Day in the Snow

Everyone in the Puget Sound Area was supposed

to get some snow.  When we woke up on Monday 

morning this is what we had.  Maybe a half inch.

Not what we were expecting.

 We got up on Wednesday morning and decided to

go over to Brooke's.  She got way more snow

 Wednesday morning sunrise

 So I'll document the trip over to Brooke's

This is Gorst, as you can see clear roads not much snow

on the side of the road

 Tacoma and Mt. Rainier no snow in the forground

 Bellevue, getting some pile up on the sides where 

they must have plowed the road, probably Monday

 Off the freeway heading to Brooke's, slush in the

middle of the road

 And more snow going up the hill

 Check how deep on the side of the road

 Brooke's yard in the front

and the back (a ruler sticking out)

 Brooke took the kids over to the Stormwater

Pond to sled.  We could hear the laughter when

we got out of the car.

 We got our snow boots on and headed over to

join in the fun!!

 Oh ya, the pond has no water in it right now but

it does have a hill that isn't too steep so you get 

tired going up and down with the sled

 Pa tried it too!!

 This is how Ellie hitches a ride on Pete's turn

 Or she just slides down on her rear

 The snow was wetter on Monday so they 

built a snowman then.  It was too dry when

we got there

 so we made snow angels.  This is Ellie Angel 

Then inside to warm up and play.  I don't know

how Ellie managed to get breakfast in bed.

Fun Day!   

Brooke got 10 inches of snow on Monday

night and then another couple inches on Wednesday.

Christmas at Hoem

All the kids and grandkids were home for Christmas

The tree before anyone arrived

 Walt's family got together at Trophy Lake

Golf Club the weekend before Christmas

Brooke and Chris were able to come

 Auntie Amy had a hard 12 hour drive in 

from Sacramento.  Pete liked the bench

 Puzzle Time

 Pa and Pete bonding time

 Claire's favorite pass time

' The Grinch Who Stole Christmas' was 

shown one afternoon

 with popcorn

 Cade and Charlie helped with pies

 All the kiddos helped decorate sugar cookies

 Cade's masterpiece

 then the big kids finished them

 Cade read "The Grinch" and "T'was the

Night Before Christmas" to the Littles

 I don't think Claire was listening

 Christmas morning

 Pete's present to Mommy from preschool

 Quit raining long enough for some outdoor time

 A trip to Poulsbo for some yummy donuts

 They were good weren't they Ellie?

 Sugar overload

Wouldn't be Christmas without our trip to Tony's

for Pizza

Good to have everyone together for Christmas!!

I guess I didn't get any pics of the other 4 guests...

Two dogs and 2 kittens

Amy and family left Saturday for their 12 hour drive home

and

Brooke and family left Sunday for their 1.5 hour drive home

Then it was really quiet!!

Visits with Ellie & Pete

I guess I haven't posted pictures the last

couple times we've been to see Ellie & Pete.

They don't change as much as they used too!!

 They are still making things with their Legos

 Meet the new additions to their family

"Big Mouse"

"Cally"

 We went to Helen's for Thanksgiving then on Friday

we got together to make the swags for the cemeteries

 and Saturday we took them to the cemeteries

It was a pretty day and cold!!

 On the way home from are walk one morning at home

we heard an eagle and found him in the tree in our 

backyard

 We went to Brooke's on a Saturday and got to 

see Ellie's first basketball game of the season

She's number 8 (just like Claire's lacrosse number)

 Pete thinks he's funny!!  Kind of looks like the snowman

on Frozen!

 We made ornaments

 Got better pictures of the kittens

only because they were worn out

 We made gingerbread cookies

and played a little ball tag with Pa

It was a very productive day!!

They are a busy family