Blessed Christmas & huge Icicles

We hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas! We had a quiet one with our family and had the opportunity to go sledding with our neighbors. It was some great memories made on a beautiful blessed day! It sure was a beautiful white one, which doesn't happen very often around here. Of course when it does, it dumps it. :0) On our front porch we had the BIGGEST icicle hanging off the railing and above on the gutter. It was amazing. Really the picture doesn't do it justice to how BIG it was!

Cat Videos - Time for a good laugh!

Be prepared for a good laugh! I just love anything with a cat!
Cat in the Box Video

My stomach still hurts from watching these. You have to do it! The kids had to turn off their movie because I was laughing way to hard. LOL
Funny Cat Bloopers

Christmas Letter 2008

To our Friends & Families,

Another year to reflect back upon.... I remember when I was a Senior in High School, yes many years ago, someone once told me that after I graduated from High School, that time would fly by. Wow, that person sure wasn't kidding. Sometimes I get the feeling of deja vue, for it seems I had just finished doing something, such as cutting down our Christmas Tree, and the time flew so fast, we are at the Tree Farm again. :0) No matter how slow or fast time goes, there is always plenty of time to relect back on our many of blessings. God is faithful & gracious! First and foremost, Thank you God for sending your Son, Jesus, to save us from our transgressions!

The kids are doing great! They are growing, healthy and learning lots, what more could parents ask for. Yes, I know, a little less fighting would be great... But I guess we choose our battles.

News on Bobby

• Turns 16 years old on Friday, the 19th of December.
• Went to Tolo and had fun!
• He passed his test to get his learners permit.
• Went to Summer & Fall camp with Youth Groups from our Church, New Life.
• Continues to learn and practice the guitar daily.
• Started taking German, and is enjoying learning the language.
• Helped Dad at Annual Salmon Bake on Orcas Island.
• Participated in track in Spring this last year as part of Pull Vult team.
• Had fund Snowboarding in January with friends.

News on Kyleann

• Turned 14 years old last Saturday
• Went to Summer Camp with Youth Group from our Church, New Life
• 3rd year in SCC - Seattle Children's Choir
• Participated in the Smack Down club and competed (Book Club at School)
• Played Little Red Riding Hood in after school drama in Spring.
• Joined the Drama Club in Fall at our Church.
• Joined the Science Olympiad after school. Will compete this late winter/early spring.
• Working hard to raise money for a DC Trip at the end of March with classmates.
• Made small garden with dad this summer.

News on Taylor

• Making great progress at school.
• Spent time with dad on the boat this summer, (when it was running.)
• Went to Summer Camp with Church this year for the first time, and had a blast! He is already counting the days for the next camp, coming this summer.
• Loves riding his bike and the quad all around the property.
• Great Class Leader!
• Went to Silverwood as family and road some rides, over & over & over again! Had a blast at the waterpark too!

Fall Pictures 2008

Stephanie's Bridal Shower Pictures

Hello Friends & Family,

I wanted to post Stephanie's Bridal Shower Picture link here for those of you that didn't get the e-mail.

Caroline

I love Christmas!

I just couldn't help myself! I wanted to share some of the Christmas cliparts I have collected over time. I hope that you enjoy.

Belated Thanksgiving

Hello Friends and Family!

We hope all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We had a nice quiet one at my mother in-laws. We filled our tummys and played a game of Balderdash! It was a hoot to watch Taylor fabricate his definitions to his words. We had a good laugh..."Turkey on Wheels"??? I wonder who came up with that one?

Thanksgiving is a great opportunity to look at our blessings and remember God's hand it them. I know this is a little belated, but never to late to contemplate our blessings.

THANKSGIVING FOR ....

• Jesus & His grace for us!
• Our health
• Happy kids
• Our jobs
• Friends & Family and these are just a few :0)

Stephanie on her Wedding Day!

Irwin Family Update

(Pumpkin Patch, Taylor with cousins, Katie and Sammy)

Well, just thought it was time for a family update.

Bobby is doing well practicing driving. He can keep on practicing until he turns 18 and I will be a happy mom. :0)

Kyleann is still in a cast for 5 more days. She will have it taken off next Monday the 17th which will then allow them to see how the healing has been coming along. She will probably be in a splint, but we won't know for sure until then.

Taylor is doing well in school. He loves his teachers and classmates.

Bob, well congratulations are in order for him! 2 weeks ago Bob was promoted to IS Production Support Manager. What a HUGE surprise and blessing. Bob is trying to adjust to the new demands of his positions, but I know he will be a great success! He has a wonderful drive to learn and grow.

Me, just working outside and inside the home. My cousin Stephanie got married this past weekend, which kept me busy for a bit with that. Now I am editing and loading all the pictures. Be on the look out for those soon.

Caroline's Doll

These have been around for awhile, but I had fun making my own tonight. I started from scratch and added everything from hair style, color, clothes, tights, shoes, eyebrows, lips....etc. I thought she turned out cute.

Kyleann get's a cast!

Well Kyleann went to see the specialist for her thumb on Monday and end up having to get a cast. She was a trooper about it. She will wear it for 4 weeks and then a splint for the next 4 weeks. I will be posting a picture of her in her cast soon. Be praying for a quick and complete healing. Hugs to all! Enjoy the beautiful sun!

Kyleann fractures her thumb....

Well, we thought our kids have been pretty fortunate to this point with having no broken bones, but Kyleann decided to break the record yesterday. Poor Girl.... What she will do to break a record. LOL
Yesterday I received a phone call from Kyleann to ask me to pick her up after school so she didn't have to ride the bus home. That was around 9:30am. I ask her what was going on? She explains to me that she might of sprained her thumb in P.E. that morning playing speed ball. So I told her that I would pick her up that morning, not after school and go from there.
Bob and I decided that I would go ahead ahead and take her into the walk in clinic and have it checked out. The doctor thought it was a bad sprain but when the X'rays were done he came back and said that she had a chip fracture at the base of her thumb. OUCH... We have been so impressed with Kyleann's pain tolerence. She doesn't complain, well except for how the splint and the bandage looks and feels. LOL Typical girl.
:0)
Please pray for quick & complete healing.
Hugs to all!

He is growing up.... mom is sad...

Okay, there could be worse things to be sad about. But this one I am sure that I am not the only mom that has, is or will be going through the same thing.

Bobby got his Drivers Permit on Friday!!!! Took the test one time, past no problems. Ugh! He is very excited and I am very nervous.

I have confidence that he will be a good driver.... It still doesn't seem possible that he is old enough. Almost 16.... 2 more months....

Be praying for Bobby to learn as we teach him how to drive and for patience for us as we teach.

Love to all!

Kyleann's Schedule for Concerts

Treasures of Christmas Past
Sunday, December 7th, 4:00 pm at Everett Civic Auditorium
Saturday, December 13th, 7:00 pm at Seattle’s Town Hall

Songs of the Heart
Saturday, March 28th , 2:00 pm at First Free Methodist Church, Seattle

Please let us know if you are planning on attending any of these concerts. We can help get tickets for you once they go on sale. Also, we can always carpool or meet and sit together. The Christmas Concerts are a GREAT way to start off the Holiday Season. The concerts are about 2 hours long with an intermission. Click here to check out Seattle Children's Chorus Website. Kyleann is part of the Arioso Group.

Love, Caroline

Dinner in Memory of Dad, Tim

Hello!

Just a reminder about Dinner & Bon Fire on the 18th of October. We will meet at the cemetery at 3:30 in Everett and come back to our house for Lasagna and a Bon Fire! This is in memory of dad, Timothy Lee Boober Sr. Come spend some time with family & friends and reminisce. We need you to RSVP so I know how many Lasagnas to make. I will need some other things to go with dinner. You can e-mail me with that information.

Weather change & Power lines

Today was a good day! The weather has defiantly taken a turn.... This morning it was misty... By mid morning, it wasn't raining, but cloudy. When I arrived home from work it was starting to sprinkle a little heavier. Funny thing is, I couldn't necessary feel it, but I could hear it. With the large power lines on our property, it sounds like it is either very windy or pouring. Most of the time I don't even hear it any longer for I have gotten used to it. I actually like the sound of the outdoors. God Bless!

Comments

Please feel free to leave comments! Would love to hear from you all! :0)

Caroline

Taylor is so handsome!

I came across this picture tonight of Taylor and just fell in love with it. How can I not? :0) This was taken in July not long after he got his hair cut. Of course, getting him to wear it this way any longer is like pulling teeth. VERY PAINFUL... for me of course. :0)

So of course I had to share it! What a handsome boy! Takes after his daddy!!

Kids back in school!

Hello Friends and Family!

The kids are in school and are pretty adjusted. Mom & Dad are still trying to adjust, but hey, that is what life it like with 3 busy kids. Kyleann is loving 8th grade and the fact that she is upper class this year. Bobby, who is now a Sophmore, likes to remind her, "Until next year then you will be at the bottom again... he! he!" Sibling love.... LOL

Taylor is doing well. He has a male teacher this year, and loves it. He has always wanted a male teacher, so this was a good change for him.

Choir has started for Kyleann and she will be away this weekend on her first retreat for rehearsal. I will keep everyone posted when her concert schedule is posted.

Summer Camp update

Well, it is amazing to imagine that the summer is almost over with. I think with the sun delay in June it feels that it should be July not August. The kids will be back in class in 2 1/2 more weeks and the Fall season will follow right behind.

Kyleann just returned home from camp today and is freshly anewed with God's love & grace. Bobby went the week before and came home "on fire" from his encounter with Jesus his week at camp. It is always so exciting to see the kids return from camp with the shine of God's love and the fuel needed to start a new year at school. How wonderful and faithful our Lord Father is. Thank you God!!

Taylor is off to his first year of camp on Monday, which will be held in Yelm. I am nervous and excited all at the same time. Nervous being Taylor's first time being away from home that many days and excited about the work God has planned with Taylor and all the other children. Please pray for Taylor this week that he will experience God's love & blessings and be opened to God's work.

Thank you and God Bless!

Grace & Taylor

Grace loves Taylor! I fell in love with this picture. She was just studying Taylor!

Taylor 10 yrs old ~ Grace 15 months

July 2008

Grace Sits!

Grace is sitting! What a sweetie! She uses her arms to get in the sitting position. Here comes crawling!

Grace is 15 months old. July 2008

Bobby's Sno Isle Projects

Bobby went to a Carpentry for Fun Class for almost 2 weeks and made some great projects. He learned to use some really cool tools. Above you can see the items he made. They are so cooo0l! He even gave mommy some of them. :0)

Taylor's new hair do! Cute!

Taylor has had a same hair cut for many many years. On Thursday I went to get his hair cut and Taylor decided to change his hair cut! Yippee! I was excited for he has been wanting to grow it out and dad and I were ready to see his eyes again.

Anyways, below are before and after. I love his new haircut and Taylor is thinking that he is pretty "hot" too! :0)

Kyleann to DC!

Kyleann is working hard at earning as much as she can for a trip to Washington DC next Spring Break.
CHECK OUT HER FUNDRAISING WEBSITE HERE.

Hugs to all!

Caroline & Family

In Memory of my Faithfull Friend!

A lot of times when you hear the term "faithful friend" you think of a dog. At least that is what comes to my mind. But my little Faithful Friend was a cat. Tia. 16 years ago, March 1992, Bob & I brought home 2 kittens that were 3 months old. Taffy & Tia. Brother & Sister. Bob and I had only been married for 3 months and were excited to start our lives together, and it was so much fun to pick out our first 2 family members. Taffy decided maybe within the first year that he wanted to live out on his own. We were sad, but fortunatley, his sister, Tia stayed with us. She indured weeks away from home, sometimes locked in other people's shed, checking out the other cute male cats around, (yes she was spayed), or just plain out eating at other people's houses. She never ever forgot where she lived. She always came home and let us love on her. As the years went by, she became a home body. FINALLY! She loved to hang in the house, purr... purr.... snuggle and just be petted. If you called her name, she answered with her cute meow.

God gave me a cat I will never forget. She was a beautiful, faithful, loving and just plain out fun cat to be around.

Today I had to make the decision to let God have my "Faithful Friend" back. He had blessed us for 16 1/2 years and it was His turn to take care of her again.

On the way home tonight, just crying my eyes out, I just cried out to God to "take care of my dear friend, Tia. Just as I am doing this on the radio came on the song, "Amazing Grace". And the verse "My chains are gone, I am set free..." kept playing in my head. Tia wasn't sick and barely walking anymore. She was free again!

Thank you God for a Dear Faithful Friend!

I will miss you Tia!

The Big & Bad

Kyleann was in a play this spring after school. The group rehearsed for 2 -1/2 months and then performed. She had tried out for Little Red and got the part. I laughed when I found out that Little Red in this play was sassy & loud. It fit Kyleann's personality perfectly. I guess the Drama teacher thought the same thing. :0) LOL

Kyleann's Reading Award

Kyleann was the proud receiver of a Academic Award this year in Reading. We are very proud, but not surprised. She has accelerated in reading immensely over the past 2 years and absolutely loves it. :0) Over the past year Kyleann has really immersed herself into writing short stories. She signed up on a young author site where she can submit some of her work and have other teens read over, comment and give support on her stories. She also participated in a group called Smack Down where they competed with the other Middle School in Snohomish over a list of books both groups were given over the year to read. The group she was in got together once a week during lunch time and discussed the books on the list, ending in May with the competition. Kyleann's school won this year's competition by one point, close, but they did it! The group was so excited!

We are hoping that Kyleann will be willing to let us post some more of her work soon. Be on the look out for updates. :0)

Caroline & Family

Interesting Test

I thought this was kind of interesting. I would say I don't think I fall on the Superior side, but it was fun either way. ~ Caroline

72 As a 1930s wife, I am Superior Take the test!

We are back from Silverwood!

Hello!

We are back from Silverwood in Idaho. We had a great time! The weather was perfect and the park was not overly busy! Can't ask for a better vacation. I just got done downloading all our pictures to our computer. Now I just need to load them up into our family online album. Be on the look out for the picture update in the next couple of days.

School is almost out!

School is almost out for the summer! It is hard to believe that another school year flew right on by. Bobby will be a Sophomore, Kyleann an 8th grader and Taylor will be in 5th grade next year. It seems like just yesterday that they were just little ones that I had at home all day.

Bobby is talking about driving quite a bit lately, but I am just not sure if I am ready for that. With the teenagers I see out on the road now a days, not driving so "nicely" it makes me very nervous to have my kids on the road. I know that Bobby too will need lots of practice driving, but ugh.... not yet, right? Yes, I am trying to talk myself out of the inevitable.

Time for me to carpool the kids again tonight. Hmmm.... this is when I would like to hand over the keys and say, " have fun, and be careful..." Nope, not there yet... Give me time to let my kids grow their wings just a little bit more. :0)

Kyleann's last concert

Hello Friends and Family!

Kyleann has her last concert for the year for Seattle Children's Chorus. I know some of you have asked for the information for the last concert.

All Nature Sings
Saturday May 31st, 2008
4pm
First Free Methodist Chursch
Tickets are $14 Students/Seniors $10
You can will call or buy them at the door.
For will call 1-888-561-7139
Please keep in mind that sometimes these concerts are sold out. So try calling to see how they are looking at tickets.
Bob will be there for I will be out of town for a conference.

Love to all!

Caroline & Family

In Memory of Uncle Bill

On May 2nd 2008, Bob's Uncle Bill went home to be with our Lord. Though we miss him, we are so blessed with the years that we were able to spend with him. What a blessing Billy was to us all. Anyone that knew him is a better person because of him.

Thank you God for the blessing in Billy!

We will miss you Billy and think of you often.

Click here for pictures of Billy's last birthday.

The Irwin Family

The Irwin Family in Snohomish

Click below to view our new online photo album.

The Irwin Family in Snohomish

Taylor turns 10!

It is hard to believe that Taylor is now 10! Where did that time go? Taylor got his 1st gear bike for his Birthday. He says it is so much easier when we go on our family bike rides.

Irwin Family Update!

Hello Friends and Family,

It has been awhile since I have posted and thought it was time to give a family update.

Things have been going well. Keeping very busy! Then again, who doesn't, right?

The kids have been doing well.

Taylor started a new school at the beginning of February and is loving it! He really was having challenges in his former school with the staff having the proper accomadations for Taylor's ADD. He is in a very small class enviroment with 3 great loving teachers who really give their all with him. He has been so excited to go to school now and his academics have been showing a great positive change. We continue to pray and thank God for Taylor and his progress!

Kyleann is loving middle school. It is truely wierd to think that we have 2 teenagers and that the time just continues to slip right by. Kyleann is in drama right now and is due to perform in a play at the beginning of May called "The Big Bad" and she plays the Little Red. Perfect part for her!! After she had tried out for the spot, I just laughed when she told me of the "attitude" Little Red has in this play. We can't wait to see it!! It is on May 5th and if anyone is interested in seeing it, just let us know and we will let you know time and location. Also Kyleann will be singing in May for a final concert before summer for the Seattle Children's Chorus. She would love to have friends and family come see her!

Bobby is 15! Oh my! Such a genuine sweet kid that works very hard like his father. Still loving Mustangs and dreaming of his first car. Nope, not a Mustang, but he likes to dream. He joined track this season and particpates in the Pull Vaulting. They practice 5 to 6 times a week and they also have weekly meets. It amazes me what these teens can endure. He is also heading on a weekend biking trip this coming weekend to the San Juan Island with his Scout Troop. He is counting the days. He loves riding his bike.

As for us we are doing well!

Time for bed!

Love to all!

Caroline & Family

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter to all our friends and family! Click here for a GREAT EASTER CARD!

The Irwin Family

Bobby's Report Card is HERE!!

I am such a proud mamma! We received Bobby's report card on Friday and it brought tears to my eyes!!

STRAIGHT "A'S" ACROSS THE BOARD!!!!!!

Great job Bobby! We love you!

_____________________________________________

Kyleann's Poem!!

WHERE I'M FROM

I am from monster mouth, from a fallen tree

To an abandoned tree house.

I am from a never-ending circus

Crying out to be left behind.

I am from fruit trees and blackberry bushes

From the weak branches of the peach tree.

I am from Orcas Island and family dinners

And prayer from Kyleanna-Banana to Tader-Tot.

I am from, 'because I said so', and 'bookworm'

From 'where are we going' and the assumed answer

"Crazy, wanna come?"

I am from blue eyes and brown hair,

With an odd ball in the middle of it,

From Pizza and Top Ramen.

I am from friction, from mind, to pen and paper

From a repeated Salmon Bake,

To the sparkling lights of Christmas.

I am from memos stores away in my thoughts and heart,

From painted pictures of lost memories.

By Kyleann Irwin

13 years old

January 2008

Kyleann is "signing"!

Kyleann started a couple months ago taking a sign language classes after school on Thursdays. She just had her last class on Thursday, and is bummed out. She learned so much and was ready to continue learning more I can not believe how much she learned in a short period of time. Bob & I thought that maybe it would be more quieter at times with learning this new language, but for some reason, when her hands move, so does her mouth. He! He!

Bobby in Scouts!

Bobby signed up for Boy Scouts this past week. Bobby started the scouting program when he was a Kindergartner/1st Grader as a Tiger Cub many years ago and crossed over to a Boy Scout a few years ago in Granite Falls. He participated for a year and 1/2 as a Boy Scout in Granite Falls, but had a very difficult time with the Troop he was in. So.... now he is a part of Monroe's Scout Troop 53, and has begun "jumping" right into activies this week.
Bob & Bobby started taking a 4 week class this past Thursday that is preparing them how to build an igloo and by next month they should be able to "safely" sleep in one they build on their outing trip to Stevens Pass in February. Brrr.....
This weekend Bobby went on his 2nd outing snowboarding at Stevens Pass this winter. This time he went with his new Scout Troop and was staying overnight in a lodge. I see a new hobby coming on! :0)
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New Year Inspiration!

This is from an inspirational e-mail I receive from Precious Moments.

I thought all might enjoy!

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Happy 2008!

We would like to wish all our family and friends a Very Happy New Year!!
God Bless!

Love the Irwin Family

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