Christmas 2010

This Christmas season has been one of the most

hectic and yet memorable ones we've had.

There have been days I've enjoyed the holiday

and days I couldn't wait for it to be over.

We did have the best kind of

'White Christmas' -

beautiful white snow without ice or too many inches.

Of course, most of you know the hectic part has been

the excitement of the public's demand for the

music and video of Steve & Becky's song,

"Where's The Line To See Jesus."

They were so busy all of December with

orders, emails, interviews, etc. etc.

which involved the whole family at least some of the time.

Even Spencer had to do some interviews and photo shoots.

It seemed almost unreal when Christmas Eve actually finally arrived.

We always go to Pietro's with Steve's family for Christmas Eve.

Hadley with her momma Jen.

Gracie with her Uncle Karl.

Brothers Coen & Spencer with cousin Jackson.

Jackson with sister Ayden.

After dinner we go over to Paul & Nancy's for cookies and games.

Hadley playing ping pong.

Ayden taking in all of the commotion -

Paul has about 7 pinball machines.

Coen playing pinball.

Robbie and Spencer playing some WII game.

Gracie enjoying the quieter corner with a cookie.

Jackson learning the pinball skills.

Christmas Day I woke up not feeling at all well.

Not wanting to just cancel Christmas I made Steve do

all the hands on cooking while I supervised.

However, I never even got out my camera

so you'll just have to believe they all seemed to enjoy

the food and I think the kids enjoyed opening gifts.

I know Coen told me more than once that he

really liked the gifts I got him - such a sweetie.

We even had special guests Alan, Angie, Ben, & Mindy.

I enjoyed visiting even though I didn't eat a bite all day

and I appreciated everyone's tolerance of my

sad excuse for hospitality that day.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas

and will enjoy a Happy New Year!

Thanksgiving

We had a great Thanksgiving again this year.

Jen's and Becky's families joined

Steve and I for fun and feasting.

Hadley, Coen, & Spencer.

Caught Jen with her mouth full - and Hadley.

Nate, Grace, & Becky

GG & caught Jen again while eating.

(Sorry about that Jenny)

Karl & Steve

It's always odd to me to be able to seat everyone

around the dining room table.

I can remember years when we had anywhere

between 25 - 45 people for Thanksgiving -

of course, I was much younger back then!

I remember one year we had 3 turkeys.

I've had a lot of great memories of Thanksgiving

from when I was a child at Mom's or Aunt Maude's.

Then Nancy use to do Thanksgiving and Christmas

until I had a house to take over Thanksgiving.

But as our families grow we have to alter our traditions.

Hope everyone had a great holiday weekend -

now I must get back to my Christmas decorating!

Birthday Girls Weekend

Last weekend was birthday time for Hadley and Gracie.

Hadley is 1 Year Old!

I know she doesn't look real excited but

poor baby had strep and just woke from her nap.

Just chilling at first with Daddy & GG

Now she's awake and loves her

new baby momma & daddy gave her.

The cousins had to miss since Hadley had strep

but brother Coen

and big brother Spencer were there.

She was tickled to be sung to.

but being her mother's young lady

this was about as messy as she was willing to get.

The next day we had Gracie's party-

who is 3 years old!

The party was at the Carousel House and here she

is having a very serious discussion with her

momma about the noise level of the Carousel music.

Waiting patiently as we sing her the birthday song.

Blowing out the candles.

Uncle Stevie sharing his wisdom with his nephews.

Ayden enjoying her cupcake.

Same for Jackson.

Spencer - he's looking so grown up lately.

Coen deep in thought.

What better way to end a party but

to share a cupcake with mommy!

Happy Birthday Hadley and Gracie

Nana loves you so much!

Jax is Two

Happy Birthday to Jackson

who is big boy 2 now.

We had fun at his

"All Aboard" Train party.

Candle blowing time.

Jackson enjoyed his presents but he wanted

everyone else to open them for him.

Big sister Ayden

Sweet cousin Gracie

Toothless Cousin Spencer :)

Constant Motion Cousin Coen

and Baby Cousin Hadley

Hope you have fun with all those trains & cars Jax -

Happy Birthday!

Victoria and Home

We spent most of Friday cruising towards home -

we just had one more stop

at Victoria, British Columbia.

This stop was to satisfy some law about docking

at a foreign port since we had been in foreign waters.

There were quite a few other ships headed our way -

it reminded me of a child's story about

boats or trains racing to the finish line.

Around 7PM we were docked.

Neither Steve nor I had ever been to Canada before.

This was our shortest stop yet since we only had

about 4 hours to tour the town.

Victoria is known for its Burchart Gardens,

touring its pubs and docks,

tea at the Empress

But we chose a tour of the Craigdarroch Castle.

It was completed in 1890 by coal baron Robert Dunmuir

who I don't think ever even got to actually live there.

His wife and children lived there until 1908.

Then it was used for a Military Hospital,

Victoria College, Victoria Conservatory of Music, and finally

Craigdarroch Castle Historic House Museum.

It is four floors of beautiful stained glass and intricate woodwork.

This was their view from the top tower of the house.

As you can see - our time was running out.

They only gave us an hour to tour the house but we

could have spent a great deal more time there.

The rest of our tour around town,

although interesting, was mostly in the dark.

Thus, pictures were not so great. (See Empress above)

This is one place Steve and I would both like to visit again

when we have more than a few hours.

We got back on board and cruised through the night.

I woke up around 6Am to this view of Seattle

Time to go home.