Just Me!!

I love going back and reading my blog. I can see the changes in me (although sometimes not for the better) and in my family. I can see where we've been, and where we are heading. I love progression, although my life is filled with regression. I thought recently, after the hunk of change old government money bags gave back to us (or stole, just depends on how you look at it) that I needed a tiny camera to capture all those moments I was missing because I refused (or forgot) to bring my Kodak. In my mind my new camera would: 1. Never run out of batteries 2. Forever be in my purse because it's small 3. Be as posh as my sisters 4. Take fantastic pictures (regardless of the photographer) 5. Never let me down Big expectations for such a tiny camera. What I have discovered, since my Nikon has failed at all 5 tasks, is that people who take fantastic pictures, who never run out of batteries, who always manage to catch that rare shot, is a person who makes captivating moments o...

Entered Leavenworth at 1323! Quickly took a look see around and then headed to our favorite place...The Soup Cellar! The kids love reading all the dollars up on the walls. Since we are starting a tradition of Leavenwoth in January we thought we would let the kids decorate their own dollars for the wall. Charlie couldn't bear to leave her dollar on the wall so we still have hers! We checked into the condo around 4p, dropped off our supplies, and then headed out to sled! The snow is quite deep in places which made it hard to walk around in! We had a blast:) After dinner we taught the kids how to play "May I", and spent 25 minutes of adult time in the hot tub. All in all a good day, I would say. I was even told by a shopkeeper that I had a very well behaved child...and yes, she was talking about Charlie.

Mr WSDOT was right! Poor visibility and compact snow over the pass! Mark is driving without any problems! Thank heavens for 4 wheel drive or we might be one of those poor smucks on the side of the road putting chains on in the freezing rain! Charlie is so excited and can hardly handle not getting out of the car to make Mr. Frosty! We have heard several, "Are we there yet?" but that's to be expected with kids right!

The kids love going down to my sister's house! The older two spend the bulk of their time at the neighborhood retention pond and the younger loves to play competitively with her cousin Ryan and baby Lanes! We got together and had pizza and meat and cheese while watching the Packers and Eagles! Thanks Shannon and Mike for opening up your home to us! A.

Fridays are our Traditional family movie night! The kids love bringing their pillow pets, and blankets into the family room to watch a movie! We always have popcorn with a touch of Carmel corn on top to make it extra special! Tonights feature: The Bear! We loved watching this one on our BIG screen because it has beautiful scenery in it! Felt like the streams and mountains were right in our family room! I start my vacation tonight! I need to write a list so that my time will be put to good use! Tomorrow I plan to project and maybe start painting the living room! Excited! A.

Love spending time with these guys!

Christmas has finally arrived. A whole day devoted to Christmas shopping helped me locate my Christmas spirit. Of course the day had it's mishaps...Turning down our friends for another Sheraton overnight hotel stay which included a Seahawks game tomorrow, Charlie falling down and getting wet, Charlie hitting her head on a fire hydrant wheel, and Charlie crying. Despite all that we had a good time. The kids purchased really awesome stuff for each other (with their own money-a first), and a few goodies for us. I ended the night with a shopping trip at the PX with Jackie and Chris. They are so much fun, and I love how goofy they are with their kids. Valerie gets really embarrassed by how much affection they show each other, but she is getting used to it. We and I, absolutely love having the Slaughter's around. It's changing my whole family, for the Better! I would type longer, but I have Taco Bell sitting here yelling at me, and I bought Mark some sexy cologne so I think I ...