Merry Christmas!

to any friends and family visiting this site for the first time because of this web address being listed on our Christmas card: welcome! I am not writing an 'official' family-year-end letter, but if you would like to see what we have been up to--please stay a bit and browse around! I would love to hear from any and all of you, as well--so please leave a comment and let me know you were here :)

A very MERRY CHRISTMAS to you !!!!!!

snow, snow, SNOW!!!!

there were some cold, hungry looking little birds on our patio this morning, so we grabbed some bread and headed out to feed them...

of course, that led to us wanting to play in the snow...

brrr...even the thin, metal fencing has a layer of ice!
very old sleds I bought at a garage sale to use for decor...but we didn't have anything else, and we really wanted to sled...
Evie gave up walking pretty quick. The snow is 8 inches deep, with a two layers of ice hidden in there, making it near impossible for her little legs to move!
first run down the hill--it works!
oooh...the snow really started coming down hard again...
daddy ripping through the snow!I didn't get any pictures of Evie or I on the sleds, but we both braved the hill, as well :) We all came in frozen, but warmed up with cocoa (love it!) and cookies...

daddy demonstrated his extreme discipline by only having ONE cookie...

Oh, the weather outside is frightful...

...but we went outside to play in it anyway!

daddy and the little ones traipsing through the snow...but where's Gab?

perhaps on the ground, making snow angels...

or chatting with a new friend :)

Of course, we also did many fun activities indoors...

like the ever-popular game of 'let the kitty out/let the kitty in'...

and, 'let's all address the Christmas cards together'...wait...where did everyone go?

this one WAS actually fun... (we built this our first snowy day this week)

we ate many of these! (the kiddos decorated them with Jeff an evening when I was out...Gab made me a special one and boxed it up for me!)

and enjoyed hot cocoa...

and juice...(when the hot cocoa is just too hot for your liking)

and played dress up...

...and had an amazing week.

*bonus! the show was NOT canceled last night! and it was a wonderful audience! we are looking forward to tonight :)*

Too Much Snow=No Show

(photo taken in '03--but it looks similar out there right now...I'm just a whimp and don't want to go out!)

Last weekend was amazing at the theater. For a show that seemed so short and more 'kid oriented' during rehearsals--it has turned out to be really amazing...touching all that come to see it and gently revealing the true meaning of Christmas.

Add to that, the fact that it is a very talented, large cast--some of which have driven over half and hour or more each night for rehearsals and performances...and you have a tense scenario with many of us holding our breath--waiting to see what is going to happen.

Oh, I know that the website says "The show must go on!" and I do, truly, believe that in most every situation that is the case.

But we are talking snow, heavy snow, and freezing rain...in an area that does not always encounter these weather factors. We are talking almost all schools in the area being closed today...all TV stations playing nothing but weather updates...people being urged to stay home from work.

I do not want to give myself over to worry. There is no point--it doesn't help. But I know something that does! Please pray. Pray first for the safety of all out in this snow...for the drivers...for those without shelter...for those losing power or dealing with frozen pipes...

...and may I also ask for prayer for our show...that the snow/ice situation would back off enough this weekend to allow the performances to go on SAFELY...so more patrons will have the opportunity to be entertained and (possibly) enlightened.

thank you so much.

opening night!

So, I should probably change the title of this from "Opening Night" to "Opening Weekend" because I just couldn't get myself to post anything yesterday :) ..so exhausted...so relieved...soooo stayed out too late celebrating!



and that's a sign of a good opening night;)

An 8 year-old ROCK STAR (take 2)*

They arrived via red carpet, were pampered by stylists, partied like Rock Stars (minus the costly destructive stuff, thankfully!) and wished the birthday girl a very Happy 8th Birthday :) good times.

*this magic was brought to you by my amazing hubby, who can do just about anything. even upload un-uploadable photos so that I could bring you this blog today. yay, hubby--I love you!

An 8 year-old ROCK STAR

So this is the post where I share with you all the highlights from Gabby's Rock Star birthday party...only I can't seem to get my card to read in the drive (or something like that--forgive my lack of computer lingo--all I really know is that I usually put the little thingy that goes in my camera into the slot on the computer and a message pops up that tells me how to proceed, and I follow the instructions, and my pictures *magically* get into my computer (I love magic) and I am able to share them with you all. and it's not working. the magic is gone.

and I don't blog well without photos.

so, ummm...yes. Gab did turn 8. and there was a party. and you should see the photos. they're great.

Have you Ever? I have done the highlighted ones...

01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink

02. Swam with dolphins

03. Climbed a mountain

04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive

05. Been inside the Great Pyramid

06. Held a tarantula

07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone

08. Said "I love you" and meant it

09. Hugged a tree

10. Bungee jumped

11. Visited Paris

12. Watched a lightning storm at sea

13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise

14. Seen the Northern Lights

15. Gone to a huge sports game

16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa

17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables

18. Touched an iceberg

19. Slept under the stars

20. Changed a baby's diaper

21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon

22. Watched a meteor shower

23. Gotten drunk on champagne

24. Given more than you can afford to charity

25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope

26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment

27. Had a food fight

28. Bet on a winning horse

29. Asked out a stranger

30. Had a snowball fight

31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can

32. Held a lamb

33. Seen a total eclipse

34. Ridden a roller coaster

35. Hit a home run

36. Danced like a fool and didn't care who was looking

37. Adopted an accent for an entire day

38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment

39. Had two hard drives for your computer

40. Visited all 50 states

41. Taken care of someone who was drunk

42. Had amazing friends

43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country

44 . Watched whales

45. Stolen a sign

46. Backpacked in Europe

47. Taken a road-trip

48. Gone rock climbing

49. Taken a midnight walk on the beach

50. Gone sky diving

51. Visited Ireland

52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love

53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger's table and had a meal with them

54. Visited Japan

55. Milked a cow

56. Alphabetized your CDS

57. Pretended to be a superhero

58. Sung karaoke

59. Lounged around in bed all day

60. Played touch football

61. Gone scuba diving

62. Kissed in the rain

63. Played in the mud

64. Played in the rain

65. Gone to a drive-in theatre

66. Visited the Great Wall of China

67. Started a business

68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken

69. Toured ancient sites

70. Taken a martial arts class

71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours

72. Gotten married

73. Been in a movie

74. Crashed a party

75. Gotten divorced

76. Gone without food for 5 days

77. Made cookies from scratch

78. Won first prize in a costume contest

79. Ridden a gondola in Venice

80. Gotten a tattoo

81. Rafted the Snake River

82. Been on a television news program as an "expert"

83. Gotten flowers for no reason

84. Performed on stage

85. Been to Las Vegas

86. Recorded music

87. Eaten shark

88. Kissed on the first date

89. Gone to Thailand

90. Bought a house

91. Been in a combat zone

92. Buried one/both of your parents

93. Been on a cruise ship

94. Spoken more than one language fluently

95. Performed in Rocky Horror

96. Raised children

97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour

98. Passed out cold

99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country

100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over

101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge

102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn't stop when you knew someone was looking

103. Had plastic surgery

104. Survived an accident that you shouldn't have survived

105. Wrote articles for a large publication

106. Lost over 100 pounds

107. Held someone while they were having a flashback

108. Piloted an airplane

109. Touched a stingray

110. Broken someone's heart

111. Helped an animal give birth

112. Won money on a TV game show

113. Broken a bone

114. Gone on an African photo safari

115. Had a facial part pierced other than your ears

116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol

117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild

118. Ridden a horse

119. Had major surgery

120. Had a snake as a pet

121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon

122. Slept for 30 hours in a 48 hour period

123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. States

124. Visited all 7 continents

125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days

126. Eaten kangaroo meat

127. Eaten sushi

128. Had your picture in the newspaper

129. Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about

130. Gone back to school

131. Parasailed

132.Touched a cockroach

133. Eaten fried green tomatoes

134. Read The Iliad and The Odyssey

135. Selected one "important" author who you missed in school, and read

136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

137. Skipped all your school reunions

138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language

139. Been elected to public office

140. Written your own computer language

141. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream

142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care

143. Built your own PC from parts

144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you

145. Had a booth at a street fair

146. Dyed your hair

147. Been a DJ

148. Shaved your head

149. Caused a car accident

150. Saved someone's life

So, it's more than 100 items (in honor of my 100th post, remember?!), but I found this list on another blog and didn't want to leave any of them off. I was surprised at how many I had actually done...of course, not all of them are pleasant--this certainly isn't a 'to do' list!

give it a try--if you end up posting it --let me know, ok?

it's my 99th post

and you know what that means.

The next one is my 100th.

I know, I can add :) yay! (watch out--you are dealing with a homeschooling mom here)

Seriously, though, the pressure to create an interesting 100th post is pretty intense. I have been browsing/lurking/stalking other blogs to see what others have done for their 100th. Mostly I have been amazed at how quickly other bloggers seem to reach their 100th! I began in summer '07 and am only now, at the end of '08 arriving at number 100...but I have not always been as consistent in my blogging as I am lately. my house used to be cleaner :)

so what will the 100th post bring? tune in tomorrow...or the next day...or next week...depends on how elaborate I make it and how well I can balance the 'real world' stuff (you know, laundry, dishes, dinner, floors, school work, holiday decor switch, Christmas cards, birthday party for 8 year old, rehearsals) in the next 12-48 hours...

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Yes, I am in it...and yes, I would love to have you come see it!

My daughter, Gabby, is also in the cast (her first!) and is absolutely adorable as a baby angel :)

You can get more info at www.magentatheater.com and you can see some rehearsal photos at www.magentatheater.blogspot.com

Found: Our Christmas Tree!

Like in so many years past, we were able to go to the tree farm with our friends, The Loughs. (Heather's blog can be linked to in my sidebar--she captured many of these same moments today--can't wait to compare posts!) The weather was lovely and mild...not even raining! and the fog provided a beautiful, white backdrop to all the greenery.

oh my, it is not even December yet, and I already have my tree and I have done some present shopping...now, for many of you that may seem like the norm, or I might even be a bit behind--but for ME--this is huge!!! I am actually excited for it to be December tomorrow--rather than dreading it because I am usually so behind in preparations for the holidays. Bring on the season--and may it be filled with JOY!

Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

I know, I know, two posts in one day--step away from the computer, lady, and go enjoy the holiday with your family...

just wanted to share a few more photos with you from tonight--hey! they are proof that I DO actually spend time with them! (have to do something in order to have something to blog about, right?!)

Black Friday

So...I have to know.

Who did it?

I know Dee did. :)

anyone else?

Score anything fabulous? have a horrible experience?

I want to know.

My daughter, Shell, and I have traditionally ventured out early each year...usually to Fred Meyer for the 1/2 price socks (plus free donuts and coffee), then, often to the local craft stores, and a couple of times we even hit the mall.

but this year, last night, as I sat at the dining table surrounded by piles of ads, my daughter, Gabby said "wow, mom, you sure want a lot of things!"

and I realized. I didn't. I didn't want the stuff, the things, the ANYTHING. and I certainly didn't want to get up at 4am to get them!

I have loved this Black Friday shopping tradition with my eldest for years, so it was a difficult decision to make. I really didn't want to shop, but I also didn't want to stop.

Shell did end up going out early, but this year it was with Nick. I was going to meet up with them fairly early, but overslept (perhaps it was a subconscious rebellion?) and didn't end up meeting until almost 10am.

We did shop for a bit, split up again, shopped some more, met up with Jeff and younger kiddos for lunch...then headed home.

It has been a good day. I am a bit sad to have missed the early morning craziness. but relieved to not feel locked in a tradition that really didn't have anything to do with what Christmas is all about.

will I venture out next year at the crack of dawn? perhaps. but only if I have something certain in mind to get. because I don't want a lot. I have a lot.

now it's your turn...'fess up!

Happy Thanksgiving!

For these blessings, and so many more, Lord, thank You!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

sunlight kiss

Today, my daughter asked me to take some pictures of her and her boyfriend, Nick. They are a very photogenic couple, so I tend to like close-ups of them better---but I think this scenic shot is my favorite from today.

After Twilight

Rehearsal ended early, so Dana and I were able to drive to my house, leave her car there so we could travel together, and head to dinner by 9pm.
I decided to swing by the movie theater just to see how the lines were looking.
Bad idea.
Lines wrapped around the outside of building.
Did I mention how COLD it was?!
We were both hungry and definitely not in the mood to stand outside for any length of time, so we went to dinner.
Stayed in the warm restaurant for quite a while. yummy food. good conversation.
Back to the theater at 11pm to deal with whatever we had to endure for the next hour...cold lines outside? theaters already filled with only two seats remaining in the very front row?...on opposite ends?
Relieved sigh as we discover they have, indeed, opened the theater for seating by now, and even happier when we find two seats together on the far end just waiting for us in the upper area! no neck strain tonight!
The crowd is absolutely pulsing with excitement.
Applause errupts when the pre-previews begin.
and again for the previews.
But not for the movie. It begins so subtly, many of us are caught off-guard. (in fact, we still need to finish that conversation we were having, Dana, when we both just trailed off, realizing that the deer wandering in the woods was probably not long for that vampire-populated area...the movie had begun!)
Squeals of delight (dare I say I might have contributed to them?yikes! this is so much fun!) as Edward rounds the corner to the cafeteria.
Equal excitement with the arrival of the other Cullen teens.
I do not feel tired at all. which is odd, considering how exhausted I was at 9pm and here it is nearing 12:30am!

and, in the end, (I did not tuck into bed until 3am, oh my!) I have to say...

The movie is a treat for fans of the book! It is not great, and you should read the book first or you may find it incredibly lame... but I am so glad to have been a part of all the midnight silliness (ok--some of the midnight silliness, that standing-outside-in-the-cold-for-hours thing is definitely not for me---and those of you who did, you DESERVE the center seats you scored!)

Crowd reaction (yes, Dana and I included!) was, by far, the best part.

May we all allow ourselves to get swept up in some silliness from time to time.

oh... and sweet dreams :)

Happy Birthday, Evangeline!

She's 3.
She loves...
laughing,
her flip flops,
dancing,
to sing at the top of her lungs,
watching Mulan,
to eat,
carrying the kitty,
playing with her brother and sisters,
giving kisses

She is our beautiful Evie. happy birthday, little love.

countdown to twilight movie...I know, I know...but it's such silly fun :)

I knew one day I would do it...I just didn't know it would be this soon.

It always sounded so tempting.

But too good too be true.

You can't get something for nothing.

Can you?

Besides, the 'somethings' were always appealing, but not irresistible.

Not so this time.

So, today, I risked it. I did it.

I entered a blog give-away.

You can, too.

Here at Kat's blog.

It's for a lot of Twilight stuff.

If you don't know what that is, don't bother with this give-away. You don't deserve the prize.

*But I still love you*