As the locals say....freshy pow pow

Well, you might not be able to see the snow stick in this picture, but let me share that we got 10 new inches last night for a total of 36 so far. It reeked havoc in the neighborhood this morning as almost everyone got stuck on the road or the bridge as they were headed to work. All the neighbors were out with their snow plows and snow throwers trying to help....everyone except us since we broke the belt on ours last night. So while I spent an hour and half shoveling off the deck, Spencer was off sledding and Sahalie hung out in the hot tub. Lucky kids.

Merry Christmas!

Although they didn't get chosen for the sleigh team, Santa was especially good to us this year. Merry Christmas!

Christmas Jammies

Bragging Rights

So....I know Paul would never brag about this, so I am taking it upon myself to do so for him. He submitted his first book of poems, "The Full Cart Encyclokardia", to the American Poetry Association last month. It is a compilation of his work over the years and a true labor of love. We are so proud of you Papa!

Winos

Sometimes desperate times call for desperate measures!

The Last of the Leaves

Spencer, Sahalie and our neighbors Zoe and Molly

With our friends Owen and Megan

Happy Halloween!

The frog prince, the princess, carmen miranda, and the vampire bat. I just LOVE dress up!

Carmen busy eating the fruit off her hat. The dress was a present that Memaw and Pepaw brought back from Spain a couple years ago. Fitting don't you think?

The bat couldn't stop flying for more the 10 seconds so this picture is about as good as it gets. And that was BEFORE the candy....

House (or should I say garage?) Party

We opened the garage doors last weekend for a little celebrating. A couple bonfires in the yard to stay warm, excellent beer flowing from the fridge, and the groovy sounds of CORESPONDENTS filled the air. Uncle Doug and the band were heading south for a three week tour and we were lucky enough to get them live in the garage. And we even raised $160 of gas money for them. So, so fun.

Halloween preparations

Las Chicas et tortillas

Our friend Jasmine was on her way back to Mexico and decided to school us in authentic tortilla making. No measuring cups, no recipe, just 25 years experience of finding the right blend of masa, flour, and water. We laughed a lot, and maybe she was laughing at us. And although I can't really say my Spanish got any better, my tortilla making sure did! Thanks Yaz!!

Our First Real Snow

It's hard to believe that 5 days earlier it was 75 degrees. Both my kids inhaled their breakfast while I was out digging in the garage for their snow clothes. They were out the door by 8:15am and I didn't see them again until almost lunch. Be the end of the day we had accumulated 10 inches. Hopefully the snow thrower has gas......

A much needed warm up with some of the neighbors

One Last Hike

We got in one last hike before the snow fell 5 days later. We usually hike home from the falls a couple times in the summer, but we were so busy this year that this was actually our first time this season. It was fun to see the difference a year makes. Spencer made it the whole way (3 1/2 miles) without a complaint while taking good care of his little sister along the way. He told me it was because he has 5 year old legs now. Of course! Why didn't I think of that?

Bridge break

Taking good care

Seriously....I live here?

One of my favorite snags along the trail. The picture doesn't do it justice, but I think it is around 60 - 65 ft tall.


Hide and seek

Yo...Birthday Boy!

Five. Cinco. Cinq. 5. Really? How did that happen?
I asked Spencer what he wanted for his birthday? And his calm and cool reply was "a snow leopard cake". Well here you have it. Martha Stewart I am not, but that cake is made with pure love. Happy Birthday buddy....I love you.

Chanterelles Baby!

So Paul says, "I am addicted to mushrooms" as he heads down the property with Sahalie and a brown paper bag in hand.

I ask, "Why the HUGE paper bag?"

Paul says, "I'm hopeful".

Well, here's to being hopeful...three nights in a row of chanterelle feasts. Mushroom omelets, mushroom pizza, and mushroom barley soup. I love fall!

The Cutest Kids I Know

And perhaps I am a wee bit biased.

For the love of rock

The acoustic guitar was great and all, but then he found our neighbor Zoe's electric guitar and Paul's pedals....let's just say there is a lot more noise coming from the garage these days. Go Spencer!

That's my girl....

14 years

Thanks for all the adventures and I will happy to be your partner for the next 14 too. I sure love you....Happy Anniversary!

1st Annual Family Camp

Well, our Bend friends have camped together for many years but never like this. It was the first time we have gotten together since kids and boy did we take over the place. We had five campsites and I can't even count how many of us there were. We used to laugh that the dogs outnumbered the adults on our camping adventures and this time it was the kiddos. Quite an adventure indeed.

proper planning is the key to success

just to give you an idea of our entourage....yes, that was most of us.

my favorite part of the whole weekend was how much freedom and fun all the kids had. you could hearing them screaming and laughing all the way across the lake....and these three were inseparable


papa pretending like he got sleep in the family tent...at least he is still smiling

at the "beach"

day 3 + no shower = 1 dirty Sahalie

Go Sa-hae-hae, it's your birthday!

Hard to believe my baby turned 2. She wasn't quite sure what to think of it when we sang to her first thing in the morning, but it didn't take her long to warm up the the attention, presents and of course, the cupcakes. By the end of the day, she was singing Happy Birthday to herself. Love you sweet pea!