Snow Part 1

Finally we have snow!

I sure hope the snow stays until the family arrives!

Decorating for Christmas.

We spent Thanksgiving with Ken, Sydnie and Gigi.  Our share of the feast was the pies and whipping cream.  After the mixer beat the cream, Elle and Baylor licked the beater clean.  The dinner was super nice.  Beautiful turkey with all the trimmings.  I am thankful for the lovely invitation and dinner.

Colby, Baylor, Poppi and Elle put up the Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving. I helped rearrange the furniture to fit the giant 9 foot tree in to the living room. Kimmie is still under the weather but improving every day  Elle held the top of the tree like it was a bouquet of roses.

Baylor read the directions

Letter B for Baylor.... actually a clue on how to put the tree together.

Elle loves all the lights, especially the blue ones.  The tree is beautiful.  Kim is hoping the artificial tree will help her spend the holidays without allergy problems.  

Taking care

Bruce and I headed over to Maple Valley for a few days.  Kimmie was scheduled for surgery and we volunteered to help with the kids.  By help I should say play with the kids!  Here is Poppi  building a giant tower with Baylor and Elle. The canoe was the top at this time.

Stabilizing the structure.

The canoe is no longer the top!

Taller than Elle!

Running low on blocks.

Watch Baylor!

Kimmie even got involved!  The tower ended up over six feet tall.  So much fun. 

Peace and love for Mom!  While Kimmie and Colby were at the hospital Elle and Baylor checked out the chair borrowed from Grandma Sheets.  Because the surgery was on Kim's nose the doctor suggested she have a recliner to sleep on.  

Elle's "Get Well" space for Mom. Elle went looking for some flowers for the end table but showed up with a globe instead - lots of colors! Notice Pinky on the back of the cushy chair.

The surgery went just as planned and Kim was back home in no time at all.  The kids were relieved to see her.  This is a picture of Elle and Baylor taking care of their Momma.  Such sweet loving kids, I am very proud of their compassion.  

Yakima

Artistic looking paint peel on the back of a car in Yakima.  I see a map of the world. What do you see?

Apple trees going dormant for winter.

Interesting way to grow apple trees now. Love that "V" shape.

Such a beautiful drive - love the Canyon Road outside of Yakima.  

After a summer of drought the rain is back! Hooray!!

Did I tell you I washed the outside windows this afternoon? Maybe I should of washed them this summer when we needed the rain......

Same bridge from a month ago with a swollen Yakima river.

Lots of flooding along the Yakima.

BNSF - I still love trains!  

Yakima River Canyon

One of the main reasons we head south - FOG!

What?

The sheep from up in the hills are still hanging out in the valley.

Arts and Crafts

I saw a cool craft on Facebook and decided to give it a try.  

Bruce cut me some twigs and I pulled out the scrap ribbon box and tried to put together a ribbon tree. Not as easy as it looks! First I tried grosgrain, satin and cotton ribbons. 

The ribbons did not want to stay tied so I found a spool of wired ribbon. The wired ribbon worked beautifully.  I also found a rusty star for the top of the tree.  

I pulled apart a silver cord and braided it into a loop and hot glued it together.

 Lots of fun and easy - can't wait for project day with the grandkids!

Another project for our winter home has been completed! I bought this green clock years ago. The clock has had a place in our home and recently in my friend Joyce's office. When Joyce retired she returned the clock to me. I decided it might be fun to restyle the clock.


The first thing we did was remove the door and top of the clock.

In my travels I picked up an old closet door that was in very rough shape. So I got Bruce on board and we cut the old door up and made a new front for the clock. I think it turned out super cool.


Very old and decrepit Oak closet door

We fit together the pieces just like a puzzle. I wanted to use the door side with the lock and the knob for interest.  Love that old brass lock.

Just my style, not perfect but finished and ready for Arizona!

Sunday Sunset

Sunday Sunset - after a day of grey we are having a glorious sunset!

And We're Home!

 Columbia River at Vantage looks great!

Low clouds in the Kittitas Valley.

My favorite barn with the goat weather vanes!

And we're home! The drive home was very uneventful. Several times we were the only vehicle on I-90 in either direction. 

Twins Playing B-Ball

Emma and Olivia are playing basketball right now and I had the honor of attending a game last night. First off - their coach had a baby strapped to his chest, how cool is that? The girls are on a team with seven players they do not know at all. 

This is the coach - love his beard!

I kept waiting for him to start a comedy sketch.

The Facility was built by John Stockton in 2002 as a comprehensive athletic and recreation center and is directly across the street from Gonzaga University 's new basketball arena.

What a great guy - the girls all listened intently to his instructions.

Match up with the other team.

Emma has the moves!

Tippy Toes!

Olivia making her move.

Scramble!

Eyes on the ball - with some defensive help from her twin!

Go!

Olivia guards with a smile!

Wish I caught Emma's feet - they had to of been off the ground a full foot!

Emma dribbles

Olivia helps

These girls are good!

Emma and Olivia heading down court

Team play - Okay, I wasn't going to mention this but one of the girls on the pink team had a prosthetic leg.  Nobody even noticed it, so glad that kids are just kids!  This girl had all the moves and awesome happy smile.  I am so proud of how far we have all advanced.  Not long ago this child would not have been on the regular basketball court with girls her own age.  

Olivia on defense.

Look at those pony tails and pink cheeks! 

Emma on offense - great bounce pass to Olivia....

Olivia squares up to shoot -

Look at that follow through!

Nothing but net!!!  The game was fast and furious. I was out of breath by the time the game was over! Their purple team scored a lot of baskets and did a great job on defense. Now I remember why I loved watching basketball!