It's so hard to believe that yet another year (and another decade) has come to an end. This year presented us with a lot of opportunities for growth.

~

Bob completed his tax season and then his first full year doing taxes, rather than audits. I've watched him shed off the burdens that weighed him down while living in Portland. He's emerged a different person... His laughter comes much more easily. He's so much more relaxed. He's more interactive with others. He relishes political discussions, the more heated the better.

~

It's amazing the difference between Ryan-who-had-just-turned-eight (beginning of 2009) and Ryan-who-just-turned-nine (end of 2009). I look back at photos of him from the beginning of the year and he just seemed so young. Now, when he plops down on my lap or gives me a hug, it's a little more substantial. The little boy is totally gone. In his place is a boy he definately has his own ideas, his own plans, and the ability to perform them. He still needs us, but for totally different things now. It's amazing to me how it's both very sad to see him moving away from us a bit each year and very exciting to see him coming into his own.

~

Emmalee. Hmmmm. She, also, seemed so much younger when 2009 began. She's just turned five and, man-oh-man, is she ever in the "I'll do it myself" stage. She loves to play with her toys...not the ones that do things for her, but the ones that demand interactive play. She'll go to her Barbies, or dinos, or Scooby Doo toys and act out an entire story all on her own. She loves to fight with nerf swords with Ryan, she loves to wrestle with her Daddy, she loves to read stories, cook and color with me, but she also loves to be on her own.

~

I've never been one to make resolutions on January 1st. I don't remember if I made any last year. I do know that there are things, spiritually, physically, and mentally that I need to work on to be a better wife, mother, daughter, child of God, etc. For me, it's definately an on-going process...one that will never have an "end-date." This year, for me, was a wonderful year. Being back here, rather than Portland, has been so good for all of us. For me, it's opened my up to new friendships (while not forgetting the old friendships)...friendships that have come to mean a lot to me. It's strengthened my relationships with my extended family. It's helped me learn that, when things don't go quite how we planned them to, life does go on. But, not only does it just go on, but it's enriched if we're willing to learn and grow from the experiences.

I hope that I continue to be willing for this.

~

Happy New Year to all.

~

P.S. Things are a little hectic here now, but more on why later. Christmas and birthday photos will be posted sometime this next week (hopefully) and then my postings will be hit and miss for awhile. Keep checking in!

Happy fifth birthday, Emmalee!

Handmade Christmas 2009

And now he is nine!

Happy birthday, Ryan.

Snapshot 5 ~ Oh, for the love of fabric

Snapshot 4 ~ Justa Dreamin'

Maybe Someday

Our weekend

Our dear friends from Washington stopped by on their way to Utah.

Clara and Emma got to sit on "Santa's" lap. He's looking pretty authentic, don't you think?

Mom made Clara this hat/scarf set. Isn't she a doll?!

Clara was opening her gift very carefully. Emma was urging her to "just tear it."

This was the kids' gift from Clara. They had never played it before.

It's a lot of fun...even for the adults!

"Ants in Your Pants"

We spent some time this weekend baking...fudge (more stirring than baking), orange cookies and white chocolate chip/cranberry cookies. Yum!

And while we were baking, this delicious stew

was simmering on the stove.

Today, the kids spent some time working on their gifts to others.

It's so nice to see them both enjoying creating.

When I turned my back, Emma found a different kind of canvas to work on.

Snapshot 3 ~ Ancient Greece

Ryan with his Ancient Greece presentation

for GATE.

Snapshot 2 ~ Who woulda thunk it?

fast and easy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3LKAlDz9ig

Snapshot 1 ~ My love~hate relationship

If you sew...you know.

I hate that I need it,

but I love that it exists.

Our weekend

We spent Friday evening in the company of good friends, eating

banana splits and playing games.

Sienna and Ryan digging in.

Yum! For the first time ever, Em didn't finish her
entire bowl of ice cream. She wanted to run off and play with the kids.

Saturday morning was spent in front of the window.
Ryan read while Emma played with toys, taking
a break now and then to watch the snow fall...and fall..and fall...

Yep...he threw that huge snowball at Ryan!

And, yes, this was thrown at his daddy.

(Emma's snow rule #1: If there's snow within reach, take a bite!)

Sunday evening was spent tying blankets...

...and listening to books on tape.

~~

This week will be spent working on our final homemade Christmas gifts, enjoying Ryan's last week of school before Winter Break, and packing. Yes, packing. We are hoping to start our 30-year long relationship with a lender in January!!