Dave and Kara

Sledding in Spokane

I know... I know... I am STILL working on getting all my postings complete from Christmas. With lots of snow on our vacation, I finally talked a few people into going sledding with me (mostly my nieces and nephews, but a few adults agreed as well)! I enjoyed photographing everyone (until my camera ran out of battery). One of the things I miss most about Utah is playing in the snow (but I certainly don't miss driving in it)!

Christmas in Spokane

Okay... so I know by now most of you are sick of hearing about Christmas! But because this is basically an online journal for me, (it is really the only way I have found motivation to keep a journal) I have to record the events from our Christmas in Spokane!

As most of you know, it was a very snowy Christmas! I wished for a white Christmas, and I certainly got one (I guess it is true when they say "you better be careful what you wish for"). We arrived to 3 feet of snow and it snowed 7 out of the 8 days we were there. I learned for the first time what "racking your roof" meant. I am not really sure how I survived 5 years in Utah and never learned about the art of racking your roof, but this winter I finally got my chance!

Many homes and business experienced their roofs collapse under the weight of all the snow. Cars were buried in mounds of snow from the plows trying to keep the roads clear. People would abandon their stuck cars in the middle of the street. It was crazy! We spent alot of time snow blowing, shoveling, and racking. Dave went out with his Dad to work and help friends with their many snow dilemmas! Everyday I tried to talk people into building an igloo with me, have a snow ball fight, or even go sledding... but most time everyone else was so sick of being in the snow, the last thing they wanted to do was play in the snow! I did get a few runs down a hill in a sled while I was there, which was wonderful!

We stayed with Dave's sister, Amber, and her family. It was fun to experience Christmas with their two little ones. Abby is about 2 1/2 years old and so this was really the first Christmas that she had a clear understanding of what was going on. I asked her when we arrived what she wanted for Christmas and she promptly told me... "a kitty, books, and candy". I love the simplicity of the list and the candy part just made me laugh. On Christmas eve Dave and John (our brother-in-law) went to go pick up the kitten from a friend who had been keeping it for a week till Christmas rolled around!

That evening we had to keep the kitten downstairs in the basement with us and keep it quite so that Abby wouldn't hear it. It was quit the task to keep a kitten in a new house quite! Not to mention that I am terribly allergic to cats! But the best and most entertaining part was when we had to attempt to wrap the cat in a box before Abby came out to see what Santa had given her. Luckily I had my camera near by and I was able to capture a few images of the entertaining experience of wrapping a cat in a box! The first problem was that we only had scotch tape to keep the box closed, so the cat kept breaking the tape and attempting to get out. The second problem was that, for obvious reasons, it would not stay quite in the box! After we put the box upstairs, Abby came out to see her presents. The second the kitten made noise, her eye got big! She seemed almost a little in shock and was completely apprehensive to open the present up. I guess she was worried about exactly just what was in the box and making all that noise! Being there with young children seemed to give Christmas that magical feeling again!

That evening several of Dave's other family members came over and we enjoyed visiting and unwrapping presents together. This Christmas was the largest turn out of Dave's Family that was able to make it back home for Christmas at the same time! I believe there were 13 out of the 18 siblings, 11 spouses, 2 grandparents, and roughly 17 grandkids (if my numbers are right... it is hard to count that many people)! As you can imagine, anything with that many family members around is bound to be eventful! It was a wonderful Christmas and great opportunity to see family that we have not seen in a while. That is one of my favorite parts of the holiday season is simply being surrounded by so many friends and family.

The 12 Days of Christmas

So you all know the song, The Twelve Days of Christmas... well, some SWEET family chose us to do a very kind act that goes along with this song. A gift arrived on our front porch every night for the 12 days leading up to Christmas (in this case it was 11 days, because we left for Spokane on Christmas eve). The gift would resemble the applicable verse that went along with that day. Each night our door bell would ring (as long as we weren't in the front room) and a gift was left on our porch with no one in sight to thank! By the third day I had figured out the routine and found myself frequently turning on our front porch light to see if something was there yet. It was like a kid who couldn't wait for Christmas... I just couldn't wait for the SMILE that was put on my face each time I found our surprise. What a wonderful Christmas tradition this would be to start as a family. A big THANK YOU goes out to whoever it was that made us feel so special!

Catching up...

Okay, so I know I am a little behind on blogging! As for all the complaints, I promise I will do better! The week leading up to our departure for Spokane to visit Daves family for the holidays was absolutely crazy of course.

We had to pay for an overly priced ticket into Spokane because Southwest temporarily quit flying there. But to make matters worse we also had to pay to check any luggage. So for an 8 day trip we had to make sure we packed very light (and I have to admit, I am not really a light packer). Not to mention we had to make room for our snow boots, snow pants, gloves, ect. so we were prepared for the snow when we arrived. We finally decided it just simply wouldn't be feasible to bring our presents to Spokane. So on the night before we were to leave, we FINALLY got around to wrapping our presents for each other, just in time to sit down and unwrap them! It was our second premature Christmas of the season. Here are a few pics...

(Thanks mom for the Stephans Hot Cocoa, you know how much I miss it)

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas...

... (just not till our plane lands). We are in the airport and waiting for our flight to depart for Spokane to visit Dave's family for Christmas. Spokane has been hammered with snow for the past week with about 30" currently on the ground! Another storm is suppose to hit today (hopefully AFTER we arrive) and snow for the next 8 days that we are there. So, just a guess, but I am thinking we will definitely be enjoying a white Christmas this year.

Merry Christmas!

The Real Reason for the Season

The following has become one of my favorite Christmas poems. It is the only poem I know entirely by heart. I think so often we forget what the true meaning of Christmas is really about. I am so grateful for the Saviors birth and for the sacrifice he made on our behalf. There is something very magical about this time of year and it goes far beyond lights, Christmas tree's, and presents. During all of the hustle and bustle, I hope we all can take the time to reflect on our Savior. After all, it is the real reason for the season...

Every year on my Christmas tree

I hang a nail for all to see

For the nails of the Manger

where the Christ Child lay

To those piercing His body

as his life drained away.

A reminder of love

midst the green tree

Of the gift that was given

for you and for me

Hanging there brightly
on its little red cord

telling of Jesus,

Our Savior, Our Lord

It has become one of our family traditions to hang a nail on our tree. I would encourage you to do the same, so that we are all reminded of the real reason for the season... our Saviors Birth.

I'm Just So...Honored (Sniff, Sniff)

What a prestigious award, I seem to be at a loss for words. Hold on...I need a second...........okay! First of all a thank you must go out out to my nominator, Marianne. As a recipient, I must do 3 things.

1. List 5 things I love
2. Name 5 people who I would like to pass this award on to
3. Give solicited love to the person who gave me the award.

I love my husband. I know that may be a little predictable and cliche, but seriously! I am not one of those girls that looks forward to a girls night out or for him to leave town for a few days. I love every minute I get to spend with him and I can't wait until we are both retired and I can spend the whole day with him everyday!

I love food. This requires no further explanation. Simple as that, I love food!

I love paper clips, twisty ties, and Clorox wipes. The simple inventions really. Every time I use them a thought comes into my head..."I sure would like to meet the person who created these fabulous, yet amazingly practical items".

I love taking pictures. But more specifically, I love taking film pictures and developing them in a darkroom. There is something amazing about a film photograph that cannot be captured using a digital camera. There is something amazing about processing your own film and developing your own pictures, it is such a hands on process. They then become 100% your own. I think digital photography is the easy way out, my photo's have become so sloppy since I started shooting digitally. I think we all, myself included, should bring out the old film cameras ever once in a while and take a few images. now that I am off my soap box, on to the last one...

I love taking long walks with Dave and the dogs. It is some of my most cherished time with him. We just talk and laugh and enjoy our time together. In those moments, it is as if all of my stresses and worries seem to dissipate.

I would like to pass this distinguished award on to the following people because I LOVE YOUR BLOGS:

Blaire Ostler
Andrea Swenson

Natalie Call
Jesica Ashworth
Michelle Baker

And last, but not least, to Marianne. We dearly miss you and your adorable family. You are always so down to earth and practical. Your blog posts are always entertaining and creative. We hope that life finds you doing well. Thank you for LOVING MY BLOG!!