Gingerbread Houses

Christmas was kind of a bummer for me this year. Its been a stressful year and everything kind of compounded there at the end. The snow was pretty but debilitating. I missed church during the whole season so I wasn't able to get my "pick me up" that I need every week. Money was tight so we only bought for the kids and that made Christmas morning slightly....off. I didn't even get to be the one to take the kids to see santa because there wasn't time to do baking and santa in one day. So Todd took them without me. I was really bummed about that. Its the little things that give mom's pleasure I guess.

But there is one thing that happened as planned....

Gingerbread Houses!

Every year since Todd and I have been together we have an annual tradition with his family to go downtown and see the gingerbread house. Do you even know about them??? If not then maybe next year you can plan on going and seeing them at the Sheraton Hotel . You will be impressed. This ain't your mama's gingerbread houses!

We always park at Seattle Center and take the monorail down to Westlake to have lunch (or dinner)

During our lunch at Westlake, little Lydia was entertaining us with her cuteness

Caleb doesn't look like he thinking about mischief at all. Nope...he would never do that!

Look how generous Kaden is with his hard earned money. I think we all need to take a lesson from him

So here we have arrived at the gingerbread displays. Every year they have a theme nd I think its local businesses that labor over it several months in advance.

Keep in mind that everything you see is edible

Kaden is dreaming of all the sweets...Oh the possibilities!

This is the one we voted as our favorite. Of course...Super Mario!

Afterwards we rounded off the day with a trip to the winter carousal. Its Kadens favorite part of the day!

What hidden treasures do you know about?

The year I went insane over snow

For those of you who didn't know....we had snow this year. And when I say snow I don't mean the usual Seattle snow. I mean...SNOW! Piles of insanely deep snow!

This looks innocent enough on the first night

After the first night we had a little break. The weatherman said more was coming but really...whoever believes the guy? During the break we got a visit from the Arlington Fire Dept. They come by every year collecting food for the food banks.

We even got a visit from santa!

And then ...it hit!

And let me remind you that this is not the last time it snowed! I gave up measuring after this.

Be careful Lucy...don't get lost!

I had this insane idea that we should take some family pictures in the snow. I like to get creative that way sometimes. Or maybe it was the touch of cabin fever getting to me

If I would have had a computer at the time then I could have sent out Christmas cards.

Todd is such a kid at heart!

Sometimes he drives me crazy with it but most of the time I love him for it.

One of the days the sun came out so I took a walk around and tried to capture the beauty of it all. (Its only beautiful if I choose not to think about how all this snow is affecting our lives!)

I love it when the snow sticks all over the trees

And then like a nightmare happening over and over again....we got more! Now mind you....I have no computer, I can't go anywhere in my car, if I do need to go somewhere..Todd has to take me. Kyler has been out of school for a a week....I was going insane!!!!

You can't even see the Christmas lights anymore!
Here it comes again!

Todd, shoveling his way to his car. Can I just say that during this whole time he did not miss one day of work. Sometimes it took him an hour and a half to get there and most of the time it was for nothing but he still made it. What a guy!

Heres the tunnel he made to the door for us...not like we where going anywhere though

Kyler felt it was his duty to teach Kaden about eating snow.

We have this tree in our front yard that I usually hate because it crazy and ugly but during the storm it developed a "Who-ville" look to it. We took pictures of the various stages.

Its now 2 weeks later and most of the snow is gone. We have piles of dirty sandy snow laying around and the tree has taken its usual ugly form again but fortunatly life has continued. But.........

Like some horrer film....its snowing right now. If Kyler does not have school tomorrow....

Someone may have to commit me!

Hello again! And Happy New Year!

I'm Back!! I'm Back!! Did anyone miss me???? Its a new year with a new computer. You will not believe the stuff I need to get caught up on. So much has happened but yet...nothing happened. That's kind of how my life goes sometimes. Thinking about getting caught up makes me exhausted. I have a truck load of pictures to download and go through (I am anxious to show you my snow pictures) and I need to figure out how much I am going to post about.

But until then......here is a little 2008 year end review quiz. I found this at another blog that I frequent. She posts this same thing every new year.
Some of the questions are a bit silly, but it’s still kind of an interesting way to recap your year and compare to years past.
So you should embrace this thrilling ritual, because in the wake of the holidays I’m sure you have nothing better to do than answer some long-winded quiz, right? Here are the questions:

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
Rode the subway in New York. Also I survived 10 days away from my husband and kids


2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Why look back? Lets just look to the future...

*I want to be more loving and attentive to my husband
*More patient with my kids
*Be wiser with our money
*Get in better shape
* Be a better friend
*Learn how to take better pictures
*Be a better cook


3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Both of my sister-in-laws had baby girls this summer

4. Did anyone close to you die?
My husbands Aunt Nancy lost her battle with cancer this past February.

5. What countries did you visit?
No new countries but I did visit some new states. My mom took me to New York in May. It was awesome!

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
More patience and definetly more faith. Everyone can use a little more faith I think


7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Probably when Kaden FINALLY agreed it was ok to use the potty

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
It may seem like a small thing but I braved getting my mole removed

9. What was your biggest failure?
Getting nothing done! I feel I have not improved or grown this year.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
None of my own but I did suffer through Kadens broken arm

11. What was the best thing you bought?
New computer parts so I won't go crazy not being online!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Todd...for sticking with me!

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Probably some of the people at Todds work. Some decisions made this year affected us in a huge way

14. Where did most of your money go?
Bills... Bills... Bills....groceries and a few trips along the way

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Anytime I went away on vacation this year. Mount Baker, Weaverville, Vegas, New York and Disneyland

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
Believe by Mainstay

When all around me starts to fall and when my faith it seems so small
Even in my darkest hour, I will believe
Even if the sun begins to fall, even when I feel nothing at all
Even if I’m all alone, I will believe I will believe...

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? I would have to say a little sadder. I had higher hopes this time last year
b) thinner or fatter? I think I am a little thinner (but only because I just got over the flu)
c) richer or poorer? Definitely poorer

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Smiled. Laughed. Loved.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Complain. Worry. Cry

20. How did you spend Christmas?
Christmas Eve with my family. Christmas morning with just us and then Christmas afternoon with Todds family

21. Did you fall in love in 2008?
I fell in love with my husband again

22. What was your favorite TV program?
The Office. I also got into Sex and the City

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I don't hate anyone but I hate our situation we are in now

24. What was the best book you read?
Um duh....Twilight!

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I love Muse!

26. What did you want and get?
For my family to continue to be safe and healthy

27. What did you want and not get?
To get pregnant. Get a job I could do at home

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
I enjoyed going to Twilight on opening night

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 34 at a cabin in Mount Baker with some friends

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
The economy making a turn for the better

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Having to do with what I got

32. What kept you sane?
My blog and Facebook. Oh and naptime!

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I am not one to "fancy" celebrity's. I think its all ridiculous

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
I have to admit I don't pay to much attention to politics

35. Who did you miss?
I miss the happier and less stressful ME

36. Who was the best new person you met?
Didn't meet alot of new people but I have reconnected with alot of old friends this year

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
Live within your means

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I'm found
Was blind, but now I see'
Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed
My chains are gone I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy rains
Unending love, Amazing grace
The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbear to shine
But God, Who called me here below
Will be forever mine
Will be forever mine
You are forever mine