Here Comes Santa

SORRY, Christmas will be all through January for me. It takes me so long to put in my blog that December is almost over. So... my Christmas music will be a year around thing. I do love it.
We had our annual Family Christmas Party at Clifton's home. (Some of our kids had their year with the spouses' family, and Brenda was sick for the whole holiday, so we did not have everyone but still had over 30 people there). We started with a pot luck dinner, then a gift exchange, Santa came about 7:30 (the BEST Santa ever), and then we had our traditional Christmas Story. (We turn off all the lights, except for the Christmas tree, and listen to the story of Christ's birth. My father got the record when I was young and it has been passed to all the family for years).
Little Blake, who is three, was laying on his pillow. He got up and got on Grandpa's lap, then over to Grandma's, over to his mother, then back on the pillow (laying many different ways)... he finally came over to Grandpa and whispered, "Can this be DONE" That brought the house down.

The Train Event

As you can see, I do not blog on a regular basis. We took some of our kids and grandkids to see some wonderful backyard train set ups. (In fact it was the grandkids taking Grandpa). The first was a very welcoming, fun set up with little towns and little Disney characters. The kids got to sit on Santa's lap. The second one we almost had to drag Grandpa away. It had a room with trains from the floor to the ceiling and an acre of tracks with waterfalls, tunnels, bridges. It was absolutely remarkable. The pictures just do not do it justice but it was the best I could do.

You can barely see the tracks in the back but there was a waterfall that went into a stream and the track went over the stream.
This is the waterfall and bridge

The remaining family got a picture. Some of the others had to leave before we got a picture together.
Grandpa and Grandma got a picture with some of the grandkids.
You can just see a portion of all the tracks on this acre lot. It had lots of flowers and grass and track.

This was such a cute set up with all the different characters like spiderman, snow white and the seven dwarfs. It was more kids friendly.

EVENING WITH SANTA AND TRAINS

Jaylie and Zari even got their time with the Big Guy!

Jaron...where were you.

Cyrus had his first Christmas. He was just enjoying the moment. That is until he decides he is hungry.

Nicholas was the one that did not have time for Santa. He did not want to sit on Santa's lap. Xander did not have a hard time at all. In fact he was quite comfortable. We just had to get Syndel away from the trains. Santa was not that big of a deal.

Jackson loved the trains but did not have time to sit with Santa. He wanted to be out of there.

McKenzie got her ears pierced for Christmas. I am not sure if she thought that was a GREAT present at the time. She does look so cute.
McKenzie was introduced to one of Grandpa Robinson's favorite things. TRAINS!! We spent the evening seeing wonderful train set ups. McKenzie was not really sure about Santa. This is her first Christmas.

TRAINS, TRAINS, TRAINS

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

THANKSGIVING

"Thanksgiving" is a word that explodes with thoughts of blessings.
When I look at the word I see a compound word that has so much meaning. Thanks and Giving.

I can give THANKS for: so many wonderful experiences that have strengthened me, given me understanding, compassion and knowledge.

For the freedoms that I have each and every day.

For the growing family and the wonderful grandchildren that they have given me.

For my supportive spouse who loves me unconditionally.

For a home that is a safe haven.
For so many wonderful memories of friends and loved ones, some who have passed on.

For the examples of others that teach me so many things.

The art of learning to RECEIVE ( gracefully) the things that someone else freely GIVES - is something to be admired.

GIVING requires that we keep our minds open to the needs of others around us. We, in turn, need to remember that sometimes we may be the recipient so others may be blessed for the service they give us.
It is always easier to give than receive.

“People who are grateful have higher levels of positive emotions like love, optimism, joy, enthusiasm, and happiness. The practice of gratitude as a discipline protects a person from the destructive impulses of envy, resentment, greed, and bitterness.

Gratitude and ingratitude truly do have a direct effect on your body and spirit. Those who are grateful are able to cope better with stress, sleep better, have more energy, and even have more resilience toward illness and have greater physical health.”

(Robert Emmons, professor of psychology at the University of California

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These are some of the memories of our Thanksgiving Dinner. As you can see there was lots of great food, talking, fun, relaxation and so much to be grateful for. We only had "27" this year. We were happy to have Aunt Barb with us this year (Tommy's Aunt but now we claim her too). (We have had 38 + in years past) We always miss Helen Banks, who was our adopted Grandmother. Ralane and Kimble are in Texas. Kayla had a new baby. Joanne was in California with a friend who lost her grandmother. It was a GREAT day. We closed off the evening by going and seeing "Twilight"

Halloween Party

Welcome to our new little grandson.

Newbee Blogger

This is a new adventure for me. I have seen other blogs and Cindy Alfonso was so kind to sit down with me and show me how to set mine up... Kayla, showed me some tricks and how to add music and a lot of fun things. I hope that I will be able to remember it all. It is something to fill those empty moments (smile) So here we go...

Blessings

Picture day does not always go smoothly and we have had a lot of laughs on this one. Little Blake had his bottom pointing toward the camera in one of the shots. It was a photographers nightmare. But... we did it in the end.
See Xander pull Ashley's hair. See Ashley cry. See Nicholas cry.

Our Crazy Kids

We have so many blessings.

The family started with eight children and is growing as new family members are added. We are thankful for each one of them. We have some WONDERFUL grandchildren, who we can brag about all day. We can not imagine life without them. Like a bouquet, they each help make a beautiful arrangement.

The extended family is such a great support in all we do... (Brothers, Sisters, Parents, Cousins, Aunts, Uncles, Nieces, Nephews, Grandparents, Parents of our adopted children who some call in-laws.) They just add so much to our family unit.

Our friends have also blessed our lives with so many wonderful memories.
Without all of these blessings our days would be so empty.

Texas Trip

We went to "Gator Country" and saw some really big alligators.
The kids actually got to hold the alligator (it's mouth was taped shut).


They are so full of life.
We had a lot fun just being with them.
The kids had fun at the water park that had lots of things to do.
Grandma with the kids.
Ralane picked a Magnolia, that was in bloom on a tree, and put it in her hair.

Robinson Halloween 2005, 2006, 2007

Tribute To All Of Our Wonderful Great Grandparents

Grandkids having fun with Grandpa

Family Fun

Aren't they cute.....

Welcome to the family





Going Cabin-ing in Payson
We have had some fun times through the years. Recently we went to Payson and stayed at Jacob's parents' cabin. We sure had a GREAT time. Some went on a hike to Horton Creek. It was beautiful.
Fun to be together...

We made it, all in one piece!!

Playing in the cool water.

Hey it's a Butterfly on my finger

Proof that he can sleep anywhere

Cutie...

Our newest addition

Some want to remain anonymous
The butterfly loves me, it sat on there for a long time and went to someone else's finger. When it was ready it flew away.

We sure had a lot of Great Hikers!

Family Campout September 16, 2006

Sunday Dinners

The grandkids get together and play.......
Sometimes they eat!!!

There are many memories ...
Timetogether

There are always those silly moments with our Crazy Kids ......

2007 Summer Kupfer Family Reunion Cedar City, UT.

Christmas 2007 Family Pictures

Thanksgiving 2006 Family Pictures