Aftyn's Festival of Trees

After church on Nov. 21 we headed over the mountain pass to Seattle to see Aftyn's festival of tree, tree.  Of course it snowed, of course we had to chain up, of course Michael and I are inept and Matt had to help us out--of course it's us, we wouldn't be Noftle's if we could put our own chains on.  The entire driving experience reminded me that I am RIGHT to be grateful everyday that we are out of chemo.

A close up of some of the "real" deers on Aftyn's tree, Carter knows they are real because he can see the fur--duh!

Four of the Noftle children are looking--good enough.

A close up of Aftyns sign board.

Aftyn KNEW we were all there for her!

At the Christmas story area.

Carter was never board waiting in line for Santa for an hour.  His fingers are swords, or light sabers, or guns--whatever the voices in his head tell them to be.

All the chillens in front of her tree.  I don't know if you can see but Adalynn's stance was cracking me up.  Was she about to do the splits, take off running--what was the plan here?

Aftyn did NOT take to Santa, but the Noftle kids are done crying over him and the Easter bunny---sigh. 

Football Injuries

Jackson's freshman year of football is over--they lost in the second round of playoffs.  A lot of people thought we were crazy to let him play.  People who loved him were so afraid he would be hurt, we knew they meant well and we love them for it.  I thought I would document our 2010 football injury...

A gash on the scalp.

But.....not Jackson's scalp, it was....

tough guy Carter's scalp.  Yes, Cougar man made the injured list on the last game of the season.  He should be off it by basketball season which starts----now.(sigh)

Braxton's baptism

On the way to Eagle Mountain we stopped in Treemonton to see my Great Aunt Eloise.  Her house is filled with things  I remember seeing at my Great Grandma's house.  I loved that my girls got to be there with us--four generations.

Showing us some of Great Grandma's treasures from her wedding and even some of her Mother's things that would be my girls great, great, great Grandma!

Uncle Charles wartime medals.  He was a POW in WWII for over 3 years.  He is the neatest man, in his 90's and struggling with his health, but the mind is so strong.  He told some neat stories.

The boy we came to see!  He was so sweet and I felt it was more than worth the 24 hours of driving, and 10 hours of sleep in 4 days to be there!

Heather and Brett--the proud parents.

On the way home we stopped at my Great Aunt Bonnies--the girls are turning my Great Grandma's butter churn.

Dad, Mom, Aunt Bonnie, and Uncle Frank

Aunt Bonnie, did just what my Grandma used to do--stand outside and wave as you drove off.

This picture is of my Great Grandma Louise Kunzler Puglsey.  It hung in my Grandma Bishop's basement and us kids would swear her eyes would follow us.  Now I'd love to have it hang in my basement and freak my kids out!

Halloween 2010 - hurry and read since it's almost Thanksgiving!

Carter-decided since he couldn't have his cutlass at school with his pirate costume, that he wouldn't wear it at all.  Authenticity is priority one--so he wore a ninja costume since a ninjas only weapons are himself!

Detton and Carter show their moves at the Kindergarten party.

Yet another ninja, I think there were four in his class!

I got to make witches brew for the Kindergartner's--I suspect they liked it from the squealing!

Carter and his "Mummy" team

Zoe the rock star

Sierra  discovers her Indian heritage.

For Halloween he was a Pirate, since the sword was allowed!

Avery and Adalynn-if you know Adalynn you know how perfect this costume was for the "blue" lover.

Aftyn the kitty-cat.

Sammi and Bailey before Bailey's annual Halloween bash.

Harvest Ball

On  Saturday October 16th the Noftle's, Andersens, Jenks, Allreds, and Stewarts attending the 25th Harvest Ball put on by the Tri-Cities guild in support of Seattle Children's Hospital.  Jackson and several others were featured patients, and Jax had the job of introducing the keynote speaker.

Regular sized Jackson standing next to Giant Jackson!

In front of the dessert table, I look much happier when I am in front of the dessert table. 

                                                                          Our table

                                                   Just like I set the table for dinner at home.

                         This was a black tie optional event---we were the only ones who optioned out!

                                 Jackson and Grandma Louise, enjoying the $100.00 a plate event.

                   Justin and Heather--they proved their friendship--who else would give up a Saturday night to see some sweet, elderly, lady, skin spilling out of formal gowns?

Miss. Maddie--at some point I have got to get her and Jax together for fun before these events happen so she will like him enough to go on stage with him--it would make them both less self-conscious.

Let me put the menu down just in case any of you were looking for a dinner idea for tonight:
Appetizer--Buttered seared scallops in a sweet pea puree, micro basil, fried proscuitto and truffle oil with little acorn cracker     Salad--malabar, golden pea tendril, sweet tango and mizuna wrapped in cucumber with harvest apples, foil brick blue and candied walnuts served with house vinaigrette      Intermezzo--green gage plum sorbet      Entree--nouvelle mixed grill, roasted veal loin filled with chantrelle herb mousse, tasmania ocean salmon, morel glace de' viande, sweet walla walla onion cream, classic pear potato, butternut in grand mariner caramel cream, fresh white and green asparagus in roma ring, fresh baked dinner rolls with butter.

Flaunting her "black tie" beauty---I will forever be upset that I didn't snap a picture of Courtney as each course of the meal was served---little Miss Smiley here got more peeved looking with each dish---she wanted the happy meal apparently!

                  Dessert Dashing Dad, making Courtney smile about the food for the first time all night!

                                           Jackson doing his part for Seattle Children's hospital.

                                         He introduced himself as "Jackson Noftle" or Mr. January in your calendars!

            Jax and two other patients--who missed their high school homecomings to help with the fundraiser.

Maddie and her Grandma Nany--luckily I had the Star Wars book in my purse---I really should clean that out before black tie events---put the Iliad and the Odyssey in, or something more highbrow!

                       The Invitations to the event had Jackson and Maddie (they are hard to see but trust me not my photography skills!)on them---not bad that they made both "designs" since there were 25 kiddos.

Beautiful Maddie and her heart buddy Teagen grace the cover of this years Calendar--so young to have a cover shot already, I'm still waiting for mine.

And Mr. January himself lives in my house---I'm honored, I really am.  Nights like tonight bring back to me what an amazing kid Jackson is, what he has endured, since the age of 4,  and the kicker is -- what he has to still endure in his future.  He is my hero.  Thanks Mom, Dad, Courtney, Justin and Heather for paying threw the nose to support Jackson tonight.