Merry Christmas!

A few photos from our Christmas week: finding the right tree, decorating the tree, building a snowman and snow-puppy on Christmas Eve, finding goodies in the stocking this morning (while wearing new jammies).

Hope you've had a wonderful Christmas thus far...enjoy time with family and stay warm!

Quote of the Week

"I'm plot-less". -Steve (in reference to his latest book idea)

Don't we all feel this way sometimes?

Snowing...again!

It's officially coming down...maybe it will stick!

*Grandma and Grandpa, scroll down for more photos.

Catching Up (long post with many photos)

Phew. It's been a BUSY few weeks! Here are the highlights:

1. Steve finished classes and finals for the term.

2. Christopher and I walked downtown Ashland (while Steve took a final)...fed some ducks, did some shopping, and explored Lithia Park (first time for me in at least 6 years).

3. Mom and Dad are in Hawaii...maybe not a highlight for us as we're still in Oregon...but we're jealous! ;)

4. It snowed this morning!!! Weird, huh? I don't remember it ever doing that here in December...usually not in the valley until March or even April

5. Craft and ornament exchanges. Fun to see grown women so giddy over white elephant type games. Ended up with a seriously sweet Santa ornament.

6. Having ALL (but one) pharmacy school applications done and in! Congrats, Steve!

What I managed to get done: Christmas cards are mailed, all but two packages have been mailed, I've read two of my many library books, we finished our shopping, I am finishing the last baby hat (until the rest of you tell me what you're having!), and we have practiced passing the pigs enough to potentially beat my brother over break. (As silly as Pass the Pigs may be, it's addictive.)

*Catching up on my photo posting. Photos: opening birthday presents, dancing with Curious George (hence the blurry photo), driving the truck (he was scared if it came toward him, but got over it), grasshopper pie, at the doctor's office (this is for Aunt Katelyn- You see what you've done? He knows about reflexes now!) stockings are for wearing, feeding ducks at Lithia Park, enjoying the dusting of snow this morning.

Friday Morning Mouse Hunts

We have mice. Yuck. Dad thinks they are under the oven...he caught one this morning. Apparently these mice are VERY good at licking the peanut butter off the traps without getting caught. He and Steve are currently coming up with ways to get the last one...their plan involves a cane. I'll let you know how it goes. For now, I'm just an observer. :)

To Do

My "to do" list is getting LONG! I'm posting it here in the hopes that it will motivate me to get some of it done...tonight. To be fair (to myself), I've been "helping" (as much as possible) with Steve's applications, trying to calm the beast (Kiffer is the KING of nonsensical tantrums.) and comforting Tiggy with her Mommy gone.

1. Finish all those baby hats on my list (I know a LOT of expecting women. That's a good thing!)
2. Edit and post the photos of Kiffer's birthday. Hope to salvage a few...the light was AWFUL.
3. Get Susan's challenge done for Tally...which means I get to write a Christmas wish list for the first time in several years. Should be fun.
4. Clean the kitchen...that includes all the cups that Kiffer suddenly "needs" to have...one sip from each.
5. Finish collecting addresses for Christmas cards...there are a few of you who have failed to e-mail me back...I'm trying not to be offended. (Then again, you all read this and NEVER comment. Again, not offended.)
6. Cook dinner for real. This means we went out last night, had frozen pizza the night before, and made spaghetti (the easy way) tonight.
7. Take a large load of packages and cards to the post office.
8. Fold the laundry that I did over the weekend.
9. Finish going through the clothes Kiffer has outgrown. There are way too many.
10. Get some serious scrapping done so my Christmas album will be ready to go.
11. Finish the gifts for the grandparents. We're making most of our gifts this year.
12. Find and rent an available copy of Prince Caspian. I've waited since June to see it again.

There are MANY more little things to do, but these are the ones I thought about the most today. I'm off to the dishes before NCIS...and then I'll be folding laundry.

*Kiffer had his check up yesterday and is 36 inches tall (!!!) and only 27 lbs. I could have sworn he was heavier. Seriously, he eats like a horse. He certainly doesn't have my genes!

Happy Birthday to Grandpa!

We love you...even when you fall asleep reading to Kiffer after eating turkey. :)