Chris and Debbie

Chris and I took a quick trip to Milwaukee to pick up some furniture Dani and Justin were giving to aaron and Lizzie. It was in the mid forties and a beautiful day for a hike at a park by the lake. Check out a few photos.

Brooke ELizabeth Chinander was dedicated to the Lord on Sunday, January 31st at Living rock Church in Norwood, MN. The beautiful white dress she wore was a gift from her great-grandpa Cochran. She had many family members and friends attend and come to her home afterwards. God’s blessings on your precious life Brooke!

Aaron and Lizzie had a photo shoot at the Photography Guild in St Paul for family Christmas photos. Kevin and Kathy had given Brooke a beautiful red dress and they chose that for their photos. They also had to take some with them all in their vikings outfits. Brooke shows us all how she loves to stick out her tongue. It is out in half the photos!

The snow storm that we had for 3 days in MN changed a few Christmas plans, some for the better. We all made it thru and stayed safe. We celebrated Christmas eve at Chris’s parents on the 23rd which allowed both Aaron and Lizzie and Dani and Justin to come. Christmas eve was a quiet day for Chris and I. We went to church in town and on an evening walk. Christmas day Aaron and Lizzie and Dani and Justin came at 9:00 for gifts, breakfast, and a game of Dirty Bingo. It was fun to have Brooke with us.  Aaron and Lizzie left mid afternoon and we watched a movie, took a hot tub, had a wonderful dinner, and played games. Dani and Justin beat Chris and I at 3 games of Sequence and Justin beat us all at Phase 10.  On the 26th we went to my dad’s for a morning get together with my family. Check out the photos.

Dani and Justin we here for a short time for Thanksgiving- short is better than not at all! Dani got up at 5:00AM with Chris and I and went out for 4 hours of Christmas shopping Friday morning! We had a full car coming home. That afternoon, Chris, Dani. Brooke, and Gibson were all taking naps before we went to the movie, “Blind Side”. We really liked it. We met Aaron and Lizzie at D’Vinci’s and went to Aaron’s for a few games of Skipbo before we decided we were all pretty tired (it was 8:30). Dani and Jus had to go home on Saturday morning, but Aaron had my family to his house on Sunday for another Thanksgiving meal. Photos are in the gallery-except we never got one of Dani and Jus

Brooke had her 3 month photos taken at the studio where Lizzie works. She is really smiling now so they got a lot of really cute pictures. She also loves to have her hands in her mouth so there are a few of those too! CHeck them out in the gallery. Her hair looks redder in these photos than it really does. The lights must have brought the highlights out!

Six adults, 3 dogs, and a baby all met at the apple orchard in Waconia on a beautiful fall day. We were very lucky to get such a nice day. It had to be one that Dani and Justin were in town and there are very few of those. We also had a lot of rain before and after this day and alot of colder and windier days. I think the photos turned out great. Not a bad looking family if I do say so myself!!

Aaron and Lizzie had their baby on Thursday, August 6th, 2009!! She born @5:18 PM, weighing 8 pounds and was 19 inches long. She was born @ the new Waconia Hospital birthing suites. I had the privilege to be there for her birth and that was incredible. Her first photos are in the gallery.

Chris and I went on a lunch cruise with Al and Alma’s on Lake Minnetonka. We had a delicious lunch -yummy BBQ ribs, salads, and chips n’ guacamole.  Later we went with Aaron, Lizzie, and Gibson to Waconia beach for a BBQ and the fireworks. Gibson even got to have steak and corn on the cob! On Sunday we had Lizzie’s baby shower here. Danielle did a great job making the cake and putting together some fun and different games. Check out the photos.

Aaron and Lizzie are now officially living in Mayer as of yesterday, so they were able to watch Chris in the Waconia Tri this morning. It was windy just like last year only this year because of it, they shortened the swim to a 1/4 mile. The temp was cooler-upper 60’s. Chris decided to not go all out on the swim like he usually does and save some energy for the bike and run. That plan seemed to work as his times were really good. His time was 1:52.12.