Just Christmas

I am motivated to blog again.  After a reminder that this blog has value I am ready to keep it going, for myself at the very least. 

Although, I can't catch up.  I can't even pretend to go backwards.  So, I'll start with Christmas morning, add our recent happenings in a following post, and just go forward from here. 

Christmas started with this smiley guy. All his rolls greeted us at some very unholy hours on this Holy Holiday. 

 We prepared a few too many cookies for Santa, but had such fun decorating each one as a family.

We watched a knockout session with the boys....

Ate our favorite Christmas tradition of "Skiers French Toast".  I'm not sure the light syrup was going to save us from our caloric overload.

They almost jumped out of their skins for these presents sent from Uncle Lee & Aunt Sarah!!!  Wow.. they are spoiled rotten!

They each stacked up and played with their morning loot...

Christmas was very  "'Merican" for him... with Golf and Guns!

 And not too bad of a shot either!

The best part for me was getting to try out the gun, with my pink shells!

We are blessed in more ways than just the things that we receive.  We are loving the time of year, the fun things we have, our time we spend together, the memories we make and most of all the reason for the season.  Merry Christmas!

Growing and doing Hard things

 Life has changed in the last few months and we learn that we are capable of doing new and hard things.  Raina has started working for our company learning new programs and accounting responsibilities.  Emile has seen the magazine grow to it's largest size in 6 years.

We have learned more about plumbing and dimensions of our house than we cared to know about as we have been adding on to our house to make room for our growing family.  

Here is a glimpse of what our life looks like ....

 A few of our helpers...

 Trenton has been learning all about Track and Field.  He took 2 weeks of camps and really loved doing the high jump and relays.

 '

Here comes Trenton over the hurdles...

Simon and the cousins got to join in on the learning at the All-Comers Track Meet.

This boy keeps getting chubbier by the minute!  He is giggling, alert, sleeping 5-6 hours a night, and loves to watch his big brothers. He has been learning that his hands provide endless entertainment.

 Simon learned new skills in Soccer this summer!  He has also learned how to trash-talk from somewhere!?!?!

Simon has almost learned to swim where he can't touch.

Growth spurt...

Our little man is growing and we have proof!

Pirate tales

In search of Pirate ships, we wandered up the magnificent Columbia River Gorge.  We stopped up at Vista House and decided it is indeed, the most beautiful place on earth!

Every beautiful place needs to be topped off with Ice Cream... so we indulged!

A different view.  Emile made me hike out to this point on the rocks, and after grumbling, I was in love with the 360 view.

These Pirates didn't really need any more views, ice cream, or time wasted on adult mumbo-jumbo.  Show them the TREASURE!

... FOUND... Pirate's booty.

A rare new family shot.

These amazing people made it all happen! 

Thanks Mom & Dad/Gma & Papa for the great idea and fun filled get-away!

There she is... Lady Washington.  If YOU would like to see her, just go watch Pirates of the Caribbean.  Maybe Jack Sparrow can give you a tour.

After the Pirate adventure we spent the evening at one of our favorite places, Skamania Lodge. Emile's favorite time is the serenity of the golf course and sharing it with his minions.

Our home-made pirate ship was a little less impressive, but none-the-less a viable means of transportation on the great Columbia.