Move over Martha!

Move over Martha, Step back She-Ra, Jump aside Julia Child . . . I can make baby food! I don't know what is so terribly liberating and empowering about making my own baby food but man I feel great. I suddenly feel this sense of power now that I don't have to rely on Gerber or Earth's Best or whoever to feed my children. Freedom from "The Man". ;) I've only done peas, carrots, sweet potatoes, and pears, but my creative juices are following and who knows what I'll do next week. Hee-hee. I know, if I was REALLY a woman of power I would have grown my own veggies. Next year.

My Girls!

Our Family Picture

Well, I'm totally coming to terms with the fact that a Christmas card/letter is not going to happen this year. So here's our family picture for 2008! I must say I am very proud of the fact that James is a) in the picture b) not crying c) looking at the camera. So what if he's playing the harmonica. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone!

Christmas From Texas

We had a surprise second Christmas this week. Justin's mom sent us Christmas presents on December 18th, but they sat at the FedEX depot from Dec. 19th until last Tuesday. So we enjoyed a second round of presents. James enjoyed unwrapping everyone's gifts, and the girls enjoyed eating everyone's gifts. ;)

A severe case of Bumbo-buttitis

A new disease has attacked our two year old. It's common symptoms include irrational behavior causing the affected to steal toys from their infant sister's and warped senses of humor causing them to think it's funny to have large pieces of molded foam stuck to their behinds.

No cure has been discovered as of date. If fact we believe it might be progressing aggressively.

Sisters

I think this will be one of my all time favorite pictures of my sisters and myself. It was taken by our mother in September 2007. I feel so lucky to have so many sisters when some women don't have any. Whenever we get together I feel as though we can understand each other in ways only sisters can. i.e. We all speak Chocolate.

Merry Christmas!

Ok, so it's actually the Happy New Year. But since I decided to throw a fondue party for 30 people last night (Not a great idea if you haven't ever made fondue before.) But, hey it's being together that counts right?!? So,we had lump o' cheese. It tasted great, you just couldn't dip in the cheese, it was more cut the cheese. So, point being, I was throwing a party and didn't get any pictures of the party.
Anyway back to Christmas. We had a great Christmas. It was the first year we had a kid who really got the idea of presents. James was totally entranced with his presents, and even more so with his sisters' presents. Here are some pics--in reverse order because I forget to load them the other way around.

Justin with a power tool.

Aunt Debbie with some of her loot. Notice the cool antique suitcase in the background which I covet.
Mommy with the kids.

Grandma breaking in the relaxation wrap Santa brought her for when little James has really done her in.

Grandpa practicing napping with his car napping kit Santa brought him for long trips on the road.

The girls investigate their stocking loot--Mostly stuff for eating solids. Isn't Santa practical?

James takes ownership of his tent and table. It's ok James if you want to stay in there a play for LONG stretches of time.

Kate helps James open his present. Isn't she sweet? Or maybe she's just getting back at him for all the times he's taken her toys away.

Mommy and Daddy lead the kids into to see their stockings on Christmas morning.

Snow Days '08

Ok, so I know the snow has been rained away for over a week now, but I wanted to record our Big Blizzard '08 since I plan on printing off the blog as a journal. As hardened snow veterans from Utah, you wouldn't think a bit of snow--or 12" of it, would slow us down much. Well, it turns out the State of Washington doesn't actually plow the snow if you're not on a major Freeway and every other regular citizen doesn't' have a snow plow to hitch on the front of their rig as in Utah. Since Justin and Grandpa needed the snow worthy cars to go to work everyday, the rest of us were snowed in for 5 days straight. It was actually kind of fun. It felt like an old time Christmas and all pressures at overdoing Christmas were swept away! So, we filled our days with baking, sledding, and sitting by the fire.

Daddy and James get ready to tackle the big hill.

Sledding down the street since no cars could get up it anyway!

Clara, James, & Kate enjoy the fire. That's daddy in the background keeping the girls upright!

Mommy and James make Puppy Chow. Ok, Mommy makes puppy chow and James samples Chocolate chips--notice the chocolate mustache.
Daddy and James brave the snow