A Wet Winter

People who live in the Pacific NW are generally used to the damp conditions, but this year has been a bit moist, to say the least. Water, water everywhere! Thankfully the past couple of days a bright yellow orb appeared in the sky, and the Pedersen Marshes have dissipated temporarily from our back yard. Our spirits are far from dampened as we are at the end of school for 2010. Yippee! (I won't lie that I've been checked out for a few weeks now... I can sure put on a good show when I need to.) Our tree erect, outdoor lights hung, Christmas will be here before we know it! Perhaps I should review the past 2 months before I tell about Christmas...

Thanksgiving might be the best opportunity of the year to stop and think about the many joys, blessings, and loves we have in our lives. Our holiday spent with Beth, Terry and family, it was another great time! Ashlyn enjoyed the smorgasbord of food and trying to pronounce the "Happy Tanksgiving!" expression. She had a great time playing with Grace, her cousin. :) Since then, Ashlyn and I took a weekend trip to see Omi and Opa (my parents) in S. Oregon. It was a great weekend of eating, shopping, and playing.

Now she is really into interacting with Harlo (by spoiling him with treats), playing puzzles, reading Dora and Diego books, helping me in the kitchen, coloring, painting, washing her hands, pretending to be interested in using the potty, dancing, chasing us and being chased, snacks, climbing everywhere, jumping on couches, etc. Everyday is an adventure with and for her!

For Lane, it's basketball, basketball, basketball!! And, BRACES! He'll have them on by the end of December, and our budget will feel it more than his mouth, I'm thinking. (Probably not!) This weekend will be his 2nd tournament--they won the 1st--and there will be about 8 more. It's so much fun, and we've already seen some great hustle and growth since last year!

Next week, we are off to Montana. We've never driven in the winter, and we're expecting smooth travels! Ashlyn will enjoy playing with her cousins, and of course, we'll have a great holiday with the family! We'll get to see Grandpa, Mom, Dad, and all our other loved ones and friends. Have a lovely Christmas and a joyous New Year!