Christmas Eve Party

Here we are once again celebrating Christmas Eve. Everyone was there, and a few extras.

Cass and her baby Ty.

We tried something new this year and had the children make gingerbread houses. Here is Eli making his house.

JR making her house.

Cass helping Ty make his house.

JW, Veronica, & Angelo making their houses.

A M&M Christmas tree atop Angelo's house, mmm!

Eli eating part of the gingerbread house decorations.

JW rising to the occasion and stacking on the candy.

JR loves to make goofy faces and here's one of her better ones.

Jess helping Eli make his house.

Jess smiling proudly with their finished house.

Cass and Ty with their finished house.

Mom smiling happily because no fights had broken out. No fight ever did, we actually had quite a fun evening together.

Della and her finished house. For some crazy reason she misspelled Santa and put Sammy. Crazy Della, gingerbread houses are for jolly old elves not evil entities.

Handsome Angelo who is growing up too fast.

Deb and JR.

Doug who has missed the party for several years was finally here again to experience the festivities.

Jess's friend Veronica.

Donna who was a camera happy fool.

My best friend and her two children. They always attend our family Christmas Eve party every year because they are like part of our family. Plus the kids had to give Della a run for her money on the gingerbread house.

Jess, Veronica, Angelo, & Eli

Angelo and JW.

Cass in her cute hat and scarf.

JR and her puppy Lily. Lily is sporting a new outfit special delivery from Della.

The Girls!

The Family! The last family picture I can remember we had was taken some time in 1997, I believe.

Della, JR, & Lily

Donna, Ty, & Cass

Della calling out Bingo for prizes. Sorry you couldn't be here Carolanne we had lots of fun.

And finally, me. Thanks to everyone for showing up to the party and having a good time. Merry Christmas to all and may you have Peace through the holiday season.

Photos posted by Yvonne and comments posted by Darla

The DraGon SonG!

My sisters and I have been trying to find the words to this song for years but through serendipity I unexpectedly found it. I used to sing it to my friend's children when they were young, to help put them to sleep, but knew I was making up some of the words. So here it is.

The Dragon Song

Long, long ago In a kingdom far away
A witch took the daughter
Of the King one day
To the top of a mountain
So icy and tall
That no one could climb up and reach her at all.
The King was distraught
And he promised on his life
The first one to rescue her
Could have her for his wife.
Each prince came and tried
But alas and alak
One step up the ice And they slid right back.
Then from out of the woods there came
A dragon breathing fire and flame.
He melted a path through the ice and snow
And he brought the princess down below
The kingdom rejoiced and was happy once again
Till up spoke the dragon and he said right then
Remember the king made a vow on his life
And I want the princess now for my wife.
The king wept and wept but no matter how he tried
The dragon took off with the princess for his bride.
And though he was ugly
So ugly she cried
Her good little heart kept her there by his side.
she cleaned up his house
Sewed the buttons on his shirt
She washed and she ironed
And she cooked his dessert
And cared for him kindly
And just every way
And soon they were married A year and a day.
Then as twelve o'clock ticked by
The dragon stood with his head held high
Your kindness broke the spell he said
And he turned into a prince instead.
It's only a tale
Of what happened long ago
In a far off kingdom of the world you know
But all good people
Recall ever since
That kindness can even change A dragon to a prince.

Carolanne, Bryan and baby Wyatt

An Easter Tradition

Each year Del and I do an Easter Hunt in my backyard for our friend's children. Our friend is like a sister and we love to do it. Her children get so excited because we tell them we contact the Easter Bunny and setup the hunt. We hide eggs with candy and money in them, and summer fun toys. This year they found NERF double barrel shot guns, snorkel sets, Easter bunny cars, jump rope, and a toothbrush for all the candy. When they got home from church, they changed to play clothes, and the hunt was on. They were screaming and grabbing and having fun. Once it was over they went through all the goodies and showed us what they found. Later, we met my mom and our other sister and all went out for Easter Dinner. I had a very relaxing and fun Easter Sunday.

I Am Jesus' Little Lamb

I am Jesus' little lamb,
Therefore, glad at heart I am,
Jesus loves me Jesus knows me,
All that's good and fair he shows me,
Tends me everyday the same,
Even calls me by my name.

Mrs. Fink learned this song when she was four years old. Her older sister, Verna, made her and her younger sister, Arliss (who was 3 years old) memorize and sing this song for a powder sugar donut. She still remembers the song today at the young age of 72. (Picture is Mrs. Fink at about 2 or 3 years old)

I looked the song up on the Internet to get the other verses and this is what I found:

I AM JESUS’ LITTLE LAMB
I am Jesus’ little lamb,
Ever glad at heart I am;
For my Shepherd gently guides me,
Knows my need and well provides me,
Loves me ev’ry day the same,
Even calls me by my name.

Day by day, at home, away,
Jesus is my staff and stay.
When I hunger, Jesus feeds me,
Into pleasant pastures leads me;
When I thirst, He bids me go
Where the quiet waters flow.

Who so happy as I am,
Even now the Shepherd’s lamb?
And when my short life is ended,
By His angel host attended,
He shall fold me to His breast,
There within His arms to rest

Words by Henrietta L. van Hayn

Guess Who Turned 40?

Del had a birthday recently and she turned the big 40! Now all of the Fink children are in their 40s! It seems like yesterday they were all in their 20s!

Hope you had a great 40th Birthday!

What Cute Kiddos!

Cass recently moved from Nevada back to Utah. She's a single Mom of two beautiful boys. Her children have grown so quickly and are cute bundles of joy (and full of energy).

Wendover Fun!

A favorite thing the Fink family likes to do is play/gamble in Wendover, NV. It is a short drive from home and it gets them all together. Once in a while my children and I will tag along and hang out in the motel room and swim at the pool.

Add-in by Dar - I like to go to Wendover, NV just for leisure time with my friend and her children and to chit-chat with my mom and sisters. My family always goes out to dinner with my friend and her children. I'll swim during the daylight hours and will do a little gambling with the sisters in the evening, playing some of the crazy progressives. We always seem to have fun.