Happy New Year, Merry Xmas and all that...

Okay, I know I am WAY behind!
But here is my holiday letter plus links to photos and videos.

Love, Donna

Dear Friends and Family,

We hope you had a wonderful year, are enjoying the season and a Merry Christmas!
Our 2009 was quite a ride that left us thankful for each blessing and excited for what 2010 will bring.

Our family took pleasure in some small, annual local outings like the Puyallup Fairs and Daffodil Parades. Relishing all Cub Scout outings as Riley will bridge to Boy Scouts come 2/10, bringing an end to 7+ years of family traditions. We visited overnight at the Family Fun Center in Tukwila. It’s amazing how just a weekend away can rejuvenate the spirit!

Brian continues as the Webmaster for Mt. Cross and recently begun to read and write more. Boeing downgraded him midyear to a janitorial job. He recently was offered, and accepted, the job of Inspector of the 787’s. He adores this new position even though he’s working 10 hours a day, 28 days a month and has to commute to Everett each day. So a move up north somewhere is very much in our future!

Donna’s renewed her creatively, making birthday cakes, pillows/drapes and Star Wars costumes. She began a blog and resumed fictional writing. Her love of kids & crafts is explored in the mom’s group, Riley’s Den and co-teaching Sunday School. She reads fiercely, belonging to two book clubs. Her and the boys were treated to Star Wars in Concert and support the Sounders FC, attending 2 games. She’ll be finding employment next year.

Nate, now 15, is in pre-manhood. Now a 5’9” taller-than-Mom size, his voice is deep, he had to start shaving, and he’s even began dating! He went from Gray Middle to 9th grade at Mount Tahoma. His 3rd year with Avanti was great, they almost made state, and he’ll tryout for Tahoma’s soccer team in spring. He’s very serious about it and his health, refusing to eat fast food! Now in his second year with Troop 248, he’s now a Star rank and hopes to have his Eagle by the end of next year so he can begin working. He wants to go into game programming.

Riley, age 10, has come a long way. He’s off meds and sleeping better. He’s learning new skills and still loves science and facts, wanting to be a chemist when he grows up. He’s a 2nd year Webelos in his Raven Den, Pack 42. They visited the WA capital in Olympia, and got the meet Governor Greigiore. His 2nd year on the U.P.S.C Wizzards U-11 team went well, only 2 points away from playing for state. Now in 5th grade, he enjoys the Chess club and looks forward to playing an instrument next year and starting gymnastics at the YMCA.

Lauren’s gone from toddler to preschooler. She turned 4 with a gymnastics party at the YMCA. She also played on her first sports team, the Green Snakes soccer team at the YMCA and had the best coach. They called her the “Guiding Light”, though not the fasted, you knew where the ball was by were you was headed. She started school at Narrows Co-Op in University Place and the Sunday School program at Mt. Cross. She’s now officially left-handed and a talented drawer. Her favorite pass times are dress-up, drawing, cars, dolls and blocks.

We’ve been keeping busy this holiday season. Donna took Lauren to her first Ballet and we attended the Festival of Trees. With fresh design ideas in mind, we decided to make a red and white tree, which looks great! Riley got to sell with Nate at Troop 248’s 49th annual tree lot in preparation for being a Boy Scout! We saw the new Christmas Carol movie and plan enjoying our annual traditions of Zoo Lights and Fantasy Lights. Christmas day will be spent at our house, and the family’s having fun preparing.

We are always happy to hear from you so give us a call at 253-314-1739. Find Brian, Donna and Nathaniel on Facebook. Follow Brian’s blog at Simpledaddy.com or Donna’s at hinkleyfamily.blogspot.com
We wish you a very Merry Christmas and a 2010 full of health and happiness.

God Bless!
~*~The Hinkley House~*~ Brian, Donna, Nathaniel, Riley & Lauren

We had technical problems creating photo CDs.
Instead, join our group room to view, download
& print all of our best pictures from 200, including
this Christmas!
http://HinkleyHouse09.snapfish.com/comcast2
You can view 21 videos from 2009, look up
http://www.youtube.com/user/Livelongwforce
Brian & Donna Hinkley

See our videos!

VIDEOS
Riley at the Daffodil Parade
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vz1VefUC384

Lauren Animal Sounds
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeDELqcM-8c

Nate’s 15th B-dy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k871kV8yFvI

Lauren’s 4th B-day
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=693EwIgARlk

Nate’s Confirmation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HmC18_VPJg

Riley sings Noel 12.20.09
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmPzVHpaOHY

Exiting to Joy to the World 12.20.09
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XADUEFa_UzI

Lauren SonRock Practice
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pq58GsBNcyA

Nate’s First Corner Kick, Avanti United LSC
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQzpvD2sQpQ

Nate’s Season Score!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5S48tCqvAzA

Lauren’s Green Snakes Awards Ceremony
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woRiHY4UytM

Lauren’s Caterpillar Crawl
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Mew0hqns70

We were there for the Sounders FC Inaugural game!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCQ_wVBhciU

Lauren playing in a Green Snakes game
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpL8TTqlVtA

Lauren sings the Peter Was a Fisherman Song at VBS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCl54PcBnJE

Riley sings the How Great song at VBS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79mrxv6sLyg

Lauren does Simon Says
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9Uw5kbkebU

Lauren’s Special Day at Preschool
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0hWHFx43n8

Singing “Toxic” on Christmas Day!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDxyy7M1uqU

Lauren rides her new 16” bike, Christmas Day
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDxMCCxA_Ic

Nephew Noah’s P.I. Dance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UA45VMhvspk

Lauren turns 4!

Lauren turned 4 on the 2nd and to celebrate we had a party in the North Gym at the YMCA.

Lots of her (and mine) friends were able to make it. At first I thought that only my Mom would be able to attend out of my family, but due to many changes of circumstance, they were all there, Mom, Dad, Marleen, Noah, Aria and Jennifer. Even Jen's bo Cameron made a cameo at the end. BTW-thanks to all that helped (including Angel our host) set up and clean up in a whirl-wind of organized chaos, you made this party a success!

During the party, Lauren hoped around until she was red in the face.

The kids were having a ball allowing parents to have some great social time.

All the kids (and adults too, common, admit it!) love this big trampoline built into the floor.

This is the castle cake I made her.
She asked for it while in the store (saw the kit while shopping) and I thought 'why not, can't be too hard right'. Wow. What a learning experience I tell you. The whole thing was uncharted territory for me. Never made a lemon pound cake with jam&jello filling, made/used fondant, decorated plastic, put glitter on anything edible, decorated sprinkles or made a 2-tier cake. Lots of fun, everyone loved the taste and look and if that wasn't enough, the 8 hours of making was totally worth it when Lauren said on the way home..."Mommy, I loved my cake, thank you, you're the best mommy" Awww!!!

During present time, Lauren gave some of her friends hugs and others thanks. It was funny how near the end only the girls remained to watch her open presents while the boys went to play legos and more manly toys!

A great birthday and Lauren was thrilled!

Fabulous Photo Shoot

A few moms in my group were doing a fundraiser for Relay for Life. As part of it, Lauren participated in a photoshoot at Point Defiance park with photographer Susanne. It took a while for Lauren to warm up, but she started to have fun after I took some pics with her. Below are some of my favorite shots from this shoot. Thanks a million Susanne!

Tea Time

In May my sister's Marleen, Jennifer and our Mom Mary went to tea in celebration of Marleen's 39th birthday on the 20th and Jennifer's 30th on the 27th.

The place we went to was called the Secret Garden Tea and Gift Shop located in Sumner.

I still had to get them their own bouquet of balloons though! Marleen loved her original Harry Potter one.

Jen got the same card from Mom and I. Oh well, it was so funny and true, all about the changes that happen when you turn 30. So until next May, the three sister's will all be 30-somethings.

Not only very quaint but most excellent tea and food! We had a great time chatting it up girl style and finished off with these wonderful desert assortments.

Here is Marleen with a chocolate moose in a chocolate cup!

And here is Jen who got the LAST apple dumpling, the put in the sparkler and we all sang. Got to get a bit embarrassed when you turn the big 3-0!

Wished my other May sister was there, but what a fun celebration, we just might make this an annual thing.

Stylish Sleeper

Yes, Lauren was actually fast asleep in this position.

Half Blood Prince Opening Night

So being the HP nerd I am I wanted to go the the midnight premier on July 14-15th.

Riley wore his Hufflepuff costume that I got together for him last Halloween. It definitely was the best costume there, people were stopping to take pictures with him! He really loved seeing the movie and of course the adults were much more tired than him.

The two of us waiting in line. Yep, that's a Hogwarts jacket!

My friend Betsy was able to join us and the 3 hours in line seemed short and were well worth the front row, almost center seats! We were about the 20th or so and even got theatre #1, my favorite!

7 months from Boy Scouts

Riley's Den, Webelos Den Ravens bridged from Webelos 1 to Webelos 2. Though no change in
uniform, this means they are only 7 months away from saying bye-bye to Cub Scouts and crossing
over to Boy Scouts!

Our Den conducted the flag ceremony.


I ADORE their Den Leader, Mike McGee, he is so creative and a great example for the boys. He even thought ahead about bringing an activity for the Den, this croquet set along with instructions on how NOT to get injured.


Here the boys are receiving their segments for the outings they attended as well as any activity pins. Most of them also got their compass point emblem. Thanks Den Leader Mike and Assistant Den Leader Tracey for all your hard work!


Riley showing his awards with pride. That's quite a lot at once!