More snow = bigger snowman

 

 

 

 

Snow, beautiful snow

 

 

 

 

Report

My biopsy went well...I'm starting to "un-numb" and that's not too pleasant, but I'll be fine. It appears I may need a skin graft afterall, because the growth was so big she had to remove a lot of skin. We'll see how it heals and go from there. I have a followup on Jan. 12th. She did a great job with my gum line, however. I'm pleased overall.

Snow Day!

Who gets a snow day from church? We did! That's right... yesterday, church was cancelled due to the snow. The problem here is that they're not equiped for the snow, so the streets don't get plowed (except the freeways), so the roads are icy and dangerous. Aparently we have more than they normally get here...it is absolutely beautiful! All the evergreens are flocked with snow and it's just breathtaking. We stayed home all day yesterday. The kids went out and played in the snow in the morning for a while. On Friday (Kenneth's 3rd snow day of the week), I broke out the snow clothes that were a Christmas Present, and gave them to the kids early so they could get some use out of them. It's made a huge difference in how long they play in the snow. Kenneth slept with his new gloves on his hands the first 2 nights after he got them. Today I'll have Steve take a few more photos to post. When we went to bed last night it was still snowing. I'll tell you what...it's been a LONG TIME since I've seen this much snow. We easily have a foot...but we'll take a tape measure out and measure when we take pictures.

Today I'm having the pesky growth in my mouth removed (again....for the 3rd time). Yeesh. Wish me luck! Our family who were going to come for Christmas have postponed their trip until a time when the passes in N. California and Oregon are not covered in snow and ice. So - we'll have a simple, low-key Christmas here. Steve's brother and his nephew are coming (via air plane) the day after Christmas to stay for a few days, so we'll still have SOME fun! :) Well...stay tuned for more photos.....

Thanksgiving

 

Isn't this the sweetest picture? Kenneth loves snuggling with his little sister, because she's a little heater just like her Dad.

 

 

I was terrible about taking pictures while mom & dad & Ben were here, but here are a couple of us on the ferry...it was VERY cold.

More Winter...my kids lovin' the snow

 

 

 

 

Winter Wonderland

 

 

 

 

So many kids in the tub

 

These are the 3 kids we had over at our house last week...we did a big bubble bath on Friday...all the kids loved the jets...and when we turned on the jets we just made more and more bubbles.

Kenneth's first concert

 

 

Kenneth had his first Seattle Children's Chorus concert tonight. Unfortunately I missed it because I was in charge of a nativity production at the church, but I did take a few photos before he left, and I sent him with a recorder to put in his pocket so I can hear it later. Isn't he handsome???

Crabbing

 

My handsome husband.

 

A typical ferry...near the pier where crab season is open right now.

 

Checking the trap.

 

Pulling 'er in.

The trap...no crab...the stuff in the middle is bait (chicken legs), and the enormous thing on the left is the biggest star fish I've ever seen! Holy cow...

What can I say?

Sometimes you get what you ask for...I wanted this to be a season of giving, and that it is. I'm so busy giving I don't have time for anything else! :)

Where to begin?

I'm not sure I even know where to begin tonight. This weekend has been a celebration of gratitude, and a wonderful stroll down memory lane as well. My parents and Ben came Wed. night and we enjoyed a WONDERFUL halibut FEAST! Then, Thursday we walked, talked, baked, cooked, carved, and enjoyed! Our friends, the Griffiths, came over to share the holiday, too, and we were so glad to be together. Friday morning we left for Sequim, and we spent Friday afternoon and Saturday renewing old friendships and catching up with friends we haven't seen in at least a decade. They were each so sweet and gracious to welcome us into their homes so we could "catch up". We enjoyed each visit, and Steve was a champion to watch the kiddos so they didn't have to get stuck being "quiet" all day. :) There are so many good people in Sequim...from so many different facets of our lives. It was lovely to visit them again.

My folks left this morning for a VERY LONG drive. I'm sorry it's such a long drive, but I'm so grateful they were willing to make it. My kids love them so much, and I enjoy being in their company again. There's just nothing like having your mom & dad around.

Today Steve has been sick and spent the majority of the day in bed. I got to watch "Extreme Home Makeover: Home Edition" with my boys tonight. It's kind of a Sunday tradition. I'm glad my kids like to watch that show...it makes me cry EVERY TIME! It is just so wonderful to see good people work together to make someone else's life a little easier. It's a ray of sunshine in this dreary, wicked world. Tonight we watched one about a couple who has 11 children: 3 biological, and 8 adopted. The show was a wonderful reminder of all the things with which we've been blessed. I talked about it with Kenneth & Daniel afterwards, and we talked about how blessed we are to have food on the table and a nice warm bed to sleep on. There are so many things for which I am grateful, I don't even know where to begin. The Gospel of Jesus Christ, that helps me know that I can live forever with my family. My good family - and family-in-law. I've got the best family EVER! My good husband - who knew we would be such a perfect fit for each other? Steve is such a blessing in my life. My beautiful children - they teach me something every day. I'm so grateful for their health and their sweet spirits. My good friends....too many to list...that alone is such a profound blessing in my life. My beautiful home. My reliable car. My tooth brush. My shower. My pillow (thanks for the reminder, Amanda). My socks. My refrigerator. My non-leaky roof. The food in my cupboard. My heated blanket. My education. My job. Steve's job. I could go on and on and on. It's rediculous how richly I've been blessed. All I can think of is that scripture that says "where much is given, much is required". I hope and pray every day that I'm doing enough to "give back". I wish I had more to give. I am dubbing this holiday the "giving" holiday. I'm going to try to touch as many lives as I can this holiday by focusing on giving, and not getting. Those who would like to join me, here's a great place to start:

Thank you

Service Opportunity

http://www.redcross.org/pressrelease/0,1077,0_113_8382,00.html

I'm pretty sure that was a pathetic way to do a link, but, nonetheless, if you're looking for a good activity for your scout troop, family, kids, friends, school class, etc. It looks like we can send cards to our troops for the holidays and the Red Cross and Pittney Bowes will sort and re-mail to troops in various locations. Happy Card Making!

New Recipe

It's been a while since I've posted, and I got a great dinner idea from a friend that I've GOT to share. We tried it after church and it was a big hit. Here's the recipe:

Frozen chicken breasts
Italian dressing

Combine and pan sear until chicken is cooked to 180 degrees. (I used our electric skillet). Serve with rice & veggies (or whatever sides your kids eat).

It was YUMMY and super easy!! It only took about 30-35 minutes to cook. Try it!

Texas

 

Oh, yea, and he got a John Deere hat.

 

 

 

Shauna got sick over the weekend, and I was still fighting a cold, but in spite of the illnesses we managed to have a wonderful time. We stayed with our friends the Buckleys, and we visited and saw LOTS of other friends. We grabbed some Texas BBQ and drove around all the new highways and roads they've built since we've moved. We also went to the HEB and got some FRESH, WARM tortillas...yum. We made millions of happy memories in Texas when we both lived there, and it felt so good to be "home".

More Texas

 

Kenneth also got to drive the riding lawn mower. As you can see, he has to lean a little to reach the pedals - next year he probably won't have to reach at all.

 

Debbie & Kenneth

 

Debbie, Kenneth & Nancy

 

Kenneth & Nancy

Kenneth couldn't have had a better time in Texas. Debbie & Nancy showed him a good time and sent him home with a new RUBIX game, as well as a new chess set.

Long Overdue

 

The "crew" in Taylor, Texas. Debbie is taking the picture.

 

Meleah, Debbie, Joy, Shauna

 

Kenneth driving the golf cart all by himself

 

Kenneth cleaning out one of the horse stalls. They put him to work!

These are photos from a couple of weekends ago when Kenneth & I went to Texas. We met Shauna there, and we had lots of fun. I did not take a camera, so the photos I have were all taken at Debbie & Nancy's place in Taylor.