Cousins' Christmas

They opened presents first. Everyone ended up with a pet (followed by a mass pet exchange program).






Then we went sledding!!!! the Evanator









Abigail









MJ









Maya Papaya

Santa made it...

... and so did the snow. For the first time in eight years, we had to postpone our tradition of eating another culture's food for dinner. There was too much snow to get together with our friends, Graham and Cookie. So, we decided to eat American for Christmas (hot dogs and mac n cheese). We finally had our traditional dinner Friday night - South African. It was surprisingly one of our favorites: appetizer - shrimp and watermelon salad | lobster soup | entree - beef curry with mango chutney, bananas, yogurt sauce | sides : yellow rice with raisins, pan fried sweet potatoes, mealie (corn) bread | dessert - brandy, bread pudding. South Africa's Christmas falls in the middle of summer so we might try this meal again in warm weather - it was that good.

Maya: The wolf book from Santa was really nice. And I really like the movie of Arctic Tale. I like all my new clothes. I really like it when Grandma Patty sent me new clothes. The tattoo machine is really cool. I never had a tattoo machine! I really like my new camera from Cookie, my friend. I like Graham too. He is really goofy. I really like the Peep puzzle from Karen.

Evan: I like my castle. I like the dinosaur egg. I like the timber frame because it can come apart. That's all.

THEIR BACK!!!!!!!!!

LaMunyon Family Christmas Pix!!

Big weekend in KC

Andrea and I had the honor of hosting one of the top Professional cyclists in the WORLD this past weekend. Her name is Amy Dombroski. She was a lot of fun. She finished first in the U23 National Championship race, and fifth over all. She is now officially a 3 time U23 consecutive National Champion. She even mentioned us in an interview.

Big Day For Maya

Maya's elementary school has a "Pride Day" every month to focus on recognizing student achievement--part of that is focused on a character trait. The focus for December was "empathy" - recognizing how others feel. Maya was chosen by her teacher as the student who best represents empathy. She wrote, "Maya is the "Poster Child" for empathy! She is so aware of others' feelings. She is the first to notice if someone is having difficulty and then ready to help out. She gives hugs that brighten up the day of her teachers and peers."

I'm sorry to play the annoying, proud, and bragging parent, but it is such a great feeling to have your child recognized for her greatest asset, her heart.

Major Eric Strong using "MGS" in Iraq

Ever wonder what Eric is really up to? Wonder no longer, I found him out... He's in Iraq using MGS (modified grooming standards). Note the sandals lol.....

hunting for trees

For a long time it seemed to me that life was about to begin – real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life. This perspective has helped me to see there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way. So treasure every moment you have and remember that time waits for no one. Happiness is a journey, not a destination. - Souza

2008 Homecoming

Andrea and the girls homecoming night.

Kansas Speedway

Dad, me, Abigail and Miranda had fun at the race this year..

Happy Birthday, Matey!

We celebrated Evan's birthday one day early so our friends could be there. Casie made a pirate ship cake for Evan--complete with gun turret candles.






Our friends', Clay and Megan, brought their two children, Kayla and Hayden for the celebration. Graham and Cookie came up from Cortez, and our neighbors, Dave and Renee, joined us as well.





Hayden and Evan thought the new Batman toy was "sweet."








Evan chose Sushi for his 4th birthday dinner (as did Maya this year). Whatever happened to putting a pizza in the oven?

Dear Santa, (Maya)

I've been kind of naughty and I've been nice to my brother. And I won't bother my brother again when he says don't play with me or don't touch me and I'll do what he says! I want a shoe that matches a dress sweater. And I want a merman to go with a mermaid. And have a happy Christmas. And I want a unicorn for another present, and I want the movie Arctic Tale, and I want, um, the book about Africa creatures. And now, how do you do Santa? How is your mother? Is she okay? If she is not okay, please don't tell her Santa has to cancel Christmas. And now have a happy, happy Christmas and I hope you will have a wonderful day.
Love,
Maya
And I want a magazine about Orca, a National Geographic movie about Orcas. And now have a happy, happy, happy, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Love,
LOVE!
Maya

(click links below)

Warm Boots size 1








Hoodie Dress size 7








Sweater Dress size 7








Striped Sweater Dress size 7









Book











Book










Nat. Geog. Movie












Book











Star Wars Legos







Archery Set










Arctic Tale Movie





Chronicles of Narnia Unicorn

Dear Santa, (Evan)

I have been super good. I want a real timber frame toy and a roof for the timber frame toy. A bat cave. Batman. Robin. Some fire for my dragon. Camouflage jeans for me to hunt with. Good bye till Christmas.
Evan

(click on links below)

Camo pants











Batman fishing pole










Large magnetic chess set






The Batcycle and Hammer Truck (Legos of any kind - "real" ones not the ones for little kids - says Evan)





Archery Set














Bat cave

Congratulations Denny!

fire on the mountain

The forecast says winter weather is on the way so we spent some time splitting and stacking wood this afternoon. Evan wore his work clothes for the occasion.

Sled riding

Tristen Savannah Miranda and Abigail enjoying last weekend. Fa la la la la.

Tour of KC 2008

Me and Chung fighting it out to the finish line. Lets just say we were going for first.

Job Change (one year later)

My timing in my job change was great and I moved from timber wright using chisels for mortise and tenon work to timber wright using AutoCad to draw our frames. I spend a lot of time doing preliminary designs for potential clients, but occasionally I get to draw all the way to the finish...

This is the second frame that I drew. It has a valley system in the great room that sped up my balding - unfortunately, compound joinery was not covered in my English classes at KSU.






This was my first frame. A barn with straight-forward joinery. I wish I got to live in something as nice as these horses are getting.

Retirement Room

Despite record rains, we were able to get Denny's timber frame up at the lake.







In just three days in early September, we went from a perfect slab (thanks U. Rich) to a dried in room with windows installed. We are waiting for an update from the finish crew, but the potential for the room is tremendous.

Eric's Flyover

We had a visitor...








it kind of scared the neighbors...








Eric waved hello.

Halloween

We had a knight and his attack leopard for Halloween this year. It also marks my 17th anniversary for remission.