scott, Clara and Jacob had to go get gas for the lawn mower and ended up coming home with this. As they were driving down the road, this bull frog was hanging out about to get ran over. So Scott rescued it and brought it home to show me. It took a while for Jacob to hold it but not long for Clara to kiss it, trying to find her prince charming. Again, another outdoor adventure.

The snake hunting at our house is never ending. Once again (and you can probably be the same one) these two snake hunters were at it again. But this time, Clara joined in. She was so proud of her catch. This was Clara's first snake. Now Jacob on the other hand, he's the pro. This red racer was almost half as long as he is tall. Unfortunately, he needs to learn that if you step on him to stop him, you have to let up when you pick him up. That snake now has a booboo. Despite that he was a VERY big snake and he was so proud. This has become a new evening hobby!

Memorial Weekend008

Despite the wet ending to a family camp out weekend, Memorial Day 2008, started off great. It was a beautiful day and nature was beaming. Living in Washington is a wonderful thing. The weekend started off with 3 elk viewed in a clear cut near our camp spot and many different creapy crawlys. Dad found 4 legged friends, and Jacob found slithery and crawling critters. Life in the great outdoors, what could have been better.

Sibling affection

Not wanting to leave brother out, we threw him into a few pictures. These pictures will truely haunt them when they are older. I can show, that yes, they truely did love each other once in their life!

Clara's 4th Pictures

Each year we head into Sears and have the annual picutres taken. This year we decided to not only do the typical pretty girl in her dress, but this year we decided to capture what Clara is into. In September, Clara started ballet lessons and is now, after 8 months, is actually showing what she is learning. We are excited everytime she show us her moves. Her first recital will be in December. I actally get to see her for the first time on the 28th, I am really excited. How fast they grow up!

This weekend the Price kids bombarded with excitement. First of all we spent a few day's with their cousins Brandon and Christine at their house. We went through the tulip fields of Mt. Vernon and then visited a real working barn. They got to suggest a name for the two baby calves and were able to walk through the milking parlor. There were chickens, pigs, rabbits, and a very wooly sheep that needed a good shave. If that wasn't enough excitement, they were able to catch some fish at Sunbirds at the Friends of the Cowlitz kids fishing pond. Clara caught 2, one being about 14 inches long and Jacob caught 3, one being about 5 inches long. The kids loved it, and continued to ask through out the day when we were going to gut the fish. After so courage, Clara finally picked up the fish. And from then on, we had to tell her to put them down. She just wanted to hold them. Jacob, not so much. Though they can't eat them, they sure had fun catching them, cleaning them and posing with them.

Cookie and Bapa's Girls

There just might be enough love to go around. Clara now will need to share her Bapa and Cookie with another littke girl. She is so happy and excited to have another little girl in the family. So are Bapa and Cookie. Here are pictures of them with thier girls. Who wouldn't be happier, two girls and two boys!

Loving sister cousin

Clara welcomes Christine to the family. This was her first visit with her new cousin. She told me when we left home to see her that she was so excited, she was going to love her. Actually it was really hard to get her to go play and let someone else hold her. She is great at being a big Sister Cousin. She loves her newest cousin.

Get the gun, we're goin' on a hunt.

Easter 2008 came quickly. Here it was March and bam, there it was. This year the kids did the Easter egg hunt at the Bethal Church in Napavine. I was amazing the number of people that come out for something for this. It was a 40,000 egg hunt. The kids made out really well. Candy galore. Plus it was not raining. What more could you ask for. It was cold, but not raining. Easter was fun.

I would like to welcome to the family the newest member, Christine Alexis Troy. My big sister and her husband had a beautiful baby girl on Feburary 29th, yes we have a leap year baby in the family now. She was 7 lbs and 1 oz and 20 inches long. She is doing great, no problems at all. Big Brother Brandon couldn't be happier to have a baby sister. He likes to kiss on her. We can't wait to help her explore the world around her and learn all the things a little girl should know. Clara can't wait to see baby sister cousin Christine.

Welcome Baby Christine!

End of Winter trip to the Zoo

After all of the cold, white days in Onalaska, the Clara and Jacob brought their friend Chance to the zoo. They met up with their Cousin Brandon too. It was a blast. Every animal was visited, from the elephants to the Beluga Whale, which was the higthlight. We made it to the Beluga whale exhibit just in time to see them feeding and putting on their act. I was even able to impress Uncle Mike with my knowledge of the animals and the pernuciation of their names. When all you really had to do is read the signs located at the enterance of each exhibit. (or listen to a lot of Diego movies!) This was just the first of hopefully may days at the zoo, as there is always something different happening there.