2006 Christmas Letter

The original 2006 PDF is available in Dropbox.

Birthday Limo and Family Dinner

While we didn't get the whole Westra clan together for Jen's 36th birthday, Mom/Dad and the younger brothers made it for dinner ... and a ride there in a limo! Grayson arranged it all as a surprise. Here's Jen's journal entry from the day:

November 10 (Friday) Happy birthday to me.  Gray sent an e-card a two separate flower arrangements.  VT dropped off a gift, RS dropped off a card, Mom called. Then a third arrangement was delivered (3x12=36). The babysitter showed up at 6:00 as scheduled ... but no Grayson. Not a huge surprise, I knew he was planning something and it was taking longer then anticipated. Olivia had let the cat out of the bag a little, calling to wish me a happy birthday saying sorry she couldn’t come tonight (letting me know that it was a group gathering). Gray finally showed up around 7:00, with a huge limousine.  Inside were Clay and Courtney, my parents, Shane, Alicia and baby Rella, and Derek and Danielle. We drove to Ruby River for dinner, then dropped everyone off. Gray wasn’t overly impressed with the limo service, the ride was a bit jerky (Gray started to get a little carsick), one of the TVs didn’t work, it had a “Vegas” smell, and the driver didn’t know much about the controls (to heat or cool things down). Gray also gave me a new video-recorder as a gift. 

 

Father's Day 2006

Scott and Amy moved into their new home on Old English Road in Draper in February of 2005. They didn't host a Father's Day gathering that first year ... but every year after, the Westra Clan would come each June. This back patio would become a classic backdrop for the annual family photo. 

Looks like Derek and Danielle were at the party (picture below) but must have left before we took the group picture. The new babies are Cayson and Josh, with Rella on the way! Colton was about six months old. I don't remember Wendy's hair being this dark ever (WHO is that in the photo, I had to look twice!)

Trampoline Time!

Easter 2006

Easter in the Westra backyard.  We were missing Jensens this year ... Wendy was pregnant with Josh, and she had him the very next day! Probably good they didn't come up for the Easter party ;) (Colton had been born in Dec. Cayson and Rella were on the way ... this was the most "prolific" grandkid time frame!)  And Callahan is in jammies ... any clue as to why? That's right, he fell into the pond. Jen was lucky she at least had some pajamas on hand in the car.

... and they're off to find the eggs!

As per usual ... Grandpa had taken the littles on a walk away, while the eggs were hidden. The littlest get to start first, to get the "easy" eggs before the bigger kids are let loose. There are always plenty of plastic eggs on the ground, in trees, hidden in silly spots (like the gas cap flap of the car) and HIGH up on the window ledges over the front door.

Here's a little old video from the day. 

(sorry, it's a little Blackham heavy, that is who was holding the camera ...)