Wonderful Holidays!

I haven’t posted in awhile.  Seems time always gets away from me.  This post will cover both Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays so that I can feel somewhat up to date.

Thom and I celebrated Thanksgiving with Lisa and my folks at Lisa’s home (that’s me and Lisa in the photo above).  We had a wonderful time just visiting and, of course, eating.  We had turkey and all the trimmings, plus yummy dessert.  My sister makes the best homemade cheesecake I’ve ever eaten.  You can see some photos by clicking here.  We also celebrated my birthday ( a few days early) since we were all together.  That was special too.

Our Christmas was awesome, start to finish.  We spent a couple days with Craig and Brenna in San Diego – Christmas shopping, going out to dinner, and touring the Christmas lights at Del Mar.  Thom was able to visit Joy, Dave, Davey, and Katey (while I was working), and see a Christmas play where Davey most proudly played the part of a pepperoni.

We spent a week in Oregon.  I was in grandma heaven as you’ll be able to tell if you check out the photos we took  – just click here.  Spending time with the grandkids is just bliss!  Sophie has grown so much and she is just adorable.   Hannah, Miriam, and Simone are all playing piano.  Levi is a whiz at building complicated Leggo projects.   Between the nine of us gathering around the tree on Christmas morning, we had a mountain of gifts.  To top off the day, we had an incredibly delicious turkey dinner.

 Jim had brined this turkey for over eight hours in a pot of broth, water, salt, spices and herbs. Then it was perfectly baked.  I’ve never dined on such a tasty and tender turkey.  Becka made homemade dinner rolls and garlic mashed potatoes . . . everything was just perfect!  A terrific family feast.

We had a bit of an adventure on our last day.  We were to fly out in the early evening.  In the early afternoon, big soft snowflakes began to fall.  Since we hadn’t got so much as a drop of rain the entire time we were up there (I was disappointed at that since I so love the rain), we all oohed and aahed at the beautiful snow coming down.  The children ran out to play in this winter wonder and make snow angels.  We all figured it wouldn’t last long and certainly wouldn’t stick.  We were wrong.

The snow came down thicker and faster, and covered the ground in no time.  We decided we should leave early for the train that would take us to the airport just to be safe.  With all the children, us and our luggage packed in the van, Becka proceeded to drive us to the station.  A normally 20 minute trip took us nearly two hours!  Thom and I said our goodbyes and hurried Becka on her way, hoping the snow would let up so she could get back home more quickly as poor Sophie was hungry and fussing by this time.

Thom and I waited at the train station quite some time standing under the scant shelter that did little to protect us from the ice cold blowing wind and the still falling snow.  After a little over an hour, we finally boarded and headed to Portland, where we were to get a connecting train to the airport.  We got to the Portland stop and waited an additional hour in the still falling snow (it was freezing I tell you!), until a train finally arrived to take us to the airport.  We got to the airport just in time to check our baggage, grab a quick sandwich, and board the plane.  Then we had to wait on the tarmac awhile as our plane was third in line to be de-iced before taking off.  Quite the adventurous end to our Christmas vacation.

I’m wishing all of my family and friends (and anyone else who might happen to read this post) a happy, healthy, and love filled 2010.  Cherish your parents, your siblings, your children, your grandchildren, your friends . . . all the people who touch your life in a positive way and make it special and full.  Time passes so quickly . . . be sure to treasure the blessings God has given you and give thanks.