ALL ABOARD!

This weekend was Polar Express time! We drove to Hood River, OR to the Mt. Hood Railroad to ride the Polar Express train. Our expectations were low based upon some friends who have gone before. Our train was sold out...390 passengers... but the freeway between Hood River and Portland was shut down due to icy conditions which left our train with MANY empty seats. We had an awesome time! The train was old which is part of its charm and we got individual attention from the conductor, elves, and Santa since so many people were missing. Our hot chocolate was even luke warm! The Polar Express book was read to us over the loud speaker and we sang christmas carols. The ride was an hour and a half. We take a trip to the North Pole where Santa and his Elves join us on the train and there is a little village to see outside of the train but we don't get off. Did I mention we were all wearing pajamas including my parents? Most kids were in pajamas but VERY FEW adults. I loved wearing mine!
I would recommend this trip as long as you keep your expectations low and you have smaller kids. My older kids had fun but if they were any older, I don't think they would have enjoyed it as much.

A BAKER'S DOZEN?

During singing time in Primary on Sunday, the topic of cookies came up. I told the kids that once a year, the women in my family get together and bake Christmas cookies. I asked them to guess how many? The first guess was 15. I said MORE! Then one kid who likes to be a smarty pants said "1000!" You should have seen his eyes when I said MORE!

You read right. We baked 1155 cookies. I know because I counted EVERY single one. We started at 9am and finished by 5:30. That includes cutting out and frosting 360 sugar cookies!!

I look forward to this back breaking day. SO FUN!!! Thanks, Ladies! Mom is missing in these pictures. She was stilled drugged up and in a sling from her arm surgery.

PEACE

I love Christmas. Did I happen to mention I love Christmas? How can you not feel a sense of peace when the lights are low and the tree lights are on? Every year, our kids get a new ornament that represents that year somehow. When they are grown, they will take their ornaments with them. The kids each like getting out their own box of ornaments and remembering when they made or received each one. Stories are passed around as we trim the tree and hang our memories. Yes, Christmas is my favorite.

UNEXPECTED MISSIONARIES

I had a visit today by two very nice older women from the Jehovah's Witnesses church. They came before a couple of months ago. Then, we chatted outside for a few minutes and they left me a magazine which I proceeded to throw in the garbage after they left.

Being cold outside, I let them in my home. We stood in the entry way and made small chat which I was just waiting for them to lead into their purpose for coming. Sure enough, they began sharing scriptures with me and talking about Jesus' purpose of coming to the earth and the earth's role. I let them know that I am LDS and I told them what we believe.

The main speaker lady then began talking about how most people view Christ as a baby in a manger or a person who is just a man that people consider a prophet. We were standing right in front of my beautiful Greg Olson picture of Christ and I was able to bear witness to them that Christ is the center of our home. He is more than someone we talk about just at Christmas time but a member of our family all the time.

These two missionary women asked if they could leave a book with me. I told them I would rather they keep as I would not read it since I was firm in my faith and there was no chance in wavering. I was afraid that they would find an audience in me if I accepted the book and come back for more discussions. We made small chat a little bit more and they went on their friendly way.

This happened just 10 minutes ago. Now they are gone and there are things I wished I had said and done. I wish I had said I would accept the book if they would accept mine and give them a Book of Mormon. I wish I had said MORE about the gospel. I tend to clam up and not know what to say in these kinds of situations.

I highly respect these women who are going door to door preaching THEIR word even if it isn't MY word. As uncomfortable as it seems when someone is trying to tell you to believe something else, I can't help but admire that they, too, are firm in their convictions and trying to spread words of Christ and love....and they did so with respect and love. I am sure I wouldn't feel the same way if they were pushy and obnoxious.

Do I want them to come back and discuss more with me? NO. But I would be happy to see them in the grocery store and chat about the little things.

NOVEMBER CATCH UP

November is always a busy month for us. We have Ken's birthday, Leslie's bday, my dad's birthday, Ken's dad's birthday, and Thanksgiving and who could forget New Moon! So.........I got behind a little bit in the blogging. Here's what happened thus far.....
ICE SKATING AT THE TOYOTA CENTER WITH JULINA AND LINCOLN


DON'T FORGET THE CRAZY BLACK FRIDAY SHOPPING! WE GOT UP AT 4 AM AND WERE AT THE FIRST STORE BY 5. MY SHOPPING WAS FINISHED ALREADY SO I WAS THE DESIGNATED LINE HOLDER! THIS IS A FUN TRADITION.

ENJOYING OUR THANKSGIVING FEAST.
MOM HAD SURGERY ON HER ARM THE DAY BEFORE SO SHE JUST SAT AND RELAXED DOPED UP ON HER PAIN MEDS WHILE WE DID THE WORK!
OUR THANKSGIVING BUFFET.
SINCE MOM WAS LAID UP, IT WAS MY JOB THIS YEAR TO MAKE ORANGE ROLLS FOR THE FIRST TIME.....OHHHHH SOOOOO GOOOOOODDDD!

BOB, DAD, AND J FRYING ONE OF OUR TWO TURKEYS. JUDY BAKED ONE, TOO.DAD AND I CELEBRATING OUR BIRTHDAYS. I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE MY DAD'S BIRTHDAY PRESENT (SAME DAY) 35 YEARS AGO.KEN BOUGHT ME A STATIONARY TRAINER SO I CAN RIDE MY ROAD BIKE INDOORS DURING THE WINTER.ON MY ACTUAL BIRTHDATE, NEW MOON CAME OUT. I GOT THIS PICTURE AT OUR PRIVATE SCREENING AS MY PRESENT. LOOK AT ROSALIE....MY FACE WAS INSERTED. I LOVE THIS!
KEN AND MOM SURPRISED DAD AND I WITH DINNER AND A KENNY G CONCERT. IT WAS FANTASTIC. HE'S FUNNY AS WELL AS TALENTED!

THIS IS MY FIRST ATTEMPT AT CAKE DECORATING WITH FONDANT. THANKS TO MY FRIEND WENDI FOR TEACHING ME! I USED THIS AS KEN'S BIRTHDAY CAKE.

HOW PUMPKIN PIES ARE MADE

Oh come on.....you KNOW it's funny! HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

California Shopping

We stayed at Rosy's family hotel in Scotts Valley for free!!!
Charlie's Angels...Rosy, you are the best poser....the good kind!

My two moms.









THis is the result of Day 1 of shopping at the outlets.
The result of Day 2 at the mall.
Mom and Ruth sporting their new outfits.
Work it...work it....Rosy!
Kristie modeling her new outfit.
I sooooo don't know how to work it!!

We have a family tradition started 2 years ago. My mom, mother-in-law, Rosy, and I (and this year Kris went, too), fly to San Jose and spend a couple of days for some retail therapy! We hit the outlets in Gilroy and then a really awesome mall that we want in Tri-Cities!!!! We also visited with Ken's brother Paul in Santa Cruz. We packed light going and came home quite full!!!! Thanks girls for so much fun!