Winter Escape

This past weekend we decided to go in search of winter. While the temperatures had returned to their frosty lows, the promise of snow actually falling from the sky in Seattle seemed far fetched. Fortunately, our family cabin is nestled in the bosom of winter by this point in the year and the promise of mounds of fluffy white beckoned us.

Lost River

Armed with spontaneity, good food, and the promise of cozy relaxation we embarked on the 4.5 hr drive with our good friends the Pykes. Winter did not disappoint. After digging our way in to the cabin the real adventure began as we "un-winterized" our weekend abode. A fire was quickly made, electric base board heaters turned on, and a prayer thrown up that no pipes had frozen. As the cabin began to thaw it became clear that the pipes were not. Undeterred by the possibility of no running water we began to melt pots of snow on the stove all the while patting ourselves on the back for our resourcefulness (Bear Grylls would have been proud.) We finally turned in for the night hoping that the blazing fire would warm the bones of the cabin and magically allow the water to flow in the morning.

Morning dawned and so did our plans for the day in our winter paradise. Alas, our hopes for hot water were dashed as a pipe to the water heater busted. But, after an evening spent with no water at all (and therefore no toilet - nothing like peeing in a bucket at 7 months pregnant) we gladly accepted the absence for the simple pleasure of running cold water.

After a delicious breakfast we were eager to get our snow clothes on and romp in the freshly fallen mounds of snow. I was particularly excited as it felt like this was Owen's first time in the snow since last year he was so little. Plus, let's be honest, there's nothing cuter than a tiny little person bundled up in so many layers they can barely move their arms.

Marshmallow bear

We were not disappointed, Owen embraced playing in the snow whole-heartedly. I loved watching him ponder the sound of it's crunching and the way it covered his boots as he walked down the road during our afternoon walk. He was so thoughtful, so content to explore the wonders of white surrounding him.

"Helping" shovel

As for sledding, he quickly figured out it is not only an exhilarating activity but also an excellent means of transportation. I could have watched Owen and Josh sled all day, the expressions of joy and excitement permanent upon their faces. While I have loved every month with Owen thus far for different reasons, I think this age is quickly becoming one of my favorites primarily because I get to watch Josh and Owen play together. As we walked the snowy terrain around the cabin, I found myself incredibly excited to introduce another boy in to the mix dreaming of the winters ahead that will be filled with sledding, snow ball fights, and adventuring in this amazing spot.

Christmas 2011

I did an absolutely horrible job of documenting Christmas this year. In fact our Christmas morning picture is the only picture I have of all three of us. Nothing says Christmas better than bed-head, pajamas, and sleepy eyes. Oh well, just means I'll have to do a better job next year.

We had 3 celebrations this year due to various siblings not being around for the normal holiday celebration routine. So here are a few highlights:

*Skyping with my brother Joseph who was unable to come home from California. Owen was glued to the computer trying to tell him all about what was going on at my parents house. The best part being when Owen opened his first football from his dear sweet Uncle Joseph. Before showing anyone else what he'd gotten he turned to the computer, held out the ball and said "Whooaa!" I don't think you could have had a more perfect reaction.

*Nanimo bars made by beautiful mother. If Christmas had a taste, it would be her Nanimo bars.

*Our Christmas day celebration with Josh's family was one for the memory books. There was a windstorm which proceeded to blow all the smoke from our glowing Christmas fire back down in to the house. Presents were put down, windows and doors opened wide as we tried to control the smoke and in a final act of desperation Santa Tom came with his snow shovel and carried the remnants of the glowing fire outside.

*Watching three overly blessed little boys play together happily with their oodles of cars, race tracks, and new balls.

*Feeling blessed by the thoughtfulness of our siblings (Chelsea/Nathan, and Joseph) to send presents despite their absence.

*Ultimately, my favorite part of Christmas has nothing to do with presents or food but rather feeling grateful that because of Christ we have this holiday at all and the chance to create such wonderful memories. From beginning to end His life was a gift to us.

Boxing Bear

While celebrating Christmas with Josh's extended family, Owen found these...

About three weeks ago we wouldn't have dared show Owen these gloves as he was testing the boundaries of what hitting means. After a few weeks where hitting, even when playing or pretending, was not an option for Owen he finally grasped the concept and regained control over his hands.

Boxing gloves were a whole new world of fun. Wrestling and punching Daddy without getting in trouble, what could be more fun?

Little people and TV

These pictures crack me up. Look at those blank stares, slack jaws, motionless boys...it's a sight to behold. On the one hand they make me chuckle as they are so enraptured by the Letter Factory. On the other hand, they are a good reminder to me that TV and movies need to be handled with care at this age, well at any age really. I'm not gonna lie, I appreciate the fact that Owen will sit through a show. It comes in handy now and then when Josh isn't home yet and dinner is needing to be made. I'm sure when baby #2 makes it's grand appearance, there will be days Owen will watch more TV than I care to admit simply as a means of survival. But, these pictures remind me that I want TV to be a treat especially while the world around holds so much intrigue and discovery for my growing little man.

Christmas Craft

Once again, I have to thank Pottery Barn for yet another fabulous decoration idea.
I scoured the internet for a photo from their catalog but my efforts came up void so my two measly photos will have to suffice. I did alter my banner a bit from Pottery Barn's version, their edges were scalloped and mine are ridged, theirs was adorned with just leaves and I added berries to mine.



So here is my second attempt at a DIY project -

Christmas banner

Materials:
Felt - I purchased one in cranberry and one in cream plus
green for leaves

Letters - Merry Christmas in Times New Romans font size 215

Scissors - I used pinking shears to achieve the ridged look, you'll also need regular sharp scissors
Single Hole Punch
Sharpie Pen
Twine
Berries (optional)
Tacky Glue

1. Rectangles - Lay your felt out flat and cut out 14 rectangles 4x3 inches . Don't worry about the rectangles having perfectly straight edges as the pinking shears will cover a multitude of crooked edged sins. Trim the edges using the pinking shears.

2. Letters - Lay your letters on the rectangles face down (i.e. the white back side of the letter should be what is facing up at you) leaving a wider margin of space at the top, trace around the letters. The purpose of lying the letters face down is so they aren't backwards from the other side. Plus your tracing lines will be on the back side of the rectangle so you don't have to worry about making sure there is no black pen residue. After all the letters are traced cut them out. Once the letters are cut out, punch two holes at the top and center of each rectangle. Thread the rectangles on to the twine in the correct Merry Christmas order.

3. Leaves and Berries - The berries I purchased were from Joanne fabrics sold for $0.50 a bunch and each berry had a thin wire stem. To make the leaves, cut out a small eye shaped oval from the green felt. Place a dot of glue on one end of the oval and pinch the sides of that end together. After the glue has dried thread the "stem end" of two leaves on to the berry wire pushing it up to kiss the base of the berry. Twist the leaves so there is one on each side of the berry. (I made 7 of these by the way = 7 berries and 14 leaves.) Thread the stem of the berry through the two holes of the rectangles, wrapping the stem through the holes a couple of times to anchor to the twine.

Random notes:
- If some of your letters flop you could try starching/ironing the rectangles. I used some clear thread to tack the floppy centers of a few letters to the sides. However my font size was a lot larger and I think the smaller number will help eliminate the flop factor.

- In the pictures I used berries on some squares and leaves on others. After making a few more banners, I decided I liked just having berries on every other rectangle as the twine showing through on the "off" rectangles was a nice contrast.

Stroh family photo shoot

My sweet Strohs - a family composed of my fabulous and amazing sister-in-law Casey, her handsome and studly husband Micah, and my most precious nephews and niece Jude, Levi, and Naomi.

I have the pleasure, and great challenge, of taking their family pictures every year. I'm sure at some point they will realize there are far better photographers out there than me. But till they decide to shell out the bucks, my trusty ol' camera and I manage to do the trick. (My not-so-secret wish this year for Christmas is a photo editing program that would make my pictures better than they really are.)

Anyway, for whatever reason I meet this responsibility with a certain amount of fear and trepidation every year. Part of it's feeling like there's some one better. The other part is knowing that taking good pictures that are in focus, with the right lighting, and nicely posed (or not) while trying to keep little people happy and clean and looking remotely in your direction is quite a feat.

Thankfully they are family. Thankfully my nephews have irresistible dimples. Thankfully they aren't paying me. All those things together with a gorgeous setting and my photography worries fade away and we come up with some pretty awesome shots...each and every year.

So till you decide to move on to greener pastures Stroh family, I sure do love you.
Thanks for letting me take part in documenting your ever growing
and awesome family and for giving me the opportunity
to do something I truly enjoy.

P.S. My fabulous mother-in-law was a wonderful asset to this year's photo shoot. Nothing like an extra set of hands to corral little boys or someone to say a silly smile inducing saying.

Halloween

For some reason or another I'm feeling rather uninspired by this post. I don't know if it's the lack of pictures or what, but it's probably because I'm over Halloween, and am really excited about the holidays I actually find worth celebrating-Thanksgiving and Christmas.

But for memory's sake, this was Owen's first experience at Northshore's Harvest Carnival. A community event that fills the halls of the church with copious amounts of costumed children, giant inflatable toys, candy and carnival like games. For the most part Owen was overwhelmed; however, once we found the games that required throwing a ball into various holes and targets the happy little man we know and love emerged.

The other portion of Halloween was fairly undocumented thanks to forgetting my camera at my sister-in-laws coupled with my long-standing hatred for our wretched point and shoot. But, the beginnings of a new tradition were born involving two dear families that live close by - the Regans and Izzards. Our children happily screeched their way from house to house down our street fully enjoying the thrill of knocking on the door more than the candy they received. And that's all I have to say about Halloween.