Snowflake Night

Each year we gather up with the Ross family and enjoy an evening of good food, hot cocoa, sweet treats, holiday music and snowflakes!!! After dinner, which this year was amazing (dutch oven cooking from the men), we clean up and partake in the creativity of making snowflakes. This was Holly's first year really participating and creating her own lovely lacy flakes and she did a wonderful job! We iron the flakes out, spray them with adhesive and glitter them all up too. This tradition is a simple, yet fun one we look forward to each year.

Holly & Auntie Sue holding up some of the evenings creations!

Holly's first ever snowflake!!! She was so very proud of it!

You'll find that the photos include our cat Riley -- who has a special knack for plopping down in

the center on the table while anyone is doing any kind of crafty item! If you are ever over to scrapbook or card craft... chances are Riley will also be participating. Luckily the Ross family is sweet enough to tolerate her, which I am sure Riley is thankful for as it is so fun to hang with the family and be the center of attention! Yes, we love our cats!

Gingerbread Jamboree

Last weekend we enjoyed a local holiday activity called the Gingerbread Jamboree. This activity is a fun fundraiser for the Tacoma Children's Museum, a favorite place of ours. So, what better way to spend a Sunday morning... than making a gingerbread house and supporting a favorite children's museum.

Holly had pretty much full control over the house ---- which I will admit was really hard to do. Next year I am seriously contemplating getting my own house and one for her, LOL! She did a wonderful job though, in fact I am rather proud of her handy work. Of course the morning was also spent enjoying a ton of sugary sweetness too... I mean how can you build a gingerbread house that has two full unlimited candy bars without eating some, right???

The morning was a fun one - we had the Ross family there and some friends too! A good time had by all for sure!

Santa Letter

This weekend was our annual kick off for the Christmas Holiday season - starting with decorating our home, visiting the Spanaway Lake Holiday Light walk through night and ending with our final letter to Santa Claus! It has been a fun few days, filled with busyness and memories.

Holly's letter this year is in her own words and of course written by her as well. Here is what is says:

Dear Santa,

Merry Christmas!

I have been good.

May I please have:

Dinosaur toys

Water zoo

Tinkerbell game

Three Musketeer Barbie

A volcano

Love, Holly

Busy Summer Fun

I have been really meaning to post here, really I have. Summer has just been busy and the moments have a way of slipping by quicker than I realize and then before you know it the month of July has almost passed and I have not put up one post! And, sad thing... I had some great stuff I had been meaning to post. Oh well!

Even though we have been busy, it has all been fun Summer moments that I am making a point of enjoying from the inside vs always capturing on the outside with my camera. Bryan always points that out to me. He tells me to step out from behind the camera and just enjoy the moment engaged vs attempting to capture others enjoying the moment. I see his point and so this month I have picked my camera up very little. That has been a chore for me to NOT pick up my camera. And, while I have been fully enjoying myself, I think I am sad I don't have all the photos that go along with the fun... so, I am thinking that experiment is over. LOL!

Anyhow, this summer has been full with some camping, house projects, Holly's summer activities which included a day camp, swim classes and ballet. Enjoying our playgroup, outings to the park, company in town and local adventures. Good stuff!

I'll post some various photos I do have to share and starting today, I am picking my camera back up and snapping away... it is just what I do and enjoy! :)

Holly & Kristina making a firecracker 4th of July hat!

Interview with Holly

I am starting a new tradition with Holly. At the beginning of each year (and maybe her birthday) I am going to interview Holly to learn about who she is, what her favorite things in life are, etc... should be fun!

Holly at three and a half years old:

What is your favorite color?
Black and Orange

What is your favorite animal?
Giraffe

What is your favorite vegetable?
Watermelon

What is your favorite fruit?
Watermelon

Where do you want to go on vacation this year?

Grandpa's Restaurant to eat

Where is your favorite place to play?
At my friend's house

What is your favorite toy?
Rocket and the Little Einsteins

What is your favorite game?
Hide & Seek

What is your favorite drink?
Watermelon juice and Root Beer

If you could change your name, what would you choose?

Mi Mi

What is your restaurant?
Old MacDonalds

What is your favorite thing?
Blankie

What is your favorite TV show?
Little Einsteins

What do you love about each person in your family?
Daddy: because he can get me stuff down from high up places
Mommy: because she makes me dinner

What is your wish for this year?
I wish I had a kitten

Happy New Year!

2008 flew by it seems!!! I honestly feel like this past year sailed by before I had a chance to say farewell, and we are pretty good at making sure we slow down to take life in. This year we need to be even better about it I guess.

For those who know us well we have a family motto each year. Some past years have included the "Year of Change" or the "Year of the Non-Procrastinator", etc... This year we are simple and reorganizing some, so our motto will be the "Year of the Home, Boat & Body". Our focus will be on finalizing some home projects and hopefully settle on our plans for 'home'. We will soon be taking on an exciting new project of building a boat thePygmy WineGlass Wherry . And, of course... the body - for us all - is on the forefront of health! Lose a little, ensure good health and live an active lifestyle!

As for day one - well Bryan started off with some basic rewiring and the installation of a new heater in our bedroom... that was a long time coming!

Wishing you a wonderful new year - may all of your personal goals and dreams fill each day!