Just Enough Snow!

Our first day of snow (where it actually stuck to the ground) came yesterday, and even though it was a mere dusting, we had to go and make the best of it! We went out and played with the Millers....a very enjoyable time :-) Annabelle did her best to make the biggest snowball possible, as you can see above, she did pretty well considering the lack of snow! It sure feels nice to finally have some thing to show for all this freezing cold weather we have been having!

The Crazy One

Ella's little personality is really showing now that she is almost 20 months! She is pure comedy! Even her Sunday school teacher said last Sunday: "she's comedy", so we continually find people that agree with us! She has such a fun little zany personality!

Our goofy girl

Hi! I'm Ella.....could I be wearing any more jackets?!

The closet was open as I was putting away the Christmas decor, and Ella raided the jackets.....but, hey at least it kept her out of the christmas decor, right? :-)

Holy Experience

I found this blog through a friend's recmmendation, and was deeply touched by this blog entry. It is a blog by a mother of six, who finds Christ in the mundane everyday life. This blog entry blessed me deeply, and I had to share it. The blog address is: holyexperience.blogspot.com

I hold up my ring finger before his face? Will he notice, see?At first, he thinks its my nails. Nice.
I laugh. No, they're not. They are chipped and need filing. But do you see? He scans, trying. Wrapping my arm around him and leaning into the crook of his neck, I whisper, tickling his ear with words. Ring. His brow furrows, creases of concern spreading, and I know he has seen.
When did you lose that? I turn the ring towards the light for a better look into that dark hollow, the small cave of emptiness. A diamond gone, claws having let go of its gem. I think this afternoon sometime? The claws scratched me as I twisted and toyed. Hurting. Then I noticed. I look into his eyes, searching. I am sorry. Now its his turn, leaning into me. You can lose the diamonds, the ring...but not me. I smile into his hair, inhaling him, this love. Sipping hot chocolate across the table before his bedtime, young Joshua observes this hushed exchange.
He sets his mug down, and looks into the waving light of the candlewick. His thoughts seem warmed by the light, kindled. I watch him thinking. Then he asks words that spark me.
Because, really, Mom. Which do you want more? The ring or the Giver?
Which? Really? Too often I think I like the ring more: the gifts. This life, this family, this health, these days. I hoard these jewels. I cling, clenching claws, not letting go. I look into the flame and think too. Doesn't that break the Giver's heart?Father?
Today, show me how to want, love, the Giver more than the rings.

Best of Portland and Vancouver!

Here is a list I have compiled of my favorite places in Portland and Vancouver. Idea inspired by Candace Staples! Enjoy!

Portland, Or

Sauvie Island: Pumpkin Patch, Corn Maize, U-Picks, Produce & Beach

Bridal Veil Falls State Park: Great hike and Falls are gorgeous!
View Point Inn: Beautiful place with great food and a breathtaking view of the Columbia Gorge

Oregon Zoo

Some Favorite Portland restaurants:

Kennedy School McMenamins (great Portland feel and a cheap couch seating movie theater)

Flying Pie Pizzeria

Stanford's Happy Hour

Sandwich Depot Deli

Mother's Bistro

Mama Mia Trattoria

Urban Fondue

Brazil Grill

Meerakesh

Vancouver, Wa

Esther Short Park and Farmer's Market

Camas Produce Store

Cheap produce and milk from local farms and dairies, located: 2940 NE Everett St., Camas, Wa

Cafe Sip-N-Play

A place to go have coffee with a friend while your kiddos play

Big Al's : a huge family fun center with everything!

Cinetopia : A huge theatre with a wine tasting room, and great restaurant

11700 Se 7th St. www.cinetopiatheatre.com

Battleground 4th of July Parade

Bi-Zi Farms : great local farm with a pumpkin patch in the Fall : 9504 NE 119th St.

Hudsons Grill in Heathman's Lodge in Vancouver (only restaurant we can really recommend as terrific up here thus far!) 7805 NE Greenwood Dr. http://www.heathmanlodge.com/

Tornado in Vancouver!

Yes, we had a tornado come through Clark County this afternoon! Craziness! You surely don't expect this kind of thing on the West Coast. The last tornado in Oregon/Washington was in 1972. The tornado touched down all throughout Vancouver and surrounding areas and did some good damage, but thankfully stayed away from our neighborhood! The tornado did touch down only a few miles from our house, so I am thankful our home is currently in tact. You can check out some cool video of the tornado someone got on the link below from a local news station:

http://www.kgw.com/video/index.html?nvid=207374&shu=1

In her element

Here is the perfect picture capturing Ella's two favorite things to do right now....stripping off her clothing and emptying out the tupperware cupboard....she also enjoys getting in it!

A Laid Back New Years

We spent New Years with the Millers, and had a fun and relaxing evening, playing Wii, and Apples to Apples, and having some mixed drinks. Summer and I even did a tequila shot out children's princess cups....yeah we're a crazy bunch!! The girls had a two man band with a one man audience going on upstairs. We are so glad we have good friends that live so close....who wants to drive somewhere on New Years eve?!

Good Friends

We always enjoy time with good friends, and we got to spend some time with Mark and Candace and Zane and Ivana (our beloved youth pastor and family from old Hinson church days, who now live in Arizona) for an evening while they were back visiting family for Christmas. We shared our visit with the Millers, Christiane and Megan.

A Southern California Christmas

Although Disneyland was surely a highlight of Christmas this year, we did have a great time at grandma's house (Chris' mom and stepdad), and had a nice balmy Christmas....it was nice to get to spend so much time outdoors and go barefoot in December!

Disneyland for Christmas!

We traveled to Southern California this year to spend Christmas with Chris' family (and some of mine) in Irvine, CA and we decided to take Annabelle and Ella to Disneyland for the first time! We went for one day, the day after Christmas, and were very worn out at the end of the day, but still had grandma take the girls home and Chris and I got to spend a few hours together doing some actual roller coasters and such! The day began at the Princess land....where disaster struck when Annabelle had a tantrum lasting about an hour when she realized she didn't have a princess dress on, and then when we attempted to buy her one (yes we gave in), she didn't want to wear it because it was too itchy on her skin. The great Disneyland experience really started after Princess land, and a very frustrated mom and dad were very happy to return the itchy dress and go see the rest of the park! Here are some pics of two very happy girls at the happiest place on earth:-) Oh, and if you wish to see more pics and some great video (since we suprised Annabelle with going to Disneyland), you can check it out on our webpage: www.clubcurry.com.