More Snow Pics - at the Lake

The girls are standing on the bottom of the lake in these pictures! The lake is manmade, and they partially drain it during the winter. (Don't know how it works, but that's a big bathtub!) We'd never seen it drained this much before. During the summer, this is their swimming area, and M can't touch out there by the pier (neither can I) so it was just really cool (literally) to walk all over. Daddy took them out later, and rumor has it that they ventured out beyond the pier to where the ice was.

Snow (That We Used to be Excited About)

On December 14th, when it snowed for the first time, we were quite excited. The girls were thrilled to go sledding and make snow angels, and, thinking it never lasts long, I enjoyed it, too. (Except for my infected toe. That put a damper on my willingness to do a lot of tromping around).

As you know, it has continued to snow and snow. The girls didn't have school Wed - Fri that week b/c of the weather, and P couldn't take his car in to work b/c the roads were so bad. So, we have been at home pretty much for the past 11 days.

I don't think I'll ever like the song, "Let it Snow!" or "White Christmas" again. Our town is just not equipped to deal with inches and inches of continuous snow and freezing temps. And, neither are my nerves...

Having said that, enjoy these few pics I took, when we naively thought we were lucky to have a snow day!

Great Wolf Lodge

Mid-December, we were invited to join my brother and his family in celebrating his daughter's 6th birthday at the Great Wolf Lodge. They spent the night there, and we came for the day on Saturday. It was a wet and wild time and we loved it!

This petite little Christmas tree stood in the entrance to the lobby.

Santa wasn't coming for a few more hours, so E sat on her real Santa's lap for a minute.

Papa Bear and his baby bears

Oh, the water park! It was amazing!

(The pictures are much better on their website linked above, if you're truly interested!)

M & Daddy stuck together, and E & I were a team, along with our cousins. Daddy & M were pretty crazy and went on the major tube slides at least 10 times. That's a lot of times to climb those stairs, but it was worth it! I got to go a few times, and we convinced E to try one, but she was not impressed!

THE BIRTHDAY GIRL

(whose name also starts with E!)

The rest of the cousins. I think C is asking T what he would like on his pizza?

"It's a bird, it's a plane, it's GOGGLE GIRL!"

Thanks for the great time, E & C! We love ya!

Merry Christmas!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Two Places You MUST Go...online!

A friend just introduced me to an awesome blog called http://www.mypennypile.com/ This mom knows how to save money! Wow, I thought I was the queen of free, but she's got me beat by a mile!

And on that blog, I was introduced to Crazy8's clothing for kids...SO fun and really really affordable, and Free Shipping 'til Tuesday! Hurry, hurry, go look (and shop!)

Pray for Fun!

In E's prayers lately, she's been saying a lot about "fun" and not much else. Like, "We thank Thee for the fun we had today" or "for the fun we're going to have today." I have to whisper "and please bless the food" 'cause all she really wants to pray for is fun.

I was teasing her a little bit about that today, and M said, "Mom, think about it. I mean, if there wasn't fun, life would be a living hell. I'm not saying you have to go to Disneyland here. Blowing bubbles out on the deck is enjoyable. Where would we be without fun?"

I stand corrected! Pray for FUN!

Check It Out

Just discovered this blog and I am fascinated. Our afternoons/evenings are so crazy around here that I've resorted to many crockpot meals lately, but I only have a few recipes. I feel like I just hit the jackpot! Now, if I can only be organized enough to have the ingredients and everything thawed and ready to go in at noon, we'll be set!

Now I Get It

Our little town boasts some spectacular views of Mt. Rainier. In fact, the girls have a great look at it every day at recess. Yesterday, M said, "We played 'Tornado' at recess today." Thinking that was a pretty random game, I asked what brought that up, and she said, "The clouds."

Today, a friend sent this photo.

Oh. NOW I get it!

By a Thread

I spent a few hours today sewing gifts for Christmas presents. Twice, I almost ran out of thread. I kept going, nervously watching the spool wind it's way down and praying that I would finish before running out. Not that it would have been disasterous...just a major inconvenience.

So, since I am trying to be better at acknowledging the hand of the Lord in my life, and in thanking Him for His tender mercies, I just wanted to show how very close I came - twice - to having to halt my progress on my (many) projects!

It also reminded me of my friend and seamstress-extraordinare, Judy Sears, who once commented, "My sewing room is the holiest place in our house. It's where I've offered the most prayers!"

So, I guess this was a lesson that I should stop swearing when I sew?! (kidding...sorta)