Thankfulness...Fall 2009

Girls' Night Out for Japanese food and to see "NEW MOON!"
Brandon becomes a dad! Congrats Jenny and Brandon!
San Jose' -- a must have when Erika comes to visit!

The kids goofin' off! They're so fun!

Joseph and Valencia - November 2009

Hunter at Thanksgiving - 2009

Bob and Joanne Maxfield with Leighton - Thanksgiving 2009

Scary times at Kreepy Hollow - Haunted Hayride! Halloween 2009

Fall came in with a breeze that seemed in some ways more like a whirlwind speeding it's way through our family and my life so fast! So many things happening all at the same time has made time feel to have passed quicker than ever. October arrived bringing with it birthdays of those very dear and close to my heart and a job transfer to a brand new facility bringing with it much excitement and anticipation. As the month approached the end we enjoyed time as a family including some excitement at a local Halloween attraction, Kreepy Hollow, making fun new memories that carried us right into November. Along with November came another new addition to our family, Brandon and Jenny's baby, Hunter Owen Collins and plans of a highlight of my whole year -- Erika, Jack, Leighton, and the Maxfield family coming to east coast! A trip to Disney World for their entire family included a stop in South Carolina for Thankgiving with us -- Erika's first Thanksgiving at home in South Carolina in 6 years! Thanksgiving at my parents' house (aka "Lana's Cafe") is a glorious time and a feast to behold! And to have the kids here this year made it the best! It has been such a wonderful fall season for our family, and especially for me! I have so much to be thankful for and so many wonderful blesssings the Lord has graciouly seen fit to bless me with. For these things I am most thankful -- my family -- my wonderful parents and their good health, my dear sweet husband and the blessing he is to me, my beautiful children (Erika, Ethan, Addison, Abby, Alex, and Jack), my adorable grandaughter Leighton and the joy she is to me, my health, my abilities and the opportunity to have employment that I enjoy where I am able to share myself by helping others, and for my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ who have given me all I have. I look so forward to this Christmas season and to make it one that the reason will be remembered in all we do this Christmas season. The birth of our savior Jesus Christ is the most remarkable thing that has ever taken place in the history of the world -- a babe born in a lowly stable who came to this earth to take upon him the sins of the world, to be our Redeemer. As we go into this busy time of year may we all remember Him, take the time to know Him, and try to see Him in all we do and not get so caught up in the hustle and bustle that somehow we miss Him.

Merry Christmas!