Willkommen in Leavenworth

Monday and Tuesday, we spent time in snowy Leavenworth, WA. Ten years ago, Jaren and I spent our honeymoon enjoying the sights of this quaint, little Bovarian town up here in the mountains of Central Washington. We decided to come back up here for our ten-year anniversary. Despite the cold and the snow, the roads and passes were clear and we were able to enjoy Leavenworth without incident.We stayed in the same hotel, The Enzian Inn although we didn't opt for a Honeymoon Suite this time. We were okay with a regular room. The coolest thing about this hotel (besides its authentic Bovarian accommodations) is the full breakfast buffet. During which you can watch and listen to the blowing of the Alpen horn on the balcony.I can recall being very sick with the flu when we came on our honeymoon so I don't remember actually taking in all the sights and shops. But, this time we did. And, with Christmas being around the corner, the whole town is gorgeously lit up with all things Christmas!

The Soup Cellar was still our choice of lunch for the day (literally in a basement--as many shops and restaurants are. You have to walk down a good flight of stairs to get to them). Notice the "dollar bills" in the background hanging from the ceiling and in frames on the back wall.. Once upon a time, every customer who came in left a one dollar tip. Soon, people who visited would leave messages on "their dollar". The owners began hanging them everywhere in the restaurant. Jaren and I left one ten years ago with our "Honeymoon" message on it. But, we didn't even bother seeing if it was still around. Since the place is now under new ownership, they do not practice this tradition anymore.

The boys and other family joined us on Wednesday so that they could see why mom and dad enjoy this little town so much. We came home Tuesday night--again, the snow wasn't a huge problem.

So long Leavenworth--until we meet again...maybe in 2018.

We're not in Texas anymore Todo...

We arrived in Portland, OR Saturday afternoon only to learn that a snowstorm was headed our way. Not that we weren't already in one. We drove east to Pasco, WA. A trip that should have only taken us 3 hours. But, because of the snow and ice it was more like 5 hours. However, we were blessed to get here when we did because they closed the road a few hours after we drove through.Well, the boys wanted a White Christmas...we're sure to get one. There is more snow in the forecast tonight. So, here's to warmer climates as we "hunker down" and strive to enjoy the cold up here for Christmas!

For all of our Washington friends out there, WE ARE HERE!!

The World Race (right here on our driveway)

We had Aidan's 8th Birthday Party last Saturday and I must say it was a complete success. We went with a race car theme. And Jaren (with some minimal help) whipped up this pretty cool race track with a piece of plywood, some 1x2 boards and a few 2x4 boards. Yes, we certainly raced regular hotwheel cars down it too. But, the whole party was based around making the cars for the track. So, we cut out some wooden cars, drilled a hole in the middle for a marble to roll the cars down and we had marble cars. The boys we in charge of sanding the wood, giving it a name, decorating it and of course chasing the marbles as they rolled away (that was part of the fun). I video taped some of the races and the boys could watch them while we ate lunch.

We had awards for every car. So, not only did we have "The Fastest Car" but we also had "The Craziest Car" and "The Most Mysterious Car" and "The Most Colorful Car", etc. Everyone left the party a winner.

All in all, it was fun and I'm glad Aidan and his friends had a blast.

Happy 8th Birthday Aidan!

I'm going on an airplane...

Saturday we're headed to COLDER climates (that's putting in mildly) up north in the great state of Washington!! And, we're all getting psyched about it. So we have, several times, played I'm Going On An Airplane and I'm taking a ______________.

Here's a sample of some of the answers--alphabetically of course...cuz that's how the game is played.

"I'm going on an airplane and I'm taking a(n)...
Aidan
Baby
Crayons
Dollar
Elephant
Five Forts
Goat
Hunter
Igloo
Jaren
Kangaroo
Limo
Monkey
Nap
Olive
Person
Quarter
Rowboat
Song
TV
Umbrella
Volume control
Washington, state of
Xylophone
You
Zipper."

This will certainly make for an interesting plane ride...between the elephant and the rowboat...I dunno 'bout this....

If I had a Friday Favorite...

This would be it.

Aidan did not know I was taking this picture until after I took it.

Nothing's better than ending your day with some searching in the scriptures with The Friend as your companion. He can be such a good example for me.

The Morning After...

This is what was left in the morning after last night's snowfall. After a huge mug of hot chocolate Aidan wanted a piece of the snow. He ran outsid to play in what was left. It doesn't take much snow for him to be happy.

He enjoyed wiping the snow from the car.Someone down the street managed to build a pretty decent snowman. From the looks of it, they must have rolled up every piece of snow on their front lawn. Man, they were determined.And the boys were anxious to head to school in their winter apparel. They don't get to wear it often!Made for a fun morning.

Let it Snow??

Never thought I'd be blogging about this...
But, the boys thought it OH SO COOL that is was actually "snowing" today.

If you can conceivably call this snow. You CAN see the TINY snowflakes.(Not sure if this is a picture of falling snow or of my ugly patio)

Hunter was outside eating it as it fell onto the grill cover out back.

This proves that not everything in Texas is big!

Then again, as the night went on, the flakes got bigger...Three hours later...the snow stopped and left this nice blanket for the night. Not bad for Texas.

My Mini Mozarts

Yesterday, we hosted my very first piano recital for my students. It was a first not only for me but for my students as well. It was pretty casual, low-key and not so intimidating. I wanted it that way so none of us would feel too nervous. They all did a fantastic job and I was so impressed with how well it went.
This year I had less students then in the past partially due to the addition of little Robyn who takes up a bit more of my time at the moment. So, I have been unable to teach as many as I like (at one time I had over a dozen students).

I have to give a public "I LOVE YOU" to my wonderful husband who stuck by me and helped as I planned this event. Several hours before the recital he sent me 3 dozen roses to my front door wishing me luck!! I was completely surprised and speechless!! I think I just cried as I prepared them for a vase. The roses that you see on the table in the picture above are the ones he sent me. He's such an awesome guy!

Aidan playing Jingle Bells

I had to write up my own version of this piece because I was unable to find the perfect arrangement for him. NOTE: I missed the first few notes of Aidan's solo as he was too quick to get started...and I was a bit distracted being a piano teacher.

Anyway...our next recital is planned for June! I want it to be bigger and better. And I'm ready to enroll more students in January.

Open Wide!!!

For a while now Robyn's been wanting to eat about every two to three hours. That started to wear on me real fast. So, I gave in and decided to entertain the idea that maybe she's ready to try some cereal.She did a pretty good job. And she seemed to enjoy the new taste! But, after a while, the spoon AND the thumb were fighting for space in the mouth.Starting her on cereal just reminds me of how fast these little babes grow up...

These darn kids...

I was reading my brother's blog and he shared a thought so simple and complete. For some reason it stuck with me through my tears as I continued to read his comments.

"Thanks Lord for giving me these darn kids."Ditto.