The Newest Little Gimbel

Edward and Meridth are the proud parents of Edward Felix Gimbel, who was born last night, January 12, 2011 at around 10:30 at night. He weighed 8 pounds and 5 ounces. He was 20 inches long. Meridth had been in pain for a good part of the afternoon and evening, and delivered about a half hour after arriving at the hospital (same story as Betsey; no time for medication!)

Mother and son are resting comfortable in the hospital while wonderful Aunt Adrienne is having a party with Uschi! I hope these details are all correct, but will defer to new posts from the proud parents!

"The happiest days are when babies come." Melanie Wilkes from Gone With the Wind

Remembering 26 Years Ago

As I was getting ready for church this morning, I couldn't stop thinking about Karl, and his impending birthday. I was remembering what a good baby he was, and how I knew he would be the last new little gimbel to be born, so I especially wanted to treasure the experience!

I am so grateful that he got to come to our family, and what joy he has added to our lives.

Karl, we hope you have a wonderful day. You will be in our thoughts all day long!

Love you! Mom and Dad

Shoes!

My friend Steve sent me this picture from a few years back. Good for a chuckle... why do I have so many shoes?

Karl's 26th birthday party

You're all invited to my birthday party here at the House of Air... wouldn't that be fun!

Back to Work...

Today officially marks the end of the holidays here at the Kooman house. Here's one of our holiday accomplishments.

Can't wait until Christmas 2011 when I'll be able to show-off my mad puzzling skills. Much love to you all and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

New Calendar?

As we all know, the calendar company that mom and dad used for many years, went out of a business a few years back. I saw this calendar and thought it might be a good replacement for the old system. At 3 feet by 4 feet, it is definitely big enough.

What a Christmas!

We had a great time this Christmas with Ryan, Casey and the girls, and wish we had taken more photographs. Here is Chloe descending the staircase with her new Christmas dress. Do you get a sense of the 20-foot ceiling? This angle really dwarfs the Christmas tree in the background.

This shot shows Chloe lounging in a pool of bubbles in the master bath. I can't imagine anyone not wanting to lounge in the luxurious tub at the end of a long workday!

We had a wonderful time, and wish we could have spent time with all of you. Is it too early to start planning a big reunion Christmas for next year?

Love you all! Mom and Dad

Happy Birthday Nora!!

We hope the Birthday Bird brought you plenty of books and donuts to enjoy on your birthday! We love and miss you so much!

Mom books

Saw this article on NPR and thought of our teen-book loving mom. Need ideas for a Christmas gift for mom? I think a nice teen novel always makes her happy! :)

Miss you all so much, especially because it is Thanksgiving day! I'm so sad that I won't be eating turkey and pie with my family!

Someone was going to post this earlier, but never did. Not sure who it was...

It was fun for me because I recognized many of these processes, because I worked them or around them.

"I saw this article in the Chicago tribune and thought I would share...

General Motors invited Cars.com editor Kelsey Mays and photographer Ian Merritt to its Fort Wayne Assembly plant off Interstate 69 in Roanoke, Indiana. Here they watch a GMC Sierra pickup truck come together."

http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/automotive/chi-gmc-sierra-assembly-102110,0,3558724.photogallery?index=chi-gmc-sierra-assembly-d

Christmas Time!

Christmas is coming people, and we have to get on the ball! It is time to figure out the exchange!

According to the blog, this is what we did last year.

Ryan/Casey give to Margie/Brandon

Margie/Brandon give to Betsey/Richard

Betsey/Richard give to Edward/Meridth

Edward/Meridth give to Karl/Emily

Karl/Emily give to Ryan/Casey

So, I'm shifting everything up this year. So, here we go.

Ryan/Casey give to Betsey/Richard

Margie/Brandon give to Edward/Merdith

Betsey/Richard give to Karl/Emily

Edward/Meridth give to Ryan/Casey

Karl/Emily give to Margie/Brandon

How does that look? Let me know if there are any problems

Thank you for the Birthday Post Aunt Betsey!!!!

Love and miss you.

Amazing Ashley

Happy Birthday to our dear Ashley! Your birthday was great here in Hong Kong, I hope it is great for you in Utah! XOXOXOXOXO

Starting off with a little vintage Ashley.

Look at these two cute girls!

From our last visit to Utah. I like that Ryan is eating Nora's head. She does taste delicious.

We LOVE you Ashley! You are brave, smart, funny, talented and kind. Enjoy this year!

Early Birthday Wishes

Time zone differences make this only a couple of hours early, but I want to wish Richard a very happy 31st birthday. This Far East family will just be getting ready for bed when this is posted, while the rest of us will be getting up and going for the day. What will you do to celebrate Richard? I hope Betsey can find a place that has donuts for your visit from the Birthday Bird!

There may not be a home-baked birthday cake (no oven!) but I hope you can blow out some candles one way or another. We will eat some cake in your honor.

By the way, the Weather Channel is talking about Typhoon Megi that just ripped through the Philippines. I sure hope it doesn't have any impact for you this week. We'll be keeping you all in our prayers.

Love from Grandma Claudia and Grandpa Ed

Betsey's Oriental Birthday

Right now in Hong Kong it is 9:00 in the morning on October 4th, and Betsey is officially 31, even though here it is still October 3rd.

She says they celebrated Saturday by going to Disneyworld, there in Hong Kong, and when Richard gave her a card a short time ago, Nora said, "you already had your birthday". Isn't she a smart little girl.

Anyway, we are happy to celebrate with you across the miles, Betsey, and we hope your day is wonderful. (We hope Richard's first day of work is wonderful, too).

All our love,

the Decatur Gimbels