Discovery Village

A new play center opened in Gig Harbor...

...and this being our first full day without Randy, we decided to stay very busy. Afterward, we went to check out a new preschool...Lucas loved it...

...I think preschool will be a good idea.

Lincoln Log Fun

Christmas 2010

The last Christmas of the decade has been the most busy in my recent memory. It has come and gone in a flash with about a million things happening in an instant. We decided to drive the 14 hours down to Merced - it was a good decision, but if I don't see the inside of a car for the next few months it will be too soon - lucky for us it is Randy's birthday this weekend and we are driving 3 hours into the snowy mountains!

As soon as we hit California, we had to stop at Randy's favorite eatery. Again, if I don't see another In-n-out for the next year, I'll be OK.

Unfortunately, my grandmother was in the hospital for a while so our first stop when we got home was to go and visit her.

Jana and I making light of the situation.

Good thing Grandma got out just in time to spend Christmas at home - wouldn't want to miss this crowd.

I think I took about a million pictures trying to get a decent one of the four cousins.

Olivia was easy though!

Grandma on Christmas Day.

Christmas Eve.

All the grandkids.

After Christmas we went up to Tahoe for a few days - Everyone at Gar Woods Restaurant.

My parents watched the kids for us one night so we could all go out - thanks Mom and Dad.

Siouxsie and Eric took us to this great Swiss Restaurant. It was fantastic.

We spent most of our days at my Aunt's cabin were we stayed inside and visited while the kids played outside in the snow. Tahoe had record snow while we where there - apparently they haven't seen that much snow fall at one time since the 1930's.

We got back to Merced just in time for New Year's Eve. Jeff and Michelle had a great party at their house. It was a wonderful way to end our two week holiday.

It was a fun filled, whirlwind Christmas; and one of the best. It was great, as usual, to see my family and to let the kids play together. My hope for the New Year is to slow down a bit and spend more quality time with the people that matter most to me. Here's to a new decade - may it bring us health, happiness, and lots of love! Cheers.

PS - I will post some videos from our vacation as soon as I get new speakers:)

Holiday Rush

Its been a busy December so far - the days are passing far too quickly. But, every moment seems to be filled with holiday cheer. My gift this year is freedom from changing and buying diapers. Lucas is potty trained - and it only took three days...and one year:)

Lucas and Santa at the Log Cabin Museum earlier this month.

We got our tree a few weeks ago too. But, the computer crashed....thanks Jana.

Lucas and Daddy cutting down the tree.

The finished product.

Lucas sitting on Santa's lap at our MOM's Club Christmas party this past weekend.

Getting his gift.

This was Lucas at last years party. Its amazing what happens in one year.

That's my boy!

Happy December! Can't wait for Christmas!

Thanksgiving 2010

Thanksgiving of 2010 will be memorable for more than just having a great time with my parents and Randy's mom. It was the storm of the decade. Cathy arrived on Sunday - which, by the way, was the end of a glorious women's retreat that I had gone too that weekend - the day the snow starting falling....

On Monday my parents flew in...given that the storm was getting worse, they decided to take a shuttle from the airport - 4 hours later they arrived in Port Orchard - an hour later - we lost power....for two days.

Papa reading to Lucas by flashlight.

Tuesday we surveyed the damage...thank god for propane grills.

As you can see the storm was pretty severe.

Our yard looked like it had been hit by a tornado.

But Lucas was having fun.

Trying out the sled.

Randy, my dad, Cathy, and Lucas went out to check out the neighborhood.

By Wednesday morning we thankfully got our power back.

So time for making cookies and pie.

And snowmen, of course.

Lucas and Frosty.

And making a turkey.

Fishing!

Warming up northwest style.

Watching TV

Cheers!

Time for Turkey dinner!

We had a lot to be thankful for.

On Saturday - after I took my parents back to the airport - we went out for a pony ride.

These lovely ladies made this beautiful wreath that Cathy bought for us.

Lucas sitting on Santa's lap for the first time this year.

It was a wonderful Thanksgiving. We've never been without power for so long and it really makes you thankful for the things we take for granted. Kitsap county didn't get power back to everyone until sometime on Friday - we were very lucky we were able to enjoy such a fabulous Thanksgiving. Everyone was safe and warm and all together. What more could you ask for? Lets just hope we don't have anymore of these storms on our horizon.