Snow Better Time for Winter Break!

I've only been in Washington for 6 winters, but there hasn't been this much snow ever before (you know, since we've lived here). The kids had 3 snow days even before their Christmas (eh-hem, I mean, Winter) break began from school. Since our front yard is steep, the neighborhood kids loved it, and made a great path for sledding and snow-boarding.

Gabe's 13th birthday was on 12/28, and he wanted to go snow boarding or snow tubing as a family. (Yea! He still wants to spend time with us!) It was much cheaper to do the tubing, so we headed up to Snoqualmie and did a 2-hr session with the rope tow. The kids had a blast!

On News Year's Day we went to the Pacific Science Center. My favorite part was buying caramel popcorn from a vendor outside!

Merry Christmas 2008!

Come on! It's already the 19th. We HAVE to get this Christmas photo done! Everybody is going to be in this Christmas picture! Hurry up! Put on any red shirt you have... No, Daniel, it's going to be a family picture. WE have to be in it, too. No, we AREN'T going to just use the family picture from our August vacation.

OK, I have a fun idea. Let's try and get our heads together as close as possible, then Dad and I will be kissing the end kids. It's not gross. It will be fun! Ok. Our lips look weird.

Let's try just a regular group pose. Hmmmm.... I'm not sure about that. I have to look good, too, right? And why does our wall look like two different colors?

Let's take one of just the kids, just in case. Yep, that's the one! OK, everyone can change into their snow clothes and go back outside to play. Don't we have beautiful kids? Now, what to do next year? Everyone in antlers?

In Memory of Maxine Mack

Born 03/30/1917 Died 10/27/2008

After my Grandpa died, Grandma moved to Texas where her oldest daughter lives. My earliest solid memory of Grandma Mack is visiting her in Texas when I was small. She had a lot of puzzles, games and books for all her grandkids, and made peanut butter candy for us to eat. While I was a teenager, she lived near us in Idaho. She looked forward to having me sleepover at her house. I would help her organize her food storage, then we'd play games. She loved to make breakfast for us the next morning. She was always up for a good time, and loved to do crafts.

The last years of her life, she lived back in California. My Aunt Janice and her family spent a lot of time with her, and took great care with her. This is a picture of me and my Grandma the last time I saw her. While we were vacationing in California in August, I was able to go visit her in the hospital.

For the funeral, Rebecca and I were able to fly to California a little early and help organize some of her belongings. It was nice to have that time with Rebecca. I feel even closer to her now that we went through that experience together. It was great to reconnect with Janice and her family, too. I forgot how much fun it is to be around Janice. I miss having her in my life. Going through Grandma's things helped me realize how much we all meant to her. She saved everything I made for her, and every picture!

Pumpkin Patch 2008

The sun peeked out long enough for us to go to Spooner Farms in Puyallup, WA

The kids, of course, wanted the biggest (and most expensive) pumpkins!
Daniel told them if they can carry it, they can get it. Which one to choose...

While Daniel, Sam and Carly went through the corn maze, Gabe, Dolores and I found the goodies--
caramel popcorn and apples, roasted corn on the cob, hot chocolate.

Soccer Season!

Carly is on the "Blue Lightening" team, and Gabe is on the "Arsenal".

Carly and Sam love to support Gabe by watching his games...

if there are snacks and entertainment! GO TEAM!