The Polor Express

Last year, we were supposed to go to Hood River to ride the Polar Express train, but due to weather (anyone remember a fairly large snow storm in the PNW??), we were unable to go. So, this year, we tried again. The morning of the ride, we actually feared a repeat, as I84 was closed....but luckily, it opened just in time.

On the drive there, we were amazed at the look of Multnomah Falls.. Breathtaking!!

Once in Hood River, we met up with Stacie's folks and Kyle's Folks, and Stacie's step sister and family. So, there were 12 of us going on the train. The children were excited to hear "all aboard".

Once on the train, we were served cocoa and cookies. Obviously, this went over very well.....



Then the conductor came by to punch the tickets.... Allie got a "B" for believe.
Then it was time for the elves to read the book...

and time for visiting...

All in all it was a good trip. The kids (and adults) seemed to enjoy the train ride, visits by the elves and santa (ok, so not Allie.. she DID NOT like santa)...

It was just special to be with family this time of the year!

Gingerbread Houses

We started a new family tradition.. making a gingerbread house. This year, we bought a nice little kit so that things would be a bit easier.


This is the before...
Then the fun begins..


Allie is very particular in her decorating.. she likes to follow the picture given on the box. That is, until she doesn't like a certain design, then she uses her own creativity. Shannon was pretty content to sit back and watch...


The moment is here...


a masterpiece!!

Our dogs...

It has been a while since we posted a picture of the four legged family members. Kenai recently got a new toy to play with, and Katmai wanted to share!!

It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Now that Thanksgiving has come and gone.. it is time to get ready for the holidays. We love the advent and Christmas season.. So, we began our decorating, including the nativity sets (except for baby Jesus), stockings and the tree.

Allie loves putting up the Nativity sets...


...and both girls enjoyed the tree...




This time of year is so special, and the children really do enjoy all the festive lights and decorations!!!

Photographer in the making

Allie enjoys taking pictures... here are her latest...

Bountiful Blessings.

We spent a nice day at home, just the family for our Thanksgiving. We enjoyed a big meal.. turkey and the fixins... Allie helped make the mashed 'tatos. :) As we gathered around the table, Allie told us she was thankful for everything.... :)


We are so blessed to have such wonderful family and friends. Hope you all enjoyed your day.

God Bless.

Stay Awake

We recently returned from a trip to visit family in Washington and Idaho. While in Idaho, we attended church where Uncle Ross is the pastor. Allie spent the church service in a pew row towards the back of the church, with her back to Uncle Ross, coloring in a new book (doing connect the dots and color by number with Aunt Kris). She was not acting up, but did not appear the least bit interested in what Uncle Ross was saying, though she did go up front for the children's message.

We came home on Monday, and on Wednesday at nap time, I told Allie it was time to rest. With little enthusiasm and a bit of grumbling, she went upstairs with me. As she climbed into her bed she insisted she was not the least bit tired. I told her that was ok, her body needed rest anyway. She then told me.. "mom, remember when Uncle Ross was the Pastor and we went to his church?" I said "yes". She said, "mom, uncle ross told us at church that we needed to stay awake... so I cant take a rest".

Uncle Ross's sermon was about us staying awake in our lives as we wait for Christ to Return. Uh, I guess she was listening, and decided to use this sermon to her benefit. Anyone who believes children do not understand what is going on in the "big" church, well... perhaps you are not giving the kiddos the benefit of the doubt.

Visiting Family

I Love Family. I love that my girls will grow up with cousins. I wish all her cousins were closer.

This past weekend we took a drive to Washington and Idaho to visit family. First we spent a couple days in Tri Cities with Uncle Mark, Aunt Kim and Brett....

The girls are so enamored by their cousin Brett. Shannon, though, was especially attentive to his needs. She was constantly bringing him toys and trying to feed him.




We also headed up to Yakima for a morning to see Aunt Shasta, Uncle Shawn and cousins Sandy and Michael. We went to a Kids Castle play area and let the kiddos run til they couldnt run any more. It was a great place for them, and all had a fun time.


Saturday afternoon we drove to Idaho to see Uncle Ross and Aunt Kris. When we were about half way there, in the pass, we found ourselves surrounded by snow. Allie became ecstatic and INSISTED this was the perfect place to stop and take a break. Luckily we had all our warm gear with us... though Allie was very upset that we somehow forgot to bring a sled.





While in Idaho, Allie enjoyed playing the Wii with everyone.


She also spent quite a bit of time in the back yard, helping get rid of the tumbleweeds!! After clean up, it was on to a game of tackle uncle ross football with a soccer ball. (Allie made up the rules, "Aunt" Ross followed the rules... for some reason, Allie didnt get that Kim and Kris are Aunt, but Mark and Ross are uncle... for the weekend, all were aunt..aunt ross, aunt mark, aunt kris and aunt kim.... i sorta liked it!!)


On Monday, we headed home, and once again we stopped to play in the snow. This time the snow was wet enough to build a snowman, which we appropriately named Harry since he had a head full of hair.



Did this sign apply to her??

I cannot believe how well they did on the 8 hour drive home.


It was a great weekend, and we are blessed to have so much family in driving distance.

Learning to dip

Allie was two years old when she first learned about ketchup. We had not really given her any, and she was content to eat her fries and chicken nuggets solo... then her cousins came to visit and introduced her to "red dip" and she has never gone back..... Of course, Shannon's love for ketchup would come much sooner than 2 years as she watched her older sister use it...

It is amazing to me how early they pick this up.....


They are finally getting their appetites back after being so sick!!!