The Spoils (We're Spoiled!)

We LOVE staying home for Christmas! This year, it was the first Christmas in our first house. We were snowed in a lot, and we had a great time making hot chocolate (Jake, from packets with extra marshmallows, me with whole milk and from scratch, and none for Allison, no thanks - "too spicy.") We watched Mr. Kruger's Christmas and marveled at the snow and ice from a safer distance. Though we did and are continuing to make lots of worth-while trips to Tacoma, Allie and I are pulling through with mucus and a soar throat, respectively. No worries, "Tis the Season!"
Now to the SpOiLs!:
Allie, of course, helped us open our presents besides her own. She got pretty great at it and threw in much grunting and heaving as the paper was torn, just for added effects.
If you know me, you know that I really like giving gifts and like spending money that way best but a real travesty in my life is that I CANNOT shop for Jake! He is very particular and enjoys changing his mind "on occasion." Ohh, but he loves surprises. Am I the only one that goes through this? And so I had to take him out with me for his "surprise." We went to Costco and Big5 and nothing was striking him in particular. As we were finishing up our search at Big5, I suggested a metal detector. They were on sale. *Swing, Beep!* His new love. I'm being sarcastic about all this as it's funny to me,
...but not entirely.
Beloved Mr. Claus got me gardening supplies and a bird feeder, new bedding and See's Chocolates. Most of which was an actual Surprise. He is very good at that.
Always-on-the-Nice-List AllieCat got clothes, books, a puzzle, and TOYS.
We also got fantastic presents from relatives, some fun splurges (Scattergories) some thoughtfully homemade (knitted items). THANK YOU. LOVE YOU.
So I will always think we are spoiled every Christmas. And it doesn't hurt that we left out mint truffles for Mrs. Claus this year either! ;)

A Rare Day Indeed

Though it can be treacherous, and community and church activities have been canceled lately, there is one Great Thing about being Snowed In: You're Snowed In!!
Its only requisite for us, was heading back over to Swains to buy gear so we could play in the Big White Fluffy. Swains and every other merchant in town (and neighboring towns!) is out of snow shovels, de-icer, antifreeze, rock salt, snow gloves and boots, snow clothes, and a mean lady took the last pair of red kid galoshes Allie's size. In fact, as a few of these items come in, consumers are helping themselves right from the shipment trucks!!
But No Matter! Because we got Yellow galoshes for Allie, New thick socks, mittens, and Luckily a snow coat while in Tacoma last. And YES, I am totally stoked about MY galoshes too!! We piled on the layers and layers...
So now that I've set the stage, this very day we ventured outside. It is snowing Now Again as I post, and more is expected to come! I hope you can enjoy the tactility of the Stuff, warm yourself with Kin and Coaco and BE SAFE in your holiday journeys.
Tried this:We did this:Tried this:You gotta do this:Play like this:And this:Finish up with this:...And then there's always this: (feel free to click on this one)
*Yes, I know the mitten string is supposed to go through the coat, we opened the new mittens after we got outside... :)

Christmas Nears, In Photos

Allie Cat and Grampa Claus (Jake's dad at their ward Christmas party) And yes, she was still scared; this is the bravest she got.
Tacoma Snow from Pre's Grad (see next post below)... We've all gotten several more inches since then! And C-c-cold! Who would have thought??
Getting me through the long dark nights: My salmon pink poinsettia and other needed poinsettia gifts.

Extra, Extra! Big Family News

Jake's brother Preston has graduated! He received his High School Diploma and a Certificate in Construction. He attended Clover Park Technical College and there were over 500 in his graduating class, all there for different reasons, all trying to achieve their own educational goals-- (and I'm jealous)! Very Cool. We are VERY PROUD of His Achievement; more importantly, he is too. Great Job!!

Pre acknowledging his "fan base" as they announce his name
"All hail the Graduate!" (*The traditional Lift...*)
--and Jo, I tried a lil' Photoshop on ya :)
Preston and said Fan Base: Loving Family Support
For more Christmas, keep scrolling...

One of My Favorite Things

We've made a tradition with our tree... how do we know it is our tradition? Because it makes us so HAPPY every time we see it, every time we remember, each year we get it ready! Somethin' about that tree!
First, we make a trip to Swains, the coolest (most authentic) general store ever. Though their slogan only boasts "Since 1950." We get our tree from the parking lot help-your-self-stand. It is still bundled up like a spear in bailing twine, we trust them. It is trimmed. It is fresh. It is Douglas Fir. And Jake ties it to our car. Did I mention we pay $20 here for 7 feet? All part of the tradition.
At home, he cuts the stump a couple of inches to help it take water. Then he cuts the twine! Tah Dah! In the treestand it goes. On a folded blue tarp (Goodness knows they're messy*). And we let it settle over night or more.
Then I'm in charge of the lights. I might love lights, and think they are the most effective way to enhance a handsome tree. I might love them A LOT. I have a method, too, and I'm willing to share my secret: Just lay them on top of the boughs in rows fairly close together. Keep them in the "zig-zag" form they come in from the box--it creates a double-deep layer in the tree. Now, if you put LOTS of lights on your tree, not only does it look amazing, but after Christmas is over and the tree is spent, you can just scoop up the lights in your hand, row by row, strand by strand, and Put Them Back in The Same Box They Came In!! AND They Are Not Tangled or Strangled For Next Year, Either! I will have to credit my love of lights for this ingenious idea. And I've only thought of it since having a real tree to celebrate with. --You can thank me later.
Jake then appoints me to add other embellishments like crimson wire ribbon, tinsel garland, a thin white string of beads... He is in charge of a very vital part, and this year he has an elf to help him. He is an amazing cookie maker. He is in charge! I made dough, but he rolls it, cuts it out, bakes it perfectly, and I just have to add the frosting. The gingerbread is amazing and a recipe I came across that claims to be used by Mormon pioneers in Nauvoo. And why would they make that up? Delicious. But I will add more spice next year. The frosting I'm concidering "old fashioned" as well, because I added more butter than normal. But I LOVE it now too! And on the tree the little guys go with ribbon, all having slightly different faces (I can't make anything uniformly!) and little personalities to match.
What Jake thinks I over do with the lights (nearly angry about it, hohoho):
What it actually looks like 800 lights strong:TAh DAh!! The End
(...But maybe now it just needs some tinsel...) Not so "humbug" now, are we!

Lights Out! Humbug!!!

Jake and I have been consoling ourselves with one pact as we've been knee deep in DIY remodeling the past eight months and that is this: we will do the inside of our home this year, next year, the outside (yard, paint, restaining the decks, etc.) We have reminded ourselves and found peace in the tornadoes that seemed to be making up the mid-project bathroom... And other places.
Congradulations should be in order because we are so burned out! and sticking to this agreement with great adhearance. The only sacrifice is there will be no Christmas lights adorning our house this year. No, not one. Dissapointing yes. But now you know the circumstance. So I will share with you the Griswold House---and know that we love Christmas here at Woody House & Home, though not showing it in 25,000 dazzling twinkle lights!! The message: Humbug, AND God Bless Us, Every One :)

The News We've Been Waiting For

"Gosh I gotta get ready, there's probably a lot of paperwork to be done..."

"Will need to practice Stroller-riding and going out..."
"Maybe some 'nesting' and fixing things with Mom and Dad..."
"And make sure the toys are warmed up!"
Mom, Dad, and Allie are getting ready for:

AND WE'RE SOOOO VERY HAPPY!!!!!!

The Moment We've All Been Waiting For

Checking it Off the List

Before.... yuck. We changed pluming, counter top, sink, commode and lighting fixtures, ceiling vent full of water, paint, accessories, added a linen cupboard, wainscoting ... Muuuch Betttaah:
(I guess we just need to change all the gold door knobs in the house one day!)
And there is even a place for Allie's potty by the toilet paper roll between the cupboard and vanity... Just planning for the hopefully inevitable ;) !!

Thanksgiving Review (4 Stars!)

We had Thanksgiving at our house this year so Jake was in charge of the turkey. The past several years I've eaten many fried turkeys as it is the moistest (and easiest) way to cook. But move over, because we have found something WAY MOISTER, AND TASTIER, AND I STILL CAN'T BELIEVE IT! He did it in the Dutch Oven: Honey Clove Turkey >loud applause< the bestest turkey ever. I will guarantee it! I hope he makes it again for Christmas, and more people can experience it.
On a personal update, most people we know even the missionaries forgot I was expecting-- that is until last Sunday.. Then BOOM, I have had growing pains like "Hum, I think I am showing now..." But in a huge way. (Not good timing for Turkey day. I couldn't even finish my measly plate and I'm eating about six very small meals a day, now. Lots of tums.) And exercising consists of stretching. Then I'm spent! So that is me in a very protrusion-ary nutshell. I'm just perplexed, that's all...

Silly Me

Allie and I went to the Ediz Hook by the coast guard station for a nice walk at 11am this morning.
It was indeed majestic, and as we traveled back through down town to our home in the landscape, I saw something. Silly Me!!!! I have failed to mention the phenomena in a sleepy town such as this. I saw some of my Young Women's girl friends out there in line waiting for TWILIGHT to come to town. Right next to some other girls' cool mom's for what ever reason not making eye contact with anyone, sitting in Hannah Montana chairs, waiting for their daughters to take their place since they were in school at the moment. And now it was beginning to rain. Wow. There is a big line crusting a little theater right now... in "P.A." as us locals call it. You'll just have to trust me that it looked out of sorts.
Now that the bewilderment has worn off, I do see TWILIGHT as once in a life time opportunity to be a part of. After all, I do live up this way, and Forks is in our stake, over an hour drive around the National Park.
So I've read the first book. and I thought it was clever. It is super easy to read, but I really was impressed with how well it could be the "next big thing." My only complaint is I almost threw the book down, though of course I had to finish, when I read the chapter on P.A. what almost happened to the heroine is my worst nightmare!!!! Please note that it is a little creepy down that way. And I could see it in my mind, for REAL. So here I am, watching and wondering how many people might try to live here in the next few years, if my property value will go up because Hollywood has struck like lightning, or how many boys is my daughter going to go to P.A. school with named Edward.

Baby's Day Out

Doesn't she look like a circa 40's baby vacationing in Maine? This preview of her (very belated) 21 month pictures.
We were-- well I was-- supposed to paint our bathroom Saturday, but it was the nicest day we'd had in weeks, that we could spend together! So family time it was. Calm, Crisp, but warm--even by the water. There's no pictures, because it seems we couldn't help but make spur-of-the-moment fun from one favorite Peninsula place to the next! And true to form, Allie and Jake explored, got dirty, and had fun at the Park and Marine Life Sanctuary, Salt Creek. We then had delicious "Logger" Burgers, came home and as the sun set (at 4pm), we all took naps! A great day. ...Now I paint.

I Won't Bring the Mashed Potatoes...

I won't bring mashed potatoes after all, because Thanksgiving is at my house this year!! There are many masters of cookery in my family and my husband's and I'm not included as far as talent and instinct goes. But Thankfully, Jake will be in charge of the turkey, deep frying or Dutch oven. My potatoes are here, we brought back 200 lbs from Idaho last month.
And, of course, there is that thing about the house: working on it (bathroom near completion)! But enjoy what we've accomplished thus far-- we do!
The dark days, many unexpecteds including a new sub floor, layers of cabinet paint and plumbing issues (ie moving the dishwasher over SiX feet- thanks Jake!
Most finishes I bought on Ebay. That was the only way I was helpful! And painting plus little things.
Drum roll please: Done Kitchen and our Conquering Hero!

A few decorations too...
Plus under cabinet lighting... I think we're nutty for it, go figure!

And thermal curtains for our huge patio door (walmart)

Getting Closer (-don't get too mad I'm mentioning it!)

Christmas is in the air- and the generosity to prove it! Jake's coworker knitted this hat for Allison and he's never met her! Though this picture is getting passed around the office because she's a cutie and looks very festive indeed in her hand-made headgear. I am looking forward to Thanksgiving and think it unfortunate that more isn't shared with anticipation, but merchants need to get at the next big thing, and I'm seeing it everywhere. Plus, I think Thanksgiving is a private holiday, rightly spent with family-- and that's what we'll do. ...Then look out! 'Cause I am sharing the love at Christmas, a holiday more special because I think I like being pregnant during, very much. It seems more people with the spirit of the holiday being generous, congenial, etc are sharing the happiness I feel with anticipation of a new little day of celebration in the coming months... :) It is all getting closer. I'm volunteering to be in charge of some mashed potatoes!

What We've All Been Waiting For (Fairy Princess Time)

Here she is!
With Orange Glow Sticks (Fairy Princess Wands), Yipee!
"You are the wind beneath my wings, Dad..." (P.A. football game 10-31-08)
Trick or Treat! Hope you had a good one :)

BOO!

Home Again, Home Again

We went to Tacoma for a certain "welcome home!" It was really great to see Brother-in-Law Bryce, back from the Patagonia and with nary an accent. He met Allison for the first time and reintroduced himself to little Bentley. This is twice this year Allie has met a new uncle, the other being my brother Brock, back from Ireland this spring. (Technically Bryce's seen me pregnant for almost three years! HaHa.)
So out in the fall crisp season that excites us, we celebrated the Northwest and reacquainted Bryce with the Land That We Love.
Lake fishing
Spanaway Park on Spanaway Lake, Lakewood, WA
Little Bentley using sticks to drum on the park chimes...
Little Allison found and used a solid brick...
Preston showing Bryce how to play "frolf" (frisbee golf)
(Fun for all! ...I just wanted to take our newest for a swing, -what?)
Outside, ahhhh.

Family Photo 2008