Brotherly Love

These two are becoming quite the buddies.

While Abigail was away at a friend's birthday party, Dallin and Connor played on the kitchen floor while I made dinner. It is really fun to watch their friendship grow.

They love to wrestle, play cars, run around growling at each other

(that is one of their favorites), and ride their "bikes" in the back.

Abigail is always so good at playing with her brothers.

But most of the time (when she is involved) they end up playing "house."

It is fun to see just the boys together - doing what BOYS do best.

Jumping Fun

More Movie Madness

We had another fun Saturday night at the movies. We love the Drive-in!

We are especially loving the new winter starting time - 7pm - which means we can get home at a descent time :). We all had a blast playing a little family "soccer" in the field., while we waited for the movie to start. Even Connor kicked the ball for the first time. He was so proud. It was even a little chilly (imagine that... chilly in Texas), so we loved snuggling in the back of the van. We probably would have loved it a bit more if certain little people could sit still through a movie, but either way... we had a great time.

And All She Wanted To Do Was Jump

Poor Abigail had the flu.... the day after we set the trampoline up.

It was a nasty bug, but gone with in 24 hours.

Thank goodness.

Luckily no one else was infected.

RYAN... FOUND!!!

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. Ryan and Viola were found today.

"They had indeed been stranded in the snow, but they were able to find shelter for several days. When the weather cleared, they hiked out and were spotted by a rescue helicopter. Needless to say, the family is ecstatic. Thanks to every one of you who helped spread the word about this missing couple. It’s so uplifting when “lost” stories like this have a happy ending.

Here’s the news report:

A Fremont couple who hadn’t been heard from since last weekend after leaving for a camping trip were found safe Saturday in rural Lake County.

A helicopter pilot hired by the family of Ryan Barrett saw the 31-year-old and his girlfriend Viola Liu, 31, walking near Elk Mountain Road north of Clear Lake around 3:30 p.m., said Barrett’s aunt, Patricia Jennings.

The helicopter, with Barrett’s uncle and cousin inside acting as spotters, evacuated them. They were headed home Saturday evening.

“They’re fine,” Jennings said. “They’re tired and hungry and thirsty, but fine. And so are their dogs,” she said, referring to the three dogs that accompanied the couple on their trip.

The couple left for Lake County on Jan. 16, intending to stay two nights. But Jennings said they got trapped when rain and snow hit the region and their two-wheel-drive vehicle couldn’t traverse the streams they crossed on the way there.

The couple happened upon a cabin, where they stayed a couple of nights, Jennings said. They survived on the provisions they had brought, including freeze-dried food.

On Saturday morning they set out to try to hike to civilization and were spotted by the helicopter, Jennings said."

Ryan Barrett Missing

My cousin is missing. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Please pray for him and his girlfriend.

View ABC local story here.

"A Fremont couple has been missing since January 16 and their family and police are concerned and doing everything they can to find the couple.

Ryan Barrett and his girlfriend Viola Liu, left on Saturday to go camping with their three dogs and were scheduled to return home Monday.

Susan Itson is the lead missing person's investigator on the case with the Fremont Police. She says they have worked with the cell phone companies and determined both Ryan's and Vola's cell phones were manually turned off on Jan. 16 and there have been no outgoing calls.

Itson says she has also checked with banks and credit card companies and there has been no activity on their accounts. A credit card was last used on Saturday for a gas purchase in Lake County near Clear Lake....

The concern is that wherever Ryan and Viola are, they may have been caught in the series of storms and run into trouble.

"We need people to look for that red pickup with the camper shell and three dogs and Viola and Ryan in it," Jenkins said.

Ryan Barrett is described as a 31-year-old white male, 5 feet 9 inches in height with blue eyes and brown hair.

Viola Liu is described as a 31-year-old slim Chinese-American woman, 5 feet 7 inches in height with brown eyes and dark brown hair with highlights.

The two were in a red 2005 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck with a camper, license plate number 7P61451. They were traveling with three dogs -- two huskies and a labrador. If anyone has any information, please contact the Fremont Police at 510-790-6800."

Our New Favorite Toy

We returned home today to find two LARGE boxes on our front step. What could it be? The kids were dying to know. After digging through the box very confused, they finally stumbled upon the directions... a TRAMPOLINE!!!!!

The screaming and excitement could not be contained.

We are ALL excited about this new toy. After two hours of assembly - we were all jumping together, laughing and having a great time. Dallin got his first of many bloody noses (I am sure). What a wonderful Christmas present! Thank you Papa!! We love you!!!