Christmas 2010

It seemed like Christmas was taking its own sweet time to arrive this year.  I did pretty much all of my Christmas shopping on Black Friday so all of the gifts have been wrapped and sitting under the tree for weeks.  We tried to tone it down a bit this year, and I think we did a pretty good job of it.  We had one big family gift, a Blu-Ray player, but the rest of it was smaller.....clothes, books, a few movies.  I was sad to realize I never even shopped in the toy department this year.  Everyone seemed to like what they got.  I'm just happy we were able to spend the day together as a family.   Here are some of the highlights..........

A gown for her American Girl doll.

Book II of the series.

And also #3.

We got the first 3 seasons of "Big Bang" which is one of our all-time favorite shows.  

Of course we had to get Scott some Cougar gear.  He got mostly clothes this year.

This is such an awesome movie.

Scott's mom (Sherry) got us quite a few cool things from Dubai.

This was the one big thing Corey asked for this year.  I think it looks great on  her!





They each got scarves in their stockings from Santa.

A sock monkey which Gabby named Sally.  Corey thinks they are creepy.  Ha!

A Woody nutcracker to add to Corey's collection.

We've played this already and I won against Scott & Gabby. I'm sure it was a fluke, but I have to say "Yay me!".



Even Winston got a gift.  He loved that it squeaked and promptly tore it apart.




Christmas Eve

After moving back to Washington in 2003, our tradition changed from ordering pizza on Christmas Eve night to having dinner at Falls Terrace, a local restaurant with great views of the falls.  We missed the past couple of years due to the big snow in 2008 and I can't remember why for 2009.  This year we made it back again.  The food there is always delicious.  It's also nice that Santa & Mrs. Claus always makes an appearance with candy canes in hand.   After dinner we drove around some of the neighborhoods to check out all the beautiful lights on display.  When we got home we each got to open one present before heading to bed & waiting for the real Santa to come!

This was the first year we remembered to bring a camera so we finally got a picture of the kids with Santa & Mrs. Claus.



Old Pictures That Are New Again

We received a personalized calendar from Scott's Dad & step-mom, Nancy, in the mail a few weeks ago. There were a few pictures in there that they had taken but I'd never seen. We asked Nancy to email them to us so that I could put them on the blog.  Thank you so much for the pictures!  I love them.



Gabby with their dog Dakota.



  I think this was taken at the venue where Scott's sister, Jamie, was married.  That looks like the flower girl basket that Gabby carried in the wedding.

Gabby getting her ears pierced.  I forgot how little she was when she had them done.  This was in my pre-photo-happy days.  I'm so glad to have this picture!

The girls & grandpa at a Cougar Game.

The girls with Grandpa at their house in Spokane.

Final fittings for the wedding.  Gabby was the flower girl and Corey a bridesmaid. 

I think this may have been the first Mariner's game we attended together.

Corey getting fitted for her bridesmaid gown.  Between the time she was measured and the actual wedding she had grown so much that they really had to alter the dress.



Animal Shelter Donation Drive

I can't remember a time when Gabby was not interested in helping animals.  This year she organized a donation drive for the local animal shelter.  Gabby created a flyer then she and Corey went around the neighborhood on Monday putting them on people's doors.  Today Gabby & a few of her friends went door to door collecting donations.  In all they collected $27 in cash and enough goodies to fill the back of my van.   A BIG THANK YOU to Emma, Savannah, Emma & Jewell who helped with the drive & all those who donated!!!!!!!!!!  Gabby, we are so proud of you!

The flyer Gabby made.  One of the people who donated asked me if I was Gabby, and I was proud to say that Gabby was my daughter. She was quite impressed with Gabby's initative.

Our first donation!

Our helpful wagon puller!

Gabby, Emma, Emma, Savannah & Jewel with the items they collected.



Seattle, Gingerbread & Lola

Scott & I decided to take the day off work today and head up to Seattle with the girls to soak in some of the Christmas spirit.  First we visited the Gingerbread Village at the Sheraton Hotel.  Then we had lunch at P.F.Chang's followed by some shopping at Westlake Center.  We ended our day at a restaurant named Lola.  I had seen it on TV on a show called "The Best Thing I Ever Ate".  It was recommended by Giada de Laurentiis for their made to order donuts. They did not disappoint..wow!  So good...............

This one was our favorite. It had so many cool elements.

Gabby was most impressed with her yummy hot chocolate.

Ah, the donuts!  They came with two dipping sauces....I sure wish I had some right now.