Little Daredevil

Natalie loves to go sledding and will do sign language for "more".  Listen for her belly laugh.

It's A Girl!

Aleah Lynn Fast joined the family on January 7, 2011 at 2:39 in the afternoon.  She weighed 8 lbs, 7 oz.  and was 21 inches long.  We kept Natalie at our house while Tony & Amy were in the hospital in Glagow.   Amy went into labor Thursday afternoon, and by evening they brought Natalie over and headed into town.  We waited anxiously for that special phone call all night, and texted Tony in the morning for an update.  No news yet.  By mid afternoon we decided to go ahead and go to town, and if there was no news yet, we would all camp out in the waiting room until there was!  We brought along a few toys and jammies for Natalie just in case.   We were a few miles from home when Warren's cell phone rang, and it was Tony.  He told Warren Amy said it wouldn't be until the next day before anything happened.  (They chose not to know if the baby was a boy or girl until the birth.)  Warren's foot came off the gas pedal, and for a split second, we wondered if we should go home again.   Then Tony said, It's A Girl!  The suspense was finally over! 
By the time we got to town and were ready to go to the hospital, it was supper time.  We decided to let them get their supper before we visited, so took Natalie to McDonalds.  :)   Finally it was time to  go meet Aleah.

meeting baby Aleah for the first time

giving Aleah loves

Fast Family of Four

Amy and her girls

The doctor came to get Aleah to give her a check up.  Tony and Natalie watched through the nursery window.

Two days later, Tony, Amy and Aleah came home from the hospital.  Aleah wore the same outfit that Natalie wore home from the hospital, along with the ducky blanket.

You Know Its Cold When....

you find the cat asleep in the heated dog water dish (it was empty).

Warren's Birthday

Warren's birthday is January 3rd,  and we invited Tony, Amy and Natalie over for supper that evening.  Natalie finger painted a "card" for him to put on the fridge.  Very cute. 

helping Papa open his gift

some special reading time - "That's Not My Puppy" is a favorite of us all.

Warren, we are blessed beyond measure to have you in our lives.  You keep us entertained with your corny jokes, you are a wonderful husband, provider and friend.  

 I loved you yesterday, love you still, always have, always will. 

Fast Family Christmas

Sunday, December 26, we hosted the Fast family Christmas.  It was a good year for family being home, with 28 celebrating together.   We missed Ken & Jean's family, but were happy Ken & Jean could come.  Luke & Jen had sick kids, so were unable to come as well.   I love having the house full of family, listening to the laughter and chatter, catching up with those we haven't seen in a while.  Maybe it is because my own family lives far away that it becomes more precious to me.

I wish I had a picture of Duane fixing Italian Sodas for everyone.  Yum!  We all enjoyed them.

 DeeDee, Scott & Jen Nasner

Rochelle, Jean and Joan

Gladys with her great-granddaughters Grace Gackle and baby Kate Nasner.  Ken Joiner, Jean's husband, in the background.

For our meal Warren and I provided pulled pork sandwiches with coleslaw and baby back ribs.  Everyone else brought appetizers and goodies. 

After supper we went downstairs for a white elephant gift exchange.

Gary & Lynae Gackle, their girls Hannah and Grace on the floor.  Jean Joiner, Keith, Joan and Rochelle Unger, with Caleb Gackle on Keith's lap.

Craig, Lindsay and Randy Reddig

Randy, Becca and Cameron Reddig, Duane & Shirley Nasner

Harvey & Gladys

Jean & Ken Joiner, Keith & Joan Unger

Natalie was put to bed in the playpen in the office, but the chocolate wasn't moved far enough away on the counter from her reach.  No wonder she was so quiet!

All in all it was a very nice family Christmas. 

Family Photo

While Craig & Lindsay were home we were able to take a family photo.  The family has already changed, with a new baby's arrival, but this was as current as we were able to get at the time.  :)

Merry Christmas

When we got home from Glasgow on Christmas Eve, Warren and I got busy getting pork butts ready for smoking.  We hosted the Fast Christmas on the 26th, and made pulled pork sandwiches, which meant that we needed to smoke the meat on Christmas day.  It turned out to be an interesting day.
When we woke up, the clocks were flashing as the power had been out overnight.  We planned on having our Christmas dinner at noon, so before long I got busy preparing the meal.  Our traditional meal is steak and shrimp, but this year we replaced the steak with prime rib.  Warren got the smoker going for the pork, and the prime rib went into the oven.... and the power went out again.  After a while the guys started the generator, and things got cooking again.  We had a nice dinner an hour or so later than planned, but it worked out fine.

Waiting for dinner...

Showing Natalie the nativity ornament

helping pass out gifts

one of Natalie's favorite things is talking on the phone! 

We already have lots of fun with Natalie's little kitchen set.  I can't wait for tea parties!

Now that Craig & Lindsay are home owners, Craig needs some tools.  Here is a start to the fun for him.

It takes two to open this one.

As I look back on the day, I almost (almost) forget the power being out, the late meal, and whatever else wasn't perfect. The cold, the snow, the fog, all just make it more cozy inside, right?  All that really matters is that we were together as a family.  Nothing is more important or more precious.  Thank you, Lord, for the family you have given us.  We are blessed beyond measure.

Christmas Eve 2010

Craig & Lindsay arrived home for Christmas on Dec. 23.  It was wonderful to see them again!  Our kids spend Christmas with us every other year, and the other year with the girls' families.  It has worked out well for us.  This year we started what may be a new tradition for us on the years we are all together.  We went into Glasgow and attended the Evangelical Church's Christmas Eve service.  Our home church doesn't have a service on Christmas Eve, so it hasn't been a tradition for us.  What a beautiful way to celebrate the birth of Christ! 
After the service, we all went to Harvey & Gladys's home in town for supper.  I had gotten some pizzas from Eugene's, along with salad and drinks.  Amy brought goodie trays and Gladys had some dessert on hand as well.  We had a small gift opening, and enjoyed each other's company for the evening. 

 Gladys getting a little help with her gift.

Craig & Lindsay

Harvey

playing peek-a-boo with Ducky



Natalie's First Birthday

Natalie turned one on November 16, but her party was on November 19.  Guests included Warren's parents, Harvey & Gladys, his sister Shirley and her husband, Duane,  his sister Joan and her husband Keith, us, Tony, Amy and of course, the birthday girl, Natalie.  Amy served a meal of pizza and salads, which we all enjoyed. 

Duane & Natalie

After supper we went upstairs so Natalie could open her gifts.  I tried uploading some videos, but couldn't get them to work, so here are some photos. 

The video was cute of Natalie opening her gift from us, a doll house.  She crawled into the big bag to get the book out and almost disappeared for a bit.  She got lots of nice gifts, including toys, tub toys, clothes, a pillow case, books, and things like cups and such.

  Natalie has a little ducky blanket that she takes to bed with her, and loves her ducky.  Amy made two ducky cakes for the party.  One was just for Natalie to dig into. 

She was getting tired by this time, and didn't like the texture of the frosting, so stayed fairly clean.  It was better once she got into the high chair and got a spoon. 

So Big!

Happy First Birthday, precious girl.  You have brought much joy to our lives.  We love you!