We had ourselves a very Merry Christmas . . . How about you?

Our family in front of the tree

I was actually disappointed when church got canceled because Emily looked sooo cute in her Christmas dress.

Emi's first visit to Santa she didn't know quite what to think of him. . . but by the second time she had figured it out.

I guess no one told her he was going to bring her lots of presents in a few days, that detail must have something to do with changing little kids' impressions of Santa. We'll see what happens next year.

Walkin in a Winter Wonderland

No need for dreamin this year. We had a WHITE Christmas! Check out what Santa brought us, a ski attachment for Emily's Chariot turning the bike trailer into a sled! We had planned to go to a trail head and ski to a waterfall but the roads out to it were closed due to way too much snow, so we made do in the backyard.

Most of the area was snowed in for about a week. We didn't have church for two weeks, schools shut down, trash pick up was canceled, and a lot of businesses closed, basically the entire area slowed down and took a badly needed break all thanks to mother nature. We were always able to get out with chains on the 4runner. I think Mike liked putting his car to good use.

The snow is finally starting to melt (but the roads are still terrible) and I am ready to get out, being couped up that long can get old.

Zoo Lights

One of our Christmas traditions is to go to Zoo lights with Mike's cousin's family, Katie and Rendell. They have three girls and their youngest is just three days younger than Emily. We went before the big storm started and it was actually quite nice out. We all hade a great time riding the train around the zoo and looking at all the beautiful lights.

Snowed In!

Here comes the snow!

The Portland area rarely sees snow; over the last few years that we have been here it only once snowed enough to actually pile up on the ground for more than a day. But this year we have been very lucky, ever since Sunday we have been more or less snowed in! Since people around here aren't use to this weather and the cities aren't equipped with snow removal trucks everything shuts down. We got out of church early, all the schools are closed (probably the entire week), and when we were out driving around yesterday not many other cars were out. We have loved it! We built a snow man and drank hot chocolate while sitting by the fire. If this keeps up we just might have a white Christmas!

Mom and Emi building our snowman

Dad, Emi and our new friend Mr. Snowman

Proud as Punch!

Emily learned to drink from a cup all by herself! Sometimes the edge of the cup didn't quite make it in her mouth and she just dumped water down her front, but when she did it right she knew it and she sure was proud of herself!

Birthday in Bend

Earlier this month we spent my birthday weekend in beautiful Bend, Oregon with JP and Brittney Lewis, and their two dogs. The weather was perfect and amazingly warm for this time of year. We went hiking at Smith Rock and had a fun time hanging out at nice condo Brittney hooked us up with. Thanks JP and Brittney for a fun weekend!