"It's beginning to look a lot like"...every other day!



going to have to hunt some of this white stuff down!

 Thank goodness for Christmas lights and trees (yes, even the fake, plastic ones!) ~ without them, I wouldn't believe it was that time of year! Because (to paraphrase another song)...

"Oh the weather outside is"...lovely!

This return to Southern California living does not take much getting used to in the weather department--every day is quite nice. We are planning a trip to nearby mountains, though, to experience some of the chill that really SHOULD accompany December ;)
Truly, the sights, sounds and smells of Christmas make my heart glad. I am happy to have a staircase, once again, in our current house to wrap with garland and lights. There is just something special about ascending a softly, glowing staircase at night as I head to bed.

Which is where I am headed now. *yawn*

I just wanted to make sure a Christmas"y" greeting awaited you here on my blog.  (in case you are here for the first time--welcome! if you are a return visitor, well--you know I love you and welcome you, too!)

I would promise to get back with more photos and such, but I say that all of the time---and then I usually (eventually) do--- but for now, I am enjoying just posting when I can, and reading other blogs when I can, and living life on the 'outside' with intention :)

Merry Christmas to all!  (and of course,... to all, a good night!) 

Gabby's 10th

Gabby celebrated here birthday by getting a 'rock star' make-over at Downtown Disney's 'Disney 365 Studio'. Evie and cousin, Julianna, also had make-overs, and after, we were able to play in California Adventure for a bit before heading back to the house for cake with the rest of the family.

Ian entertained himself while the girls had their make-overs.

 

may they all come true, Gab-girl. I love you!

periwinkle



seriously. don't mess with me. or my girl.

Because of our move from acreage to cul-de-sac living he has transitioned from outdoor, hunting cat to indoor pussy ~and this cat now has a serious attitude problem with everyone except Gabby.

He knows she is the one who picked him and she has hauled him around since she was three years old, so he is fiercely protective of her. They sleep together every night, and in the morning, this is the kind of unwelcome looks I am greeted with. ( from him, not her--she's a lovey!)

Sometimes he is as sweet as can be to me, allowing me to pet him, even purring --but most times he only tolerates me ...then he bites me. hard.

I miss the free-roaming, outdoor Peri --and we have actually attempted to let him go outside here (got him a collar and ID tag) but he is very afraid and does not like it even for a moment

--but, despite his new nasty temperament, I would miss him even more if he were gone.

Here's to you ~ Mr. Periwinkle ~ I love you anyway ;)

Our Disney Life

sooooo...as more and more days find us at "happyland"...well, it gets me thinking...perhaps I should have another blog...a blog specifically for our Disney life...a blog titled... ?!?!  perhaps ~ Our Disney Life?

or....? any other suggestions?

I don't love the idea of starting another blog, and yet, I find that what I most want to post is about our days in Disneyland. ~ then, those who want to follow all that crazy fun can--and those who don't...well, they can stay here :)

and~ speaking of all things Disney--check out those amazing caramel apples! (and the amazing price tag to go along with them!)

my birthday fun

 Keira and mommy (Tricia)  (my sis in law and niece) paint pumpkins

 Brennan (nephew), Evie and Ian paint their pumpkins

Special Breakfast (made by my kiddos!), Pumpkin Carving (and scooping antics by daddy!), New Camera (that's it hiding up there on the fridge--couldn't use it because it was straight out of the box--needed charging!thank you, love, for an awesome and unexpected gift!), and Yummy Food( check out those fun rice crispy treats) ~ it was a lovely, surrounded by family, birthday.

note:  There would be MANY more photos of family ~ if they all hadn't been such stinkers about having their photo taken! I see I shall have to train these ones: I love taking photos and you must learn to pose for me!!! :)   So, even though they are not pictured here ~ mom and dad gove, greg and julie (brother and sister in law), AJ (nephew), Julianna (niece), and GABBY!! (how did she get by me?!)  were also all at the pumpkin carving/birthday party.


the only thing that would have made it better: the REST of my family here and all of my Northwest friends--sooo missing you all!!!!

National Chocolate Cupcake Day?!

That sounds like reason for a new post!

Not like there is anything else going on in our lives...

Actually, I've never been a big fan of chocolate cake ~ but if you are, maybe we can work out a deal, you see, I LOVE frosting. and sometimes it can be awkward just asking for a slice of frosting. or (in today's cupcake day mode) just licking the frosting off the top.

not considered polite.

In other news...
~we are now living in southern CA
~we are Disneyland Annual Passholders who visit at least once a week (mommy works it into the homeschool curriculum)
~Jeff commutes to work in LA by train every morning
~Ian turned 7 years old (!)
~Poppy Gove (Jeff's dad) had back surgery, but is now on the road to recovery
~mommy and kiddos traveled back to WA to visit last week
~and, lastly...sadly... Twinkle the fish went to the great fishbowl in the sky yesterday (as she was approaching 5 years old...we weren't really shocked at her passing, but it was still hard on our animal loving Gabby)

I will write more about each of the above listed events (some posts have even been started!) ~ but for now...I am going to go find some frosting...yes, still thinking about that frosting...

oh! and the photo is one Ian snapped on the road trip--(unedited)--I think we have a budding photographer :)

seriously, folks. some of you have been asking for a new post for a while--do you see now why I have been avoiding? has there ever been a more random post than this? *sigh* thanks for loving me anyway.

Goodbye WA!

It has been a VERY long 6 months.

But, today, the kiddos and I (and assorted animals) head out to join daddy in CA.

The relief of finally being together again, rather than just having daddy visit on the weekends, is great.

The sadness of leaving behind a place that has been home for over 10 years is great.

The knowledge that God has this all in His hands and 1,000 miles is quite drivable and VERY 'flyable' is AWESOME!

Know that our door is always open--and we have a really nice guest room! :)

Love you all--see you soon.