Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Kinser Family Reunion!

At the beginning of August we got to welcome home Russell's brother Travis from a 2 year mission to New Mexico.  Russell's whole family was together for the first time in a long time and we had some good times together. 
We were all able to be there to pick up Travis from the airport and we were all excited to see him . . . well almost all . . .

Every night since the twins started saying their own prayers they've been saying "bless Uncle Travis on his mission helping Jesus" so we thought they would get really excited when we told them he was coming home.  Well they did get excited and they said they were going to give him big hugs when they saw him, but SHOCKER, my shy little girls didn't.  They wouldn't go near him until a couple of days later.  Look at Madylin in both pictures giving him the weary eye.
At least Nathan thought he was trustworthy.
While everyone was still around we also went to "Mormon Night" at the 66ers.  It was pretty fun and very family friendly. They sold quesadillas and hot dogs for .50 cents each which the kids enjoyed.
Here is Nathan eating his hot dog next to Grandpa
And Morgan and Madylin taking in the atmosphere.

It was of course time to get a new family photo (There have been 4 grandchildren born since the last one).  Brandon wasn't able to be there because he was playing in the pony league world series, so his cousin sat in for him and then Brandon's face was photo-shopped in.  The whole situation was pretty comical, but I think it turned out pretty good in the end.
And here are the 10 little ones.  I LOVE this picture.
(l-r: Stefani, Nathan, Madylin, Austin, Staci, Ryan, Isaac, Morgan, Cameron, Jeremy)

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Nathan's Birthday Celebration (finally)

Nathan's birthday evening was spent celebrating with our families.  Granna, Poppa, Uncle Matt, Aunt Jessica and Sara and Kaleb came from Escondido and Grandma and Grandpa, Uncle Aaron, Aunt Jensine, Isaac, Austin, and Cameron came from San Bernardino.  We also had Russell's 2 cousins and their wives come who live here by us since they are practically aunts and uncles to our kiddos.  I like to do the 1st birthday with just close family and it turned out to be a very sweet and special evening for us celebrating this very sweet and special boy.
We had a mexican feast of 3 different mexican casseroles, chips and dip, and fruit and I think everyone enjoyed the food and company. The Boy sure did (We refer to him as "The Boy" in this home constantly)  I made him a "1" shirt with the material I used for the curtains, quilt, and teddy bear bow tie in his room (see above photo) and thought he looked so cute in it.
He got lots of nice gifts from his family, including lots of bouncing balls (which he LOVES right now)

This picture cracks me up.  His sisters' hands are all over his new toy and he's thinking "hey I thought that was for ME"
I had lots of fun making this cake and thought it turned out cute.
I guess he was having a hard time picking up the cake 'cause he just decided to skip the hands all together.
He made a grand mess like every 1-year-old should
And heeeeeeeeeerrrre is the end result!