A Rare Event!

We don't get to see this too often anymore. It didn't last long but we got to hear both of them play!! They were awesome! It's even better when they play together but unfortunately Brad didn't bring his horn this time. Oh well it was just good to hear them play.

My Family

Everyone made it home safe yesterday! We had a wonderful day just hanging out at the house, eating way too much food and watching old home videos. We exchanged gifts and for the first time ever....we didn't even start opening them until about 10am. I think I like that!:) Everyone was happy, which was a huge blessing for me to see this and to have everyone together. I felt like we got to experience the joy and truth of the phrase "time heals all wounds" and a good reminder of what is truly important. I hope we get to have more of these days in the future but until then I have some awesome pictures and memories to remind me. Thanks kids for being here and being so good to one another, and for a wonderful Christmas Day!

Happy Birthday Mary!

This is my sister Mary & a pic of my mother, me(the cute one) and Mary(the even cuter one)!Today is her birthday! I of course didn't get her gifts done yet so this is her back up gift! I am pretty sure she'll hate it....oh well. :) Here are a few things I know about Mary...

Some of her most favorite things-Jacksen, Taryn & Kylie! Tony too! Peanut Butter, McDs, , the color black, pina coladas(virgin of course) by the pool in Hawaii, reading, scrap booking, being an aunt to my awesome kids :)....

Some of her least favorite things- mayonnaise, fish, the words "fluffer nutter", country music, not being with her kids, my blog about her and being an aunt to my awesome kids... jk


Here are my families favorite things about her!

David - One day, I will figure out a way to be more like Mary. She has one of those rare talents to make you smile and laugh - even when you really don't wanna. The "result" is that she makes you know you are loved. Loved the way you need to at that minute - she just knows how to read you in the simplest, yet most complex way you need. Quite simply - anyone who knows Mary, knows that humor is part of the fun of knowing her, but the benefit of knowing her is how you feel after you talk to her. I know I am not alone because anyone who's met her, senses the same thing. If there is a favorite thing about Mary it's what a wonderful friend she is to Karen. Husbands can't fill in all the spaces a woman needs, but Mary fills that for Kari. When they are together, you see something that can only exist in devoted sisters - friends-to-the-end. For me, I might have gotten to have Mary as a sister-in-law by chance, but she is a rare friend by choice. Happy Birthday Sista - Love ya, D

Zach- Everything! Not even kidding.

Tiana-She is a great role model for me! She is Funny! She is such a good mom.

Jake- I loves going to her house and how she makes you feel welcome and loved. She's the best!

Mitchell-She is just fun to be around...Hey Mary! I love the things you dooooo......

Landon-She's just awesome.

Well, the kids love everything about Mary. They couldn't really say just one thing they love about her. She always has Otter pops....She always listens.....She makes me laugh....she loves me....She is so unselfish.....She awesome....shes awesome.....shes awesome! They love her and I love that she loves them too. Like the kids it's hard to just find one thing I love about her and David said it better than I ever could... So I will just say that I love her and am so fortunate and grateful to have her for a sister. She is my best friend and one of my most favorite people in the whole world! Happy Birthday Mary! We Love You!

Fun in the Snow!

Funny thing happened tonight! The kids were stir crazy and wanted to go out and build a snowman or something, and even though we usually don't do this on Sunday I gave in. It was either that or drive me crazy and lets face it...I'm crazy enough. Anyway, Jake came running in the house all excited about this jump they built and wanted me to see how cool it was and how they built it. I jokingly said "OK but it better not be one of your brothers under there!" Well, it was cool alright! In the next pic you'll see what this most amazing jump was! Do I know my kids or what?

Yes! It's Mitchell! Amazing the things these boys will do for fun...that's all I have to say about that. :) P.S.-He voluteered for this believe it or not...go figure!

Merry Christmas!

These leaves are now covered in over a foot of snow today....or more! Hard to believe it is another Christmas. It has been a rough year for our family and yet we feel very grateful for all the struggles. We seem to be coming out a little stronger, a little bit more loving and have a new appreciation for family. This year we will have all of our kids here for Christmas ...Ryan flies in on Christmas Day, Sara and Brad get here on Tuesday. This will be the first time in a long time everyone will be together. Karen says that this is her gift! Like a lot of folks we know, this is a frugal holiday so we've been busy making most of the things we have been giving this year. Lots of candy, crafty cards, ornaments and short notes to say hello. Maybe the best part of Christmas this year has been spending time with each other and not so much about presents. We hope it will be that way for you too. From our family to yours, we wish you a very Merry Christmas!

This years Gingerbread House!

For the last couple of years I have been making gingerbread houses. Last year the kids told me it looked like a church...and it did. It was my first year doing the stained glass windows and it was definitely a church...This year it's not. We did lots more windows and the kids all helped decorate and I think it's adorable! It's a lot bigger than I thought and Jake was disappointed it didn't have a garage, but there is always next year!

Fun Coincidence!

So weird! This was in the Tri-City Herald today. Jake called from school and told me about it and I thought he was mistaking...then he brought it to me after school. Kinda fun! I had no idea he ever taught in Tri-Cities. Very Cool!!!

My Christmas tree is finally decorated!

Well, we put up our tree last week but I have been putting off decorating because, I am the only one who decorates the tree any more. It's of course a lot of work and I just didn't want to do it. Yesterday I forced myself and here is the end result! What do you think?

Zach's Senior Project Presentation!

OK we all those moments as parents when we just aren't sure our kids know what they are doing and literally want to run into the night screaming for help...or maybe that's just me! Anyway, today was Zach's presentation for his senior project, which all seniors are required to do and pass in order to graduate in WA State. Well, I have been watching this process for months and have at times drove him crazy with questions and the need of reassurance that he knows what he is doing and that he is recording everything etc. Well, it seems all that worry was in vain. Today my child who 2 years ago wouldn't stand up in public, let alone speak...gave an awesome presentation! His project was to build a drum set that he could play and create a unigue sound from. His set is a little smaller than a normal drum set I guess. He built them, tuned them and put together a power point to show the whole process/project. He presented it as if he had done it a million times and seemed so comfortable up there. It was an amazing thing to watch and for a mom.. a little moment of glory! It's a tough realization when you have to let your kids grow up, but today I saw Zach a little different. Not a little boy or the funny goofball we all know he is, but a man sharing something he loves with others and doing a very fine job of it. Zach we are sooo proud of you and your huge accomplishment!

Christmas Candy Time!

It is a tradition in our family for as long as I can remember to make candy all through the Christmas season. Some years it's just a few batches of peanut brittle and some fudge, but I am going all out this year. I have 5 teenagers who are totally capable and willing to pull taffy, cut lemon drops and stretch and form peppermint sticks! It has really brought that Christmas feeling into our home and it always reminds me of Christmas's when I was young and my mom making candy. My great-grandfather was a brilliant candy maker/chocolatier and I was able to dig up a few photos of him and his wife teaching and some great newspaper articles. I am so grateful to have these and love that I can share these things with my kids. I don't have a lot of memory of grandpa Davenport, but the memories I do have all have to do with him making candy and sharing it with us. I know he didn't just make candy at Christmas time, but I am so thankful for the recipes and secrets he shared with us so I can have this tradition in my home every year!

My great-grandpa E. Remington Davenport

Bradley David Myers

This past weekend on our way home we stopped off in Post Falls Idaho to see Davids parents, and were fortunate enough to be able to see our son Brad too. It occurred to me that not many of our new friends in Tri-Cities know Brad, so I thought I would introduce him. This is Brad! He is 20yrs old and the third of our eight kids. He currently lives in Coeur d'Alene Idaho. Brad, like his father, is an amazing trumpet player! I think he may even be a little better actually...sorry Dave! Dave is more of a contemporary/classical guy and Brad is all Jazz. He loves Jazz! He could play anything but he looooooooves Jazz. Brad is a very very smart young man. It used to drive me crazy that he could read something once and literally retain the info forever. It's amazing, yet a curse sometimes I think. He was always annoyed with homework and the petty in class stuff that is required but could ace a test blindly... no problem. He was always challenging teachers and wanting to know more...which annoyed them of course because sometimes he already knew more than they did. I got phone calls on more than one ocassion from teachers who felt disrespected by it. Brad marches to the beat of his own drum that is for sure, and I love that about him! We don't get to see Brad very often, so it was nice to spend a little time with him and catch up. We love you Brad and miss you everyday!

Thanksgiving!

The Abrath Family Thanksgiving this year was great! We went to to Priest Lake and had tons of fun! Lots of food, games, one awesome gift exchange and of course we did gingerbread houses as usual. No matter how old the kids get they never get sick of doing this! Which is just fine! They all turned out amazing of course. The guys had a great time out on the four wheelers and us girls made Christmas ornaments and cooked lots of food! Jason was also amazing in the cooking dept. and I think his sausage meatballs are going to be a new favorite of our family! Yum! We always do our Christmas gift exchange during Thanksgiving and this year we were supposed to make our gifts thoughtful gifts. It was really fun to see what everyone came up with. It was a good weekend for everyone I think. We had a few sick people and one sick baby Lacy but we all are doing fine and we are so grateful for being a family and for being able to get together each year. Thanks Ashtons for the use of the cabin...again and as always it was fantastic!

Davids B-day!

Nov. 22nd was Daves 46th Birthday! His parents came to visit from Idaho and we had a really nice time. It was just so great to have them here and just spend time with them. The kids decorated the dining room all up and Dave got his favorite dinner of Tacos and spent the morning doing what he loves! Cleaning out the garage! I also made this amazing cake which not only looked good, but tasted awesome! Happy Birthday Dave!

My new favorite thing!

Ok I just made these photo mats out of my kids drawings and things that remind me of them and it was so fun! I wasn't sure if I liked these pics in them but when I got them done I was thrilled. They do look nice and it was so easy! Decoupage is now my new favorite thing!! The kids actually helped and gave suggestions, picked out pictures etc. It was a really fun project!! What can I decoupage next??

The Joker Costume!

Mitchell was so excited to be "The Joker" for Halloween and I was worried it wouldn't work out quite right or it would look too cheesey but I think we did a pretty good job. He was happy with it and had tons of fun tonight. He actually freaked me out a little when we were done. Here are the pics of us getting him ready!

Happy Halloween!

Carving pumpkins with the kids never seems to get old. They love it and of course each year they get better and more creative! I had so much fun this year I carved three. Can you guess who carved each of these? There is a special one in there Zach carved for Aunt Mary and of course you can guess which one is Mitch's. I especially love "The Count". They are all so fun and since Jake & David weren't home I am looking forward to seeing how thiers turn out.

My Surprise Weekend!

Last Thursday I got a big surprise from Dave who out of the blue said "Pack a bag...we leave at three!" I was a little shocked but had a feeling that something was going on because people kept asking weird questions and I heard a few comments here and there. The kids all knew and my sister knew and so did several people at church and school. Good job everyone keeping it a secret! Dave took me to New York for the weekend. I love NY!! Right now the leaves are all changing in Central Park and it was gorgeous. For those of you who don't know this, Dave served his mission in New York City and so he is a blast to go there with. We had a great time and a very long over due weekend without kids! Here are some of the highlights!

*Walking thru Central Park and encountering a wild turkey.

*The Museum of Natural History....enormous and overwhelming but very cool.

*Staying at the Waldorf Astoria(Thanks to Daves hotel points!! Luv it!)

*Greenwich Village...Not my favorite place but fun to see and we had cupcakes there that were amazing!

*Macy's on 34th Street...The Fifth floor....Shoe Shopping!

*Hot Dogs! The hot dogs from the street vendors always taste better than they probably are...I don't know why. They just do!

*Coney Island and walking on the board walk.

*Riding the subway everywhere!

*My favorite one of them all... I finally got to see "Wicked" on Broadway!!!! It was Amazing!!

The whole weekend was just a really fun surprise and to all that helped Dave with the kids, the house, and rearranging appointments etc. I owe you one!! Thank you sooooo much!!

Well Zach is officially "18" and it was a fun day! Very low key just like he wanted it. He picked out a couple gifts at the mall and had my nephew Jason come and bbq for him. He wanted a homemade cake and that's what he got... It tasted way better than it looks!! Overall it was a really fun day!

Zach is "18"!

Zach turns "18"this week and I am finding myself a little sad. When people say it goes too fast ...they aren't kidding. Why does it have to go so fast? Why couldn't he stay young and sweet forever...then again I am excited for him and excited to see what lies in store for him next. I am so blessed to be Zachs mother. I can't tell you how fun it is to know him and to watch him become a man. He's a fun kid who has never given us too much trouble...except for his hair. He says he not cutting it until he graduates! AHHHHHH! Anyone who can convince him this is not a good idea will be my new hero! He's a hairy beast, but we love him hair or no hair. :) Z is a wonderful kid and anyone who doesn't know him would be crazy not to want to. He the most patient child I have and has such integrity. Thanks Z for having a good heart and making our family laugh!! We Love you!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHUNK!

Homecoming!

Last weekend we hosted the kids for the Homecoming dance! It was a lot of fun and lots of work...all day Saturday we got ready but the kids were wonderful about helping so it was pretty painless. Tiana ran most of our errands while Jake helped set up at home. Thanks to Lan and Mitchell, and Zach who helped tons even though they didn't get to enjoy any of it themselves...You Rock!(Zach went to Homecoming in Richland with his girlfriend Lexi) Looks pretty good huh! The kids also looked amazing and were even great about taking a picture with mom. Thanks guys!

Off they go!

The kids all met at the Greenstreets around 5 to get their pics taken. Brenda took some great pictures and hopefully we can share a few of them with everyone, and I am sure Brenda will post some of them on her blog too. Anyway, then at about 6pm they headed to our house where the Limo showed up to take the kids on a drive while we got there dinner ready. I was very impressed with the boys...They were quite the gentlemen. Ladies First! Except anyone see Jake? Hmmmm.....

Limo Ride!

Being crazy with that Sparkling cider!...For those of you who might have been worried. The kids had a great time as you can see and said this was more fun for everyone than the dance.