Navidad!

And so we made it to Christmas Day. We were still unable to get out of our driveway and down our hill, so my aunt came to get us. We managed to get to my grandparent's in time for dinner and another round of presents. I loved being with all the family and seeing the new additions and how the little ones have grown so much.

Christmas Eve

We stayed at my parent's house for Christmas Eve and had a great dinner and then opened presents. Chistmas is so much better with kids, isn't it?

Finally, a snowman

The Dixon family made the drive from Salem to my parent's house...a drive that took 6 hours but should've only taken 1.5! It was so great having the kids here and seeing more of my family...I was beginning to wonder if I would get to see anyone besides my parents, my cat, and the snow.

Let it snow...no more.

We had some snowy, snowy days here. After a few days trapped inside, my mom and I finally busted out on foot to Gresham. We ended up hitching a ride with our neighbor but walked back along the Springwater Trail. It was filled with snow and even started snowing for us on the way home. It was nice to get out, although I wonder if we really needed the 8 lbs of potatoes I carried home.

Um, help!

The snow just keeps falling. Will this ever stop???

Not in Kansas anymore...

Temperature right now for Gresham, Oregon: 19 degrees F, "feels like" of 3
and I shouldn't have done it, but in Puerto Plata: 82 degrees F, "feels like" of 87

Snow and ice

The progression of the snow yesterday...you can tell in the depth on the trunk and the burial of the bush next to it.

Yah, we can dance

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Visiting

I didn't let the snow keep me in after all today! I walked over to Jenny's house, whom I've been friends with since the 4th grade (Jenny that is, not the house). It was so nice to catch up and cuddle her new baby, Noah, and play with Maddie. Has it really been that long that we can have proper families now??!!

Let it snow...some more!

It is definitely snowing! It hasn't let up the whole day and it is really beginning to pile up. It's been fun though to have a bit of a change of pace, from sun to snow in one simple flight!

A snowy welcome

I made it to Oregon on Tuesday night and was welcomed to lots of snow and cold. It's been fun watching it fall and even trying my snow-driving skills today...yes, I still remember how to drive in snow. It's going to be a fun 2 weeks here.

Family photos

We updated our family portrait yesterday...I think we've all grown up a little bit.

Christmas Program

Today was the last day of the semester for the kids. They did what I think was their best program yet! There was singing and pantomimes and lots and lots of food more singing. Each child received a gift bag filled with fruit, nuts, candy and cake to take home. Their families also joined us for the presentation which meant a very full, but happy, cafeteria. Click on the picture if you want to see it bigger...their faces are priceless!

Princesa

Can you believe how much she's grown? This little one is all personality now and loves to walk around and cuddle and carry chairs! It was so fun seeing her today, it's been a long time. She's already almost 2 years old...time has gone so quickly! Can't wait until she gets to join us in class as well!

Anticipation

The photos of the kids...that was BEFORE their vaccines!

Happy kids

We vaccinated again yesterday and the little ones...well, they weren't so excited about it. The tears flowed freely as they over-analyzed the one small injection! Oh these faces.

Happy Thanksgiving

We had a nice Thanksgiving this year with the Makarios crew. We went to their team house in Puerto Plata and had the fully American Thanksgiving with everyone. It's always fun being together and even better when it's to eat great food!