Savannah's performance of "It's A Wonderful Life" for John Glenn Middle School!

She had about 1 1/2 minutes of fame including 1 line, but managed to get on stage as a "self appointed" extra throughout the whole play. No lack of confidence in this little Hampton!

Oh Christmas Tree

I really look forward to picking our tree out together every December.  This year we waited until Devin was back from Cal Poly to keep the tradition alive and this photo perfectly captured the event. We are not even close to the Griswold Family when it comes to picking out our tree...in fact it results in a short trip to the local Home Depot to see what has been trucked in from the Northwest.  However, we do manage to have a pretty good time and Gerald has mustard up quite a bit of patience through the years as he puts up with the silliness. 

Clark puts it best, "Little full lot of sap". 

Maui

 Gerald and I were able to attend this years Polaris trip and it just so happened to be at one of our favorite places...The Grand Wailea on Maui.  We've been a few times before so it felt a little like coming "home" when we stepped foot on the resort.  It's really an amazing place... weather was delightful, food was scrumptious, sun was healing and relaxing was needed! I think the highlight for both Gerald and I would have been the day we chose to do a little exploring on our own with Troy and Sarah. The day started out at the Surfing Goat Dairy and ended with a hike to Twin Falls.  As you can see in these photo's, Gerald was completely in his element and me?...well, I'm always happy to be outdoors enjoying whatever scenery I'm surrounded by! 

Grateful & Thankful

We hosted Thanksgiving again and it was a beautiful day as every Thanksgiving has been since moving to the Desert.  I always feel so overwhelmed with gratitude the whole week of Thanksgiving.  With all the preparation that goes into hosting 40 friends and family for dinner, I find myself reflecting on everything in my life I am thankful for and how each Thanksgiving through the years has its only special memories.  One memory that is the same every year is our "Thankful Circle".  I look forward to holding hands in a large circle while everyone is given a chance to share their thankful thoughts which always ends in prayer.  

Lots of good memories this year...another great football game...Karen Berthelson made table runners that were full of random family pictures (everyone loved searching them over while laughing and reminiscing about fun memories).  Most memorable would have to be the Spa that was constructed the day after Thanksgiving by Devin and Harrison.  The challenge was to build a fully functional spa in 45 min. or less and they were successful...so successful they took it to another level with Gerald's help the next day! The material checklist was as follows and the pictures tell the story best of all!

1. Water trough for cows

2. Camp fire with plenty of wood to keep it stoked

3. !/2 sawed off metal barrel to hold water

4. Pool hose for siphoning hot water 

After more thought this is what was constructed on day 2...

So good to have Devin home...We have missed his crazy hair brained ideas that always seem to work!

Savannah goes undefeated in the Brea Water Polo Tournament last weekend! This firecracker played her little heart out while having tons of fun in the process. I think after many years of being a supportive fan in the stands to all her older brothers events, she's just happy to be the one competing and she could quite possibly be the most competitive out of all! 

LQHS defeats PDHS

Another year of beating our Rival School Palm Desert High!  Way to go Blackhawks!!!

Natalie and Olivia cheer on the Blackhawks!

It was a Happy Halloween

One cute Pirate with just a bit of attitude! The highlight of our Halloween Evening was going to Chipotle in costume for $2 burritos.