Just as promised...

Here we are, just as promised, 13 days later... :) Here are a few picts from our overnight trip to Portland. It was such a great family time. We took the Amtrak train (such a blast & so relaxing!) early in the morning on January 1. (Our official "Christmas vacation" began Monday, the 31st, after the pastor was finished preaching through the holidays!) We got into downtown Portland just in time for Dim Sum in Chinatown. (Here's a shout out to all you Anthony Bourdain fans out there...) We had an awesome stay at the downtown Embassy Suites (where else is there?) thanks to our Hilton Honors points (a free night makes it even more fun than ever. Thanks, Paris!). This will definitely be something we will do again. It's not Maui, but our kids thought it was just as good. Warm pool, movies in the room, huge awesome breakfast, and free "snacks" at night. ;) Anyone care to join us the next time?

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year

I don't know about any of you, but this past month I've had just enough extra time to breathe! I'm embarrassed about my lack of postings, but then again, life must not revolve around my computer! We've done so many fun things this month: Riding the Santa Train, Christmas Eve Service with ALL THREE involved singing (go figure!)..., Christmas morning (thanks to Kjer and Brett, a WII!!!!). We've had so much High School Musical I could.......actually, I roam around all day singing the songs. I will try to upload picts from today's family fun day: Snow tubing in the mountains! Kenton is such a nut about snow, he's even willing to wear duct tape gloves. :) And tomorrow, we hop on Amtrak for an early morning ride to Portland. Picts to come. I promise to be better!

Cosmetique

Those of you who know me really well know the past year living here in Maple Valley, WA has been a "learning experience." There are many times I feel like we live in the boonies, pretty far from civilization. The nearest Target is 20-25 min. away (okay, I'm a brat), the nearest Super Walmart is 30 min. away, and there is no Aldi or Hobby Lobby in the entire state. I find myself at home much more often than not (yeah, it's a good thing..) I am pleased to report, however, I've found a new place to get my haircut (a not-so-easy task when a girl moves to a new area): this fabulous salon called "Cosmetique" located in a manufactured home within a mile of our house. I pass this sign almost every day, and I'm SO TEMPTED to make an EVENING APPOINTMENT. At least it always gives me a little out loud chuckle. Today, I finally had my camera with me in the car. I thought you'd enjoy it. Now, granted, not all the salons here look like this. In fact, there are some pretty nice ones around. I'm just partial to this one. :)

Don't Blink

I took this pict just last week. The boys worked extra hard to finish their homework early, clean their room, and got to stay up an extra 1/2 hour to watch Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. Remember those days when you were a kid? The three snuggled up on the couch and had such a fun time. I tried not to blink. I know I will blink and next they'll be teenagers and then I'll blink and they'll be all grown up. I just love these times.