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!