Yarrall Family Christmas - 2007

For the first time since 1996, my entire family spent Christmas together. (And back in 1996 there was no Bill, no Les and no kids!)

We had a big brunch together before...... opening presents!

Debbie & Lillie Belle (4 months)

Lillie, me & Sydney (4.5 years)

Misha (6.5 years) , Les and Sydney

Debbie and co. took off to have Christmas dinner with Les' family, while the five of us stayed and enjoyed good food together.

Wicks' Wedding Festivities

Shawn and Dawnita got married last Saturday!

Bill had the priviledge of being one of the groomsmen :)

The ceremony (Dave playing his guitar in worship).

The happy couple!

oops! I blurred the kiss ;)

Jon was also a groomsman.

Jon is loving the attention!

Bill with Shawn's parents.

Rebekah and Andrew

The beautiful cake.

... and they're off!

Chuck E. Cheese

Remind me never to visit Chuckies on a Saturday afternoon around 4pm! Birthday parties abounded and there were little kidlies everywhere. Literally. But Sydney and Misha had a blast!

At home with some of their winnings!

Seal Beach in November!

Some of the family went down to Seal Beach one Saturday afternoon in November. It was pleasant... Jon, Misha and Sydney worked on a sand castle (more Jon though!):

Then they destroyed the creation!
We ended the day with dinner at Ruby's on the pier.

My Dad Loves Me

He replanted my flower beds, which were looking miserable... now I have pretty flowers again!

Kid-sitting

Bill and I have been hanging out a lot with kids lately :) and enjoying them! Here are the two most frequent culprits... aren't they kissable?

Coast After Rain

Catalina Island

Viewed from San Vicente Lighthouse on the Peninsula.
It rained here in So.Cal. this weekend - first time in a LONG while. It felt so clean afterwards and the air was clear and crisp. We drove out to the coast soon after the rain had passed and had a great view of Catalina - we forget it's out there most of the time!

Hanz and Andrea
We took our friends from Colombia with us on the drive along the coast.

Whale Watching

We were out on the Palos Verdes Peninsula on Saturday and got to see a herd of whales passing by. OK - so we didn't actually SEE the whales, but we did see them spouting out water as they came up for air. It was quite impressive - much closer to the coastline than normal, everyone at the whale watching visitor center was quite excited about it.

Lillie Belle

Here's the newest member of our family. Born yesterday: Lillie Belle (with her mum, my sis')

Wildlife Lesson

Lesson: Even though you may live in a huge city very far from the great outdoors, close your door at night to prevent wildlife entering.
We usually leave our back screen door ajar so that Spotsie can come and go. Last night she came in around 10:30pm as I was getting ready to go to bed and I noticed her peering behind my desk which is located right by the back door. I took a look, expecting to see a cricket, moth or spider (her normal prey) and screamed at seeing two baby possums! I jumped on a chair and proceeded to tell Bill and Spot how to get them out of our place.
(FYI... this is now the second time we've had possums hanging out in our place, maybe we've learned the screen door lesson!?)

Grape Juice Making

Last weekend we decided to make grape juice using the abundance of grapes from my parents' vine.

Step 1: Clean and remove from stems

Step 2: "Mash" with potato masher then simmer for 10 minutes

Step 3: Strain to remove seeds and skin overnight

Step 4: Enjoy 100% pure, nothing added, grapejuice

Roommate Reunion #2

End of Summer "Vacation" Fun

Misha and Bill - jumping the waves at Bolsa Chica Beach.

Les, Debbie & Sydney - relaxing at BCBeach.

The Nolan clan - visiting the Yarralls from Pennsylvania.

Playing with the Go Kart & my dad.

Sydney & Lydia - sweet girlies.

Colombian Friends

Here are pictures of some of the friends we got to see while we visited Bogota. I've not included everyone... but just a sampling of folks we miss!

Sergio & Olga with their sons. They are missionaries to their own country - working in a very, very poor part of the city.

Amanda, her mom and kids. We stayed with them the first week there.

Some of our old youth group. Above: Arnold and Leidy. Below: David, Juan, Luis.

We stayed with the Vanegas family the last week in Bogota. He is also in full-time ministry (his family too!), "pastoring" our old church, Bible teaching and evangelism.
Sandra & Paola. Two of the young women I used to disciple. They are doing well... both have graduated from uni. and have jobs.