Merry Christmas 2009

Christmas 2009 has been wonderful. Christmas Eve was spent with Shawn, Tesha and Kevin. We watched "Christmas Vacation" and laughed like we had never seen it before. We exchanged gifts and a prime rib dinner with green beans and scalloped potatoes was our menu. Tesha made great home-made dinner rolls which will now be famous. After dinner we went for a drive and took in the many light displays in Folsom. We walked through a couple of neighborhoods and enjoyed the crisp air.

Today I am blessed with visiting great friends and spent the morning having breakfast with the Milletts. I even had the chance to call Denmark and visit with Frederik and Bodil. Family is family no matter how far away. I miss the Montana family but had a good visit this morning with my brother Jim. I really enjoy the relationship that I have with my "little brother". I talked to the grandkids this morning and they were thrilled that Santa had arrived during the night and there were lots of happy voices. Now the dogs and I will go for a walk. A great day! Glaedelig Jul!

Early Christmas

It is true-- it snowed in Folsom, California! I know it is nothing like Montana weather but you have to admit it is pretty cool to have a little bit of snow on the ground with oranges growing on a tree as a backdrop.

We had an early gift exchange in Redding after Abby and Kristi came home from the hospital. Cody and Logan got new gaming chairs with speakers and the works. Emily also got her own princess chair and they all received new clothes and jammies. Those four little ones are so special and bring joy to every moment.

Baby Abby

We had a sweet addition to our family on December 14, 2009. Abby Lynn Claycamp was born at

1214 and weighed 7 pounds, 6 ounces, a lightweight for our family. She is beautiful and perfect in

every way. He two big brothers and her big (19 months) old sister love her to pieces.

I was able to be present when she made her arrival and then stayed with the family for four more days and played the role of grandma. It doesn't get much better than that. What a blessing it is to have wonderful children and gorgeous grandchildren.

Decorating for Christmas

Kevin, Shawn and Tesha came over for Sunday dinner and then helped me decorate for Christmas. We had a good time and good food. Those boys are so funny when they start in with their impersonations and one liners from movies. Tesha and I were laughing till we cried. The tree is beautiful all done in gold and silver and the village set up on the kitchen buffet looks great. Even the outside is decorated. We decided to skip hanging lights on the house since it was just painted and the new raingutters don't allow clips for lights like before. Oh well, it still looks festive and I'm happy to have the help. Thanks kids!!

Baby Shower for Kristi

We had a great baby shower for Kristi today hosted by her two sisters in law, Gretchen and Angie. There was good food and plenty of visiting with friends and Kristi was "showered" with wonderful gift. Emily enjoyed herself and was the star of the show of course. Kristi is healthy and happy and ready to have this sweet baby arrive.

Fall fix up

New rain gutters, garage doors and a coat of paint and the old homestead looks like new again.

Jake and Teddy

These two guys are my buddies. Jake is a fifteen year old Sheltie who likes to be tough but is such a love. Teddy is my little Bichon Frise who is five and a wild one. They are good company and love me unconditionally. Gotta love that!

Fall in Folsom

One of my favorite hobbies is to work in my yard. The cool weather in the fall creates such bright colors and the lawn is actually green not brown. My backyard is a happy place to be right now!

Five days in Tahoe

Last Saturday I drove to Tahoe and spent five glorious days. The weather was great with only one day and wind and rain. The outdoor pool was warm with steam rising and the spa was perfect in the cold mountain air.

Three books, lots of walks in the mountains,
and plenty of football and then it was sadly enough time to come home. This was a much needed rest and now I'm ready for another three months of work and crazy schedules. Bring on Christmas!

Fun and Games

This week we had a great time spending time together as a family. Tesha hosted a surprise belated BD party for Shawn at RPM. It is an indoor race track for go carts and they really go!!!

We all got instructions and suited up in race attire, helmets and were assigned our cars. We had seven people on the track at one time for about 20 laps and had two different sessions. By the time I was finished, I felt like I was going 95 MPH and I still came in last place. Kevin had the best time of the day-- surprise--. I had motion sickness and a headache from pulling so many "Gs". After the races we shared BD cake with Shawn's friends who attended.

Kevin and I motored to San Francisco for a 49er football game at Candlestick Park. The weather was a little cold and windy but great for football. The Niners won 35 to 0 and made the Rams look silly. The traffic getting into and out of SF was bumper to bumper but we still had a great day. The fans and the tailgate partys were a hoot to watch.

Happy Birthday Shawn

Tomorrow (Sept 27) is Shawn's birthday but he has to work so we decided to meet for breakfast this morning. We went to old town Roseville and had an old fashioned breakfast at the Pacific St. Cafe. Way too much food!! Shawn wants to get some fancy additions to his new pickup truck so we all contributed. Hope he finds just the right "bling". Happy Birthday!!!

U of M Football

Shawn , Tesha, Vicki, Kevin and Lindsey attended the U of Montana vs. UC Davis Football game. The Grizzlies won 17-10. Go Montana!!!

A new baby girl is on the way.

Yeah!!! Kristi and Garrett are having another girl in December. Emily will have a partner in crime in pink, I get to buy dolls and ruffles and Cody and Logan will have another little sister to protect with light sabers and cowboy guns.

The entire crew

Shawn, Tesha,Kristi, Emily, Garrett, Kevin, Vicki

Cody, Logan

Kevin graduates from the Regional Fire Academy

Kevin graduated

from the fire academy

and EMT school.

Strong work!!

Shawn and Tesha "The Newlyweds"

May 23, 2009 was a special day.

Mr. and Mrs. Shawn Wolf!

Grandchildren

Are these three not the cutest? Cody, Emily, Logan Claycamp

A country girl from Montana living in California with three wonderful children and "almost" four darling grandchildren. What an adventure it has been.

Kristi and husband Garrett Claycamp live in Redding, CA. where he is a firefighter and Kristi is a busy Mom and social worker for Child Protective Services. Cody, Logan and Emily are the bright spots in their lives with another blessing due in December.

Shawn and his new bride Tesha live in Lincoln, CA. Shawn is a fireman/paramedic for Sacramento City Fire and Tesha is a hair stylist. They have two busy Beagles and are always on the go.

Kevin has completed EMT training and just graduated from the Regional Fire Academy in Sacramento. He too will be a fireman! A family plan for sure.

I work as the EMS (emergency medical services) Coordinator for the Roseville Fire Department.
Teaching and looking after firefighters and paramedics is what keeps me busy. I love my job and find great satisfaction in making a difference.