Thanksgiving - 2016

We were lucky enough to have a whole bunch of family here for Thanksgiving.  We missed Megan in Idaho and Nathan in the MTC but we were so excited to have Tracey and Chuck, Grandma, Janelle and Scott's family with Grandma and Grandpa Robertson included, Marc and Steph's family, Emily and her kids, Geoffrey and Evan.  Our friend Rich Daniels also joined us.  So fun to be all together.  Here are a few photos from our fun.

Jimmie got to meet Dawson for the first time

Buddies Jimmie and Karsten watching some TV

I gave Alan and anyone else who wanted to join him the opportunity to make some money picking up all the dropped acorns in the garden spot.  I told the kids I would pay them a penny an acorn.  I think I underestimated their perseverance and also the number of acorns on the ground.  I can't remember how much he, Evan and James made, but it was a bunch.  But hey, it kept them busy and the garden spot looks great!!  Great job, guys!!

Em was able to take this great shot of the Oxborrow family...love it!!

Dawson getting a bath....

....and giving some smiles!!

Having some swinging fun

Even Uncle Geoff got in on the action

Some Thanksgiving football.....it was a gorgeous day!!

Karsten and Lucy at the kids table

Yep.....that's seven pies plus turtles.  We ate very well!!

Lorelei and Lucy......such sweet little cousins

Had to include this one from the day after Thanksgiving.  Two very tired mommies while two little ones play.  Love this picture.  :)

A Great Soccer Season

Just wanted to include some photos of Evan playing soccer this season.  He had a great team that really  came together as the season went along.  They even made it to the playoffs.

His coach put him on offense a lot more this year so we got to see him score some goals.  Way fun!!

And here he is.....The mighty defender!!

Love you, Ev!!

Our Family DC Trip

We decided it would be fun to use some of our Wyndham points to take a family trip to DC.  We had stayed at a resort at National Harbor for the Energi Summit and we have a Wyndham property there, too.  

We went down with the intention of seeing things like the Smithsonian museums, but the ride down was pretty tough for Lorelei on the car.  We thought the museums might not be our best bet.  So we changed our minds and decided to visit the National Zoo and Downtown Alexandria.  Jimmie is a big trolley and bus guy so we thought the free trolley that ran in Alexandria would be so cool for him.  But when we caught the bus to go over for the day, we realized that he was terrified of the air brakes on the bus.  We almost didn't get him on it.  After talking to him a lot, we were able to talk him into a short trolley ride, but we did a lot of walking instead.  

The next day we went to the zoo which is actually part of the Smithsonian.  I can't believe we have never been there since it is free and everything.  GREAT ZOO!!  It was a little warm, but there were lots of trees and a little breeze.  We loved it.  A really fun trip!!  Here are some photos.

The National Harbor Capital Wheel- We took a night ride on it with all the kids.  Had a blast!!

Our friend, Mrs. Panda.  I think she was probably our favorite!!

I can't remember the names of all of these guys....but here is a sample.

Em and Evan also found some time for ping pong.  A nice relaxing break!!

Some Sweet Friends Get Married

This is the story of Janet and Tim.  It is a story that would require lots of time and explanation, but I will focus on the very happy outcome of the long story.  Janet and Tim got married on Halloween.

They had known each other and then dated for about 4 years and are really perfect for each other.  

We were delighted to make the trip back down to the DC temple for this happy day!!

A beautiful morning

She accidentally left her wedding dress home, but looked so happy anyway.  

The happy couple

And there's the kiss!!

And another......Best of luck, Tim and Janet!!

Energi Convention - October 2016

Steve is a shareholder in a company called Energi.  They insure companies based primarily in the energy segment.  He has won several awards with the company for safe business practices, etc, but last year was the first time we attended their Risk Management Summit to receive the award.  We got hooked!!  They really know how to take care of their people and show them a wonderful time.  Last year, the conference was in San Antonio.  Great fun.  This year, it was right in our back yard....Washington, DC.  That made it a no-brainer to attend.  

The opening night dinner took place at Mt. Vernon.  No, not at some hotel nearby, but at the actual estate.  We had the whole place to ourselves!!  We even got to go up to the third floor of the mansion where we had never been before.  It was lovely!!

Here is a shot of the back of Mt Vernon that faces the Potomac River.  They served hors d'voeuvres on the back lawn and then we went into a big dining tent for dinner.  So nice!!

A view of the dining tent...

....and straight on from the back of the mansion.

The evening ended with fireworks over the Potomac.  So amazing!!

One afternoon, we took a boat ride from Alexandria up to Georgetown. We saw tons of sights on the way up and back.  Reagan airport, the Washington  Monument,  Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, the Smithsonian, and the Kennedy Center, to name a few.

From the boat dock in Alexandria you could see the Gaylord Convention Center, our home for the Energi Summit.

Our keynote speaker for the Summit was former Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice.  She was so fun to listen to.  

Just a selfie during the conference....

As we headed for home on the last morning, we were able to stop and attend a temple session at the DC Temple.  Such a great way to end our few days away in Washington!!

Welcome Baby Dawson!!!

I was thankful that I had plans to head to Chicago a week after Nathan left.  Stephanie was expecting to deliver her new baby on October 3rd so I scheduled September 30th to fly out.  I had been to their home yet, so it was fun to have a few days to get acclimatized to the house and with Karsten.  We had a lot of fun getting reacquainted  before the new baby came.

Here's Karsten with his Simba

And with Uncle Geoffrey added to the mix.  These two are pretty good friends!!  Geoff had just moved to Chicago to start his new assignment with Exxon Mobile.  In fact, he flew in the same day as I did in the morning, and picked me up in the evening.  He had arranged to stay in one bedroom of an apartment for a month while he looked for a home to buy.  

The only glitch in my trip to Chicago was that they lost my luggage on the way there.  It took them 2 1/2 days to locate it and get it to me.  Not very convenient, but we managed.  

Steph and Marc scheduled her induction for the morning of October 3rd.  While  they were in the hospital, Karsten and I went with Geoff to look for a home.  There was a little communication problem with regard to how long we were going to look at condos, so Karsten and grandma ended up taking an Uber home.  But, it all turned out well.  

Karsten waiting on his front steps for the real estate agent to pick us up

There were some delays at the hospital when they went in that morning but finally, that evening, we got the word that little Dawson had arrived.  Geoff was so nice to stay at Steph's apartment for a few hours so that I could go up to the hospital.  And this was the sweet little man that greeted me...

Dawson Tucker Oxborrow just chilling with Daddy

Such a sweetheart!!  

I got to watch them clean him and take all his vitals  Pretty cool!!

Opening his eyes just a little for Grandma....Hi Dawson!!

Karsten and I got to explore the park near their home.  We had tons of fun on the swings, the slide, and just generally watching people's dogs, etc.

And here are Grandma Jill and Baby Dawson

Stephanie and Dawson at their home

A proud big brother 

Sleeping so peacefully

Karsten in his new Thomas the Tank Engine pajamas

Dawson, Stephanie, and Karsten

At the doctor's office

Karsten helping Daddy to mow the grass wearing his new Exxon Mobile hat that uncle Geoff gave him.  What a dude!!

One of the pictures from our photo shoot that we attempted one day

Steph, Dawson, and Karsten

Dawson stretched out in his crib

Trying out feeding him a bottle.  What a good big brother

Good job, Karsten!!

Awww, such sweet little loves.  Nothing like a new baby to put things into perspective.

So grateful I was able to go out and be with them during this special time.