Snowy Pictures for your Viewing Pleasure

Warning: MANY pictures ahead! Feel free to skip this post if you choose!! :)

Family: If you want any of the pictures, just enlarge them by clicking on it. Once it's enlarge, right click your mouse & choose "Save Picture As". Hope you enjoy! Love you all!!

The deer roaming around!

The precious mom making something...can't remember now! :)
Oh, boy...the brothers making cookies!!
Practicing our song for Christmas Eve!
Our "special" graduating seniors....

Making sure Mr. Pig was in the picture!

Cousins!!
This camera was just fabulous!
Alex was all about it!
Sweet Emma!

Family on Christmas Eve!
Speechless!
Cute Cousins! :)

Do you see the age difference?!
Brien, using his mad skillz on the Barbie Guitar!
Emma showing us the Blue's scale!

Grandma and Jill making cookies!
Tim and Janess! (Dad's sister!)

Jim, Monica, Emma & Ally (Dad's brother!)
Jim, Susan & Alex (Step Aunt and Uncle!)
Gramps and Barb!!
Emma wearing her new hat!
More smiles!

All together!
SNOW!

Our White Christmas!
Family Pic #1

Family Pic #2
We're crazy...and we know it!
She was eating snow off the rail. It was hilarious!

Don't miss a bite!
A cup of snow! (It was mighty tasty!)
Silver Grill....

The best breakfast in Colorado!
The lamp from A Christmas Story!
All the Grand kids with Grandpa & Grandma (Mom's side!)

Everybody!! (Jesser's - Eddy's - Blehm's!)
In order from oldest to youngest!
The "original" Blehm family!

Sisters!
Shoveling snow!!!

And there it goes....
One last picture by the tree! (Plus, everyone acting mad because Jill did not want to partake of this greatness!)

I wish you could see the snow what was just thrown at us!! Too fun!!

Christmas '07

Folks, it has taken me entirely too long to update you on my WHITE trip to Colorado! It was absolutely fabulous.

Of course, it was far to quick of a trip, but we are thankful we got to go at all to spend time with all of our family that lives there. (And I mean ALL!)

It has been about 6 years, no joke, that our family has actually been on vacation together and actually flown together. Don't get me wrong, we vacation often, but as a family it's just getting harder. Normally, one goes early, one leaves early, a few come together, you know...vacationing like that has become our deal. So, needless to say, it was very eventful! We loved it.

We spent Christmas Eve morning at my Aunt and Uncles house for some good cookin' tamales. My aunt makes them from scratch and they were absolutely divine. It was fun to have all of my Dad's side of the family for that, and even some of my Mom's side joined us for that. It was a full house.

The rest of Christmas Eve we spent with my Mom's family. It's always a grand time. We, as a family, sang at the Christmas eve service. That was special. If I ever learn to upload videos, I'll upload that one. (I can't promise good quality, though, it's from my camera!) After the service we headed over to one of my distant cousins (it gets confusing) houses for a little Christmas Eve party. That is always so much fun. They have little villages set up all over the house! I love Christmas Eve.

Christmas day we got up early and headed to Boulder to spend Christmas with my Dad's side of the family. It's fun with all the little ones running around. Since my dad is the oldest of 3, he got married first, had kids first, you know all that good stuff. We were the only grandchildren for a while. A few years ago his sister got married, who now has 2 girls, then Jim, my dad's brother got married, and also has 2 girls. Jim's girls are 4 and 7 and an absolute hoot. They keep everyone entertained. We had a great time Christmas day with all 19 of us there. Family time is never dull!! After a long day, we headed back to Fort Collins where we laid our sweet little heads down.

OH, AND I FORGOT TO MENTION, IT SNOWED ALL DAY ON CHRISTMAS!!! WE TRULY HAD A WHITE CHRISTMAS AND IT WAS GORGEOUS!!

The next morning we ate at Silver Grill for breakfast. If you're ever in Fort Collins, don't miss this place. It truly is the best breakfast in Colorado. The rest of the day we just hung around, watched movies, made soup and chilled. It was some much needed rest and relaxation.

Thursday, the day we were supposed to leave, it decided to snow major! Oh boy. We packed up, had lunch, said our goodbyes, then headed to the airport. Our flight wasn't supposed to leave until 7:15 that night, but had already been pushed back an hour. No biggy. But, at 8:30, when our plane still wasn't there we got a bit worried. Finally, it showed up, and United did a VERY quick turnaround. They got their people off, and put us on. We were thankful, because flights were getting cancelled left and right. Once we were on the plane, our pilot informed us of everything that needed to be done before take-off, including the plane being de-iced. Oh joy! He promised to get us to Houston, but couldn't promise any time!

After much waiting on the plane, a smooth take-off, a very rough landing in Houston (one with 0 visibility. Yes, my stomach was in my mouth.) long waits at baggage claim, and driving home, we finally pulled up to our home at 2:30 a.m. Needless to say, it was a long day, and we were pooped. But, thankful to be in our own beds!

We had a wonderful time visiting all our families. Colorado holds a special place in our hearts! We love them all so very much. We all can't wait for May when they come to Houston to celebrate graduations. It will surely be a grand time!

Our Christmas Card

Merry Christmas, Y’all!!

We hope you had a wonderful Christmas, 2007. We spent our Christmas in Colorado and it was WHITE. It snowed all day and “us Texans” were absolutely thrilled to pieces. We enjoyed spending time with each of our family members in Fort Collins, Loveland, Boulder, Longmont and Windsor. (We love to be all over the map!) It has been about 6 years since we’ve been there for Christmas, so we didn’t mind that much. ;)

Since it’s been so long since we’ve last shared a Christmas letter, we thought an update would be appropriate.

Sam is still traveling all over the US of A and working for Fem Partners running Woman’s Health Clinics. If you ask him he will tell you that he loves to travel. It’s probably his favorite thing, being away from home, eating by himself and always sleeping somewhere foreign. He is also golfing every chance he can get; despite the back surgery he had 2 years ago. It’s his therapy. Dad has also recently taken up interior design. He has turned Brien’s old room into his recording studio. When he is at home, this is where he spends most of his time. (We’re still not quite sure if this is part of his mid-life crisis!)

Kristy is still going strong with 30 piano students. There are constantly people pulling in and out of our driveway, eating our food, watching our T.V., playing our Wii, and disrupting our household. (Sometimes a piano lesson occurs during that time!) Our home is never dull. She is also still an avid vacuumer and loves her new Dyson and Roomba machine (The iRobot vacuum). They are her prized possessions. Currently, we are convincing her to raise her lesson prices. She is still the cheapest and best, most patient teacher out there. Mom and Dad are also still actively playing in the praise/rhythm team at church.

Brien (26) is officially out of the nest, with occasional visits. (If you didn’t already get that from Dad turning his room into a studio!) He is currently working with Fastenal being the great salesman that he is, selling all sorts of nifty little trinkets. It’s a little different than Banana Republic, but he enjoys it. Feel free to look him up if you ever need some nuts or bolts. The boy could really talk to a tree if need be, he’s just that out going. (You can join me in prayer for a sister-in-law sometime soon! I would also love some nieces and nephews!)

I (Lindsee, 22) just moved back to Houston to Student Teach in the spring. I have been at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, TX, along with every other prisoner in the world for the past 3 ½ years. After student teaching, at Matzke Elementary (my old school, with my old teacher), I will graduate and become a big girl. Looking for a job comes next. Oh, the excitement that wells in my heart. While there, I was apart of Sigma Phi Lambda (serving as Chaplain and Rush Captain) and TRUTH, an off campus bible study at my church, I absolutely loved it! I will miss the folks up there, but am excited for the next chapter in my life.

Kevyn (18) is a very proud high school senior and very ready to graduate! The parents are starting to feel old because their youngest is about to be a graduate! As we speak he is currently applying to 2 different schools for the future. He thinks he may pursue either photography or engineering (so that he can build roller coasters). Yes, two completely different things, but things he loves very much! It’s a tough draw, folks. The past few years he has been on leadership with TSMAC (the youth group) and been very involved in that. He is also in the middle of rehearsing Godspell, the musical they are doing in January at his school. He is constantly on the go, but loving every minute.

Well folks, we hope and pray that all is well with you, too! May 2008 be filled with love, music and much laughter! Merry “late” Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you!

Love,

Sam, Kristy, Brien, Lindsee & Kevyn

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas....

I should really be packing, but instead, I am blogging! Way to be productive! As of tomorrow at this time I should be in Winter Wonderland, otherwise known as Colorado! I am just absolutely thrilled and cannot wait. I really am dreaming/praying for a white Christmas! As of right now the chance of snow is 50%, but I am so hoping for 100%!

But, I just couldn't leave without sharing my week with you! It has been just a delightful week. One that has absolutely flown by, and I love that. The main reason it has been just splendid is because my BFF Joanna has been in town from Montana and I have loved having her here every minute. She flew in on Monday and her sweet hubby came in town yesterday! Since her mom was still in school this week, and my mom was still teaching piano lessons this week, it was just us! I have seen her everyday this week. :)

It has been just like the old times. We have been running around good ole' Cypress getting MUCH accomplished. Well really, I have just been her chauffeur all week, but I'm okay with that! We have done our normal spend the night with each other, get up somewhat early, go get breakfast at Panera, then errands here we come! I love it. I especially have loved it this time because I miss my girls SO much. Seriously, having them spread all over the WORLD has been not so fun. (And yes, I can say world because our sweet Sally is in Africa!)

Some highlights have been our sleepover 2 nights in a row (there is nothing like a sleepover with your BFF), running around acting like chickens with our heads cut off, laughing UNCONTROLLABLY with huge tears running down our faces, meeting some girls at Lupe's, eating at Panera and Subway (our normal restaurants), and both of us getting our hair cut. She got 10 inches cut and I got 2 1/2 from my already short hair. We love it, though. A new look is always fun! And of course exchanging our Christmas gifts. She got me a precious bangle bracelet that has Phil. 4:13 on it, and I made a plate with a verse on it to go in her new home! I think she loved it!! :) Now I can't wait to see my other BFF, Jennifer, tomorrow after she and her hubby get in from Louisianna and before I head off to Colorado! It will be a quick hello, but I need it. I need to see my Jen!!

Well, friends, I really am off to packing now! I've gotta get a move on things. I hope you all have a VERY Merry Christmas. Remember that we are celebrating Christ's birth! He was born to die for us. What a gift! I am hoping to return with some snowy pictures, they are too fun! Much love to all of you this wonderful holidy weekend!

My precious neighbor! This was after her Christmas program!

Dinner at Lupe Tortillas!! Absolutely DELICIOUS!

Jo got her haircut, and boy do I mean CUT! The sweet one cut 1o inches off her hair! It's just precious!

This is me going home after spending 2 days/nights at her house!! It was just delightful. Did I have enough stuff?! ;0)

The new hair!!

And now begins the picture taking/present giving process. And let me tell you, it is a process!!

Our gifts! The plate I made her and the bangle bracelet she gave me! I love it!

Our "line leader" wands that her precious mom gave us!