Remembering 2006 (The Christmas of Babies)

Camilla getting to know cousin Moriah



Finally, a kiss from Moriah!!



Tyler and Sela looking pretty tuckered out!















Rollin, the token baby boy born March 2, 2006, was given a name and a blessing to be known on the records of the church as Rollin Michael Serafin by his Dad along with Poppy, Uncle Brant, Uncle Ryan & Uncle John in the circle. What a special experience for all of our family members. The spirit was so very strong and all were touched by the sweet moment.










Erin, John & Moriah in front of pond at Atascosa Refuge




Ethan, Sela, Tyler & Bryce looking happy and loving life


Just wanted to post some special memories of last year. Guess I am just getting a little melancholy and wishing everyone was home.

Christmas Day 2007

Christmas day began with Granny in the kitchen making a hash brown, egg and cheese casserole. Whole wheat biscuits were a must with apple cider. Tyler and Bryce woke up first and stayed in our bedroom until the rest of the family surfaced around 8:00 a.m. The fun began with lots of presents to be opened. It was fun, from a grandparent's point of view to watch the kiddoes enjoy one another and the day in general. We quickly ate and ran over to Jewel's house to sing, "We wish you a merry Christmas," and present her with some crotons, hibiscus, and herbs. Larry and I are going to make her back yard a sanctuary with flowers that Paw Paw liked. Larry and I drove her to the beach on Christmas Eve to see the condo and go out to eat. She was so very appreciate and began to cry today when we sang to her. She said we had made her Christmas.

It was good to hear from Erin early this morning and hear that they, too, were having a very Merry Christmas. She said she was playing the CD we sent her of Christmas songs sang by Alabama especially Thistle Hair The Christmas Bear!! It brought back memories of when she was young herself and at home with Brant, Ashley and Ryan. History just seems to be repeating itself.

A trip to the park was fun. The boys had fun with their roller blades and Tabitha and Kate played on their bikes and the swing sets. We were there a couple of hours and then home to eat, play in the front yard, and sit in the hot tub before calling it a day!

I hope to hear from Ashley and Ryan in a bit and see how their Christmas went.

Camilla's 1st Birthday

Camilla, the last of the four babies (Moriah, Rollin & Kate) born in 2006, had her first birthday on September 18, 2007 just one day before her Uncle Zig had his 34th birthday. Amber and Ryan decorated with all sorts of birthday goodies and Amber made Camilla a beautiful and colorful cake. It was fun watching Camilla eat the cake and get use to all that icing. She's a good little eater and doesn't get much sugar so anything other than her brocoli and green peas is a welcome delight!! Her most dominate characteristic at this time is her desire to dance. She has the cutest little moves and will even dance to the cell phone when it rings! She will stop whatever she is doing and begin to sway back and forth!!

Christmas 2007 with Brant & Ryan's Families

Ryan, Amber, Camilla, Brant, Cathy, Tyler, Bryce, Ethan, Tabitha and Kate are all here staying with us for a while as everyone is in limbo until they find places to settle down in. These walls have life again with the sound of children's voices and Christmas in the air. Tonight we watched Brant and Cathy and kiddoes decorate their tree. My Christmas Palm tree was moved to the dining room to make room for their more traditional Christmas tree. It wouldn't be Christmas if the children couldn't decorate their own tree. That is part of the fun of Christmas. The house has a lot of Christmas cheer!! Christmas music and hot chocolate help set the tone for the season.

We will miss everyone this Christmas as Ryan and Amber are going to her family's home in Stockton, CA. We have grown accumtomed to little Camilla as she lights up our life as do Ryan and Amber of course!!! Ashley, Zig, Sela, Nina and Rolling and Erin, John and Moriah are staying home this Christmas. Brant and Cathy and their family will be here with us which will help make Christmas special.

We will be blessed with another grandchild come January. Erin and John's baby boy, who happens to be very active, is excited about meeting his earthly family as he has signs of wanting to enter this mortal existence soomer than later. We are anxiously anticipating and awaiting his arrival.

I couldn't help but shed a few tears at the Christmas devotional Sunday night when the Mormom Tabernacle Choir sang "Silent Night" at the end. My thoughts were with Erin and her unborn baby. How I pray the Lord will watch over her and keep both she and baby healthy and safe. I remember how sentimental I would feel when I heard Silent Night while I was pregnant with our children. It it a touching song about the promised Messiah, our Lord and our Savior, Jesus Christ. A King wrapped in swaddling clothes!!

Mama & Jewel

The day after Tyler's birthday celebration Larry and I got a call from his mother who could hardly talk into the phone. We ran over to her townhouse and immediately got her to the emergency room as she was having a heart attack. It was a horrible three hours as she was laboring so hard to breath and kept saying, "please knock me out." I don't blame her as it must have been a horrible feeling to not get air. She remained in the hospital for a week and is getting better day by day.

Then, Mama called and she, too, was experiencing some health problems. I left for Kerrville and while waiting to get a test on her colon and see the doctor, I was able to help unpack some of her things and put up pictures, arrange her book shelves, etc. Andra came over as well and we spent one night til 1:00 a.m. just cleaning out and arranging her pantry. Mama was so very tired by the time we left that I think she slept or rested for several days thereafter. This was one time that I think Mama was actually glad to see us go!! That is a first!

This has been a few weeks of concern for our mothers. We are thankful for their sustained health.