Christmas Families 2010

A little late here, but I just got a new computer and it's been a hassle trying to change over. I am missing a receipt, so some of the items will not have prices listed, but you get the idea.

This year was a little nerve wracking as we collected money. We had committed to three families that had been suggested to us and after buying the first family a tree, we only had about $750 (compared to our average of about $1100/year in years past). Combined we had 3 families, with 9 children so we were hoping for at least $100 per kid. In the end, a few people really stepped up and we rounded out at $900 total.

FAMILY #1 - Family needs unknown, even to the family member who suggested them. All we knew was that the parents were unable to buy for their kids this year. We gave the family member that suggested them the $400 to allow the parents to buy for their own children since we did not know what to get them.

NOTE: We received a note from the family thanking them for a wonderful Christmas. They said the kids were not expecting anything, so it was quite a surprise on Christmas morning!
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FAMILY #2 - Single mom, 2 girls, still struggling through divorce from dad and just finishing up her last semester of nursing school. We started off by buying them a tree and a few ornaments in November. Thanks to Kevin & Jan for donating lots of Christmas lights, one less thing we had to buy!

Christmas tree - $40
Ornaments - Qty4 @ $1 and 1 @ $5
Tree Topper - $10

Girl - Age 9
Holiday Webkinz - $12.99
Head Bands - $5.99 (Qty 4)
Diary w/Lock - $9.99
Jewelry Box - $20
Burger King GC - $5
McDonalds GC - $5

Girl - Age 6
Holiday Webkinz - $12.99
Fingernail Polish - Qty 3 @ $2.00ea
Journal - $12.97
Lip Balm - $9.99
Burger King GC - $5
McDonalds GC - $5

Both Girls - Craft Supplies
Craft Sticks
Scissors
Kids Paint
Wiggly Eyes
Glitter
Glitter Glue
Craftlace
Art Brushes
Construction Paper
Neon Poms
Pipe Cleaners
Markers
Foam Sheets
2 Glue Sticks
2 Crayons

Family-
Wrapping Paper - $5.00
Tape - $2.00
Gift Tags - $2.00
Gift Boxes - $3.00
Speedway GC - $57.00

NOTE: Mom cried when we bought her the tree and told her we wanted to buy for the kids. Mom called to thank us after wrapping (while crying) her kids gifts. Mom called again after Christmas to let me know how wonderful a day it was and how thankful she was for our entire family. She asked me to tell each of you thank you!!
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FAMILY #2 - Parents out of work, 3 children

Family -
Wrapping Paper - $5.00
Tape - $2.00
Gift Tags - $2.00

Boy - Age 9
Lego Star Wars - $24.97
Bakugan - $13.99
Tech Dech Skateboards - $9.99
Tech Dech Ramps - $14.99
Halo Action Figures - $21.97

Girl - Age 7
Fur Real Kitty - $29.99
Zhu Zhu Pets - $7.00
Zhu Zhu Pets Carrier - $3.88
Zhu Zhu Pets Exercise Wheel - $10.00
Littlest Pet Shop Mini Set - $11.59
Stuffed Animals - Qty 2 @ $5.00ea

Girl - Age 6
Zhu Zhu Pets - $7.00
Zhu Zhu Pets Carrier - $3.88
Zhu Zhu Pets Slide - $10.00
Littlest Pet Shop Clubhouse - $15.00
Littlest Pet Shop - $4.99
Baby Doll - $20.97
Baby Clothes, onesies - $6.00
Baby Clothes, pants - $6.00
Baby Clothes, booties - $4.00
Baby Clothes, diapers - $6.00

I KNOW that we have made a difference again this year. We have shown our love and the love of God to every member of those 3 families. My hope is that they too show this love to others! Thank you to each one of you who participated again this year!

Sympathy to Laurie & Steve and Family

Please pray for Laurie and Steve's peace. Laurie lost her brother last Sat. morning. He died in his sleep. Funeral was yesterday; Dec. 21st. He was only 52.

Address

Pam, here is our address for the Christmas party.
11615 N 400 W 90
Roanoke, IN 46783
We are 1/2 mile south of Grandpa Sink's
Sometimes you have tell the GPS that we have a Zanesville address.

Food, Family, and Fun

Jan and I invite you to join us on Thursday December 30th for Food, Family, and Fun. Tamie, Steve, and Caleb will be joining us from the frozen north. Please bring food to share and the beverage of your choice. The party will start at 6:30 and ends when I go to bed. Hope to see you on the 30th.

FREE TO A GOOD HOME

Anyone interested in an old style 25" TV?

Let me know before I can it.

Kevin

I'm choosing traditional. I'm afraid of receiving a live chicken from someone.
Kevin

Is the Sink Christmas gift exchange to be traditional or white elephant?

Tom

2003 Chevrolet Impala For Sale

2003 Chevrolet Impala LS Sedan

3.8 V6 164000 Miles

Traction Control, Air Conditioning, Power Steering, Power Windows, Power Door Locks, Power Seats, Leather, Tilt Wheel, Cruise Control, AM/FM CD Cassette, Dual Air Bags, ABS 4 Wheel, Rear Spoiler, Alloy Wheels.

Kelley Blue Book $4090.00

Asking $3500.00

Sink Christmas-Plus

Merry Christmas to all....
Jan and I will be hosting the Sink Family Christmas this year and we would like to extend a warm welcome for all to join us on Christmas day at 5:00PM. Please bring something yummy to share at our evening meal. I thought it might also be fun to share some Sink family Christmas memories from years past...please be thinking of some special memory that you would like to share. If you can't join us but would like to share a memory, you can e-mail it to me at smith9655@gmail.com and I will pass it on for you. We will also be having the popular Sink Family gift exchange later in the evening. We can't wait to see you all.
There is still a little time left to get your donation to Stephanie for our adopted Christmas families. The girls went out on a limb this year and adopted 3 families that they found. We are a little short and any donations are greatly appreciated. Last year we gathered $1100 and we are $300-$400 short of that this year. We have been so....blessed as a family, and it is an incredible blessing for those we touch. I think of this passage of scripture when we do this every year.
Matthew 25
35 'for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in;
36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.'
37 "Then the righteous will answer Him, saying 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink?
38 'When did we see you a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You?
39 'Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?'
40 "And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'

JUST RECEIVED PICTURE OF GUS WAITING TO GET HIS NAILS DONE

Jumpstart on 1 Christmas Family!

Like Paula told you, we have 3 families that we are helping this year. The first family, the single mom with 2 kids, didn't have any Christmas decorations. We went earlier this week and bought her a tree, a star and a few ornaments. She was in tears when we told her that we were doing that and that we wanted a list for the girls so that we could get them a few gifts. She said she left Target in tears and immediately called her mom to tell her that people actually care. When they hung up, her mom posted this on her facebook:

"So the REAL Christmas has stood up. =) I am overwhelmed at the goodness of my God who calls me friend. My Abba who calls me daughter. My Papa who loves me beyond belief. Father, I am counting on You to bless those who have been a blessing to my family, which blesses me. You know who they are."

We make a difference. We are showing people God's love.
At this time, we only have about $300 compared to about $1100 last year. We are pleading for you to give so that we can continue to show these families how much they are loved, by us and by our Father. We will be shopping on Dec. 11, in the evening, if anyone would like to join us!

ALSO: IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PAY US VIA PAYPAL, THAT IS AN OPTION, JUST SHOOT ME AN EMAIL AND LET ME KNOW!!

You should have been there!

Thanksgiving at Island lake. I don't have a picture, but I wanted to let you know that you should ask Steve how often Gus goes to the beauty parlor to get his nails/claws painted!

Remember this?

This is our christmas family from last year. I thought I would remind everyone what an amazing thing we are doing here, and again I will ask. If you want to donate, please do so ASAP and send me or Stephanie a message so we know we can count on that in preparation for shopping. Thank you to all of you who have already gave!

This is why I am pleading for all of you to give money. I received the Christmas list and this is in the mothers own words, to her sister Babette, who I am communicating through. This is why we do this guys!!!!
Here is the list...*Bethany, age 14...pants size 1 or 2 misses... shirt small/md..in womenspresent...winter coat, mp3 player...skinny jeans*
Michaela, age 11....pants size 10 slims, (girls)...shirts 10presents...mp3 player, Justin Beiber CD, Jacob poster (New Moon)*
Nathaniel, age 10...pants size 10...shirt 10presents...Jack n Daxter 2 (ps2 game)...Cross necklace...yoyo*
Hailey, age 8.... pants size 7...shirt size 7presents.... Littest Petshop stuffed animal...moxy girl (with brown hair), Liv Girls..Doll IDK what this, I guess she saw it on T.V.

*Michelle, age 34- Honestly, Babette this is the best present I could ever imagine!!!! The joy of waking up to the kids having a present under the tree!!! Remember we ran for our lives last year on Christmas Eve, so they didn't get to open presents on Christmas morning... I told them the night before, u called, I didn't know how I was going to make a rent payment and buy presents for them... So they banned together and tore up their Christmas lists..(Well all but Hailey) Her words were "Jesus won't forget again this year!!!!" It broke my heart, because I used to have that kind of faith...I pray it returns... PLZ, send a heart warming thank u, to them from us... Someday I hope get the chance to give back!!! I love ya lots!!

Update on Christmas Family

I told many of you Thursday not to worry about giving me money yet, as we did not have a family in mind. What a difference a few days make!!! As a lot of you already know, because you helped make the decision, we now have 3 families to buy for this year. The first family is a family of 3 (2 children). A single mother in her last year of nursing school, currently not receiving child support. She is currently going through a divorce. The second family is a family of 6 (4 children). Both parents are currently out of work. The third family is a family of 4 (2 children). The father is currently out of work. We have always done an amazing job as a family, and I am sure we will do the same this year. For anyone willing to give this year, please get money to me as soon as possible. 214 Nordale Dr. Ft. Wayne IN 46804. We are hoping to get gifts for all of the children, and help with heating bills if at all possible. I will be letting all of the families know very soon who they are, and will ask for christmas lists. We will be shopping for the families on December 11 this year. So, please either get the money to me by then, or let me know so we include your money in the "pot." Thanks a lot everyone!

Christmas Family

As usual, we talked about our Christmas family while we met today for Thanksgiving. We have received a lot of money already, and we don't even have a family in mind this year. If anyone knows of a family in need, please let us know. For all of you living out of state....if you know of a family and would like us to send the money your way to help a family, please let me know. I am absolutely confident we will be able to find a family, but wanted to give everyone out of state a chance to let us know if you already have someone in mind. We LOVE doing this for the families, but we will gladly let you do it if you know of someone off the top of your heads. Otherwise, I will be looking for a family here to bless this Christmas. I am praying that God will let one of us know who needs our family this year. Keep your ears and eyes open! I love you all. Paula

Thanksgiving

In case you hadn't heard....Thanksgiving will be at our house again this year. As usual, we'll eat at noon on Thursday. Our address is 13835 Hamilton Meadows Lane, 46814. If you need directions, just give me a call at 750-8321. We'll be there all day/evening, so come when you can!

GUN CABINETS FOR SALE

Two gun cabinets for sale,,,,could be made into a china cabinet or book cabinet with a little rework both have locking doors and base cabinet locks...these were Doyles make a offer

Christmas Family

I know it may sound odd to think about this in October, but we need to be thinking about money for our Christmas Family. We like to collect the money Thanksgiving-ish, so I thought I would give everyone a financial heads up. We do not have a family in mind, so if anyone knows of a family in need, please let us know! Last year our family truely changed the lives of a family in desperate need, and I know we can do it again this year! Please keeps your eyes and ears open for a family in need, and for all of the Dave Ramsey people.....don't forget to add them in your budget for November or December. We are truely blessed as a family and this is a wonderful way for us to show God's love! Thanks all!

First week in Ireland

have had a great time so far,,,going to Howth today its a small fishing village outside of dublin so should be able to get some great sea food...above we are in the temple bar area enjoying some brew and some great music....

Thanksgiving

Have we decided where we are having Thanksgiving this year? I thought if it hadn't been decided that I would volunteer my house again this year. What day did we have it on last year? Saturday?

Mandy's wedding last Friday night

What a bunch of Wino's...
And guess who the wine thief is... A BOTTLE IN BOTH POCKETS!!!!!

Huntington North Wins Sectional Title

Doyle's new address

Three Oaks Apt #102
720 Dustman Rd.
Bluffton, IN 46714

Birthday and Anniversary

Happy Belated!!! Kent had a birthday this past weekend, enjoyed it I'm sure because he did get to go camping!!! Also, Kent and Karen are still going strong after all these years..............Happy Anniversary to both of you!!

Bryce & Amanda

I just wanted to let everyone know that Bryce & his girlfriend Amanda are now engaged. They do not have a date set but are thinking sometime in the summer/fall of 2012 when they are both finished with school.

HELP WANTED

Any family member that has done time in the big house or on a chain gang I could use your help.. Please

Drive by Rocking

Due to the early morning rocking it appears that our departure from Valhalla is somewhat delayed...Range Rick if you read this i could use your help and lots of dineemit....

OPENING DAY OF DIAMOND WILLOW SEASON NETS POSSIBLE STATE RECORD

AP photo file---Saturday from Detroit Lakes Blab
After over a month of baiting and stalking Patrolman Bob bagged this diamond willow, having 3 large,6 medium and 4 small diamonds just east of Island lake in Becker County near Valhalla Resort..He used a 1920 Sear and Roebuck 36 set cross buck saw..Its on its way to the Minn DNR headquarter in St Paul for verification

bridel shower

hi
There will be a bridel shower for Stephanie Vaughan, Jason brickley's wife to be on sunday aug 29. at Sandi's. more details coming soon.

Valhalla Sunset

we all have seen sunsets but once in a while there is one that you just have to say WOW

Here are updated pictures on Gavin. He will be 6 months next thursday. He has found is feet, and is working on sitting up by himself. He is such a strong boy. We just got back from our vacation in Edisto Island, SC. All the kids had fun. Gavin enjoyed napping on the beach with dad. The girls of course were busy in the sand and the ocean. We had a great time.

Nothing spectacular--just an update

Claire is 3, and just watched Cinderella for the first time the other day. She was almost in tears, hand over her mouth in shock that Cinderella's family was so mean to her. But, she loved it and would tell anyone the whole story if asked. Stephanie asked her the other day if she was going to give me hugs and kisses when my birthday rolled around, and Claire said "no, its a surprise. It's a lay down swing." Apparently, Austin told her that he was getting me a hammock and told her it was a surprise. Good job Claire. Maddox is still as crazy as ever (2 in September). His new thing is making a mess, and then saying "oh...my..........GOSH! Maddox did" as he looks at the mess, almost like he's surprised himself. He also loves telling Cody (our dog) that he's a bad dog, and has now begun telling Claire and I that we are bad dogs too if we do something he doesn't like. Austin and I just purchased new windows for the house, and they should be delivered and installed the beginning of September. We also just got a new patio door, but the installer for that is Austin, so it's unknown when that will be done, as I've heard that's quite a job....We also just got new living room furniture delivered a couple weeks ago, so our house is finally getting to where we want it. Next year, we'll finish the landscaping, and then I think we'll finally be done... for a while. :)

Dayton Air Show

We couldn't go to the Sink Hole party because we already had plans to go to our very first air show. The Blue Angels were there, and our boys have LOVED the Blue Angels ever since we saw them practice last year, so we couldn't resist.

We drove over on Saturday and went to the show on Sunday. It was a long day, we got there at 9:00 and they were the final performance at 3:30. It was hot and the boys were tired (no nap on the way to OH???? bad night of sleep in the bed together and no nap all that day.) Grant was actually falling asleep in my arms as the Blue Angels were starting! I sprayed him in the face with a water bottle to wake him up, nothing else was working!

After the performance, the pilots came over to the fence we were standing beside and gave autographs and talked to the kids. Camden and Grant had on shirts and hats that said "Future Blue Angels" and the pilots all commented on them!

All in all, we had a great time. Carl and I put in a lot of hard work for the boys to enjoy a 30 minute show, but we would do it again.

Here are a few pictures from our day:

New pics

Corbin is 3 months old now! Here are some new pics, I have tons more pictures, but would probably max out the website's memory if I posted them all. Here are just a few. He's so much fun!!

birthdays

hi i just want to wish everyone who has a birthday in july a happy birthday sum are past some are now and some are yet to come hope everyone had and has great day nancy

SAVE THE DATE FOR THE SINK HOLE POND PARTY

SINK HOLE POND PARTY

SATURDAY, JULY 17th

1:00 - whenever


The meat and tableware will again be provided. Please bring a dish and your own drinks.

Hope to see everyone!!

Rare Photo of Adm Rick and Walapotty

Pictured above is Adm Rick on his first attempt to find the Northwest Passage around 1947 also in the picture is Walapotty at a very young age...Word out is that he was able to find the passage but can't remember where it was....

SINK HOLE POND PARTY

We are trying to come up with a date for the pond party this year. Any suggestions when? Any dates that we should try to stay away from?

Uncle Doyle's House

I went to Doyle's house on Wednesday to do his cleaning. Grant was sick, so he didn't go with me, but I did take Camden. We packed him a bag with crayons and toys and off we went. Doyle was happy to see him and insisted that we find him a good cartoon channel. Next thing I know, Camden is sitting on the couch watching Mickey Mouse and Doyle is sleeping in the chair! They stayed that way most of the time I was there!

That night when Camden said his prayers, he said, "Thank you for letting us go to Doyle's house." So sweet!

Just in Watuce Tribe (Walapotty) to Join Adm Rick

We just found out the noted guide Walapotty will accompany Adm Rick in his quest to find the NorthWest Passage..If anyone can find the passage she can said Adm Rick

Admiral Ranger Rick Last Attemp to find NorthWest Passage

With supplies loaded once again Adm Rick will leave base camp located in Zanesville for what he says is his final attempt find the Northwest passage. By the weekend he will be in Alaska to set out from their on his quest...We all wish him luck and Gods speed....

Update on Gavin

Gavin will be 4 months at the end of the month. As you can see, he is a pretty happy baby most of the time. But he sure can get mad every now and then. The girls still love him to death (i'm sure that will only last until he starts getting into there stuff). The little buger still won't sleep through the night. Hopefully, when he starts cereal that will help.

Corbin is 1 month old!

Our little guy is a month old already...wow! Just thought I'd post a few more pictures. Great grandpa Bowman is pretty proud, and said that he's jealous because Corbin already has more hair than him! Great uncle Bennie had fun messing up Corbin's hair, and is already talking about turning his clothes inside out...I guess he has to give Corbin the same treatment he gave me! :) Things are going pretty well. We are loving every minute of being parents to our precious little guy!

Happy Birthday Karen !!!!

Birthday and Mother's Day all in one weekend, Karen is extra special!!! Hope you are having a great day, see you on Sunday!

Corbin Michael

Sorry! Posting pictures has been on my to do list, but I just haven't gotten to it! Enjoying our little guy can be pretty time consuming! :) Corbin is great, it's so amazing becoming a mom and dad! He's waking up about twice a night to eat, I guess that could be worse, so I'm not going to complain! He's 2 weeks old today already, and even rolled from his belly to his back the other day...he's a strong little guy. We call him our "snuggle bunny" because he's a great snuggler!