The Ultimate Barfarama in Utah

It started out as our regular trip to Utah after Christmas-- which is a really debatable time to travel at best. We are always wiped out from our own festivities and the thought of a 12 hour road trip is at the very least daunting. Then once you arrive you are thrown into another whirlwind of chaotic fun. I'm using the word fun very loosely here. Well I guess that would have been too easy of a trip on its own merit so every person excluding Tom and Nicholas got deathly ill. No one worse than Benjamin. The poor child did not stop throwing up for 26 hours and I mean straight! He could not move!! Luckily only 2 people were sick at a time with Ella and Charlie starting us out and me and Benjamin ending it. However between all of us it was basically the whole trip and I am shocked I even have a a picture to mark the occasion. Really it is trip I would rather forget.
My poor sisters Tiffany counter top who happens to be a saint! Can you imagine that many people throwing up in you house? By the way her 2 kids got it too. I was so sad.

Carokine Wagner and Benjamin

Finally some fun. Caroline and Noah Wagner and Ella

My sisters, Mom and me (I cannot for the life of me get enough of that pork salad at Cafe Rio--what do they put in that thing--turkish delight?)

This was the day we left. Finally everyone is well but we had to stay an extra day to get there.

Christmas Morning!

Hooray for Christmas morning with kids! I can't imagine it any other way--they were so excited. Santa brought all the kids dreams and it was pure celebration.
Me, Ella and Charlie

We spent the whole day playing rock band. That is a seriously fun game.

Did I mention we had a talent portion to the evening? Actually all the kids did play the piano. I was so happy that thanks to my dear sis-in-law, Julie ,my own children could contribute to all the Christmas caroling. A personal dream of my own!

Oh Holy Night

We had our Christmas Eve fun at Aunt Ann's and Uncle John's house. We had way too much good food and way too many treaties. The nativity scene as always was chaos and hilarious! The kids were totally wigged out from anticipation. This year the kids came clean about what time they really wake up in the morning. The magic number is no other than 3:00 AM. I am still speechless. Apparently they watch "Elf" (if it was not in the middle of the night I would join them--one of my personal favorites.) When that is over they look at their presents until they are allowed to wake us up which is 6:30. What are they thinking? No wonder they are totally wiped out on Christmas day.

Nicholas and Rachel

Ella Charlie and Eliza Doxey

Benjamin as a shepherd

Mary and Joseph (John Doxey)

December in California

Because of our ginormous trees, we have as many leaves drop as a National forest. It makes for a blast for the kids to play in. Benjamin thought that we still didn't have enough to play in and dumped our garbage can full of leaves that we had already picked up. That was a little confusing for Tom who had spent a day raking the 1 million leaves. But any way this is December in Alamo.

Ella and Charlie

Charlie loved playing in the leaves. He would throw them up in the air and laugh and laugh!

Charlie grabbing Ella's feet. Charlie loves playing with his sister so much. The first thing he says in the morning and the first thing he says when he wakes up from his nap is "where's Ella"?

Thanksgiving week

My Dad reading to Benjamin and Ella.

Every year we have a tradition of running--ok I mean walking--Tom is the only one that runs across the Golden Gate Bridge. So here we go again with the John and Ann Call Family having a ball in San Francisco! After we all go to breakfast at Mel's in the city.

Tom just ran his 15th marathon!

Thanksgiving Day 2008

Nicholas got sick and couldn't even eat one bite of the feast! He was so mad that he still is bringing it up.

Me and Ella

My parents came and stayed for the week.