January 16, 2012

Our trip home from Ocean Shores was a pretty scary last night.  By the time we got home I think Tom and I both needed a drink.  I think we counted a total of 18 cars in the ditch from Federal Way to Everett.  It was just crazy.  Boy was I glad to be home.  As soon as Emmie saw the snow she wanted to go out and play but I was a mean mom and made her wait until morning. 

Can I just say that I absolutely love waking up to snow.  So pretty!I had to work for a little bit and boy oh boy was this girl chomping’ at the bit to get outside.For as much as she doesn’t like to be cold, she loved being outside in the snow.A few snow angels…Hannah didn’t want to come outside because she didn’t want to wear snow pants (they were navy  blue and they make swishing noises).  So she sat inside and watched.  And then I threw a snowball at the window.   Hee Hee…

Bring on Winter Blast 2012!

Duzenbery Christmas Weekend

My recap of our Christmas weekend at the beach…

When we got down there Friday afternoon, Rich had a fire going and the gang was out side.  Emmie didn’t want to be outside because it was cold so her and I had a little quiet time inside paying Tinker Toys.  She was so proud of her tower that she’s building in this picture.The sunset was amazing, kind of wish I was down on the beach because Kim said it was even more spectacular down there.Grandpa Kevin’s birthday was on the 10th, so we had a little birthday celebration for him.  Talk about a wild bunch of kids!This little guy, oh he’s a cutie alright.  He gets what ever he wants.  I do believe he even got seconds on the ice cream.  Which makes me smile just a little. Saturday we woke up to a little “snow” for our Christmas celebration.  How perfect.I don’t think the kids appreciated us taking pictures before we opened presents. Hannah got a few books from her new favorite series…My Weird School.  I love the titles, Mr. Klutz is Nuts, Mrs. Roopy is Loopy…Emmie got some magnetic dress up dolls – think paper dolls just modernized.Tom HAD to get Alex this mask.  He cracked us up walking around with this giant mask on terrorizing anyone who got in his way.  We tried to go to the beach.  We lasted 4 minutes once we got over the dune.  It was so windy and so incredibly cold but we managed one quick picture.The whole day we had crazy weather, but this storm was extra fun to watch come in.  Of course Tom had to try the mask on.  We both laughed after I took the picture because I told Tom to “smile” and he did, I think.  But as he pointed out, “can you even tell that I smiled”. Duh Jamie!Jakob got a few Lego sets…the big boys didn’t want to share with Jakob…Emmie didn’t want to eat her Prime Rib dinner.Sunday morning we went to Damon Point to try and see the Snow Owls.  Those with kids didn’t make it out to see the Owls, those little legs just weren’t up for the long walk.It really was pretty quiet out there, not too many people were out braving the cold.Someone’s gloves got a little wet so she had to borrow Toms.Hannah’s boots got stuck in the mud and she walked right out of them.  My gloves went to her feet.  Oh the things we do for our kids. :)That black dot out in the water, that’s a crazy surfer.  Crazy, crazy, crazy.These two, oh, these two.  They were off in their own little world having their own little conversation as they walked.  Uncle Rich built a fire so the kids could roast marshmallows.  Can’t say that we’ve ever roasted marshmallows in the snow. 

As if the marshmallows weren’t enough, we took the kids to town for a little shopping at Sharkey’s and then for a little ice cream.Grandma and Grandpa wanted a picture with the grandkids.  Always a fun task. :)Alex wanted to play with the squirt gun so they filled it up and sent him outside.  He was happy as can be out there by himself.  He did think it was pretty funny to shoot me through the door. 

And just like that our weekend away was over.  It’s amazing how quickly it goes.  It was a great little getaway before the dreaded tax season.

2012

Talk about a lazy day to start the new year!  We really didn’t do anything terribly productive.  I brought our computer and my goal was to get myself caught up with my 2011 project life pictures.  I think I was 2 months behind and boy oh boy was that a task.  My new year resolution is to get completely caught up on my Project Life albums.  That is an incredibly daunting task but one that needs to be done.  I’ll be interested to see how that actually plays out over the course of this year.  In my head, my plan sounds excellent.

When I say it was a lazy day, I really do mean it.  The kids played with their electronics for a while and then they would disappear and reappear throughout the day.  I think we all made it out of our jammies by noon or so.  Tom enjoyed having Jacob around to play Lego Star Wars, but then Jacob left to go to a friends house.  Tom was sad.Emmie loved helping out with the Krub.  Her job was the official potato rinser. Mom & Beck peeled potatoes while I took a few pictures.The giant potato!Hannah taught Papa how to play Gardens of Time on Facebook.Busted!  I wondered where the Chex Mix went…Dad joined in on the Krub fun.Tom was happy when Rob got home from work.  The two big boys went out and played with Rob & Jake’s new remote control cars.  I’m thinking I might need to get Tom one for his birthday.  :)Emmie went outside with them.  I think she was getting a minor case of cabin fever.  She sat and watched the boys and every once in a while got down and was chased by the cars.Tom finally let her have a turn.And before too long this is what it looked like inside.  All the grown ups on their computers.  Pa-the-tic! 

We managed to pull ourselves away from our computers and actually got in a few rounds of 3-13.  By the end of the night we had actual conversations going.  What a concept.  ;)  We finally left the Henry house around 9.  As lazy as we were it was a great start to the new year!

NYE

New Years Eve was spent at the Henry house once again.  This time around we decided to spend the night so that we didn’t have to drive home  with all the crazies out there. We played games and did our darndest to stay awake.   Last year we were home and in bed by 10…our expectations weren’t too high.

Becky had the house decorated so pretty…Tom brought party favors.Emmie found the mini bottles of Sparkling Cider.  I’m not kidding when I say that I think she drank 4 bottles over the course of the night.  Makes my stomach hurt just thinking about it.Jake proudly showed off his Pirates of the Caribbean Lego ship that Papa & Nonnie got him.Hannah and Madison played on the iPad.Becky & I cooked.  Those green beans…oh they were yummy, and the grilled onions for our steak…oh my!Someone fell asleep by 11.  Hee hee…The rest of us made it to midnight and headed out for fireworks...whatever happened to banging pots and pans?  When did NYE become the 4th of July?  I had no idea that firework stands were open and all.  CrAzY!Emmie didn’t care for the fireworks.  She doesn’t like loud.  Madi, who is looking more and more like her mom everyday, took her inside.  Seriously that Madi is one of the sweetest girls I know!  Meanwhile Tom and Jake were outside doing?…an Irish Jig? Mom tossed in an Ole’…Happy..Twenty…Twelve!

I am so completely ready to be done with 2011 and can’t wait to see what 2012 holds for our family.