PRETTY LADY

THIS PRETTY LADY IS KAYA.
SHE IS SEVEN-YEARS-OLD TODAY!

TO BE OR NOT TO BE...

TO BE OR NOT TO BE VACCINATED...

that's been the big question this year.

The swine flu scare has had many running and lining up for their shots, but others fear the vaccine may have side effects that may not become known for many years.
I had always scoffed the notion of seasonal flu shots and did not even consider getting the vaccination. But, if I had to decide again, I would probably have chosen differently. Both Harry and I have been quite sick since the last week in November. A persistent cough is the most annoying feature of whatever is ailing us.

WELCOME BABY CECILIA!

Nick and Gracia have a baby girl!
Cecilia Monique
Born; December 26, 2009
Weight: 7 pounds 3 ounces
Length: 19 1/2 inches

Elly and Cecil are in Portland to welcome their first grandchild!

CHRISTMAS 2009

a light meal....

a lot of gifts...

mixed emotions...
CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS 2009

HANDSOME FELLOW

THIS HANDSOME FELLOW IS BENJAMIN
HE IS TWO-YEARS-OLD TODAY!

LAS POSADAS

Jake and Vereni hosted a family dinner at their house on Saturday December 19. Vereni introduced our family to the Mexican tradition of celebrating Las Posadas. The nine-day celebration lasts from December 16 to December 24. It is a time when people remember the journey of Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem and their search for shelter in their time of need. Showing hospitality is important during the festival of Las Posadas, welcoming people into your homes as family, singing with them and sharing a meal, extending the hospitality that was denied to Joseph and Mary and the expected Jesus.

BATH TIME FOR "BABY"

It's amazing...and a little scary, to see that children want to do everything that they see adults doing.
Sofia bathing her little baby doll.

AVA IS A "STAR"

Ava is a "star" in the telling of the Christmas story in her preschool Christmas program.

SNOWBALL FIGHT AT A CEMETERY?

Harry's brother Bob turned 60 this December.
All of his siblings headed to the DC area to note that milestone at a surprise birthday party that was planned for Bob by Adri and the kids.
Willie relaxing in the lounge of Sheraton hotel in Baltimore after our flight.
Friday December 4th

Willie had to ask directions when "Garmin" failed us.
DC weather is not co-operating with our plans to do some sightseeing.
Saturday December 5th

Riding in the DC Trolley

The winter weather looks better than it feels!

Some of the things that we were able to see in DC were Union Station, the Capitol, Aerospace Museum, Native American Museum, and a session of the Senate.

As the sun set in DC, we began our trip to Gaithersburg, where Annie and BP would be meeting us that evening. Once again, "Garmin" proved to be unreliable!!

After a fun breakfast at the hotel we headed to the small historic town of Frederick MD.
Sunday Morning December 6th

Annie and Bruce in Frederick

Bruce, Annie, Willie, and Harry
Sunday December 6th

We arrived in Germantown a little too early, so we checked out the local cemetery...
a visit that quickly turned into a snowball fight.

Adri is happy to see Willie.

Bob's Surprise Party

Our Hostess and the Guest of Honor.

On Monday we all went to Georgetown for sightseeing and we enjoyed a special lunch at this pizzeria.

Tuesday, before our flight home, Harry and I walked around the Inner Harbor of Baltimore.

THANKSGIVING 2009

Most of our kids celebrated Thankgiving with their "other" families this year, so we had a small group and a small turkey this year.

SABBATH REST

It's Sunday.
A Day of Rest.

Joey "resting" on the floor in my mom and dad's den. 1971

CHEESY TOUR

Independent Milk Producers were given a tour of Gossner's Cheese Plant in Heyburn Idaho. The plant is using some of the milk produced by IMP in its production of Swiss cheese.

One thing that we learned today
is that when a Swiss cheese maker
talks about a "good body" and "good eyes"
...they are not ogling a woman,
but they are talking about a batch of Swiss cheese.
(the holes in Swiss cheese are referred to as eyes.)

LIAM IS TWO-YEARS-OLD

Look who's two today!
Happy Birthday
Little Liam!
Grandpa Harry
and
Grandma Flora
love you.
We hope that you
have a fun party today.

WHO IS BLOWING OUT CANDLES TODAY?

There's another birthday in the family!
This time it's Adriana's turn to blow out some candles.
May God bless you today and everyday.

DON'T BOTHER RAKING

Two-year-old Lizzie plays with the colorful leaves.
Fall 2002

Fall is my favorite season.
Enjoy the beauty of the falling leaves.
Don't bother with raking.

My kids - Fall 1986

Harry and Peter tackle the leaves in Pete and Jenn's huge yard last week when we went to see the new baby.

Gracie in the leaves - Fall 2007

Karis and Liam in Otis Orchards Fall of 2008

Our driveway a few weeks ago.

CHECK OUT THE BIRTHDAY BOY

This little boy is twenty-seven years old.
Happy Birthday Jake!
With love and best wishes from Mom and Dad.

MEETING LITTLE WAYLON

Harry and I met our newest grandchild, Waylon.
He looks absolutely perfect.
Welcome to the family.

Six-day-old Waylon Leroy Bokma

What a good-looking family!

Proud Mom Jennifer

Proud Dad Peter

Three Kids in a Row
Liam Mitchell, Karis Beda, & Waylon Leroy

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Lucas the crocodile and Taya the witch!

Sofia "Poodle" Bokma

Spiderman (aka Ava) and Benjamin

Olive Oyl & Popeye (aka Karis and Liam)

Gracie the witch, and Lizzie the gypsy