A Sneak Peak

Not too long ago, this very talented photographer took photos of this mama's

beautiful children. The results were spectacular. The personalities of the little

beauties have been captured...preserved forever.

As soon as I saw the photos, I shamelessly begged the mama to let me

create a scrapbook for her. She agreed.

Now, it's come time to start. Tomorrow night, I plan on taking these two with me

to the scrapbook store in the hopes of creating an album that their mom will treasure forever...because these are photos that will be treasured forever.

But I find myself a little nervous. What if I can't recreate what I see in my mind when I look

at the photos? What if she hates it but is afraid to tell me? What if my scrapbooking

takes away a little something from that which has been captured so beautifully?

Nothing ventured...nothing gained. Time to jump in with

both feet and see what happens.

Friends and Family

This past weekend found us with friends and family...the best place to be.

After school on Friday, Wyatt came over. He and Emma spent a little time building, a little time fishing and a little time spelunking in the secret room. Meanwhile, Wyatt's house was full of friends...we were so glad to get to see some old friends when we dropped him off. And...we took one of them with us!

We were so happy to have Jeannie spend some time at our house. We love the fact that we have now have room for overnight company! The kids had a great time playing with her. That evening, we went just 1/4 mile down the road for a fruitful potluck...good company, good conversation and, as always, good food!

On Saturday, the kids and I headed out to the country to spend the night with Mom and Dad. Bob, unfortunately, has entered his busy time of the year, so he had to stay home to work. Missed you! Ryan went for a motorcycle ride with Dad while Emma and I headed over to Ember's house. While the girls played, I satisfied my one-year-old cuddling fix and had a wonderful conversation with Cassie. My favorite subjects...the kids, crafting, reading, etc. She loaned me the books in my last post.

When I lived in La Grande while attending college and then when I moved to Portland after getting married, this is one of the views that I missed the most. Sunsets at Mom and Dad's Just about every night, you're guaranteed some kind of beautiful!

Saturday night, the kids settled down to watch a nature video. I was helping Mom with facebook and with her new blog (still under construction). I went in to check on the kids around 730 and found Emmalee in what looked like such a comfortable sleeping position. So nice what the clear, crisp country air does the kids...play hard all day, sleep hard all night.

We spent Sunday at Special Meeting. As always, I heard many things that will help me in the coming days. It was so nice to see so many "old" friends from the Ontario field and so many new friends from the Boise field.

An unexpected journey

Sunday evening, I embarked on an unexpected journey. I opened the cover of Twilight and

stepped into a little, often overcast, small town in western Washington. I met an individual named Isabella (Bella) Swan who was much wiser than her natural years. Through the 2442 miles (pages) that followed, I watched her grow into and experience many things. Most memorable was the love that she found with Edward, the love that you just hoped so badly would last a lifetime. Through Bella, I met an amazing extended family and was thoroughly amazed by the power of the relationships founded on love and respect.

This afternoon, when I closed the cover on Breaking Dawn, I was satisfied. Oftentimes, when I come to an end of a series, the write has already lost my interest due to lack of plot or I'm disappointed because a storyline was not resolved. This time, however, I was completely satisfied with the outcome of the story. Just in case you want to plan a visit with Bella, Edward and the rest of the family, I won't leave any details here. But, if you have a slow weekend coming up and someone to feed your children for you (the story is a tad bit addictive), take a trip with Stephanie Meyer.

Ten of my favorite things this week...

I hope Cassie doesn't mind, but I'm going to copy her and list my ten favorite things

from this week. Thanks, Cassie!

Anything-but-plain-black rain boots for when the snow drifts turn into rain puddles.

The feel of that little hand in mine.

The pure joy that finally came after waiting oh-so-patiently since 12/26 for
his DS to arrive. Thanks, UPS Man!


Evidence that most of the blog mommas are still creating, even though Christmas is over.

Emma's desire to "do her homework" and Ryan's attempts at cursive.

My space...still under construction.

Impromtu family gatherings.

Learning to make a fish-face.

Mmmmm...little cooks.

Lastly, finally having enough room in our house to have a worker stay overnight for the first time, Friday's potluck, a sleep-over and Hop and Nana's on Saturday night,

and Special Meeting on Sunday. A perfect weekend to anticipate.

I love to log onto my blog and find that someone has left me a comment.

It means that someone (or several someones) actually spend a little time with

me each day. Take, for example, the comment that "anonymous" left on my last post. Not only did they leave me a comment, but they gave me a little idea of what they'd like to see on my blog. "Anonymous" (insert Max) requested more pictures, no-bake chocolate cookies, and (ever so subtly) less talk. So, "Anonymous," please see the photo above. On the left are the no-bake chocolate cookies. Below, please find the recipe. Make your own!

No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

Melt 1/2 cup butter in saucepan.

Add 2 cups sugar

2-4 tbsp unsweetened cocoa

1/2 cup milk

Bring to a boil and boil for one minute

Remove, add 1/4-1/2 cup peanut butter.

Mix well.

Add three cups quick-cooking oatmeal

1 tsp vanilla

dash of salt and

1/4 cup coconut (optional)

Drop by spoonfuls on waxed paper.

Cool. Enjoy. Share

You know what I love about the new year? We get the chance to start over again fresh, while still building on the foundation from last year.

I'm not sure that will make any sense to anyone but me, but in my way of thinking it's perfectly clear.

It's kinda like, in the spring, when you start working on your flower beds or garden. Unless you're completely changing the layout, you don't need to establish the boundaries again or remove the rocks that were there the first time you planted. That has already all been done in the past. But, you do have to choose a place for the seeds and then sow them. In order for the seeds to produce the plant, you do have to make sure that the seeds and then the plants are watered, fertilized and the weeds removed.

That's how I'm looking at 2009. I made some changes in my life over the past year that were very positive. They've hopefully made me a better wife, a better mother, a better person. Those changes, I hope, are permanent. But I have so far to go still, to be where I want to be. So, my resolution for this new year is to tend to and build upon those changes so I can be a better child of God, a better wife, a better mother, a better friend, a better person.

Just one more...

Whoops! I said at the end of my last post (Our holiday) that it would be the last post of the year. However, when I was downloading the photos I forgot to include the photos of the handmade gifts we received. I tried to make most of our gifts this year and was so happy to receive some in return. Mom made all of us warm, soft fleece blankets. I love to sit up at night in the rocking chair and read, so I'll get a lot of use out of this. I might even let Bob use it occasionally. :)

Amanda's mom, Carol, made Emma this cute little purse. She's been packing it around for the past couple of days. She loves it!

Amanda made these awesome purses out of...if you can believe it...duct tape. We saw them at the Boise Arts in the Park this year, and Mom got Amanda one for her birthday. She decided to see if she could make them...I love how they turned out! Mom and I were both secretly hoping we'd each get one.

My favorite gift of all (sorry...all of the gifts were great...but this one meant so much!) is the scrapbook Mom made. She made one for each of us (Jon, Matt, Max and me). It has 106 pages and starts with how Mom and Dad met. It has sections on each of us from birth through graduation from high school. There are also sections on the pets we had, the homes we lived in, the cars we drove, the friends we had, the sports we played, etc., etc., etc, and ends with some photos of both Mom and Dad's parents and grandparents. It's just simply amazing!! I know how much work went into it, so I appreciate it even more. And, it's the first scrapbook (besides a small baby bragbook Mom made me for Emma) anyone was ever made me. Thanks, Mom!

Just two photos from the book...look at how young we all were! We probably range from 4 to 9 in these photos.

Dad and his boys.

All for now...

Our holiday...

... began with a whole lot of snow. It was the first time in a long time that we've had a white Christmas. If we had still been living in Portland, we would have likely spent the holiday alone, holed up in our house, wishing we'd stocked up on food! Instead, we were able to thoroughly enjoy our time with our own little family and with some extended family on both sides. Bear with me; it's been a busy couple of days with Christmas and both kids' birthdays, so there are a lot of photos. I cut out as many as I could, while still giving you the general idea of how we've been spending our time since Christmas Eve.

Bob's parents, Walt and Theresa, came over from La Grande. They stayed with Bob's brother Jeff and his family. They came over on Christmas Eve to spend some time with us. Mom also came up to spend the night with us. Walt, Theresa, Bob and Ryan (he was learning) played several hands of pinoccle.

Mom and I worked on our favorite Christmas treat...fudge. Without a doubt, Mom's recipe is the best I've ever tasted. That's why we only make it at Christmas...it's much to addictive! We also tried a new treat...they were basically tiny little brownies, cut in half, with a filling of white chocolate and marichino (pretty sure that's not spelled right) cherries, covered with a chocolate ganache and a sliced cherry. They were delicious!

Emmalee refused to admit that she was tired...she was "just taking a rest"

with all of the friends that sleep in her bed with her.

The kids also took the opportunity to open their presents from Grandma and Grandpa.

Walt is a wonderful nature photographer. Theresa was kind enough to sneak me about 40 of her favorite photos. I made a very simple scrapbook with the intent that it could be used as a portfolio of his work. I was so glad that he liked it. It was one of my first handmade gifts to be opened.

Theresa was happy to get her new apron and kitchen towels. Ironically enough, she had given Emma a handmade apron she'd found at a craft bazaar, along with a "Mommy and Me" cookbook and monkey measuring spoons.

Here's Emma eyeing Santa's treats before bedtime. Ryan's not a believer anymore, so he didn't want to be in the photo. He graciously kept his opinions to himself around Emma, only mouthing the words "He's not real!!" when anyone would mention Santa or elves.

Here's what they woke up to. No...we didn't get them all of this. They have two sets of grandparents, eight uncles, five aunts, and friends back home that sent gifts. Needless to say, especially with their birthdays so close to the holiday, they were very spoiled.

Even though he doesn't believe in Santa anymore, he still looks forward to his stocking.

Emma wasn't quite awake yet.

We spent Christmas Day at Max and Amanda's house. All of my family was there, including Grandma and Matt (from Arizona). Amanda's parents, Ron and Carol, were also there. We had a wonderful time. Max and Amanda made a delicious prime rib and a ham, complete with an assortment of sauces. The rest of us brought side dishes...to many to name...and desserts. How does one choose what to have for dessert when there's Banana Rum Cream Pie, Cheesecake with your choise of cherry, lemon or cranberry topping, Pecan Pie, and Pumpkin Pie? Plus all of the cookies and candies. Emmalee acted as the dessert hostess, asking each of us if we wanted a cookie. I love the look on her little face.

Matt and Max were kind enough to take the kids out to play in the snow. Max's house backs up to a golf course, so there's lot of room to play. Max pelted any of us who tried to come out to take pictures with snow balls, but Mom and Matt were able to get some.

My little snow angel.

He throws really hard!

Ryan is working on the snowman.

Emma sits and watches as Max buries Ryan in the snow.

Working on some more ammo.

Emma loves to spend time with uncles. It did take her a few minutes

to get used to Matt's beard.

Uncle Jon played Go Fish...he stayed in where it was warm.

Future (scary) cheerleader!

Max and Amanda had a cool airplane puzzle...here's Carol, Emma, Bob and Amanda working on it. When we came back by on the 28th, Amanda had finished all 1000 pices!

Our family

Mom found these jammies for Emma...they were covered with pink snowmen.

Wish they made them for adults!

The kids each opened one brithday present from us on the 26th. I was planning on making Emma wait until her birthday on the 28th but decided that might be a little hard for her. She loves My Little Pony...and spent many hours playing with this.

This is a mechanical-marble-tower-thing (yep, that's the techincal name!). Bob and Ryan spent hours on this, and he's played with it every day since. It was voted one of the best toys of 2008, and I can see why.

Emma loving her daddy.

Here I am working on my second birthday cake of the day. I was smiling on the outside but not so much on the inside! Luckily, birthdays come but once a year!

Ryan and his cousin, Caleb, had a great time playing with the foosball table. Dad even got in on the action. He got quite excited when he scored on Ryan. Sorry, Dad, I forgot to add that photo in!

Matt with Mom.

Theresa with Bob's youngest brother, Brian, from California.

Walt

The birthday kids before they opened presents. I can't believe how big they are getting!

Aunt Ann got Emma a Barbie tennis racket. The instant it was out of the box, she was swinging it around, pretending to hit a ball, with this look on her face. I'd hate to be her opponent! We played a bit this past summer with the kids, and we're looking forward to spending more time on the courts in 2009.

Eight years old!!

Four years old!!!

Emma was very interested in Theresa's neckalace.

Bob and Ryan playing Operation. It's amazing how that horrible buzzing sound can still make me jump and make me want to pull out my hair!! :)

Before meeting on the 28th

Max, Amanda, and Matt's gift to Ryan was to take him snowboarding on the 28th. He had never been, so we weren't sure how it would go. I went along just in case Ryan didn't like it or tired out before the adults. I brought a couple of books and sat in the lodge.

It got pretty lonely in there!

Ryan came in once...just to eat dinner...and then he was gone. Max barely had time to finish eating before Ryan was dragging him back out. We got there just before 5 p.m. and left at 10 when they closed. When we got to the car, Ryan asked if they could go again the next day. Nope...Uncle Max has to work. How about the next day? Yes, I think he had fun!

With Uncle Matt

Max is teaching Ryan how to move himself along wih just the front foot strapped to the board.

Coming down the bunny hill He didn't stay there too long; they much preferred going up the chair lift. Matt said that he took some nasty falls, but always got right back up to try again.

Matt flew back to AZ today, so he and Amanda (Max had to work), Jon, Mom and Dad came over for breakfast. The kids had fun playing Leapster and Fooseball with Uncle Jon.

Yes, it's been a busy couple of days, but we wouldn't change any of it. We were so glad that we were able to spend time with the family that was here. Those that spent the holiday elsewhere....you were missed and thought of often.

This will likely be my last post of 2008. I plan on spending the rest of this year playing with the kids, spending time with Bob, cleaning up the Christmas decorations and organizing the house (I love to find homes for all of the new stuff). We hope that you all have a happy and safe New Year's.