Whoa...is there a way to slow down the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas?! It seems like there is just not enough time for all the things that need to be done or the fun extras we'd like to do! Somehow, someway, we always manage to get it all in, but there's always that "frenzied" feeling at times while trying to manage it all!
Last month Terri spent a few days in Spokane with her mom and while there had the opportunity to see a friend's daughter in Peter Pan at the Bing Crosby Theater. Katarina Stark played Peter Pan's Shadow as well as one of the Indians. She did a wonderful job...as did all the cast...what an impressive presentation!
Kat is on the right and was a perfect shadow for Peter Pan!
In this photo, Kat is the Indian on the left.Also, while in Spokane, Terri and her mom went to brunch at Sarah's (one of Terri's sisters) home and besides a wonderful meal, it was great to see everyone and catch up on how they were all doing. Seeing Jack Austin...Terri's niece's son, who is two, just one year younger than Jayden was great fun...he's such a cute little guy...wait, he's not so little, he's actually probably as tall as Jayden...anyway, he's adorable and imagine Terri took some photos of him!
Thanksgiving was a quiet one around our house...it was just going to be the two of us as Josh, Mandy and Jayden spent the day with Mandy's family and Jess and Sean were spending it with Sean's families...but it turned out that Jess and Sean joined us for dinner (their second...or third!) of the day! We enjoyed the quiet day...especially Rick since he's been working so hard that a day with nothing to work on was a real treat for him! That evening, Terri scoured the ads and set out a plan and for the very first time, we ventured out EARLY the next morning for some shopping. Now, we avoided places that had the big crowds (Walmart!!!!) and surprisingly we both had a good time...we were patient and knew there would be lots of people and might not get everything we were looking for, but in the end, we were pretty successful and might even venture out again with the crowds! Rick actually took the WHOLE weekend off...four days of no work was something he hadn't had in months and months...it was like a vacation for him...and nice for the two of us to spend more than a couple hours here and there together!
Saturday we went out with the kids as well as Sean's parents to get Christmas trees. Last year we all went to the same place and so were looking forward to it again this year...and besides the people enjoying it...all of the dogs had a great time...as they get to come as well...so we had Aussie, Angus & Frankie (Jess and Sean's dogs) and Chaos and Missy (Sean's parents dogs)...along with Max who lives at the property...so it was quite a herd! We didn't get a tree ourselves...we have an artificial tree (allergies)...but this year aren't even putting that up since we won't be here for Christmas. Jess and Sean got their tree, but Josh and Mandy didn't either since they will not be here for Christmas either...but just to go out for the "hunt" and to smell the trees was fun and refreshing!
Jayden really likes Missy...
And, we can't forget another birthday we celebrated at the end of November...Miranda's 25th!!
December...we're already at the 4th and that leaves three weeks until Christmas and it will probably fly by! The usual activities as well as some extras are planned...a party or two, of course, some baking and candy making (yes, the caramels!!!) and next week Terri and Jayden will make a gingerbread house. Trying to get the gifts figured out and bought and shipped, if needed, will also fill the time. We are flying to Spokane for Christmas and Josh, Mandy and Jayden will drive over (keep your fingers crossed that the pass is clear for them...going and returning!). Unfortunately, Jess and Sean aren't able to join us...but that's what happens with work and school schedules! Rick will fly home on the 28th and then Terri and her mom will head for California to get her mom moved into her rental for the winter (starting Jan. 1st). They are hoping for good weather as well and hope to be able to visit a few people on the way there and then would be really happy with some sunshine and warm weather once they arrive. Terri will fly home next year...oh wait, that sounds like a long time off, but will actually be just a tad over a week after they leave Spokane.
We'll try to update more this month...time allowing, but if we don't get anything else posted...we hope you all are having a wonderful holiday season...enjoying the family, friends and festivities that come with this time of year!
Jayden holding Amelia, our neighbor who is just over 3 months old...both of them seemed to be fascinated with one another!
Yes, it is the first day of winter, but we've had snow for nearly a week around here, which is highly unusual for around the Seattle area! While at first it was fun, beautiful and exciting...it is now more than we would like, and is getting old...and we are ready to get back to the usual, wet and grey winters we typically have around here. The kids all got an extra few days for their winter break and if school were the week ahead, I'm sure they'd have more days off since it's still snowing and I doubt the roads are all accessible! It's crazy and I for one, am ready for a tad warmer and drier weather! Although it is beautiful, I would like to at least have clear roads...the rest of the snow can stay, just not on the roads! Of course, we can't really complain, when we look at what Spokane has gotten, or The Dalles where my brother and his family live...but that doesn't make it any easier for us to get though this!
Even Aussie is enjoying the snow...you'd never guess she is 13 years old by the way she's jumping after a snow ball!
