Christmas Day

Last night we went to the Christmas Eve service at one of our local churches. When the lights were dimmed, the candles were lit and everyone sang Silent Night at the end of the service there was a feeling of peace in the air. It was a great way to spend Christmas Eve. Afterwards my parents and Great Grandpa came over for milk, cookies, cocoa and cider. The traditional new jammies were unwrapped for the grandkids.  I remember looking forward to those also when I was little. My mom always makes everyone feel so special.

Our Christmas day was filled with JOY and WONDER! Kasey and I managed to get up before the kids and we had to actually wake them up so they could find their gifts from Santa under the tree.  Santa drank all the milk on the porch and ate most of the cookies. Grant put reindeer food out also and most of that was eaten up. Both kids were in AWE when they found a piece of Ruldoph's leather harness with jingle bells on it that was left behind on the porch. Such a treasure.  Here are a few snapshots from our day...

Rudolph's leather harness with the bells

playing Jenga with Grandpa Willie

Justin, Dad and Skylee relaxing on the couch

Grant, Skylee, Mom & Becca

Kaitlyn & Pepper

It was just a day of fun and blessings.  Great Grandpa Willie and Great Grandma Rose both joined in the Christmas celebrations. We are so very lucky to have Great Grandparents, grandparents and parents who live so close and we get to see often.  I remember going over to Grandma and Grandpa's house with all the cousins to spend the day or weekend when I was little. In this crazy world it sure helps to keep us grounded to spend good times with friends & family.  Today my parents house was full of love, tons of laughter and full of the making of memories.  For today we got gifts, things we wanted or wished for, but all anyone really wants is to be loved and accepted. I am very blessed to say I am both.   Merry Christmas my friends.

December almost over...

In December...

went to Leavenworth for the lighting ceremony

drank hot cocoa

Roasted hotdogs...(in 17 degree weather)

looked for the perfect Christmas tree

went sledding

made snow angels

spent time with family

and friends

Thanksgiving 2009

Well, we managed to fit in two Thanksgivings all in one day :)   Nice to have everyone living within a good distance so that could be accomplished easily.  Here are a few snapshots from our Turkey Day...

Skylee & Kaitlyn

Dailey & Grandpa Ben

Grant ready to eat!

all the cousins

Ava, Grant, Naomi & Whitney

uh oh...

okay, somehow in the craziness of trying to make our blog look more festive I acccidentally deleted everything. So to all family and friends out there I am going to try to fix it during this long holiday weekend. Must have been one of those days :)

Carving Punkins

somehow the shirt matched the task!  LOL

Carving completed!

Halloween 2009

Grant in his Mario Costume! 

Kaitlyn in her Japanese princess costume

the kids during trick or treating downtown

A month already!!

Okay, I just had to document my children playing together!! They were getting along, sharing and having a really good time. LOL!  This does happen once in a while... :)

Grant was a "Thank You kid" for the month of September. Only three weeks into kindergarten and this is very cool!

Grant and his team mate Dillon

on the field

Kaitlyn with her teammates

my crazy kids!

At the fair a few weeks ago the kids had a blast!  The both rode as many rides as they could. Kaitlyn is the daredevil and wanted to ride everything. A few rides she wasn't tall enough for but she did everything possible.   They even rode the crazy "gyroscope"! 

Just the boys!

A few weekends ago one of Kasey's friends broke down with his Bronco and was way up in the hills.  These Bronco guys are well connected!   It was late on a Saturday afternoon so I loaded up some dinner in a cooler for Grant and Kasey and off they went in search of parts.  Grant was so excited it was just him and Daddy!    Of course, Mojo went along for the ride also!  Poor Grant got stung by a bee on the way there but some Benedryl in the cooler did the trick. When they got home late that evening Kasey brought him in the house sound alseep.  Even with no doors or  top on the Bronco, Grant was asleep in his car seat!  They sure had fun. 

First day of school!

Introducing a 2nd Grader!                                            

and a kindergartener!

Kasey's Bronco

Here is a few months and a ton of late nights!  The poor Bronco has been parked in the shop for two years now. Just recently Kasey put a new motor and 5 speed transmission in it (new to him!) and painted the whole thing himself. The kids and I are just so proud of him and all of his hard work.   We have been cruising up in the hills, across the valley, down the road, everywhere! The kids hear it start up and they are out the door. Our black lab Mojo will actually jump the fence if he hears Kasey leaving in the bronco as he knows he gets to go for a ride too.

Thankful Thursday

Ever have one of those moments where you just have to think about how thankful you are. A moment that needs no camera, no money, nothing. Just the thankfulness that comes with what God gave you.

I had one of those moments not too long ago. Where I was sitting watching the kids play, watching my husband work on one of his projects. I am just one lucky mom. I have two beautiful kids, one terrific husband, parents I adore and in laws that I cherish. I am very blessed to have wonderful sisters-in-laws, and brothers-in-laws. Grandparents and Great Grandparents live close and we see all of them often. My kids have an amazing connection with them which is something every child should have. My friends are an integral part of my family as well. Everyone provides strength, support and unconditional love to all.

We live in a community that cares, kids have grass to play on and animals to love. We are able to go camping and fishing whenever we want. We all work hard so we have time to play. Our families are our priority. More places need to be like this.

I am thankful...

Beach combing. Salt water. Sunshine. Sand. Late nights. Later mornings. Cousins. Brothers & Sisters. Playtime. Sunsets. Waves.

Orcas Island 2009

Ferry rides. Camping. Vacation. Family. Friends. Fishing. Crabbing. Collecting Oysters. Picking blackberries. Riding bikes. Sleeping In. Boat rides. Relaxing. Reading. S'mores. Campfire. Crackling wood. Warm Weather. Tents. Kids. BBQs. Experiences. Pottery. Painting. Pictures. Laughter. Love. Connections. Memories

Random pics

Here is a great picture of my beautiful girl. She is into fashion. Earrings, bracelet and all. Watch out boys!!Grant found one of his infant caps. He was 3 months old last time he wore this. Too cute!