Like Father, Like Son

For Christmas two years ago, Chris' little brother, Ryan gave him a photo album of pictures from Chris' childhood and family, including many that he had never seen before. Needless to say, it was the first present he received to bring him to tears. Anyway, when we showed Nate this picture just a few weeks ago, he was certain that it was him. What cuties!

My Mother...A Pure Saint!

I know that many people "think" they have the greatest Mom, but I truly do have the best Mom on Earth!! Do you see Lincoln smiling (he is less than a week old and already loves being with his Vma.!) Yes, that is what my kids call her. Cade was the first grand baby and could not say Grama when he was first learning to talk. Growing up, we sometimes called my Mom by her first name-- Vali (You know when you were in a store and they always thought it was someone else calling Mom)and anyway we eventually shortened it to V... so I asked Cade if he could say Vma, and there you go. She is such a pure joy to be around. If you want to learn about true service, just hang around her for a few minutes. Somehow, she can do it all. She came up to stay with us when Linc was born and I wish she could stay the whole year! Here is a list of just some of the things she did: Made crepes for kids' breakfast (several times), cleaned house (constantly), played basketball with the boys (for hours), played dolls and kitchen with Chloee (my Mom's shadow), took the kids out, cleaned out the top sweater shelf of my closet (you really don't want to know what a disaster that was!), cleaned out kitchen cabinets, ran errands to the store, read stories, mended Chloee's dresses, fixed multiple things (she is quite the handy woman)! I have had friends ask me if she can pretend to be their Mom after they had their babies. I always feel like I need to send her on a vacation when she leaves our home, because I get exhausted just watching her and how my kids are all over her constantly. They love her so much, because she spends true quality time with them. I have big shoes to fill if I want to be the kind of mother, mother-in-law and grama that she is to all of us.

OUR LATEST ADDITION: LINCOLN JACK!

Here he is!! Our chubby little guy made an early debut. In fact,
he came two weeks early while Chris was in Cali at his brother's
wedding. I called Chris at 1:30 am Cali time when my water broke, so
there weren't even flights going out until 6 am. He was devastated...I
told him I would not find out if it was a boy or girl until he got to the
hospital, so the nurses and doctor tried hard to keep it a secret and do
all diaper changes. Of course, as soon as they handed him to me I thought "boy" immediately. He looked just like a little football player...the biggest cheeks and even a big roll on the back of his neck.


The kids came with Chris to the hospital later that day and we
did the big unveiling. Cade, Chris and I thought it would be a boy
and Nate and Chloee guessed a girl.


Is that Daddy's boy or what?!


Melissa is my dear friend who took me to the hospital and helped
me through the entire process...and let me tell you a 10 pound baby
is much more of a process! I don't know how she can still look at me
the same way, but I couldn't have done it without her!


Chloee thinks it is OK to take home her new baby brother.

Cade on the slopes (February 2008)

Winterfest at Seven Springs (February 2008)

Chris and his best bud, Steve hit the slopes

Cade shows us his stuff. This is the second year the boys have
taken ski school and loved it. It is fun to see Cade shoot down the mtn.

Nate and Chloee playing in the snow

Nate getting ready to head down the hill

Christopher, Cade and Nate heading off to snow tube

Icy Days (February 2008)

We woke up to cool ice crusted trees and streets so I told Chris

he should take some pictures. As soon as he stepped off the porch

his feet started shuffling on the ice, just like you see in cartoons,

and then they flew straight out as he landed on his back.

Time in Texas (January 2008)

Chloee wants V-ma to hold her all day.......

The whole Hennefer family together, a rare moment, even
if it is only for 1 hour at McDonalds

With the Hennefer cousins

Cade and the Pompa

Uncle Buck and Chris...much missed together time

Crazy Chlo (January 2008)

I went up to check on Chloee in her bed and she had
snuck into our bed adding her headband so she could
get some real beauty rest.

Chloee told me she had a baby in her tummy
just like Mommy.

Bundled up to blow bubbles

Chloee's favorite hiding and snacking spot