Winter Wunderland!

Last Wednesday Spokane was hit with 20-25" of snow in 24 hours. School was cancelled last Thursday and Friday. Therefore Winter Break started early. Ashley was bummed because she felt jipped. She really loves CO-OP. The first thing she asks on Monday mornings is "Mom, do we have CO-OP today?" I then respond with, "no, not today but in three more days." I will have to typically repeat this same thing for the remainder of the week, until Thursday, when I can finally say, "yes, it's time for CO-OP today!" She gets very excited. Then she will ask, "will Charlotte be there?" She looks forward to seeing Charlotte. She is always asking if Charlotte can come stay the night.
As for the winter storm...it doesn't look like it is going to go anytime soon. We got a few more inches this morning. Thank goodness that our street was plowed yesterday, because we are suppose to get another 6" or so tonight and some more on Christmas Eve! Yahoo! Thank you plow trucks, you have increased our odds on getting out of our street after this next snow storm comes in. Our new snow chains have been helping, but we took them off yesterday for a bit to help from tearing up the roads and to help prolong the life of the chains. We went out to the Valley yesterday, and the middle lane on the high way was totally thrashed by studs and chains in just two days! Two deep ruts, on each side of the lane where your tires drive can be a pain when there is no snow. That is Spokane for you. There is just no way to keep up with it. We always blame "The City" but really it is just our city, the city we live in. We have to get around some how, right?
Finally, what does all this snow bring us? Well it brings us outside, outside to play in the snow and to make forts, hills to slide down, snowmen, snow balls, snow paths, sledding, snow to blow, and of course, snow to shovel. Yet to come, is making an igloo, to go tubing down a mountain, cross country skiing and down hill skiing as well! Why not? We have a lot of snow to go around! So, as for Christmas...it is going to be a white one!

Winter sun

The other day we enjoyed the sunshine at Upper Manito. It sure was nice to see the sun. The high was in the 40's. It seemed cold but nothing like the below freezing temperature of Saturday!

Snowman Time!

The kids were very excited to see the snow falling last Friday night. Justin who was the most excited, built NOT one snowman, but TWO, all by himself. Now that is someone who has a love for snow (or should I say constructing things)! The boys decided to build things on their own. Jacob decided to roll one BIG snow ball & then CRUSH it. Ashley enjoyed trucking through the snow in her rain boots. The next day Justin decided to built a small wall, with what snow was left.

Thanksgiving

From Left to Right~Ashley, Angelo (Great Grandpa), Jacob, Bruce (Grandpa/Josh's Dad) & Justin in front.

Craft Time!

One on one fun! Ashley & I take a moment to construct a "marshmallow man".

How I LOVE a Nine Year Old Smile!

Jacob has always loved to be in front of the camera! He is not camera shy one bit. When Justin was born it was near impossible to get a picture of Justin by himself. Justin has a lot of pages in is baby scrapbook that are dedicated to "my brother and me". Once Jacob would see me bring the camera out...there was no getting out of getting a picture of just the baby. He was very creative on how to incorporate himself into the photo. Maybe he is a bit like me. I too am not camera shy. Eventually I would have to get creative to get some pictures of Justin by himself. One of my technique's included cropping!

Happy Halloween!

This year we teamed up with Shelly, Kevin, Charlotte & The Backlund's. We met at our house for some pizza & wine. I know what about the beer? After I found out Shelly had no plan's & wasn't quite familiar with Spokane, I welcomed them aboard. Since The Nelson family live close by, they also caught up with us on our annual route. The adults were having such fun we forgot it was Halloween! The kiddo's practically had to tear us away from our party to start their Halloween fun! They were all too fast for Charlotte & Ashley who took their sweet time & enjoyed every little sight. They would linger at the door steps for a while & start to mingle with the people who were passing out candy. We were lapped by the rest. Wow, what fun!

Going Through Old Photos...

Today I am not feeling so well. So after sleeping all morning while Ashley watched TWO hours of TV, I went downstairs & went through some old Photos with Justin & Ashley. Oh, how they grow too fast. Some of the pics made me melt with JOY! How about that for a pick me up.

Creative Play...

As the days are getting shorter & the temperature is getting colder the kids are spending more time indoors. My kids love to "build things". Well, not Ashley so much. They have been spending a lot of time tinkering around with "tinkertoys". Justin invests more time into this hobby than Jacob & Ashley put together but I have to admit this has been a GREAT investment! I know some of you have already heard me talk about this before. I remember it was Justin's first Christmas when the boys got this deluxe set. This set has been very loved. Over the years the set has mysteriously dwindled in size. Somehow I find these everywhere. I am wondering if it is time for Santa to add more to this set. If your child loves to build & assemble things, likes Lincoln Logs or loves puzzles, I would recommend this toy to you.

My TWO Minutes of Fame...

A few weeks ago my friend Julie got cold feet and asked me to take her place in shooting a informative commercial. I was to ask a few questions while Clyde Haase a well known Landscape Architect shared his "Landscape" knowledge with viewers. So Beth, you will have to let me know if he knows his stuff. He seemed very interested in you when I told him I have a friend who is a Landscape Architect. When I could tell he was hinting to make a job offer I told him your husband already keeps you busier than you would like be. I sure had fun! Thanks Julie for the opportunity! I think she is really getting to know me & my LOVE to be in the "Limelight".
Okay, I have a confession...it's not really my yard Maggie! Be sure to click on the link BELOW!

http://www.housetohometv.com/segments/watch/17/winter-preparation/


http://www.haaselandscape.com/ more about HAASE

Prized Pumkins!

Every year for the past three years Grandpa has planted pumpkin's for each of our kids. He uses those "special" giant pumpkin seeds. It is always exciting to see whose will grow the biggest. Last year it was Justin & this years winner is...ASHLEY! Although, she seems to care less of the size. Her brothers on the other hand, do care about the size. The BIGGER...the better! Jacob was again, very disappointed. This year the kids planted their own pumpkin's themselves when they had their first overnight er with grandpa. This happed to be the time last spring, when mom & dad enjoyed a night w/o kids on a quick "Business" trip to Seattle! WOW, that was fun! We even squeezed in a Mariners game. On the way to the game we stopped at McCormick & Schmick's. I can still remember the wonderful seafood we ate there...& oh, the mixed drinks as well! Got to do that again soon!!!!

Yes...again

Last week I let Justin cut class to join Ashley & me for our annual CO-OP Green Bluff field trip. This years trip took place at Hidden Acres. We filled up on apples (oops, there was suppose to be a limit of 1 apple per kid) & picked out a pumpkin. We also enjoyed a hay ride under the sun accompanied by a breeze. Oh yeah, the corn maze was also a hit! Followed with a flavorless donut & some tasty cider that the bee's REALLY wanted to taste. It was all GOOD!

Green Bluff & more...

Last weekend we went on our annual Green bluff adventure! This year's trip included some blackberry picking and of course our second annal Townsend Winery stop. Man, that winery stop sure helps make this trip a hit for mom & dad! And then off to Siemers to get some pumpkins & apples. This year the carnivores in us could not resist the smell of BBQ in the air & we stopped for a plate of meat to share. Finally, we stopped at Knapp's Farm for some blackberry picking. I wonder how much they would have charged us for the blackberries if they would have weighed us on they way in? After our tummies were stuffed & hands were stained with berries we headed home where mom made her first batch of FREEZER jam! YUMMYMMMMY!

Jacob turns 9...

Jacob celebrated his 9th birthday just two weeks ago. He decided months ago to just invite a friend or two and do something fun. Well, he decided to invite his best friend to the fair with our family. They have been best friends since their first day of the first grade. We had a GREAT time together. You would think we saved $ by doing it this way but that would be incorrect. It seems that the old dollar does not go far at the fair these days. Those fancy little wrist bands that get you endless rides, comes with a price. A HUGE price. We had cake, ice cream, prizes & pizza before we left.Yes, in that order. We decided to do the cake first. That was a hit. So who said you have to have a BIG bash to have fun. This was by far the smallest number of guests Jacob has ever had for his birthday & probably the most memorable.

A teachers tale...

Today Justin's teacher came over to me to share a conversation she had with him a few days ago. She senses my nervous response & assures me it's okay. She tells her story...the other day she paused & looked at my son. She said "What is your name...no let me guess. It's JUSTINE, correct?". He replies "No". The teacher then responds with a confused expression. She ponders & thinks a bit. She throws some other names through her thoughts. She finally replies "Oh, well what is your name?". He replies with "just Justin". She thought is was so cute & I agree. I have so many of these moments I could probably start a separate blog & title it as, "kids say the cutest things".

Passing the time...

Oh, quiet day...

Today was the first day of school. The first time both Jacob & Justin were students together at Hamblen! We are so excited that Justin has the same Kindergarten teacher that Jacob had three years ago! Mrs. Mattox is the best! Jacob is now in the THIRD grade. I can't believe it! His teacher is Mrs. Onstot. We are excited for a new school year.