Boots

Four pairs of boots lined up on the stairs waiting for someplace to go.

We are in that season where shoes are indoor shoes and boots get worn every day. I can't remember the last time I saw my kids in any shoes other than boots. I don't even know for sure where Jason's shoes are, his backpack maybe. I was coming up the stairs when I noticed how fun our boots looked, sitting on the stairs, in order from largest to smallest. A winter portrait of a family.

Ice Day Decorating

Rain in December, unheard of you say?

It wasn’t on this December day.

No school in the morn,

A tree to adorn.

Let’s have some fun

While we get the job done

And enjoy an ice day

A very nice way.

Ok so I may not have a career in poetry but we sure did have a fun Sunday and Monday. There isn’t much that causes school to be cancelled in Alaska but freezing rain and icy roads is one of those things. Sunday evening we got the call that there would be no school on Monday due to poor and deteriorating road conditions. Sunday’s we usually have family dinner at my parent’s house and this Sunday was no different except that we had come prepared to spend the night. It had drizzled off and on all day and drizzle plus frozen ground is a recipe for poor road conditions.

Once we got the call that schools would be closed on Monday bedtime went out the window and we set about decorating my parent’s Christmas tree. Every year we each get a new decoration to put on my parent’s Christmas tree. It’s always an ornament that has some special meaning to the person who receives it. This year was no different.

Jonathan received a moose in a cocoa cup from Lenox. Before Jonathan was born we chose a moose theme for his room. He has moose galore. Stuffed animals, blankets, pillows, shirts, sweatshirts, books and pictures, you name it he’s got it. Cocoa is a big thing in our family. None of us, except my dad, are coffee drinkers but we all LOVE cocoa.

Jason got a little bear holding a cup of cocoa from Lenox. Jason’s bedroom theme was bears and for every moose item Jonathan has Jason has a bear item. And like I said we LOVE our cocoa! These were the two most perfect decorations for my boys.

Dan got an Oregon decoration. The old White Stag sign is an iconic Portland landmark. It’s right along I84 and you drive into downtown. Dan saw this sign every morning on his way to school and it’s something that really reminds him of Portland. While we were in Oregon this summer I found a decoration that depicted the White Stag sign and knew it was the perfect decoration for mom to give him. He was thrilled with it and the meaning behind the decoration.

I got a moose holding a teddy bear riding on a sled from Lenox. There is a story about me and moose which you can find here.

After we opened our decorations Mom took pictures of me and the kids hanging ours on the tree. Not sure how we missed Dan but we did. Sorry Babe! We still love you I promise!

This was like the third time we took this picture. Mom was trying to get the lighting just right. Clearly my smile wasn’t holding up through all the retakes!

Jonathan hanging up his moose. His expression is so serious.

Jason was having some difficulties hanging his decoration on his own so I gave him a hand.

At some point in the evening mom snapped this pic of the boys and me. I think it’s pretty darn cute.

We spend much of the afternoon on our "snow day" decorating the tree and now the job is done. Mom said this is probably the earliest we've ever finished the tree. We always have it up Thanksgiving weekend but decorating it can take several weekends. It's nice to have it done because now we have more time to enjoy!

Go Fly a Kite

One of our last days in the Palouse was very windy. It was the kind of wind that could knock you right over. Jonathan came up with the great idea that we should go fly a kite, and so when all the packing was done that's exactly what we did.Daddy helped Jonathan fly the kite on his own for the very first time. Jonathan had never been deemed responsible enough to hold the reigns of the kite but this time we agree that he would get the opportunity. He had a blast and did a really great job.

I don't think there is anything that quite compares to the joy and laughter of kids trying to chase a kite. The boys had so much fun running around trying to catch up to the kite.
Jonathan kept trying to jump up high enough to catch the tail. It never worked but it was fun to watch him trying
All of us had a great time playing in the field and flying the kite. Jonathan got credit for having a great idea and brought everyone a lot of joy and happiness. What great memories were made that evening!

Christmas Tree Photo

Every year that I have been in Fairbanks for Christmas or any part of Christmas (and I've only missed 2 in the last 28 years) we have always taken a picture in front of the Christmas tree. When I was growing up it was usually just me, or me and the dog, with the rare picture of the whole family. Then it was Dan and me and now its our family. So keeping with tradition we attempted to take a Christmas tree picture of our family. Jason could you please sit down for just a second so we can get a family picture? Please?
No? Ok. Dan what are you doing? For that matter what am I doing? At least Jonathan is cute!
Well three of us look decent but Jason is clearly not into this picture idea!
Oh dear! We've lost Jason! And Jonathan, honey, what is up with your hand placement?
Well that's as good as its getting this year folks!

Off

We are headed out of town today. Sunday is Dan's birthday and we are going to Portland to celebrate with his family. His mom also scored free Mariner's tickets from her work so Dan and I and his parents will be going to the game on Saturday night. So if you live in the PNW and have Fox Sports Northwest watch the game you might see us. HA! The boys are staying home with Aunt Sarah so we will get some adult time in Seattle. I'm super excited!

Mini Vacation

If you need me I'll be here...
Doing this...
and enjoying this...
But I promise pictures when I return!

(I also have several posts scheduled to hit while I'm gone.)

Graduation

This afternoon we will head to Portland for the weekend to see my sister-in-law graduate from George Fox University. I can't believe she is graduating from college. When I first met her she was a 13-year-old 8th grade kid. Now she is an almost 22 year old young woman. She is a beautiful young woman, the best sister an only child could ask for, and a wonderful aunt to her nephews. She loves the Lord and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for her.

Way to go Sarah! You made it!

Please pray for our drive over. As y'all may remember our last drive to Portland was quite the event. We are praying for a much smoother drive this time!

If its spring

Then mother nature has lost her freaking mind!

Seriously!

If you live anywhere remotely close to me then you know exactly what I'm talking about.

We've had sun, rain, hail, thunder, lightening, wind, and snow all in the same day. I'm so not kidding.

Remember this post where we went puddle jumping. Well about a week later we went back to the same field, but do you know what we did this time? We went sledding. That's right, sledding.

Sunday morning we woke up to this...
Never mind going to church. By the time we dug out and showered after digging out we would get there just in time to come home again. So when Jason went down for a morning nap Jonathan, Dan and I got bundled up and headed out side to dig out. But we only have one shovel so really Dan dug out and Jonathan and I played. We decided to make a snow man. So Jonathan got his bucket and started bring me snow, ya know in case I didn't already have enough.
He had so much fun filling the bucket and dumping it out again. And of course he didn't help me build "his" snow man at all.Jonathan and "his" snow girl. He decided after seeing the finished product that it was much too small to be a snow man so it must be a snow girl. He wanted me to give it one of Jason's pacifiers and call it a snow baby but I drew the line there. Snow girl was just fine with me.

While my mom was here we got a sled on clearance. We didn't have one and you can never find one when the first snow falls. I didn't really plan on using it this year but since we had snow I figured why not?

Do you have any idea how heavy an almost 4-year-old is to pull for a quarter mile in a sled? Yeah I didn't either until I did it. Wow that was a serious work out.
He had so much fun riding along in his sled while we made our way down to the field. I didn't tell him we were going sledding because I didn't want to deal with the disappointment if hill wasn't big enough. Fortunately the hill was the perfect size for him and he made several runs down the hill, and I pulled his heavy little rear back up the hill several times. I also made one run down the hill. I hadn't been sledding in forever and I had a great time. Next winter we'll find a bigger hill and take Daddy and Jason.
Doesn't he just look like he's having a fantastic time? I was glad when he decided he was cold and wanted to go home. I was exhausted! When we got home Jason was awake and even though I desperately wanted to crash on the couch I decided he should get to have some fun in the snow too. I'm so glad I took him outside. He had a great time crawling around in the snow and exploring.
Look at that happy face! Look at how much he has grown up since this post. I can't believe he's going to be one this month!
Dan pulled Jonathan and Jason around the corner and back in the sled before we all headed inside.

I love the snow but spring can come any time now! Seriously!

New Years Eve

For as long as I can remember we have been going to the same place for New Years Eve. When we went to register me for kindergarten, way back in 1987, we met the Ferri's. They lived up the road from us and Anna and I were the same age and registered for the same kindergarten class. My mom and Judy hit it off immediately when they realized they had both attended the University of Tennessee and have been close friends ever since. Growing up we went to their house every New Years and Easter. There were 4 of us girls that were all the same age and three of the girls had little brothers that were the same age. (I'm the only child of the bunch) Us girls were great friends and I have wonderful memories of holidays spent with the Ferri's with great friends.

Since we were home for New Years it seemed natural to head up the road. We did fireworks before midnight since it was cold and getting colder, we watched the ball drop at midnight Alaska time, threw streamers at the Ferri's ceiling fan, blew our party horns, sang "Auld Lang Syne" and toasted with cheap champagne. Three of us girls were there and it was great to catch-up with some lifelong friends.


Jonathan watching the fireworks. Last year the noise scared him but this year he was very exctied to watch them.


Can you see his breath? Yeah it was cold, really cold, but he didn't complain at all. What a stud!


He absolutely loved doing the sparklers. He had a little trouble holding on at first because of his mittens but he figured it out.




Life long friends: me, Cheryl, and Anna. Karlan, the 4th girl, was out of town.


Jonathan blowing his party horn. Last year the loud noise scared him and he cried and cried. This year he was so excited to party with everyone. What a difference a year makes.


The aftermath of throwing streamers at the ceiling fan. I think Dan was the only one tall enough to hook any streamers on without standing on the couch. Jonathan stood on his tiptoes and tried toss his to the fan. He tried so hard, bless his little heart!

What was Jason doing while we were all partying it up? Why he was in the other room sleeping soundly on the couch. What an angel!

Happy New Year!

Tradition. Last night was all about tradition. We went up to a family friends house, the same place we have gone every year since I was in Kindergarten. We lit off fireworks in -30° temps, threw streamers at a ceiling fan, blew our party horns and sang "Auld Lang Syne". I hung out with two girls that I have known since Kindergarten but haven't seen much of since we graduated from high school. It was a fun and safe night. I hope y'all had a great night too.

Jason's 1st snow

Call me crazy but I love the snow. There is something magical and wonderful about the snow. I wait in eager anticipation for the first snow to fall and there is a twinge of sadness when all the snow melts. Growing up in Alaska there was always snow on the ground by Halloween and usually the snow fell by October 1st. The snow stayed around until at least mid April and I can remember several mid May snow flurries. Snow was a huge part of my life growing up. I loved to build forts, go skiing, and of course sledding. I absolutely can not wait to go to Alaska for Christmas and spend 10 days in a winter wonderland. I would love to move back to Alaska and if the right opportunity came around I think Dan would be willing.

Early Saturday morning the Palouse was blanketed with several inches of white beauty. I didn't even have to get out of bed to know it had snowed. The light coming through our bedroom window was brighter and I knew that meant snow. Right after breakfast we bundled up and headed out to shovel the driveway. Jonathan took his shovel and pail from the beach and happily set about digging in the snow. Jason was all bundled up in his Elmo snowsuit and boots that are two or three sizes too big. I was excited to see his reaction to the snow. He seemed to like it but he didn't last too long outside as it was almost naptime.




I love Jason's expressions.

Christmas Cards

Well thanks to my trusty tripod we were able to get our Christmas picture taken today. I was going to post the picture but I think I'll wait. I know I'm terrible aren't I :) If you want a Christmas card send me an email with your address and I'll get one in the mail to you! acbrough@gmail.com

Christmas Family

Your Christmas is Most Like: A Very Brady Christmas

For you, it's all about sharing times with family. Even if you all get a bit cheesy at times.

What Movie Is Your Christmas Most Like?

Now its your turn. Let me know if you do it!

Goin' To the Car Wash

This morning I was looking through pictures of Jonathan from the past 3+ years. I found these and they are just too good not to share. Here's the story...

Just after his 1st birthday someone had the brilliant idea to take Jonathan through the car wash.

Oh look at those chubby cheeks. Couldn't you just eat them up? I could!

Oh this looks interesting. I wonder what is going on?

Whoa! Fascinating. Seriously, what is going on here?

GET ME OUT OF HERE NOW!!! THIS IS SO NOT FUN ANYMORE!!!

Ok, thats better. I am so going to need tharapy for this!

Yeah, in hind sight not our best idea ever but he survived. I don't know that we've been through a car wash again. Yes, the only wash our cars get is the rain!

Pictures from Last Night

Jonathan was a farmer for Halloween. They had farmer dress up day at preschool last week so we just did that again. I saw a really cool pit crew for McQueen costume but I looked all over Pullman and Moscow and couldn't find it in his size. Oh well.

Out fishing. He did this game twice. The first time he got an art set and the second time he got stickers. We forgot to bring a treat bag so we started collecting treats in his hat.

The duck game. He was supposed to get three chances to get matching ducks but its hard to get a 3 year old to grasp that concept so he just kept pulling out ducks until he found a match.

Jason in Grandpa's pumpkin hat. He was really tired so I could not get him to smile at me. He fell asleep soon after.

The best picture from the jumpy castle. He had a lot of fun jumping and falling. Definitely his favorite game.

Playing the pop balloons with a dart game. This was his first throw, which Dan decided to let him try on his own. Notice that Dan is leaning back and looks scared. I would be too. That throw was so low it ended up stuck under the bleachers. Dan tried to help him on the second throw but it ended up too low too. Finally Dan just held him up close to the balloons and he got one popped.

He had a great time. This morning he asked if we could do it again today. Um no!