Visit to Sacramento

Big thanks to Uncle John, Aunt Linnea, Elani, and CQ for allowing us to move in for a few days. Lili got to visit a pediatric nephrologist at the UC Davis hospital. Nothing serious, just a meet and great with a doctor to discuss Lili's kidney. Ultrasound, urine tests, and blood tests all indicate her kidney is functioning properly so that was very good news.

Aside from the hospital visit, the rest of the trip was a mini-vacation. Cruise-director-in-training Linnea took all the girls to the zoo. At the same time the boys got in a little golf for themselves. We had a good time and I only lost one ball (just so happened it was the ball I loaned to John). The day we visited the hospital Linnea took the girls to Fairytale Land, Aloryn and Elani really had a good time. On our way out of town we stopped by John's firehouse for a quick tour. I'd never been in a firehouse before so this was pretty cool. I even got to try out the pole. I thought I was going to break both legs, but fortunately John took pity on me and showed me the proper technique.

Nuti Christmas Dec. 24, 25, 26, 27

Smith Valley was the site for a big family reunion. It's been almost 13 years since Jamie and her 11 cousins were all together in the same place. And since Nutis can multiply like rabbits, 11 turned into 25. Including grandparents, parents, aunts, and uncles, there were 35 of us for Christmas Day dinner. We were also blessed with a white Christmas this year so we celebrated by tying a vw bug hood to the back of a 4-wheeler and did some ranch style sledding! As usual Marty had a great time as we got in a quail hunt with Ben and Seth.

Coolest Tree House Ever!



Jamie's Aunt knits a stocking for each member of the family. The hearth wasn't big enough so we had to use the stairs.



Only a baby can sport this kind of hat.



New gear for Crazy Larry



"she looks like a deranged reindeer!"



reminds me of a scene from a horror movie



Apparently GrandBob and Lelly felt sorry for us this year and sent us a live Xmas tree from Harry and David. We were going to designate it our Xmas tree, but decided it would be fun to go out and cut a family tree. Across the street from the Mt. Rose ski area parking lot was an area designated by the Dept. of Forestry. We loaded up the truck with the kids, dog, and a gallon of hot cocoa. It worked out great because in about an hour we had our tree.

"Thiiiiis Biiiiiig!"



"Get to work kid!"



"mmmmmm....hot cocoa..."

Howell Christmas Dec. 19, 20, 21

The Christmas holiday began early again this year up at GrandBob's and Lelly's house. We stayed Friday night in the "pooh" room, a.k.a. Jeff's old ice-box bedroom, so the girls could get up Saturday morning and open presents. The theory was good, except we made the mistake of thinking Aloryn and Elani could share a blow-up mattress upstairs together. The combination of "Propeller Legs Elani" as Nea called her, and "Jabberbox Aloryn" as we call her didn't make for a successful slumber party. Aloryn eventually ended up in her pop-up crib in our room, Elani ended up with her legs on the blow-up bed and her face on the floor. We all took naps the following day. As usual Lelly did a great job with the food, presents, accommodations, and her caffeine control. I was impressed with Dad too, he only complained of the noise twice.

The best part about Christmas was watching how the girls played with each other.



"Pink Belly! Pink Belly! Pink Belly!"



When your arms get tired you have to get creative.



Santa's stunt double even made an appearance.



Lili spent most of Christmas in mom's lap and did great.



8 inches of snow, one sunny day, warm clothes, sled with rope, hyper children, and a 4-wheeler...let the fun begin.






Whoops! Turns out that big bump was a sprinkler head.



Never turn you back on a loaded snowball!