TGIF

Happy birthday Papa. Much missed, not forgotten. We have had much rain lately and today is looking beautiful. The sun is out and I'm sure it's in your honor.

The holiday stuff is getting put away and we are well into 2016. Lots of this and that happening...currently we are searching for a second car. The Durango caught fire and is totaled. Happened the night we picked Jordan up at the airport. We wanted him to have a holiday break to remember evidently. We stopped for a bite to eat that night and while in the restaurant the car caught fire, a crew from the Portland fire department came to put it out and we had no idea. Turned into a late, late, late night adventure. Ugh.

Christmas was good...a Mayfield family Christmas eve, a great Christmas day at home and day after at the Tull house. It's all about Jesus, family comes first. Another holiday in the books.

Every year we try to come up with something that we think the kids will enjoy. Forced family fun whether they like it or not. This year we drove to Hood River to take The Polar Express on the old railway. Sydney eyes still light up about Santa.

We also had a Finn sighting. He and Alexis are growing up too quickly and we are glad we got a short visit with them. Finn gives the love and we have to really work for the love from Miss Alexis. Well, her chosen people in this family are Uncle Steve and she has added Sydney to that list as well. Leaves the rest of us green with envy.

Let's talk Max Davis. This family finally got to meet Andrea's intended. So. Very. Nice. We are so looking forward to the two them getting married in August. Congratulations!

Feeling caught up? 

let's talk countdowns..

I was telling Jordan last week that I have too many countdowns with him...
Countdown until his birthday...countdown until he came home...countdown
until Christmas...
Well, his birthday has come and gone and he will return home twenty-two.
A seasoned "responsible" consumer of adult beverages. Yeah, right. On the
second count he will be home after only one more sleep. Yay. Snug as a bug
in his own bed. I don't know about him but his parents will sleep better. And
last count, Santa is less than a week away. I'm ready. We believe. And I don't
think anyone will be getting underwear for Christmas.
Cookies for Santa...cupcakes to celebrate baby Jesus and we are good to go.

Merry Christmas!

Quiet time...

Nine more sleeps and Jordan will be home for his winter break. So happy to see him as four months seems long. Missed him for Thanksgiving and will miss him even more as his birthday is approaching.

 

We seem to be pretty ready for Christmas and have family time planned...hope the kiddos are on board. If not, oh well. Just overload on momma and daddy time. New motto may be, "deal with it."

To catch up a bit, Sydney moved to her own apartment with Kendahl. Sydney is happy to have her own space away from us but we still see her often. Love that! So nice not to drive five hours for a visit. 

Kendahl will be with her until May when she heads to Colorado. One, to wait for John. And two, to go to nursing school. 

Oh, let me not forget to say the Mayfields' have a baby on the way. Ellie is making Uncle Chris and Aunt Cori a grandpa and a grandma. Baby girl Mayfield is due in May. With any luck an appearance before we head to Iowa for graduation would be nice. Miss Ellie, I am sure you will produce a precious bundle with fat, fuzzy earlobes. So looking forward to meeting this gem.

In the meantime, here come the holidays. Bring em on!

It's finally here...annual family campout!

Family. Overload.
Just about to head over to the Sunnycrest Mayfields (minus Uncle Chris who is off saving the world from fire). We will convene for family fun but minus the campfire due to our fab dry weather. Games. Eating. Games. Catching up. Perhaps a glimpse of Uncle Tim's famous green sweatpants. More eating.

More of the events in next post.
Stay tuned.

Here's what's happening now...

One month ago we moved Sydney home from Ashland. It doesn't seem she has been here one month. Truly time flies. She accepted a job with the Hotel Oregon as the events/catering/sales manager.  Go Syd! A big girl job, with big girl pay and big girl benefits. She got her benefits card in the mail the other day and was savoring the adult moment.

Next up, Kevin Hall. So unexpected but nonetheless gone. God has a new right hand man! I  would say he was one of the nicest guys on the planet. He will be missed.

In just two weeks we will send Jordan off for his senior year at Coe. SENIOR. Again, times flies. We look forward to graduation in May...and I am sure that time will approach too fast. We plan to go, road trip home and see some sights along the way. Jordan is hoping for a big sha-bang. Aka. family cruise. Really just a way to put off his adulthood. Yep, already praying about his first big boy job.

Life is good. Always changing, We are just going to continue to roll with it. God. Family. Friends.

kendahl grace, the story continues

Wow, last post was quite some time ago. Oops. Well, tomorrow will be the day Kendahl is moved home. At least a little bit of time at Chris and Cori's. John has gone to South Korea for a year and upon his return they will move to Colorado. That's the latest plan anyways. Kendahl is hard at studying and trying to get more schooling in. Go Kendahl! And all the while we will enjoy her company here.

kendahl grace

college student.
wife.
moving.

Are you processing this? This girl is moving in just one month and I am having a problem with this. I am still in denial about her being married. Her dreams are about to come true and we couldn't be more excited for her. Her deployed hubby is about to return, she is about to get her degree and she is finally going to live under the same roof with him. These are a few short term wishes and now new wishes will be added to her list. What is next? Dare I say a job? You know you want one, but what? A new chapter and many pages yet unturned. Looking forward to seeing the plot unfold. So far, what a good read!