The Beginning!

Today was supposed to be my last day of work.... I was such a basket case that my boss Joyce gave me a bouquet of roses and let me go home.  Kathy made me this neat picture frame with a photo of everyone.  After working as a criminal court clerk for ten years the saying "We see guilty People" says it all!  What a great crew, I will miss everyone so much.  Retirement officially starts on January 1, 2013.  The new chapter starts today! 

The day after....

I finally found Elf  - he was hanging with the Hula Girl.  He doesn't want to go back into the decoration box until next year.

Bruce caught this gorgeous photo of the moon - what a beautiful time of the year! 

Oergel Grandkids 2012

Elle 3, Sophie 9, Gia 3, Emma 6, Olivia 6, Baylor 1, Marcus 5, Ceci 7

 

Christmas 2012

Marcus had been watching  Elf sitting up on a pile of books for a couple of days and noticed it wasn't moving.... Christmas Eve morning Marcus had a surprise!  Elf not only moved but wrote the kids a letter. 

Elf told Marcus, Emma and Olivia he was sure glad he found out where they went for Christmas so he could let Santa know how to find them. Elf reminded the kids to be good because Santa was coming.  Elf also knew some personal stuff that tickled Daddy as he read the letter. 

Olivia and Emma couldn't wait for their cousins from Birch Bay and Maple Valley arrive.  Finally they went to bed without seeing them.  When everyone woke up on Christmas morning they saw that Santa not only stopped by during the night he filled their stockings and left some fabulous presents!

Elle and Baylor

Baylor's Bat Mobile with a gas pump!

Didn't take long for Elle and Gia to start to snuggle.

Olivia loved all the wrapping paper. 

After breakfast the kids headed outside to play in the fresh snow.

Packing the sled with snow for a softer ride.

Emma and Sophie were warm enough to take off their hats. 

The Grandkid Team pulling the sled.

Marcus taking a break.

Gia on top of the snow pile Poppi made.

Elle made a snowball.

Olivia and Ceci

Sophie looking for ice.

Sophie got down to the business of cleaning off the lawn furniture.  Sophie lasted the longest outside, the rest of the kids headed in to the house to warm up.  This girl is a snow bunny.

Traditionally the youngest gets to lick the whip cream mixer. Baylor is now old enough for dairy so it was his turn and he loved it. 

Ceci loved her Hermit Crab.

Uncle Marc and Baylor - Baylor was sad his Uncle Marc had to leave.

Kissing cousins - Elle and Gia.

Games - Sophie loves to snuggle into Poppi's elk hide.

Christmas night we had a dance party

Everyone got in on the action.

We had a White Christmas this year with lots of snow and tons of fun.  The Oergel Siblings were together for about 12 hours - not nearly long enough but with every one's busy schedules it was great they were able to spend some time together at Christmas. 

Christmas is coming!

 The Yakima Canyon hills are covered in snow.

 Olivia and her Mommie working on a snowman.

 Emma and Marcus visit with Frosty. 

 Emma decided to work on some decorating.

 Merry Christmas Santa spelled out in blocks.  Super cute, fits perfectly!

 Waiting for the candles to make the heat to turn the fan.

 Today we worked on a craft foam house.  After a couple of hours I have to say these crafts are hard!

 Marcus lined up the lights.

 The back of the finished project - All of the cousins have a stocking hung with care!  Marcus, Olivia and Emma can't wait for their cousins to arrive. 

Emma and Olivia with the front of the house - it really is beautiful with lots of sparkle and color. 

Christmas snow - later that same day....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Birthday/Retirement Party

 Here is a picture of the craft project I completed this Christmas.  The yarn wrapped cones are perfect accents for my quilted Santa.  Super easy project that was completed while watching a Christmas movie on the Hallmark Channel. 

The Office threw me a Birthday/Retirement Party on Monday evening after work.  The party started out pretty quietly with the husbands getting to know each other.  At my request no official office party has been scheduled.  One of the attorneys asked if I was going to "fold my tent and steal off quietly into the night." Pretty much my plan!   I've been taking my stuff home a little at a time so there won't be a big scene with boxes going down the hall when I leave for good.  I will be a little sad...  

These are Sarah's parents, Dad Ralph and Sarah's Mum.  I don't know Mum's real name, she always calls herself Sarah's Mum.  She is the sweetest lady.  Dad and Mum live in the upstairs part of the house and Sarah and Doug live in the downstairs.  Very European! Sarah's Mum is from England and Dad is from Scotland, Sarah was born in Ireland.  Bruce and I enjoyed visiting with them, their accents and stories were wonderful!  Sarah actually sat on 007 Sean Connery's lap when she was a little girl. 

 This is my co-worker Lisa and her husband Kendall.  Yep, her sweatshirt says Dasher and Dancer and Donner and Blitzed!  A preview of what was to come.....

Judge Sparks and his wife Dawn.  Maybe after I retire I will call him Scott.  For now I like calling him Judge.  He told me it was good I'm getting out of the business while I still have a heart.  I thought I was jaded.... nice to think someone thinks I do have a heart still. 

Kathy arrived with her handmade Christmas sweater and red sweats.  Kathy is so creative!  She designs her son Nathan's costumes every year for Halloween. 

I told Santa what I would like for Christmas. 

And the office showed me what they have been working on to surprise me.  Red Sweats!!  I made the comment a few years ago that I can not stand red sweats and someone remembered.... they did have a very hard time finding the sweats -  ordering on-line.  Walmart doesn't even stock red sweats anymore (for good reason).  What a thoughtful group!  It was fun to see everyone dressed in red sweats and Christmas sweaters.   I even got into the swing of things with a party crown and beads. 

 Judge Fran and Jewel felt left out of the group photo so they swooped in front of the camera and gave a grin!  Lots of fun and merriment with this group. 

The office went all out on my retirement gift.  They located the pottery guy I like in South Dakota and had a custom cookie jar designed for me.  The cookie jar is beautiful!  Yes, I did cry!  

The six bears symbolize the ladies in the office.  The cookie jar will be a memento I will cherish forever.  They couldn't of planned a more special party for my birthday and retirement.  I will certainly miss the people I've worked with for the past ten years. 

This is the flower planter Laurie gave me - a preview of things to come?  I only have 8 more working days! December 28th at noon is my final day of work.  As Bruce said when he retired 2 1/2 years ago, "the screen door won't hit me in the behind!"  I can't wait.