A Little Snow, A Lotta Snow and Going to Get the Mail

Meet our snowwoman, Irene. Playing in the snow yesterday, December 22.




First bites of snow! MMMmmm. Strangely cold and satisfying! Our snowscape in the front planter.
Finley really needed this outdoor time. We've been stuck at home for almost a week now!
On Sunday, December 21, we ventured out for a walk up to the convenience store about a mile from our house. We didn't think it would be too bad, but it started snowing really heavily when we were a little over half way there. We got inside the store and ate our snacks in the breezeway. Evelyn fell asleep on the way there and didn't wake up until Todd took her out of the pack at home. We snuggled her up and only her nose was sticking out.

Embarking on our journey to the Chevron station through our back yard.
Oh what fun it is to wear Mommy and Daddy's mukluks.

A Christmas card from Aunt Maxine and Uncle Duane! Thank you!
Evelyn last Tuesday looking at the first dusting of snow we got. It was colder then too.

The rare occurrence of icicles on our water barrel.
There isn't much that is more fun than snow and a stick!

A Christmas Tree For Finley and Evelyn

I'm behind again here... Well, we got our Christmas tree a week ago, Sunday, December 14th which was one of those below 20 degree days. Fortunately, Evelyn was asleep in the car and we just left the heater on and let her sleep while we braved the cold on the tree lot. (She was only 20 feet away from where we were and we could see her.) It was fun and felt very much the season of winter and lights with a trace of snow and the cold. Finley kept liking the ones that were way too tall for our low ceilings in the living room. Just wait for the remodel Finley!


Setting up the Christmas G scale train!

December is Here Already????

(This is Evelyn at the Christmas tree decorating for the kids at church last weekend.)



Oh! The sadness of a neglected blog! Alas. I have been very busy and too tired to be inspired to write. Can it be December already? It's been a month since my last post. My apologies to the four of you who read it. Hahahaha.

What can I say? The kids are growing so fast. I'm still 40. I'm still fighting the clutter. And winning at the moment I think. Things are getting better in that department. I've hired a decluttering/life coach/therapist who is coming tomorrow to meet with me and help me get back on track. I'm excited about that! And Todd and I have an overnight date on Thursday night which should be a nice break. I hate leaving the kids but I know I need a break. Just time to take a breath and do one thing at a time.

Catching up on our November: We had a church mission center conference in Portland November 7 and 8th. It was good to be with our friends from around the Northwest and feel spiritually connected. The kids did great although I know its hard on them; long days and hotel beds. Actually, they love the hotel part! Here's a picture of the cuties sacked out in our hotel room. They are getting so grown up and enjoying each other as siblings more and more. It is fun to watch.


Finley singing at the conference worship service with some of the kids in his class.

Evelyn received a wonderful gift from Todd's Aunt Ann; a wooden doll high chair that she'd had for many years. Evelyn knew exactly what to do with it. She went and got her dolls and sat them in it and fed them. It was adorable! She is enjoying it still. Thank you Aunt Ann!




Here are some pictures of decorating the "kids tree" at our congregation in Renton. Our friend Judy and her two kids helped. Finley adores Veronica and Brock and they are great to play with him.



Playing with Finley's GeoTrax at church after they'd finished decorating the tree.

Happy 40th to me and Happy 5th to Finley!

Wow! What a week it's been! One long birthday party for Finley and me and a new president elect. I'm so glad the election is over. The tension was killing me! Barack Obama winning was, of course, the best birthday present I ever got, except for going into the hospital to have Finley! Todd surprised me and not only brought me flowers, but also a Wii Fit! It has provided hours of hilarious attempts at the games and exercises. And yes, I think I actually worked up a sweat a few times. Finley is five! He woke up this morning and came into our room and I said, "Happy Birthday Finley!" He kept asking all day, "Am I five now?" I remember what it felt like to be so excited on one's birthday. It is indescribably sweet to watch him enjoy his day and all the generous gifts and the way he shares with Evelyn and wants to show all his friends his new cars. Life is good...

An impromptu family portrait on Finley's 5th birthday, courtesy of the timer on our camera.

And finally, on his "real birthday", Finley blows out the candles on his donut/coconut cake at our house tonight.

Having fun getting all his new cars and track from Erica and Grandpa and Grandma. Birthdays sure are fun! We got together for pizza at Shakey's in Maple Valley, and then they came over for gifts and birthday bars on Tuesday night, Nov. 4, my birthday!

Finley was more than enthusiastic when he got his new Hot Wheels case!

Sharing a cake for our November 4 and 5 birthdays. Our house on my birthday, celebrating with Aunt Erica, Grandpa and Grandma S.

Placing the number 5 candle on the yummy almond roca bar dessert that Grandma S. made. Yummy!


Enjoying his new four lane Hot Wheels track from Grandpa and Grandma C. Uncle Peter and Aunt Kim joined us on Sunday at my parent's and we had fun playing with my early birthday gift, a Wii Fit and Ski Racing. Hilarious fun!





Celebrating at my parents' home on Sunday, November 2.

Happy Halloween!

Here are some pictures from the pumpkin carving contest at Todd's office. It was very fun. Finley and Evelyn enjoyed exploring his office and all the pumpkins and goodies.