I love taking pictures.  I show those pictures on my computer and two electronic photo views.  One of my plans this next year is to add new people to our viewer.  

What do you plan on accomplishing this next year?

I watched the movie, “We Bought a Zoo” and it was really good.  I went to the web site and read a little more about this true story.  Benjamin Mee said that global warming is keeping people away from his zoo and he may loose it because of low attendance.  I have a few questions:

1.Do you believe man can hurt this earth (Global Warming)?
2.Do you believe God is changing the weather (Judgment)?
3.Do you believe the earth just goes through different patterns and all the extreme weather is normal?

We were asked in staff meeting to rate 2011. Most said around a 5.  I said it was the best year and the worse year.  I suspect I need the troubles to get to the best. 

GOOD
We were told we could adopt two boys. (We’re still in that process.)
We’ve made plans to go through major change at my work place.
I found out that CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) will be coming to Yankton.

We had some hurts in 2011
My 16 year old son entered drug treatment (Still there)
Kim’s Dad left us (We rejoice because he’s in heaven)
18 year old daughter moved out on her birthday. (We wanted her to finish High School)

What are some of your “best of times and worst of times” for 2011

The weather is exceptionally great here.  I go get Austin in a little bit and he’ll be here until we leave for Crofton.  Kalli, my 7 year old, keeps asking me how many times we’re going to open gifts.  I tell her 3 times.  My Mom’s tonight, tommorrow when Cody is here and then in the afternoon tommorrow when the rest of the family gets here. 

Merry Christmas to you and your family.

My son Austin will be able to be home for both Christmas Eve and Christmas.  In fact almost all the kids will be here.  Brooke won’t be able to make it.  But she did call the other day and we had a good talk.

We celebrated Alisha’s birthday today by going to Olive Garden.  I got a rare picture of her. (She never allows me to take a picture of her. I have to sneak them. -lol)  We had a great day. 

She is going to be 18 years old.  
 

Tramp Christmas Letter

It was the week before Christmas when all through the sky, a stream of light passed, then crashed before our eyes. Kristina pulled the car to the side of the dark road, grabbed a flashlight and headed into the dark field. She pulled out her blackberry from the cell phone store she managed and called home. “I’m lost. There is a corn field on either side of me. Do you know where I’m at?”
Out of the blue, Ricky arrived, using his talents that he learned from teaching kids at school he was able to find Kristina. Engaged in search was Danielle right beside Ricky. I said engaged.
Ricky on his moped and Danielle in her car found Kristina. Imagine their surprise when they saw where the lights had ended – a giant red sleigh with Alisha Dawn sitting on the seat eating chicken alfredo she just got from Frying Pan, where she works at. A reindeer was grazing close by that seemed to be delusional. Ricky immediately called for Austin to come quickly because of his interest in wild life.
Austin arrived on the scene. “We need to get this animal back home.” “Dad and Mom won’t let you keep a reindeer in the back yard Austin,” Danielle said. Austin then called Alicia in her new place in Sioux Falls. No answer because Alicia was at her new job styling hair. So he called Brooke, who also lives in Sioux Falls, but no answer.
Kristina bewildered by the site of the agitated rein deer, decided to get Noah. Noah showed up in his spider man costume. That’s all it took. The rein deer took flight. Well, he jumped and fell down all across the field. Now everyone was in chase, watching this animal try to fly but not able to.
”It’s headed right for our back yard.” Spider man said. But actually Austin was leading it home. Kalli was the first to see the clumsy rein deer through the living room window. She took the book she was reading and compared the picture. Tristan and Aaron saw the deer. Tristan said NO and Aaron smiled at it. Cody just wanted to ride the deer and because he just turned 3 he felt he could.
Austin was so glad to get the deer in the back yard. As he was trying to find a place to hide it, the animal got a twinkle in his eye and took flight.

Randy, Kim, Kristina, Cody, Alicia, Danielle, Brooke, Alisha, Austin, Noah, Kalli, Tristan and Aaron

I love watching the Christmas TV specials.  Rudolph is my favorite.

What is your favorite Christmas TV program?

We went to a Christmas party last night.  It was so much fun.  We played a game called, “What is yours like?”  Everyone sees the word except for the person trying to guess.  Then clues are given.  I loved it. 

Do you have Christmas Parties to go to?

Our weather forcast:  No major snow storms are foreseen through mid December.  Warmer weather for the weekend. 
It’s been a great fall here. 

What’s the weather been like where you live?