Chris - this is for you....

Bryan and I went to Hot Springs, Arkansas this past weekend (details and pictures to follow).

We did this for you Chris....cause we are dorks that way!!

Family Bonding at it's best

Saturday was a fun day. My dad, Bryan and I went to the indoor shooting range. We spent a couple of hours there shooting - of which I totally kicked their butts. ;) I now have Bryan thoroughly scared to make me mad - I'm a really accurate shot!

Today we went back - not to shoot - but to purchase. I got my late Christmas present - a Springfield Armory XD9. I love it! It's much better suited for me than the Ruger or 357 that we have now. Bryan will get his late Christmas present soon - a Glock 17. They were out of them today, so he has to wait.

My new baby

See that bullseye....it's mine

Notice all the shots are in the red? Again...all me!

Neighbors/friends

We seriously have the best friends/neighbors that anyone can ask for! The week of Christmas, we were surprised 3 times by a knock at the door. Below is what was on the other side of our door. (I guess next year I need to get busy!!)

Cookies that Alasdair Green and his daughters made for us

8 hour spice cookies that Jen Dodson and her sons made for us

Candied Bacon (otherwise known as Crack Bacon) that Kate and her family made for us

Christmas Day at Grandma Billie's house

We always go to Bryan's grandmothers house on Christmas day for dinner. She is a wonderful cook!! She makes gravy that would seriously make dirt taste good! I look forward to her meals all year long!
Anyway, here are some random photos. Kaylin was in charge of the camera, so with the exception of the first picture and the one with her in it, she took the rest. I actually have about 100 pictures from this event, but she discovered the zoom lens on my camera - and most are extreme closeups. So I picked out the few that were suitable.

The 4 Klein siblings: Sandy, Pat, Jim and Diane

Loralye

Me and Bryan

Mommy's girl!

Kaylin and I

Christmas Eve at Bryan's Parents House

We spent Christmas Eve with Bryan's family. First, we went to his parents house that day for lunch/presents with his parents and brother's family. It was the 3 of us, Tayler and Kati were with their dad, Pat & Bonnie, Chris, Liz and Loralye. It was great to be able to visit and just relax...for a little while at least.

Kaylin with her Webkinz from Uncle Chris and Aunt Liz.

Loralye looking like she wants to run away from Nana and Opa's house.

The Santa hat got passed around.

Kaylin's turn.

And my turn...

Chris and Liz

Me and Bryan

Loralye and Kaylin opening presents.

Cousins in front of the tree.

Opa, Kaylin, and Nana

Christmas at the Herd house

This past Sunday was Christmas with my family. Everyone, except our girls, gathered at my parents house. We had lots of fun! I was not in control of my camera most of the day, so here are some random shots from whomever had the camera at the time.

Jessica, Mandie, Baxter, Tonya

Matthew likes his car.....thing.

Mom

Nicky and Dad....matching outfits??

Nicky got Sam Adams for Christmas! :)

Jessica and Mandie

Dad likes his Booker's Bourbon

Lisa, Baxter (and his nice face), and Tonya

Me and Bryan

Us again....wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas!

Mitchell Ranch

I got a Christmas card today from "The Mitchell Ranch". Duane wrote me a really nice letter, as well as including this great family photo. She said that she doesn't have anyone else's address, so if anyone fusses about not getting a card/picture, I'm supposed to give you one. She sent me a few copies of the picture. However, you will have to fight Tayler and Kati for them - they have taken them and hung in their rooms already. Anyway, if you really want a copy, let me know.
(you should be able to click on the picture and see it larger)

Montana (16), Sammy and Duane, River(16)
Clancy (12) and Oaklee (7)

Jingle Jog

Tonight we had our first ever Jingle Jog in Providence. Everyone gathered at the clubhouse to get their shirts, jingle bell necklace, hot chocolate and water. We then all stretched and took off for the 3 mile jog/walk through the neighborhood to look at Christmas lights. There were about 100 people that participated. It was a lot of fun, tons of kids and dogs joined in as well. Bryan is out of town (of course), so it was me, Tayler, Kati, Krystal and Stormey. The girls jogged their way around, and I hung back and walked with several of my friends.

the official Jingle Jog t-shirt

Kati, Stormey and Krystal - in their jogging outfits

Stretching

My friend Stephanie's daughter Mikayla

Krystal, Stormey and Kati after their jog

And they are finally done...

Our Christmas lights are finally up! We decided, for many reasons, to pay someone to put them up this year. I think my Mother in law will be very happy to know that Bryan did not get on a ladder this year! :) The picture doesn't capture how cute it really is. They are red/white alternating lights - so our house looks like a little gingerbread house! I tried putting lights in the bushes and around the pole, but it didn't look right. So we decided to just leave it at this. Sometimes less is more - or so I'm told!

It's Christmas time again

It's that time of year again! We finally decorated our house last week and got the tree up. I guess I should say, Kati decorated the tree. She is quite the little perfectionist Martha Stewart! Tayler didn't even want to help, because she knew Kati would go behind her and "fix it". Which, is exactly what happened last year. So, we all sat back and watched Kati do the tree exactly perfect.

Also this past Saturday, Providence had it's annual tree lighting ceremony. Along with lighting the neighborhood tree, they have carolers and horse drawn carriage rides. Tayler and I hung out at home - it was too cold and crowded for us. Kati and Krystal went, and had their picture taken with Santa Clause. Kati asked for a new iPod touch and Krystal asked for a good boyfriend. They also took a ride in the carriage. I'm waiting on Kati to get me the pictures that she took, as soon as I get them, I'll post some here.

Thanksgiving Day

We had a great Thanksgiving this year. We spent the day with Bryan's family, and my parents. It was a full house, with lots of great food! I hope everyone had a wonderful day, and time to remember what you are thankful for.

Opa, Kati, Nana and Tayler

Papa, Kati, Grandma, Tayler

Dad, Mom, Bryan and me

Mom trying to hide behind Bryan

Room full of full people!

Richard and Deborah watching the game

Jacob, Lisa and mom

Kati and Ron

Bryan getting instructions on how to carve the turkey

The men in my life - no doubt conspiring (or bullshitting)

Tayler

Opa basting the turkey