New Year, New Beginnings...

Goodbye to the easy life as I know it...
Goodbye to restful nights...
Goodbye to skinny clothes...
Hello toilet...
Hello soda crackers...
Hello your soft newborn skin...
Hello my new baby, can't wait to see you...

We are having another in August and couldn't be more excited!!
Love, Shauna, Eric, Cade and Cole

Recovering

Hi gang - let's see...Thanksgiving was enjoyable with Carolyn and David and it was a great opportunity to spend time together. We managed to keep them both in coffee in the mornings and things were smooth sailing after that. The restaraunt we went to on T-day night sits on the bluffs of Trinidad, which is right on the ocean. Some how we scored the upper corner table with windows on two sides. Mama Nature cooperated by having the sun set with a clear sky, so we could watch the descent through the trees and onto the ocean. It was awesome.

Thank you for the picture of the boys - they are good looking kids as are all four of them from what I can see. I did get the flowers, Rob, and they were timed perfectly. Came home for lunch on Christmas Eve and they were there on the porch to greet me. So far the cat has not chewed on them, which I appreciate. He has decided the dried flower arrangement is much more tasty. Go figure.

Christmas was one day off; calm and quiet just like I wanted. Did have a pleasant dinner with friends in the evening. Then back to work and THEN.....I had one week off. The week went well, even managing to get a few things done. Alice Van Zandt ended up in the hospital and she goes home tomorrow. I won't go into the gory details. Let's just say that things should pass more pleasantly for her.

Today was the first day back at work and it makes me wonder why I take vacations! But I know I will survive the next couple of days and then look forward to the next time I can do that.

Thanks for posting the kids singing their lungs and hearts out. It is a terribly cute age and they sounded great!

Cade's Christmas Program

I know, aren't those pre-school, kindergarten and early grade school programs all the same? And yet, no. Because each school program is made of small individuals with very little time on earth yet to mature in social skills -- and the results can be hilarious, touching, embarassing (especially for parents), pride-invoking, and, afterwards, the opportunity for parents to pour into those small human beings an abundance of confidence building, nurturing, bonding, rewarding words and actions (and quite often sugar) that are absolutely necessary for the individual to grow within community.

Kindergarten class sings. Cade is wearing the green sleeveless vest, with tan pants; second row, third from left.

And, again. The camera also pauses on Cade's friend Harley Allen, middle of the top row.

Happy Birthday Nonie!!!

Happy Happy Birthday Nonie...Make a good wish!

Jenna and Nonie...Looking alot alike...

Nonie and her Fierce foursome...

Nonie and Colebear... in his favorite place to be...

Happy Birthday Nonie!! What a mess we would all be without you!!!

Love your entourage Cade, Colebear, Isaiah and Elijah

Miracle's Baptism, All Saints Sunday

Jenna and Shauna were asked to be the Godparents for both Miracle and her cousin Mariah, but Mariah's mom (5 hours away) was not going to be available to do it this day. So the baptism was just for Miracle. Shauna had to be gone on a prior planned family visit out of town, so Angela stood in for Shauna. Thanks to Dave taking the shots, the baptism is recorded, so both Shauna and - we hope and pray some day - Miracle's mom will be able to watch the baptism take place. In the first video, we are waiting for Angela to boogy over from teaching Sunday School!

We are at the font at the west end of the nave, having arrived there singing "Like the murmur of the dove's song."

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Behind the Redwood Curtain

Howdy from up and over here. Unless you're north of here then it's south of there. You know. Nifty idea and I'm already behind in checking out what's on the site already. Besides some good looking people.

Nope - don't have any pictures. And that can be a good thing. Just hanging out on a rainy Sunday afternoon. Most of the chores are done and the ones that aren't can wait...and wait...and wait. It will be cool enough soon to fire up the wood stove, find a book, find the recliner and then the cat will find me. He figures it out every time.

Happy belated birthdays, Papa and Nana! Okay, how about Rob and Angela? You're way too young to be my Papa and Nana. See, aren't things looking up?

Fun upcoming event is that Carolyn and David will be coming down from Portland to spend T-day in the thriving metropolis of Eureka. One wonderful thing is that Ben and Alice V.Z. will be out of town [that's not the wonderful part] and the three of us will be staying at their house [now, that's the wonderful part]. My one bedroom home just would be a little cozy. And it's free!

Thanks for putting this together - should be a nifty way to stay informed.

Margaret

Happy Birthday Papa!!

We love October for a lot of reasons starting with chocolate...But we mostly love October because we get to celebrate Birthdays for 2 of our favorite people... Papa first...

Hey there good lookin'!!

Cade's very best impression of his Papa... Pretty good we think!!

We love Papa so much... He always seems to have time to get down on the floor and play with us... Were not sure what he likes better... Playing with the boys or Playing with the toys... But for a Papa both great traits!!

Happy Birthday Papa!! Love your 4 BIGGEST fans!! Cade, Cole, Isaiah and Elijah

The Great Pumpkin Patch!!

Hellloooo Pumpkin!!!

Eric and Eric scared the *$#@ out of the boys in the corn maze!! It was already getting dark when we started so hiding in the corn and jumping out really did them in!! Isaiah and Cade were surprisingly brave...and Cole and Elijah... lots of tears!! Seriously scared!! The Big boys loved it!!

Isaiah and Elijah...WOW!! One helluva smile or one helluva heavy pumpkin!!

Cade and Cole...Hugging each other or choking each other
were not sure... but cute anyways!!

The Boys throw in the charm...

Our attempt at the annual pumpkin patch family pic...I think we have 3 years of these same pictures!

Did I mention these annual pictures are being taken on top of the most rickety trailer of a hay bale ride you have ever seen...Seriously a miracle is that no one fell off!! (Look at Cade in the background... I think he thought if he smiled big enough he'd make the Saldivar Family pic, he already wants to trade families!! Ha Ha!!)

Soccer is Officially Over!!

Well I hate to say it but the Tavonatti's are relieved for the soccer season to end, especially Cade himself!! It takes alot of work to fit it into the schedule especially when your child is hardly a "David Beckham" if you know what I mean!! But he gave it a really good go, and truely tried his best so I can't ask for much more... I mean after all they look so adorable, and its the most entertaining 30 minutes ever!! The pictures and laughs are of course the BEST part and make it all worth it!!! GO GLADIATORS!!!!

What a blast...

everyone had so much fun at the church halloween sleepover!! Our Nonie sure knows how to throw a party! And look at all our friends that showed up!! Scroll down the page on the left to see how cute face painting turned out!!

Meet the newest member of the Saldivar family.....LULU!

Lulu has already learned that if you want a juice box at our house you got to get one before they are gone!!

The Iowa Connection makes their debut

High School gradua-tion, Daven-port, Iowa, June, 2006.

In a wheelchair.

Anticipation candle drama

Quintessential Noni.

Elvis Sighting!!

I know it's not very nice of me to share this pic...but I just couldn't resist! Gotta Love Vegas!

Picture perfect for Christmas......

Look how cute ......3 Christmas trees dressed up in their favorite decorations! I just love this picture, I mean with hats like these how could anyone not love it?!

The Wild Pack at the Zoo!

It just doesn't get much better than this! What you don't see are the Dads who are passed out behind the bushes!

Follow the leader anyone?

While visiting the Zoo in August we found an animal train! The animals are even lined up according to age

Every Bend in the Road brings a lesson

Coming around the very curvy road at one spot at the north end of Maui (Winter, 2007) we saw this canyon view with something on the top of one of the peaks. Perhaps a lookout of some sort? A religious structure or statue? An observatory?

No - our 10x zoom digital camera revealed the truth.

One lone tree.
What commitment.

Good Memories...

Grandpa and Grandma Eaton with little Jenna and little Shauna... I absolutely love this picture because I actually remember taking it! It was the end of a long day of riding Grandma around on her hands as knees as she pretended to be a "My Little Pony" for us because thats what we loved...What a good sport!! Dad says he doesn't know who liked it more us or Grandma!!!