A Rare Gem

It is not very often that you see what 60 years of love, support, faithfulness, and commitment looks like. But that is exactly what we got to celebrate last Saturday. Kirk's grandparents celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Christmas Day and a whole slew of family and friends gathered to celebrate with them Saturday afternoon. So, incase you were wondering with 60 years of marriage looks like, here is a sneak peak. Cheers to you, Bob and Arlene!

Christmas Day 2008

We had a great Christmas, despite the crazy snow. We were able to make it to the Christmas Eve Service at church and than over the Bub's as tradition holds. In the morning Kirk and I had to wake up Landon and we got to spend Christmas morning together, the 3 Amigos. Next we headed to my parents, (by way of four-bining to get Bub) to open stockings and have the kids gift exchange...and mom's yummy breakfast casserole (she finally mastered it!) We let Landon nap than headed home to tidy up and host Christmas evening. Kirk's parents came over early so we could celebrate with them (and by celebrate I mean watch Landon open all his fun toys!) Than the rest of the fam came over and hung out for the evening. Landon actually really liked all the gifts we got him, which was fun to watch. We love you little man, so much!

Good Morning Sweet Boy! Merry Christmas!

Truly mesmerized by his first dump truck!

Opening his blocks Christmas morning.

His new (manly) kitchen. ~that came in seriosuly a gazzilion pieces...on the 23rd...at 8:00p~

Santa at Hopscotch

Landon beared the incredible snow with us on Saturday afternoon and went to see Santa.
Yes, he walks around the house saying, "Santa. Ho, ho, ho!"
No, he would not say it once we were in there.
Infact, he sort of froze. Atleast until Santa showed him the basket of candycanes.

Giving Santa knuckles.

This best reflects how responded to Santa. Very weary and a little scared/sad.

Sharing Santa's lap with Kenzie.

The Artic Blast

It seems like it just keeps coming. At first it was cool and beautiful, and now its adding the awestruck factor. Each morning its just more and more, not the melted piles we are used to here in McMinnville. Our internet was down yesterday but it was working again this morning so here are some pictures. I took a video of Landon yesterday cause he was actually WALKING in the snow. Ill see if I cant get in on here. It was pretty cute:) I just pray that everyone stays safe, and a special prayer for Megan and her little family as they truck on over for Bend to celebrate Chrsitmas with family. They are used to have snow but its probably usually nice to hit a clearing over the pass...which wont happen this time! Also Marisa, Jesse, and the boys are stuck in Califormia unable to fly into Seattle or even Portland. Prayer that they cna remain positive, that the boys dont get too stir crazy, and that they can find some joy in the experience God has placed them in. (Easier said than done, I know!)

Another thought I had that I wanted to share. Lets not forget the God is in control of EVERYTHING. He directs and creates EVERYTHING. In the midst of the economic stress and all the pressure and sadness people are feeling over not being able to afford gifts for people this year, God sort of locks us all in and says, "Hey, its not about getting to the store and buying those gifts. Its about family and traditions. If you dont get that than Im going to lock you in with them so you cant go anywhere! You cant get to the mall to get those gifts. You cant get into work. You will stay home with your families, and enjoy the Spirit of Christmas." And more than that, this is about His SON and the day he stepped into our world. He came to wash us WHITE AS SNOW. Here is our reminder of how pure and magical that really is. As this snow blankets or state may it be a reminder of the blanket of God's grace and forgiveness that Jesus came into this world to provide us with.

Finally some good Snow Pictures!

Note: Just dont put his feet in the snow and he will be happy. Curious, but happy!

Loving the snow with Gaga (Kirk's mom for those of who arent hip to Landon's lingo!)

Knuckles with Gaga

Back inside for some tunnel fun!

Snow is Awesome...or not!

So I have a bunch of friends who have been posting adorable pictures of their little ones out in the snow. I decided that I needed to get my own adorable shots of Mr. Landon. We had to venture out yesterday but when he got back Kirk was home and we decided to plant little Lando's feet in the merry wonderment....um, ya.

He HATED it! Everytime we set him down he would cry. Yes he was tired as well, but he really did hate it.


So what do you do when a toddler is in the snow crying from the cold? Well of course! You throw a snowball at them! (only Kirk would seriosuly do this.)

And surprise....He REALLY hated it! (Note the plug~ Kirk's solution to anytime he is fussy!)


I finally got a shot without him crying. Wish he didnt have that plug (Kirk!) but those big brown eyes (yes brown) still melt my heart.

Sounds like we will have this snow for several more days so we might just give it another try fresh off a nap!

The wonderment of snow

I dont have any pictures for this post. For this, the photo is ingrained my mind~hopefully never to be faded by time. Yesterday it snowed, which always makes me happy. But what made this snow even better was seeing the wonderment in my little guy's eyes. As we exited Walmart the snow had really picked up. It was white everywhere and flakes were falling. I looked at his little face just mesmerized, snowflakes placed so gently on his eye lashes. I say placed because it was just an overwhelming sense of God orchestrating our lives. He placed those snowflakes on Landon's eyelashes for me to see the wonder of His love. So big, yet so delicately placed on our hearts. Landon is such a go getter. Very independent. But in his slight confusion to what was blanketing our town, his little fist clenched to the back of my jacket and his head leaned into my chest. A moment I would not trade for anything. Being a logger's wife we are supposed to pray for no snow. Sorry honey, wouldn't have traded that snowy moment for the world. (And you wouldnt have either if it had happened to you!)

There was a sermon I heard awhile back and he said that EVERYTHING was designed by God, and it was good. To every good, however, the enemy has perversed it to be taken to a tainted place. Music was created good and able to speak to our souls in worship, but it has been corrupted through language and perverse lyrics. This is a long way of saying that as wonderful as my moment in the snow was, it also can cause for dangerous roads and traveling. So please be praying for Kirk and the crew at work this week and also for Kasey, Lisa and Kenzie who are trying to make it home from California.

Now...back out ot Walmart to try and exchange one gift I got for Landon for a better one in this week's flyer!

Elf Yourself!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Zoo Lights!

Last night we went to the Zoo Lights and it was SO great! I expected it to be super crowded because it was $2 Tuesday but it wasnt bad at all. We got there at 4:30 and it starts at 5:00 so I think that was a huge benefit! We went right to the Zoo train and there was no line. We got a great seat and Landon was just absorbing it all. He ended up resting his head on my chest the whole time-which NEVER happens. It was so precious. He loved the animals (that we could see) and the lights. He was just in ah the whole time. It as just a great night as out little family. I packed us a dinner so we ate that and felt very resourceful! Because we have so many great friends and family so close we rarely do things just the three of us so it was really nice to be alone and really enjoy eachother. Definatly a tradition has been established. Oh, and you will notice from the pictures that Landon was WAY too distracted to look at the camera...at all!

Roaring at the lion .

Making elephant noises at the elephants

On the Zoo Trian

This cracks me up cause all you can see of this giant frog here is his nose. Lol.

Our family...Landon looks thrilled

Making Elephant sounds with Daddy

Desperatly trying to get a picture with me and my son!
Giving the Otter a high five!

Landons....1st....Haircut! :(

Ok, so we had been thinking that maybe we should just get Landon a little trim. Its not secret to you all, Im sure, that Landon's little curls are just to precious to us and we were DEFINATLY not ready to cut them off. That said, there were a few random long hairs here and there and his bangs were getting into his eyes. I had gone down to 3rd St. last Friday to run into Shutterbug and figured while I was down there I would swing in to see my sister (my first mistake!) Being in the salon, and having my camera, I asked if we could possible just trim his bangs up a bit. She got him in the seat and started to attempt the task. As you will see in all of these pictures...he was very sad. I mean, literally, it was as if he knew what was happening and was truly heart broken over it. After the bangs had been cut (which to me meant a snip off the end, of course she had to blend them back into his hair which made it seem a lot shorter). Than she said the fateful words "Any where else?" And I stupidly said, "Well maybe just round his ears. There are a few long hairs." NOTE: Never give a stylist anyting but EXACT directions. They are like cut crazy people. Even if they are your sister! She...took...his...curls! In her defense she was trying to keep him from having a mullet, which I guess was important too, but those sweet little curls, the ones that stick out the sides under his ears...gone! :( The curls are still in the back, but now you can really notice the one long one making his appear to have a rats tail! So now we are struggling to balance keeping those precious curls and not letting our son look white trash. The dilemmas of being a parent, I tell ya.

My Soul Sistas!

It's just so cool to me to be able to continue meeting with these girls. 7 years ago we all met at Fox and started a bible study together. We would meet in various locations, mostly the little chapel on campus. Here we are now all married, two of us with babies, one trying and the other starting an exciting career. We are all very different (well, Amy and I are pretty much clones, Lianne is our beacon of positive light and encouragement, and Carley is the go getter goof ball with such a loving heart.) And yet, we treasure one another so much. And, we seem to have a fetish with taking group pictures! Here was our attempt last night....

The first one was too low...

The 2nd was too high...

The 3rd was just right, except we were all squatting
awkwardly which totally ruined the picture!

So we tried it in another direction. Perfect!

And here are a few of Addy, Carley's little girl who is adorable!!!!