Catching Up

The last post on this blog was Aaron's birthday. Since then, 2 more of my sons have had birthdays, we went on a fabulous vacation to the Oregon Coast, Halloween, Thanksgiving,  Christmas, AND New Years have all come and GONE! Phew. So instead of trying to capture every single one of these events in a post to catch up, I am going to post one (our a couple) pictures from each event. A few good memories captured in cyberspace is better than none right?

Zachery's Birthday :: September 27th

We celebrated Zach's birthday on our Oregon trip. He had a GREAT day. He opened a birthday present every meal and then topped it off with Hulk cupcakes and his favorite dinner: lasagna. 

I should also note this was the first time the boys were given pocket knives. 

They were so excited and proud! 

Then Zach lost his. Tragic.

Then Drew found it out on the beach, in the sand, in the dark. 

Miracle.

Rockaway Beach, OR :: September 26th - October 2nd

Best Goossen vacation ever. Or at least in the top 5. I LOVE the ocean, so this trip especially watered my soul. (Not to mention running ocean side is FABULOUS!) We did so many fun things AND ate so much GOOD FOOD! It was a vacation to remember, and hopefully, keeping our fingers crossed, repeat.

 

                     The view from the deck!                              Total Zach happiness.

Pacific City, a great day of hiking and eating!!

:: Noah's Birthday :: 

He wanted an Xbox cake, so I did my best to make it. Probably because he knew he wasn't getting an Xbox! Funny thing about this picture is that these same two boys are huddled around Colby's birthday pie a few weeks earlier with very LONG hair! 

:: Thanksgiving ::

If you are thinking, that is ALOT of people, you are right! The Clare Clan is ever GROWING. The big news this year is that Josh & Heidie had twin girls! Twin girls. Still can't believe it! We all (and by all I mean the whole Clare Clan, Goossen's, Powell's and Zmak's) gathered at the Zmak's house for Thanksgiving dinner. It was a feast to be sure!

:: Christmas ::

By far the big Christmas win this year was my mom (and us kids) surprising my dad with an iPad! He was overwhelmed. It was awesome. A wonderful Christmas moment. We spent Christmas Day with my parents and the day after with the Clare Clan. Great fun all around, although we missed Hope & Joel who couldn't make it this year. 

:: New Years's Eve ::

We brought in the New Year with Powell's and Josh & Heidie. 

We played a rousing game of Apples to Apples, including the big boys who are getting old enough to play games with the grown ups! Zach fell asleep at 11:50! Noah & Aaron had a blast 

counting down to the new year and then running out side to see fireworks!

And so concludes 2012. 

Hello 2013. What will you bring us?