Merry Christmas

I'm a day late, but better late than never :).

It's been a pretty interesting week. We had several months of rain in just 4 days, part of the city flooded and we lost power for almost 10 hours straight. It was a very looooong and challenging week to say the least, but we got through it.

We spent Christmas day at my dad's house and had our family dinner here at home tonight. My sister and nephews were still in town, so they joined us and the kids had fun playing together for a little while longer.

Now that everyone has gone home and things are settling down, I feel the exhaustion setting in. I could use a day to rest and recover from all the holiday hustle, but it's back to work tomorrow.


I hope everyone had a great Christmas and kept the reason-for-the-season at the heart of their celebration!

Merry Christmas

Wordless Wednesday

Immanuel Lights

My four day-mini vacation ended tonight with Immanuel Lights, a community lighting of the IBC Christmas tree. Kyle had to be there early for rehearsal (the kids choir performed), so we ended up being there for 2 and 1/2 hours in windy, 50 degree weather. It was really cold and my nose and ears were numb, but the kids did such a great job that it was well worth it.

Thanksgiving

"The key to life is to be greatful and give thanks for everything that happens - both the happiness and the sadness."

Happy Thanksgiving!

Harvest Festival

Today was a very busy day for us. After church we went home, had lunch then went back to help set up for the Harvest Festival. I took Kyle's costume so he could change into it, but he was having so much fun he didn't even care to get dressed up.

Waiting to get his face painted

Taylor Swift :)


Richard Andrew



Pony ride? okay....lol

Middle school choir

Kyle with Pastor Rob

We never made it trick-or-treating. Kyle got enough candy from playing games at the booths and we were pooped, so we headed home and called it a night.

Pumpkins

Pumpkins from our garden! I have one more on the vine that's not quite ready yet, but should be in the next couple of weeks.

A few of my favorite things {2}

Decorating Inspiration...


I love their website and catalogs, I get some really good ideas from them. Actually, I got this one in the mail today! A nice change from the usual junk and bills.

Wordless Wednesday

Aquarium of the Pacific

I'm a little late with this post, but a couple of months ago my work won some $$$ in a contest and we got to choose what we wanted to do with it. We decided to go to The Aquarium of the Pacific and then have dinner at Dave and Buster's.

Sunday, October 3rd
About half of the staff.
Not everyone was able to make it :(


Ray touchpool
(felt like sand paper)





Pretty flower


The Queen Mary




Sea Dragon
(aren't they cute?)

Some blobby thing


Crab legs anyone?



I didn't take any pictures at Dave and Buster's, but we had a good dinner, celebrated a staff member's birthday and played a little pool. I was too tired to stay and use my game card so I saved it for Kyle. We'll take him one day and let him have some fun with it.

First Game

Today was the first game of the season. They don't keep score in Upward Sports, but Kyle's team did really well and scored quite a few baskets.

Kyle wears jersey #1
(blue in this game)


block it, block it


half-time



Go Vipers!

A few of my favorite things {1}

My favorite time of the year...

Happy first day of Fall!

Wordless Wednesday

Basketball Time

First day of practice
We're looking forward to a fun-filled season and Kyle can't wait for the first game!
(October 2nd)

Almost there

Our pumpkins are going to be ready just in time for Halloween and Thanksgiving decorating.

May we never forget

Remembering the horrible act of terrorism 9 years ago and feeling like it was just yesterday...

"Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me."

Psalm 23:4