Random Crazy Lost Pics from '011

At the zoo one chilly Fall day.

Goofin.

Alan's 40th post-Lake WA skinny dip.

Good times down at the piers.

Not sure about the hair. Halloween thing at school maybe?

One day in late summer A&I ditched the little guy and
had a day out: pastry ride to W Seattle and back.

Reading the script at Dan & Val's wedding.

Dan & Val. Or rather, Val & Dan post-hitch.

Christmas. Eve.

Daddy, when can I open presents?

And where is that Santa Claus?

On Christmas Eve we were out at the "country house" out in "the 40's" of Flagstaff, the cinder billies as the locals say -- Alan, Birgit and Naomi's place an hour outta dodge. We spent the early hours cooking dinner while celebrating the happy hours. After dinner but before the company arrived we made merriment and fools of ourselves, and once they came we did more of the same. Great evening, thanks everyone!

When the accordian came out things got a little crazy,
but eventually we settled down a bit.

Lots of good times but we were kickin it too.

Kian was kickin it!

Naomi was kickin it!

Even Opa was kickin it!

\

Of course Daddy was kickin it.

Everyone was kickin it but these two. Thank goodness or we would have starved.

The kids performed a dance-vocal routine while the adults doled out the tough love.

Not bad, coulda been better but not bad, they said.

Here's a sneak peak at Christmas day:

December Sleddin

Kiki and his sled of choice: the modified tub-oggan.

About the first thing that I did when I arrived in Flagstaff was to get the kid a sled. I always worry when I'm not around that Kian might not be having enough fun, might not be getting out enough, heaven forbid. Our first time out on sleds we hit the NAU hill that I noticed on my way into town. Snow was spotty, it was a south facing slope, but there was a nice crew of other parents around chasing their kids and tugging them back up the hill.

Pre-shove off.

Every run ended in a slide and bail.

Packin' it in for the day.

Ode to Oma

Walk with Grandma

I like to walk with Grandma, she takes small steps like mine. She never says "let's hurry-up! she always takes her time. I like to walk with Grandma, her eyes see things like mine. Shiny stones, a fluffy cloud, stars at night that shine. People rush their whole day through, they rarely stop to see. I'm glad that God made Grandmas unrushed and young like me!
Author: unknown

Walking with Oma.

Summer time is always Oma-time!

One year Kian wanted to watch Oma's plane leave us as she flew home at the end of the summer. We parked at the end of the runway and watched the planes fly over. Our house was always so sad after she left us at the end of every summer. That's just how we feel.

Silent Tear.

Each night we shed a silent tear,
As we speak to you in prayer.
To let you know we love you,
And just how much we care.
Take our million teardrops,
Wrap them up in love,
Then ask the wind to carry them,
To you in heaven above.

We love you, Oma... you are forever in our hearts!

A Santa in Every Mall

In his '011 Christmas sweater.

Just prior to Annie and Kian's departure in early December for Arizona, we got together with Santa Claus and the Lutz clan for our annual photo session. Sure glad Santa was able to get to that mall on such short notice. Anyway, had a great time and it didn't hurt that we opened the session with a whopping meal at a mexican joint: cheese slathered yuminess.