Christmas Vacation!

We had a white Christmas this year.

Everything was so pristine and pretty.

The boys couldn't help themselves.

They had to play in the snow.

The dogs enjoyed it too!

Tom and Keaton, building snowmen.

Their cute snowmen~

~in the light of the barn~

~at night.

Catan anyone?

Our favorite family game.

There was a lot of that going on, along with a couple of new games:  'Awkward Family Photos' and 'Ticket to Ride'.  Tom and I also put together a 1000 piece puzzle - which turned out to be a 999 piece puzzle.  We also all took turns giving each other a terrible cold.  I'll admit - I'm the one who started it.

Tom reads 'The Night Before Christmas' on Christmas Eve.

Winston is enjoying the reading.

Keaton could hardly contain himself.

Preston flew in from Alaska on Christmas Eve.  The pilot of his plane wouldn't land in Pullman because of fog, so they re-routed to Lewiston.  Tom and I got to have a nice evening drive - through the snow - to Lewiston to pick him up.  It was good to have him back home with us - although I think he really enjoyed his time with the Pierce family.

Christmas was full of fun and surprises.

I made quilts for the boys out of some of their favorite old T-shirts.

Everyone needs a Slinky!

Poor Grandma wasn't feeling too well on Christmas day.

We enjoyed having her with us anyway.

Sometimes it's just too much fun.

Then we took family pictures.

The boys.

And all of us. 

Now on to New Years and then back to work.

Happy New Year!

Boredom Buster of Titanic Proportions... and a birthday.

It's amazing how this kid can be entertained by a box.

He loves this time of year because we seem to have a lot of boxes floating around.  Two days after school got out, he came to me and said "Mom, I'm bored."  I said "Well, you've got a bunch of boxes around here, why don't you think of something to do with them."  So he did.

All it took was some scissors, tape and a little help from Mom, and...

Waaaaaaa.....

......Laaaaaaa!

I think you can see where this is going.

Especially if you know Winston.

The box Titanic was created!

Now it just needed a little paint.

Don't look too excited.

He really was enjoying this.

In the meantime, Grandma Marcia was baking cookies!

Almost done!

Here it is!

This thing will fill hours with entertainment for days to come!

Aaaaaand....

A birthday!

Look at the cute bell Winston got me for my birthday!

I love that kid!

Thanks to all for the birthday wishes and gifts.

Despite having a cold, we had a really nice day.  Tom even cooked dinner for me, with the help of Keaton and Marcia.  Then we had Red Velvet birthday cake!

YUM!

Snow at Last!

A crisp and beautiful Winter Morn.

We finally got our first real snowfall, and it was lovely.

We got to enjoy visiting some more with Rachael.

Thank You to the Pierce family for the goodies from Alaska!

The chocolates are already gone!

And the Moose Farkle will definitely get some use!

On Saturday we took Preston and Rachael to the airport.

They flew to Alaska together.

Preston will be back with us on Christmas Eve.

Bah-Humbug!

Keaton is done with school, but still has work this week.

He really doesn't seem to mind it - especially the paycheck.

Winston, enjoying the fresh snowfall.

Also counting the minutes until he can play in it.

In other news:

I caught a terrible cold and think I've passed it on to Tom.

Just what we needed in time for the holidays.

Marcia arrived last night and will be spending the holidays with us.

She's got a lot of baking planned.

We can't wait until Wednesday -

it's our last day of school and work for a couple of weeks.

I'm not sure I'm ready for another birthday.

I guess it's only fair, though, to keep up with Tom.

Happy Winter Everyone!

Jolly Good Cheer!

That holiday season has crept up on me again.

Preston and Rachel put out my Christmas farm for me.

They did a great job.

Now, if I could just get Winston to quit playing with it...

...at least he hasn't parked a Greyhound bus in it this year.

Yet.

Things have been so busy, I've hardly had time to enjoy the season.

I haven't even done any shopping yet.

Winston has been wrapping presents for everyone.

We're all anxious to see what each one of us gets.

It's usually something he's found around the house.

Last year he wrapped up Tom's work keys to give to him for Christmas.

Last night we went to the holiday parade in town.

We stood on a corner at the beginning of the parade route.

Winston was the only kid there.

He made out like a bandit in the candy department.

I say the beginning of the route is the best place to be!

So despite no shopping, I've been working on some cute, fun things.

It's just enough to fill whatever spare time I have.

It has also helped me get a little more in the spirit of the season.

I listen to Christmas music while I'm sewing them.

My all-time favorite song is 'O Holy Night' by Nat King Cole

This is what I really feel like doing.

Hey, it's winter (or at least it's supposed to be).

Hybernation is only natural.

Hope you all are enjoying the season too!