Time with Grandkids At Christmas...How We Loved It!

We love being with our grandchildren. But it is rare that we can be with all of them at once. It was great to share Christmas with the Utah families this year and spend a little more time with these kids.

It has become a tradition for JR, Casey, Mackenzie and Kayla to come over and help us decorate our tree. Mackenzie is a real helper and even gets on the ladder to get the high places.

Kayla just loves being in the middle of things. She definitely wants to be in charge, but her decorating skills leave a little to be desired yet.

We had to do our Christmas with these Dicksons a couple of days early, but it was warm and cozy and full of love.

We did Christmas about 10 days early with Hunter. Since it is the first he will remember, at least this part was fun. The Hernandez went to Colombia and were very sick the whole time. It will be a Christmas to remember, but not fondly.

These two were always clowning for the camera, and then wanted to see how it turned out. Instead of pj's for Christmas Eve, Sunny's kids opened new swimming suits, since they are going on a cruise in a couple of weeks.

Riley is such a poser! She has certain stances and faces she knows will be cute!

Sage was always deep into a game or music with Nintendo DS or an ipod or something electronic. Notice the full cheek. There is so much Christmas candy to choose from!

Jessie gets double presents. Her birthday is December 28th so we opened birthday presents as well.

This is the computer generation. The kids entertain themselves on computers all the time. Jessie and Bailey are wonderful friends. Luckily, they even go to the same school.

Tristan is growing his hair longer. Papa offered to cut it for him. Not on your life. He is really growing up and is a help to Sunny, especially with the twins, who he adores.

Alex's Christmas was fashion, fashion, fashion. Cute boots, cute girl!

Our oldest two together--Jade and Alex.

We didn't see as much of Jade as we did last Christmas in Israel, but it was fun to do it the traditional way this year. Here she is with Adam. He is sure proud of her!

There was still something to set up Christmas morning for Bailey--Polly Pockets racetrack to the mall. Gordon and Karen Schooley advise.

Lacey and some of her Christmas stuff.

Halle and her new outfit.

Halle loves her American girl doll Santa brought.

Jack got his own lounge chair.

Jack is so cool.

Rock band was the hit of Christmas. There was no need to keep an eye on the kids. They were totally consumed with rocking out downstairs. They were good, too. You should hear Tristan sing!

Time to sit around together. Alex and Jack with Papa.

Snow, snow, snow! Halle, Lacey and Bailey pose for me in front of the white stuff. It was my first White Christmas ever! So much fun!

The audience waiting their turn on Guitar Hero. Lacey, Bailey, Jennifer, and Halle & friend.

Jade, Lacey and Jack at the Toblers after Christmas.

New Entry Console

(Time out from updating my Christmas pictures.) A very few of you will be mildly interested in the new piece of furniture we bought with some of Granddad's Christmas gift. The picture just doesn't do it justice. It goes better with the "Cowboy Mirror" and is more of a unique piece, with lots of simple detail . It is done by Greene and Greene and is reminiscent of the Craftsman. We put the black console up in the red room with the TV on it and it looks okay.

Utah Babies at Christmastime

So many cute baby pictures to choose from. Here are a few:

Sunny and Charlie at 5 1/2 months.
Steve and Tristan looking for a winning smile from Sam


Kate has the cutest wrinkled-nose smile, which she will flash at you anytime you smile at her! She is 7 1/2 months here.

Since Kate is two months older she still has the upper hand with the boys. She is so tiny and they are already bigger. It won't be long before they are doing the pushing and she will have to win them over with her personality.

Lindsey with Kate. Though Kate has some definite Lindsey features, the overall look is so Tobler!Sunny has her hands full! Occasionally, she has to be creative to satisfy their demands at the same time.
Everyone wants to hold Kate! Bailey with her cousin.

Because of the angle, the difference in size between Sam (in the front) and Charlie is accentuated. We miss these little ones when we're gone. They change so much in a few months.

Christmas in Five Places

This year we opened Christmas presents in five homes with five of our families. We couldn't figure out how to be with Ashley and Todd in Boston or Sam and Lindsay in North Carolina, but we celebrated with the others in some way.

First we had a little Christmas with Mao, Cathy and Hunter in Vegas following the NFR. They were leaving on the 20th for Colombia to spend Christmas with Mao's family there.

Next we had Christmas with JR, Casey, Mackenzie and Kayla at our house on Saturday before we left the following day for Utah. They were good sports about us being gone Christmas day two years in a row. Next year we will definitely stay in California!

Alan included pictures of the girls and this cute family on his blog. So I thought I would share the great gift they gave me even though this isn't my best photo.

We drove to Utah and slept Christmas Eve with Sunny and Steve and all seven. It was so fun to be there amidst the chaos of Santa's surprises and many, many gifts to unwrap.

Oldest to youngest (the twins don't count this time) come down the stairs to see what Santa left.

So many presents and so many kids to choose pictures to include!

Then it was on to Adam and Jennifer's where Gordon and Karen Schooley had been spending Christmas with them as well. It was fun to be with them and see what Jade and Bailey had received. We opened our presents to each other...

... and shared a little breakfast, a breakfast dish that was a tradition of the Schooleys which we also adopted some years ago thanks to Jen.

Finally, we headed down the road to the Toblers. Early morning Christmas excitement had long since passed, but was rekindled as we opened presents with them.

Jack loved this gift. Kate just loved the ribbon and wrappings.

Halle and Lacey in their new clothes and cute hats.

One Post Does Not a Blog Make

Sam used this phrase to urge me to add to my blog. Of course, that was two weeks ago and I am just now getting my act together. One of my New Year's Resolutions is to update this blog more often. Way too much has happened since my last post. Sorry I don't want to do a mass update. I will try to do some. Luckily, Alan has added a little along the way. Here are a couple more pictures from the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. We usually go with the Hadleys, but when they couldn't go, Rosemary and Gordon met us there. We really enjoy the atmosphere, the top competition, and the unique party that makes up this event. Also, Cowboy Christmas during the day is also fun.
Mao and Cathy also joined us for Friday evening. We had the absolute top row for seats, but we still could enjoy the events.
Dillan, Candace and Roy's son, surprised us by sitting in front of us with this friend. We hardly recognized him because he had grown up so much since leaving for college!

YEAR IN REVIEW

Since I am starting this late in the year, I would like to highlight some of the events that have shaped our lives in the past year.

ISRAEL:

The New Year found us with our granddaughter, Jade, in Israel (well actually, Jordan that day), touring with Roy and Carol Christensen along with Gary, Su, and Shelby Hadley.

I really did ride a camel. Alan took this from the back of his camel!

With Jade at the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem

MAX IS BORN ON JANUARY 6, 2007:

While we were still in Israel, Maxwell John Dickson was born to Lindsay and Sam in Raleigh, NC. Luckily, Lindsay had her wonderful mother to help for the first weeks. I got to go and help shortly after returning to the U.S. New Baby Max with Reed

Proud parents on the day of Max's blessing

Ashley joined us for Max's blessing in March

JESSICA IS BAPTIZED IN FEBRUARY:

Jessie turned 8 the end of December but waited for the first weekend in February to be baptized when so many people could be with her to celebrate.

Isn't she pretty in her white dress?


KATE IS BORN ON MAY 3rd:

Lindsey delivered Kate Lindsey Tobler on her planned date, right on schedule. Her family was thrilled with another beautiful, sweet little girl--as good as all the other Tobler babies. I flew up to help for a week.

Kate at home, 5 days old

Papa joined us after a few days and also participated in that fateful round-up.

The Toblers on Kate's blessing day in July.

ALAN 'S ILLNESS:

Alan returned to California after the round-up and the following morning drove himself to the Emergency room in severe pain. After six long days in pain, Dr. Patel finally diagnosed a twisted intestine and performed surgery. On life supports for a week and in ICU for 11 days, Alan pulled through and actually recovered much more quickly than the doctor thought he would. It took several months and another surgery to remove infection before he felt mostly back to normal. It was a terrible experience filled with wonderful people and inspiring events. We learned many things, but mostly that we are grateful to a loving Father in Heaven who hears and answers prayers and saw fit to leave Alan with us.


Alan with Dr. Patel about to be discharged,finally, on the day before his birthday. Notice he still is retaining fluid. He lost about 25 more pounds after returning home.

CHARLIE AND SAM ARE BORN ON JULY 8th:

Sunny did a great job carrying and delivering healthy baby boys. Sunny and Steve named them Charles Stewart Wright and Samual McConkie Wright (such strong names). Though they were about 4 weeks early, they were big and thriving and ready to come home on schedule. Unfortunately, when she needed me most, I could not come to help until the boys were almost three weeks old due to Alan's long recuperation and the second surgery he had to have. Luckily, she had a great husband, a wonderful mother-in-law, a good ward, and many friends and family willing to help out. She still needed my help when I got there, too.


Sunny titled this picture "Night & Day" with Sam on the left and Charlie on the right, because they are very different little boys in looks and in personality. Isn't it wonderful? We came up in September for their blessing. What a wonderful occasion, too!
The whole family ready in time to take a picture before Sacrament Meeting and the blessings.

GRAND CAMP:

Luckily Alan was feeling well enough for us to reschedule "Grand Camp" for August. It was one of the best things we did this year. All our grandchildren older than 6 (except Jade who was starting UVSU that week) came for a long weekend. We went to Magic Mountain, the beach, back to the house and neighborhood their parents grew up in, horseback riding,the Marine Institute in Dana Point, and swimming every chance we got. We had a great time together and even learned a few things. It will definitely be an annual tradition if we can pull it off each year!

Here they are on the big toy at LaMadera Elementary School.

All of us in front of the Pilgrim at Dana Point.

OUR TRIP TO BOSTON IN OCTOBER:

We try to get to Boston and Raleigh at least once a year to see our kids. It took us until October to get to Boston. We had a wonderful time with Ashley, Todd, Toby & Ben. We went to the Children's Museum, leaf peeping in New Hampshire, to the LL Bean original stores in Freeport Maine, apple picking outside of Boston and watched Conference over the internet. It is so fun to be with this cute family.

Hiking the trail in New Hampshire. Now why did we bring that stroller?

Here is Ashley with the boys on the tram we took to see the beautiful fall colored hills below.

Alan and I with Toby and Ben on their front porch before we left.

We have had many other memorable visits, good times, and important events this year, but too many to try to include them after the fact. Now it is time to move on with what is happening now.