I just have to clarify that the lady in the story below (from church) was on no way
ungrateful for my "attempt" to help. I just didn't want it to sound that way. It's more a matter of feeling like my efforts have been pointless....
Today was day 4 of school closures here. I'm guessing tommorrow will be day 5. The kids are driving me crazy...a nice beach in mexico sounds nice right now, eh??

Dang global warming...

Dang, it has been cold here! I'm sure anyone in the northwest knows what I mean. It took Brent 3 1/2 hours to get home last night. (he did get lost trying to take the back roads, but still!) We've been mostly homebound, since I prefer not to drive on icy streets. The kids have had snow days every day this week.
These are pictures we took for our Christmas cards. Yes, you heard me right! IT's a tiny christmas miracle, we are doing Christmas cards. You may not receive them by Christmas, but I figure they are fun to get anytime.
So, recently I've been feeling like I should find opportunities to serve other people. To think less about myself and more about what other people might be needing. So Sunday a family was singing in church. They were holding their young toddler who was out of control, so the mom goes to bring him out to the foyer mid-song. Thinking I would help out, I get up so she can hand me the child, thinking she'll go up and finish the rest of the song. Instead I carried a kicking, screaming child out while the mom followed me. (Me not knowing she was following). So I ended up just feeling dumb as I immediately returned to my seat. Then today I thought I would be nice and bring some hot chocolate over to some men who are building a house kiddy corner from our house. I felt bad that they are out in the freezing cold all day. The kids were excited to do this little good deed. So we make hot chocolate, fill up the thermos and find some paper cups. I head over with Jacob, only to have each man refuse my offer for some hot chocolate. One man wouldn't even look up when I asked him, he just sort of chuckled and turned away. So again I end up feeling really dumb. Don't people know that you are supposed to just accept someone's offer for Hot chocolate, even if you don't REALLY want it?? Anyway, my desire to do good deeds has been deflated.....On a better note, we are so excited for Christmas and the three birthday that will follow the three days after Christmas. It's going to be party central around here! Happy holidays.

Holiday update

What a crazy, busy time of year! Although I wouldn't want it any other way. We
just returned from a 8 day trip to Spokane for Thanksgiving. We had a great time. We were able to take the kids to a fun indoor waterpark, we hit the cheap theater and saw wall-e, decorated gingerbread houses, played with cousins and ATE! We had a great time and even had some snow.
Now we are back to reality. I'm busy with vinyl orders..December is busy with people wanting signs/letters for gifts. We are also doing another craft show this coming weekend.
While we were gone my wonderful neighbor was nice enough to show our house to a couple who were wanting to look at it for a second time. They just called and want to look at it a third time tommorrow. So, at least we know they like it. But who knows what will happen?? We are busy gearing up for Christmas and for the THREE birthdays that immediately follow, plus Malia's baptism. So there is no slowing down around here...Happy Holidays!

Claire's changing table is set up next to her crib. Last night we put her to bed in her crib. This is what we found about an hour later. She had climbed out of her crib and somehow managed to get a pillow under her head and a blanket over the top of her. So cute!

The strangest thing...

I've inherited the knack for losing things. Just ask my mom, it runs in the family. So,
recently I lost a library book. Of course it was a "new release" library book, so it could not be renewed. It was missing for about a week before I really started to look for it. The due date came and went and I continued to look. I looked EVERYWHERE. At this point it's been missing about 3 weeks. Nothing was left unturned. I honestly could not thing of a single place that I had not looked. So I finally gave in and ordered a new book from Amazon. This morning I was getting the kids all ready to head to the library to turn in my new purchase, I went into my room and what is sitting right on top of the bed??? My library book. What in the world?? On my bed?? I talked to Brent and each of the kids and no one knew anything about it. So strange...i'll be baffled for the rest of my life on this one!

Be Grateful

My brother posted this on our family blog and I had to pass it along!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbIGbZ6gq_Y

(You may have to copy and paste into browser?)

Halloween getaway

For Halloween this year we took a trip up to Spokane. It was a bit of a whirlwind weekend, but we had a great time. We left Thursday night and arrived very late. Friday we visited family and got to see each their new homes that they have recently bought. All together we took a trip to a childrens museum. They were having a halloween party so the kids got to wear their costume. This is Malia doing what she does best, being a ham in front of the camera. She definately did not inherit that from me. As I look at this picture I realize how old she is getting! So grown up!

This is a picture of what the sis-in-laws like to do. We have a great time when we get together, just chatting and having a good laugh.

This is what you will find the boys doing when we get together. Huddled over the latest gadget

or toy. Brent was pretty impressed with Logan's new iphone.

Friday night we went to Kelly and Annie's for a fun Halloween dinner. We had edible eyeballs,

rotten punch, monster toes...it was really fun and really yummy.

Friday night we went trick or treating. The kids were so excited, running from house to house. I love the picture with all of the cousins dressed up.

Malia was a princess, Jacob was luke skywalker, Cole was peter pan, and Claire was a chicken. I was happy that I was able to make or borrow all of the costumes and didn't have to buy anything.

Sunday we headed over to Yakima for the baptism of my nephew Tyler. The kids love the yakima ditto house and were sad to only stay one night. But luckily we have thanksgiving to look forward to.

Here's a pic of Tyler and his mom and Dad on his special weekend. This pic looks like it should be in a magazine, what a great looking family!