Merry Christmas from the Old Folks Home

Since many of you will not be home (ancestral home) for Christmas, we are sending this Christmas greeting to you, including pictures of all the wonderful decorations that your mom has arranged.



Bryce is headed to work, but paused long enough for me to take this picture. This might be a keepsake, since he says he is never coming back to Bakersfield. Please notice the new carpet going up the stairs in the background.


Krista welcomes you at the front door in her festive BYU red and a SMILE! We all know that Piko should have been in this picture too, since she is the most enthusiastic greeter, but we can only have one baby of the family.


If you have never seen her in the daylight, this is Tawna on the second floor. She spends most of her time at home just a few yards from here, under the covers. We are very understanding of her need for sleep, since she leaves the house at 10 pm to go play with her friends.


Evan left town a week ago to go to a wedding. This is the best I could do - a nice picture of T&K with Evan's Christmas stocking on the fireplace. I will have to drink his Christmas root beer for him.


This is your wonderful mother, standing next to one of the two Christmas trees she bought and decorated. This is her Nativity Tree, with the stars and bells my Grandma Schwab crocheted and ornaments that she received as gifts, including the new ones from Gma.


And finally, my favorite, the tree with the BYU ornaments, the golden seqouia pine cone and the traditional favorites. The BYU ornaments are placed high in the tree to represent the high regard we have for this wonderful university, and to protect them from Lila and other marauding grandkids.

We look forward to spending the holidays with the Utah families and send our love to the Hughes family. Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My Favorite Pictures

Aiden and Piko developed a great symbiotic relationship. Aiden would put half of the Top Ramen in his mouth and the the other half would fall to the chair, where Piko would clean up for Aiden.


It was a great idea until it was determined that there was more Anne than blanket.


Ava says, "Why settle for one chupa when you can obviously use three."

The Grandkids

The girls luncheon.


It is amazing what happens when a video comes on. VCRs were a generation too late for some of us.


The turkey factory - made from Oreos and candy corn. Guess how long they lasted.


The Zack Attack in his Red Sox blankie. He appears to be looking for the pop fly, but he just likes to stretch his neck muscles.

Thanksgiving 2009

We enjoyed a full house of family for Thanksgiving. We did miss the Hughes and Jessica though. We talked about you. Does that count?
I don't know of a greater joy that a parent can have than a righteous, loving family. I thank you all for your goodness. I thank the Lord every day for your mother and you. I am most blessed.


The Before. Please notice the silver pewter goblets. I got these for your mother's Christmas present when we were in Utah this summer. I wanted to give them to her in December, but she chose to open her gift early; oh, and she chose them too.


The kids got to eat at their own table. Just give them all a can of soda pop and they are happy.


From one end...


to the other.

Finding your spot at home

Lila and her work-out equipment


Bryce's work out.


Apparently there was no room for son-in-laws on the couch. Steve, if you ever come to California, we will find you a chair. Promise.


Baby Tawna, Baby Zachary and Baby Piko. You choose the cutest.

The Beach

We had to beat back the crowds that wanted to share the beach with us on this 60 degree day.

Santa Monica 3rd Street Promenande

We went to Santa Monica the morning after the temple.


Everyone watching the street performer.


Riding the wild dolphin.


Hanging with the babies.


The 3rd Street Dancers.

At the temple

The Skinners, Buchanans and Bakersfield Allreds met at the temple on November 20th. It was the first time that Scott & Alicia had been back to the LA Temple since they were married. To celebrate, they brought their 3 children. I was going to take pictures of the session, but that is discouraged. So here are some at the temple apartments where we all stayed.


I call this one "Blake's Nirvana."


Grandma and Lila waiting for their turn to play ring-around-the-rosies.



Laura, Lila and Tawna in the dining room.