Gingerbread houses at Grandma Markoff's home

The construction pictures are shown in the posting below. We somehow missed a picture of Season's completed house. Maybe Grandma got a picture of it. She did a great job on her house and it was really creative and covered with plenty of candy!

Lauren's house had offered easy access for the birds.

Sariah used the pretzels to keep the birds out :-)

Lee is always trying to pile on plenty of candy. She even got the the idea from a friend that she should load the inside with a years supply of candy. She's always told us that we need to work on our food storage!

Grandpa and Sheridan were very proud of the job that they did in record time. Actually, they were the last done.

Grandma and Sariah took a moment to pose for a publicity shot to help promote this great work.

Gingerbread houses at Grandma Markoff's (Ken's Mom)

Every year close to Christmas day, the girls and I pack up for Grandma's house. Over the hills and thru the woods, to Grandmother's house we go... She makes the homes from scratch with a pattern borrowed from a friend. That friend passed away in November, so she was forced to find a new pattern. The girls and I concluded that they were actually birdhouses. They worked out great!

Lee and Sariah on a sugar high, try to finish the project under the deadline.

Season? Texting during this important tradition? Come on!

Sheridan and Grandpa Markoff were construction partners (this allowed Mommy to be the photographer this year). It was so cute, he just scootched in beside her when we were getting setup. Grandpa usually is working when we do the Gingerbread houses. It was fun to have him help!

We are Requesting Prayers for my Sister Cassie & her Family

On Thursday morning, Cassie went to a scheduled OB visit for her 39 week gestational age, baby boy. It was discovered that he had died prior to the visit. She was induced for the vaginal birth right away and brought his still body into this world a little after 8pm that night. The shock and sadness have touched many of their family and friends. Both Cassie, Bear and their children, Patrick 5 and Conner almost 3, has been understandably overwhelming. After his body was delivered, they chose the name of James Little Bear Holden. His features were very similar to that of little Conner. Bear was so overcome with grief that he was unable to hold Baby James. Cassie however, held him for an hour or so before he was taken for an autopsy. They chose to have this performed due to the obvious and severe deterioration of James' body. So many questions arise when a tragedy like this occurs. We hope that the procedure will answer a few of these questions. Cassie and Bear decided that Patrick and Conner should not see his body. I hope that this was a wise choice, but it is done. We are asking for the prayers of our family and friends to help them to be comforted during this time of heartache, loss and eventual mending of their broken hearts. Thank you in advance for your prayers and concern.

Life in the Toone Household

Update with our Family. Life with 5 daughters, 3 dogs and 1 saltwater aquarium is always busy and eventful. We enjoy the constant chaos and change that is thrown our way weekly.

Lauren & Lee always busy with life as high schoolers and young women growing into lovely adults. Lauren with morning classes at the high school and afternoon hairstyling at Boulder Tech, keeps her very busy and excited for her future. She is confident and outgoing. Strives to be a good leader in her role a Section Leader for the flutes during this year as a Junior. Lee is gaining momentum and strength after the initial phase of Mono. Exhaustion is still a threat, but school attendance is improving and she is able to stay on top of assignments much better. We decided that participating in school Basketball for the winter season would not be wise in her attempt to recoup and prepare for Soccer this spring.

Season being our only middle school kid, is a delightful and friendly 'tween'. She has felt so grown up since being able to join the Young Women program, being 12 has it's advantages. School is a struggle for her. Organization and focus have not been strengths for her, we work daily on improvement. She is making real effort and is beginning to enjoy success.

Sariah has really launched in 1st grade. Reading everything including her scriptures, is something she works on constantly. She is very bright and we have begun to call her a sponge. I have heard that she is very respectful and obeys the rules at school. I often wonder where that goes during the drive home everyday.

Sheridan and I are enjoying our time together. She has never had me to herself as all of the other girls have experienced at one time or another. Her health this year so far, has been outstanding! Everyone else in the house, other than Daddy, has been pretty sick or injured. It has been exciting to see her enjoy the Fall and now, Winter weather! I feel bad that I have been the one sick and we haven't been able to do the little things that I look forward to when they are little like this.

I am truly grateful for my Honey, Ken. He is a dedicated, hardworking man. He very seldom will 'veg' out. It really drives me nuts sometimes. Business is going well enough that he really needs an assistant to free up his time to work his leads and continue to service his clients like they have become accustomed.

We have been blessed with a delightful family! Our children are respectful and kind to others, (at home is often a little different though). We feel the Lord and his blessings in our lives. Baby steps have strengthen us and made us better people and a stronger family unit. We love the Lord and recognize His hand in this growth.

Couple of Snapshots from Thanksgiving

Sardakowski Family tradition for Thanksgiving always includes a trip to the Denver Zoo or Museum of Natural History. We all enjoyed the Museum this year. It was relatively cool outside this year, so we opted for the museum. Grandma & Grandpa always purchase a family pass which gets all of the grandbabies in for free. We then journey to the host house. This year Nathanael & Jessica hosted us in their new home in Littleton. Delicious food was enjoyed and relationships were strengthened. Serene, Kyle and baby Brigham drove in from Utah. We really missed Ammon who lives Glenwood Springs, Rebekah & her family in Washington state and George & his family in Alaska. Otherwise everyone else came from around the metro area. We all are truly thankful for the love and support that we share in the Sardakowski Family!

Cousins Sariah and Brigham, snuggle after the Sardakowski Thanksgiving meal. Brigham was born in July and already weighs 18 pounds. He is a big boy! Aunt Serene calls him her 'old man'. He is a sweet and happy baby!Mommy & Sheridan enjoy a break from food preparation. It was very loud with the game on the TV, babies crying and everyone talking. Loads of noise is a way of life with our large family. We always love getting together as a family!

This is Jessica & Nathanael's beautiful baby girl Leah. Mommy and Leah show very little sign of stress while hosting dinner. Leah did get upset that she could not sample Aunt Amber's Sweet Potato Casserole and Christmas Slush. Just wait until next year Leah :0)