Bye Bye Bye Baby Rex

Chris, Jessi and Rex had to head back to Texas to pack up and move to North Carolina. Chris will be stationed in Fort Bragg.

The cousins came over to say their goodbyes. Lucas entertained himself until Chris and Jessi got there. We could hear Darth from the kitchen...just breathing...breathing that scary Darth Vader breathing!

Brillo wasn't too sure about this black mask thing that sounded like it needed an inhaler!
As soon as Rex got there he ran to Kristen and just wanted to cuddle. He was just clinging to her I think he didn't want to go home to Texas!


Back again for more hugging!
Oh! or maybe it was because he thought Aunt Kristen could get him through the gate ;o)
We had to do a little bit of unwrapping of Christmas gifts. Yes! We HAD to! and this was not regulation "Beach Family Christmas Gift Opening" but this was a gift that might break on the trip home and needed to be properly packed, so we HAD to have them open it! A glass pie plate for Jessi with the BEACH name etched into it and the Army Strong Star.
Rex got some trains to play with on the truck ride home
Mike Beach Family
John Beach Family
Steven Beach Family
Good Bye Chris and Jessi and Rex! Drive Safely!!! Good Luck in your new adventure! WE LOVE YOU!!!

Candlelight Christmas

Haley invited us all to enjoy the Candlelight Christmas at the This is the Place Heritage Park opening night on November 27. It was chilly but it was so much fun... pioneer living warmed our hearts! First a train ride to see Father Christmas...and the reindeer, but they weren't out...it was opening night so we decided to give them a break.

Beach Grandkids
Beach Boys
Hi John! (the flash is pretty bright when it is pitch black outside!)
Beach Girls bundled up!
Steven Beach Family
Aaron loves his Cuz'n Parker!

Throughout the park they had different areas where you could go inside the buildings and make some pioneer crafts. This stop...
Keegan made a Christmas Spider
Miss Ashley did too!
Dexter and Parker made a beeswax candle...
and a wooden ornament...
There was a live nativity...
complete with the stable animals...


The next craft stop we made candy cane ornaments...
and John was the master Danish Woven Heart Basket maker!
Elf Wonderland!
Aaron kept running under the ropes to play in the playhouses. In the summer these are open for the kids to play in.
The kids got to write a letter to Father Christmas and then they could burn it and the smoke would take their wishes to the North Pole. Parker and Dexter didn't want to write Father Christmas until they heard the word "FIRE"... "We get to BURN something?"... THEN they were up to the task!
Lucas's picture for Father Christmas
Dexter asked for his brother to be nice (nice request)
Parker just asked for his brother to disappear (naughty request)
BURN BABY BURN! Sending our wishes to the North Pole
Even Lesley sent a letter to Father Christmas asking for a boyfriend. We told her she better be specific... "a boyfriend that is marriage material, treats her like a queen, not gay and has a good job", then I reminded her she better put a time frame on this. So HOPEFULLY, if Lesley has been a VERY good girl this year and Father Christmas grants her wish, she'll have a FABULOUS boyfriend by next Thanksgiving!
I think Keegan was saluting his wishes off to Father Christmas and the fire was quite mesmerizing and warm!
By the end of the night Lucas was crying for Parker and Aaron was crying for Dexter to carry them on their shoulders... some wishes were granted immediately!
Happy Christmas to ALL!!!!

Let's Give Thanks for...

...FAMILY
All the Beach Family was together this year! Chris was home from the Army and the California Beach's made the trip up north and we had so much FUN!!! Dexter looked at me after a few mishaps (broken goblet and spilt gravy) and said, "Mom, this is the best Thanksgiving EVER!"


All 17 of us met at the John Beach Home! WE put 4 tables together and all sat at the same table. What a spread we had!!!
...and FOOD...

Everyone got to drink from a glass goblet... even the kiddies and they loved it!

...and DESSERT...
Haley made pumpkin, banana cream and chocolate cream pies. Kristen made a tangerine, cranberry cheesecake and Parker made a pumpkin roll. They were ALL DELICIOUS!!!!
Parker is becoming quite the baker! He actually made this pumpkin roll! Way to go Park and OH MY GOSH... I'm craving some right now! It was sooooo good and Grandma Beach's favorite! It was "almost" too pretty to eat.

Rex has a favorite Aunt... Auntie Kristen. Lucas and Keegan wanted in on the love... I think it might be time for a baby brother, or heaven forbid a SISTER!!!!
Aunt Kristen brought a Thanksgiving Bingo game... Reese's Pieces were the bingo chips. See! She is the best!
These were the only tears of the day! Rex was TRAPPED. He just wanted to get through that gate and go down the stairs.

Don't you think Lucas looks just like the old man, Carl Fredrickson, from Up-the movie? and Brillo looks a lot like the dog!