A Difficult January

It is with a heavy heart that I share this next blog.  This past January, my sister-in-law, Cheryl Youker passed away from her battle with cancer.  She had been fighting it for over 3 years, but finally her body was unable to fight off the infections that invaded her body.  We are so sad, words can't even express what we feel.  We miss her and we love her very much.  

Cheryl with the boys in Palm Springs, Christmas 2016

Christmas Concert in January

This year, our school's Christmas concert was postponed to January.  Our music teacher fell and got hurt and was unable to lead out in the concert back in December, when it was originally scheduled.  So we postponed it for January.  It was still a really great concert, even if we did listen to Christmas after the holiday was over.  Here is a look at each of the boys and what they did for the performance.

Simon played bells

Sam played chimes

Daniel on the trombone for band

Daniel in the choir

New Year's Eve

On New Year's Eve in 2017, we held our annual tradition of a dinner of fondue.  Jeff makes cheese fondue with lots of yummy veggies and bread.  Then he makes a chocolate fondue with lots of fruit and treats.  It's a yummy meal.  Then, we try to stay up till midnight, EST, to watch the ball drop.  We made it, then promptly fell asleep.  Welcome to 2018!

Meeting Up With Friends

While we were in CDA, we had a chance to go out to dinner with our friends, the Edwards Family.  They live in Spokane, so we drove over and visited and ate together.  It was so much fun to see them. Daniel and Camden had a chance to visit.  They have become pretty good friends throughout the years.  Keaton had fun sharing his Rubic's Cube with Sam.  They both seem to enjoy solving puzzles.  I wished we lived closer and could see each other more often.  Love you guys!

Camden and Daniel

All of the Boys

Kristin and I

All of Us

Silver Mountain Ski Day

While we were in CDA, we took a day to go skiing up at Silver Mountain.  While there, we also met up with some friends who were skiing that day.  Renee and Travis and their kids were there.  Also, Camden and Paul were there too.  So we got to ski and visit with some of our friends while we were there.  It was a fun day.

Daniel & Jeff

Me, Sam & Simon

Simon, Sam and friend Brianna

Daniel with friend Camden

Daniel with friend Rachel

Group Pic with Parents and Kids

Simon with friend Brianna

Eagle Cruise on Lake Coeur d'Alene

While we were in Coeur d'Alene, one of the activities we did was take a boat cruise to go see the bald eagles.  They were higher in number this year.  It was neat to see them so up close.  We took the boat across the lake to see them.  We went with my parents and my sister Laura and her husband Gary.

Jeff and Simon

Group Pic

Jeff and I 

Christmas in Idaho

For Christmas Day this year we were in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho visiting my parents.  We were also joined by both of my sisters and their families.  It was really nice to have all of the family together for the holiday.  We started out the morning with a nice breakfast.  Next we opened presents.  After that we relaxed a bit, and then we had a yummy Christmas dinner.  I hope you had a wonderful Christmas too!

The Cousins

Grandma and Simon

Group

More Group

Christmas Dinner

The Kids