We Wish You A Merry Christmas!

It's hard to believe that Christmas is here already. After a long week of staying up way too late to finish traditions such as making gifts of candy for friends and neighbours, and running around during breaks and lunch hours at work to finish last minute Christmas shopping, I am grateful that the "work" associated with this wonderful season is done.

After a wonderful couple of evenings spent with friends, I am now looking forward to a Christmas day full of peace, love and happiness. I am excited that Christmas falls on a Sunday, so that I can go to church and enjoy the beautiful program that will be performed. I can't wait to see and hear Amelia sing "Who is the Child" with the primary children. It makes me smile to imagine her face when she wakes up tomorrow and finds out that Santa (Father Christmas) did indeed visit, and she must be on the "nice list".

Most of all, I am thankful for the real reason we celebrate this Christmas season, where I can take time to think of my Savior, Jesus Christ, and his birth. I'm grateful to be able to celebrate his life, and all that he has done for me, and my family.

We hope that your Christmas is wonderful too, full of love and all the blessings you may need.

With love from us to you,

Happy Christmas!!!!

Finding the Perfect Tree!

Living in Oregon, it is considered an absolute crime to use an artificial tree, and although I happen to like my artificial tree, I was excited to go to Ballyntyne Farms to pick out a fresh cut tree this year. We picked Matthew's parents up from the airport, and headed to the tree farm. It was the perfect afternoon for such an adventure. Grandpa and Amelia had a lot of fun together running away and hiding in the trees, I loved hearing her laugh as I got closer calling her name trying to find her.

There were so many great trees that it was hard to choose, but we finally decided on this Noble Fir. Now to give you an idea of how big it is, might I remind you that my dear husband is 6 ft 4 inches tall.

The tree farm provided saws, and so the hard work began.

The ground was frosty where the sun wasn't able to hit, even though it was later in the afternoon. I loved seeing the beautiful leaves that were decorated with frost.

Grandpa and Amelia started the cutting, whilst daddy supported the tree.

Grandpa smiled on as daddy took his turn to cut.

Finally...the hardest work was done, well perhaps not, considering this monster of a tree now had to be carried down to the car.

No visit to the gym required on this day, and rosy cheeks are free.

Our family around our fabulous tree.

After being out for a while Amelia got cold and a little fussy. She cried and asked to be carried, but the funny thing was as soon as I picked her up and carried her, she sang "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" at the top of her lungs, and then as soon as I put her down, the song would stop and crying would prevail. Then as I would pick her up again and the tears stopped and the song began again. It was quite funny! Anyway, she was happy to warm up by the fire. There was also hot apple cider and hot chocolate to enjoy.

The tree fit on top of the car perfectly, daddy and grandpa made sure it was very secure, after all, we wouldn't want to lose it after all that hard work.

Here's a view of where we had our tree hunting adventure.

We have never been here before, but I have a feeling we'll be back again.

After stopping for a great meal at the Best Little Roadhouse or "Ranch-house" as grandpa likes to call it, Amelia and I treated ourselves to a delicious hot cocoa from Dutch Bros. They have a special cup for kids and always squirt whipped cream on the end of the straw.

The perfect end to a perfect day!

Thanksgiving Dinner 2011

This year, we were happy that our Thanksgiving was with family. Matthew's parents flew in from Texas to be with us. We had plans to drive to California on Thanksgiving day so we had our celebratory meal on Tuesday instead of Thursday. It was a beautiful day, as you can see from the photo above, taken from our back yard, the autumn colours were splendid and the hills got a dusting of snow.

Amelia is a great helper, especially in the kitchen. She was so excited to help grandma make one of daddy's favorites, pumpkin bread.

After the pumpkin bread, she helped to prepare the vegetables, she likes to taste the carrots, and quite a few of them don't make it into the pan.

When daddy came home from work, it was time for a daddy/daughter dance.

Of course, it was a great excuse to break out the china and have a toast. On the menu we had the traditional turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing, mashed potatoes, carrots, green beans and gravy, with rolls, and I just had to add an English flair so I made yorkshire puddings too.

Our little family with full bellies, and lots of dishes to wash.

Afterwards, it was time to relax. Grandpa and Amelia snuggled on the chaise.

Now, changing the subject slightly, I just have to give a shout-out to Amelia, because a couple of days earlier, on November 20th, she both spelled her name out loud and then wrote it down in her art book and on her drawing board. I was so proud of her, it's amazing to watch her grow and develop these skills.

It was so nice to spend time together, and even though I hadn't been feeling well, it made everything more wonderful. Family is after all the most important thing we have!

Oregon's Gold

Every Spring, I post photographs of my beautiful girl, with gorgeous puppies, set amongst a backdrop of pink blossoms that sit right outside my office window. Now it's time to show you how beautiful this same location is in Autumn (or Fall).

This is what I was lucky enough to look at in the middle of November. The pictures do not do it justice, the colours were vivid and bright and simply stunning. Just like the Spring blossoms, this scene lasts only a week or two before the leaves fall so I was so excited that I captured it. After seeing a peek of sunlit sky on the afternoon of November 16th, I grabbed my friend and ran out with my camera. {Don't forget to click on the photo's to make the images larger}.

These trees sit right outside my window, which is to the right of this picture, am I lucky or what?

Sweet Jenny-O...I don't know how many people would be so willing to go outside on a cold, wintry day, just to keep me company as I snap away. She's a real trooper and fabulous friend.

The grey marble of the Capitol building blends well with the wintry sky and makes the perfect backdrop to the bright colours.

Even the squirrels looked cold.

I loved seeing the carpet of leaves everywhere I looked, it somehow seems romantic.

The building to the left of this picture is my office, I work on the ground floor (or first floor if I am talking American).

I even posed for a pic or two.

This is the view looking West towards downtown Salem.

When I left work that same night, I was in awe again at how wonderfully the lights lit up the park, so how could I help but to get my camera out again?

I love Autumn in Oregon!

So Much To Be Thankful For

I love Thanksgiving and even though it is a tradition that I personally didn't grow up with, after living in the States for over thirteen years, I wholeheartedly embrace this special holiday that is specifically a time for being thankful.

I am thankful for so many things and could write a very long daily list of different things I am grateful for every day of my life. What matters most to me though are people, especially these four featured on my post today, my mum, my dad, my husband and my daughter.

My mum and dad have always been there for me, always loved me and are the reason I am who I am today. I am so thankful for the unconditional love, words of wisdom, (and discipline) they have provided to me throughout my life. Although my dad is not the same as he used to be, since Alzheimer's, I know that he knew who I was when I visited him recently in the UK, and am so grateful that his last words to me as I walked out of his care home in England were "I love you!"

There are not enough words for my mum, she is always there, she makes me laugh, she helps me to stand tall if I am down, she is who I want to be like and who I appreciate most. I love her so much.

Then there's my man. He's such a great husband, and a wonderful father to our girl. I love that he can be silly and make me laugh, and that he is tender when I need it most. He works hard to provide for our family and I am thankful for his wonderful work ethic, he is my eternal partner and I am blessed for that.

Finally, there's my daughter, Amelia. What wouldn't I do for this little girl? She is so special to me. I love that even though she is is only four, she has already taught me so much. She is truly the most precious girl in the world and I am so thankful to be her mother.

Whilst I am so very grateful for every friend and relative, that I haven't mentioned, and for so many different reasons, these four are at the very top of my list.

Thank you to all of you who enrich my life on a daily basis, I love you so much.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Halloween Fun!

This year, Amelia enjoyed dressing up for two different Halloween Occasions. She dressed up as Jasmine from Aladdin for the first celebration which took place at church for the "Trunk or Treat". Here she enjoyed many indoor games, such a fishing for treats, bean bag toss, blowing the spider down the table and pumpkin bowls.

Of course she loved going to all off the different cars to get candy and her pumpkin bucket filled up fast.

Two of the young men decorated and used our car to hand out the candy, didn't they do a great job?

Peek-a-boo, what a ghoulish sight.

I saw this pose for the first time...where did she learn that?

She and dad had a pretend sword fight without swords.

And there's that pose again...

Me and my girl.

Dad dressed up as Chip Kelly, the coach for the Ducks.

On Halloween night, after her swim lesson, we ran home and got her ready to go trick or treating in the neighbourhood. My girl wanted to give out candy very much and when the doorbell rang (as she was getting changed into her Minnie Mouse costume) she went running to answer it completely naked, she just didn't understand why I wouldn't let her go without her clothes.

As soon as she was ready to go we headed out, Matthew stayed at home to give out the candy. It was the most perfect night, not too cold with no rain in sight.

I think Amelia thought this family was taking too long to answer so she peered in their window to see where they were.

She loved ringing the doorbells and this year could reach most of them. It was all I could do to make sure that she just rang it one time instead of continuously.

The Polk County Fire Brigade was out handing out candy too. Imagine my excitement when a fireman came up and gave Amelia some candy, then asked if she wanted to sit in the fire engine...I was thinking what a fun scrapbook page those pics would make, but then my daughter said "no thank you!" I think as a mum I should be proud that she didn't want to go with a stranger who gave her candy, but have to admit I was a little sad as I watched the scrapbook page disappear in front of my eyes...maybe next year. I definitely liked having the presence of the fire crew around though.

When we got home it was time to check all the loot, and my did she get a lot.

Not bad for an hour or so of trick or treating.

I love my little Disney girl!