Our Christmas Tree

Getting our Christmas tree is one of my most favorite days of the year. I love listening and singing Christmas music on the way to the tree farm, hunting for just the perfect tree, bringing in the house and decorating it, and of course the wonderful smell of the tree. This year we went to a new farm on the way home from Mt. Hood. They had so many "perfect" trees to pick from,
that it was really hard to choose. Best of all the price for a noble was only $10.00. What a deal!!

Our Thanksgiving weekend

This year as part of our "Thanksgiving camping" tradition we went to Mt. Hood. It was really relaxing and not having any alarm clocks going off at 5:30 was wonderful. We went swimming. watched movies, watched football football football games one after another, ate lots of yummy turkey and played the dice game. I always look so forward to spending real simple quality time with just my family.

Indian Potlatch

It's a tradition for the 4th graders to have an Indian Potlatch at our school. If you are wondering what an Indian Potlatch is... it's a celebration about Native Americans. They wear hats that they have colored and designed themselves, they sing songs, read stories and do some Indian dances. We also had to build an Indian village. Joe's part in the program was to thank all of those who helped put it all together. He memorized his part and did a great job.

Trick-or-Treat

Rosie is the "Spa-Girl" with wet fingernails and Joe is a Karate fighter who was in alot of pain with his big black eye.

Pumkin Carving

As the kids get older I've notice that pumpkin carving isn't as messy as it once was. Jacob didn't want to carve a pumpkin this year as he was "too old" to do it. I told him our family has a rule ( I forgot to mention) that all those 18 years and younger HAVE to carve a pumpkin. ( I'm just not ready to give up the fact he's getting too old to carve pumpkins.) I know ...I'm a weird Mom with crazy rules. But I love Halloween!!!

Halloween Fun!!

Halloween parties are one of my favorite parties to go to. I love dressing up and seeing what everyone else dressed up as. We had another great time at the Mckibbben's house this year. Lots of laughs and great food. Aaron went as the tooth fairy and I was a Spa Girl.

High School Soccer

It's been so much fun this year watching Jacob play high school soccer. It's so competitive and the boys (young men) play so aggressive. I look so forward to each game and I'm sad that the season is almost over. Usually I can't wait for it to end.

The General Lee

Off to the races....we had great fun at our cub scout pack meeting. Each cub scout had to make their own race car out of cardboard. We decided to make our car "The General Lee". Nothings faster then the "General Lee"!!! Joe ended up in a tie for first place with another scout.

The joy of canning part 2

My most favorite treat to have is a jar of home canned pears. No store canned pear even comes close to a home canned pear. Each year I increase the amount by about a dozen more with my hollow leg boys. This year Rosie and I canned 43 quarts.

Last weekend of summer

I wish I had another month of summer. It all went by way too fast. We spent our last weekend up at Mt. Hood at a campground. It wasn't in our plan to go there at first but with the forecast of rain, we needed a place with something to do indoors. Although it was a quick trip it was really fun!

First Day of School

I can't believe summer is over and school is starting. Jacob is now in high school, "B" is now in middle school and Rosie and Joe are 4th and 5th graders. I hope I can manage to juggle 3 different schools this year.

The joy of canning

I loved having Rosie's help canning this year. Whenever I can, I feel like I'm doing something a great worth. Teaching Rosie how to can made it even more fulfilling.

It's my family!!!!

It has been a long time since we have had a picture of all my family together. This is not a "professional" picture that we had taken but just one of those quick family shots. I am so thankful to have the family that I have and to have them all live so close to me. I feel super blessed!!!

Summer fun at Detroit Lake

We had lots of fun camping and boating with cousins and grandparents.

Happy Birthday Joe!!!

Joe at 3 months old. He was such a wonderful cute baby. He rarely ever cried and was so content with everything. When he smiled he couldn't help but stick his tongue out. Oh... how I miss this sweet chubby baby.
This year Joe got a rifle for his birthday present from Mom and Dad. It's a tradition for the boys in our family to get a rifle on there 9th birthday.




We like to take each of the our kids out for dinner on there birthday. Of all the places to eat at in the area, Joe wanted to eat at Hale's . This is primarily a retirement hang-out and not a place that a 9 year old would choose to eat at for his birthday. The restaurant is supper clean, the food was delicious and the service was wonderful . Joe had rainbow pancakes and hot chocolate for his birthday dinner.

It's amazing!!!

What are the odds????? It has been such a treat to watch Mother Nature live, from our own front door. We now have 3 baby birds chirping for food all day and a mother bird who keeps her home so tidy. Since she began making her nest, I haven't had to clean up one bird poop mess. I just love seeing the changes in the baby birds each day. We really love our new friends.