Christmas in Washington 2010

This was our house when the fire department brought Santa Claus around on the engine! He pays a visit every year to our neighborhood, and many others, I'm sure. They hand out candy canes to the kids and treats to the dogs.

You can just see Santa between Evyn and Ian (on the right) and they gave a treat to Ethan, who is giving it to Rose.



Our family tradition is opening one gift on Christmas Eve. Years ago I purchased pajamas from the Disney Store and was given six boxes to put the pjs in. We saved the boxes. Each year our special gift goes in these boxes. The kids know that is the only gift they can open. I alternate years in making something and purchasing. This year we purchased. For the most part it's always pjs. One year I made the kids hooded towels and they toddled off (as they were little) and took baths and then went to bed.

Must not forget to give Santa his cookies and milk! All the letters were written and in their respective stockings. Evyn and Ethan sealed their letters with sealing wax and then wouldn't tell what they had asked for!

Before letting the kids down to see, I had to take a photo of all the gifties and stockings. To what should my wondering eyes behold ... but a very large bike in our family room!

Can we come down yet????

And in they come! Dogs barking, kids laughing, and Evyn cheering at the top of his voice, "YES! I GOT MY BIKE!" Who'd have guessed he wanted a bike??

The bike appears to be the perfect fit.

Ethan revealed he had asked for snow and tinsel in his letter for Santa. He got a package of instant snow! And would you believe, the tree had been snowed on as well!

Another family tradition ... the search for the pickle. In our house, the one who finds the pickle gets to hand out the gifts to everyone. It took the kids a very long time this year to find it. Daryn made himself a coffee and sat down to enjoy it while they searched.

Ethan ended up being the lucky one to find the pickle this year and he was ready to hunt out his packages ... oops ... those packages for EVERYONE! lol!

Ethan had a special gift for the girls, too. He had folded an origami box and put in a couple biscuits for them.

Grandma Val and Grandpa John sent sashes for the boys for their scout uniforms. She had also intended on giving them fleece vests with the BSA emblem. However, sadly, the scout shop online no longer carries these vests and the local shop doesn't have anything, either. So, we are currently on the hunt for the proper vests. When they are found, we will contact a lady who works at the local scout shop. She has an embroidery business and can put the fleur de lis on their vests, as well as their names if they desire. We may not go with that idea, but put their names inside.

Auntie Jo sent Ian an old book about the Roman Empire. It will certainly come in very hand in his world history studies this year, and in the years ahead.

Mom sent Daryn a golfing snowman, made from a golf ball! Poor Daryn hasn't had a chance to golf in a very long time. Perhaps we can make arrangements for around Father's Day! (There is a boy scout merit badge for golfing!)

Ethan has donned his Harry Potter quidditch helmet, Evyn the reindeer felted hat, and Amber her "ear flap hat with big balls on the ends" and they are all helping Ian open the gift from Auntie Jo. A book on science experiments. Ian has pronounced he'd like lots of wintergreen mints. Why? To make lightning in his mouth!

Closer inspection by the boys. Need to make sure we can really get into this type of science!

Auntie Jo knows Ethan loves whales and sent him a couple ornaments. They are now hanging on the tree!

Evyn got an owl letter opener from Auntie Jo.

Mom and Dad sent Daryn a couple of nice blue work shirts. Timing was perfect. He needed new shirts!

Jo found this great book for me and I have to be honest, I can't wait to make some of these creatures. Need I say I require a trip to a yarn shop of some type to get the right kind of yarn? Darn! Actually, some of these take a specific type of yarn so the animals have the "real" appearance of being fuzzy. Will have to keep my eyes open for mohair and the like ... when it's on sale!

Amber is wearing the faux Fair Isle hat I gave her. Initially it was intended for me, but my big hair prevents me from wearing it. It fits her perfectly. Auntie Jo sent her a couple old aprons. I believe the note said they used to belong to Grandma Rathbone, so she now has something that once belonged to her Great-Grandma! She likes them and has folded them up and put them in the drawer in the kitchen; at least I hope she has ... it's what I asked her to do!



Daryn is wearing the first Fair Isle hat I made. I took a class with Sheila Joynes and has so much fun. I made this specifically for Daryn and have held onto it for about 10-11 months! It was a good fit. He work it today (12/26) when he was out burning wrapping paper and boxes. It was cold, wet, and windy. His ears stayed warm! He's holding a wonderful gift to the both of us from his mother. It is a cheese plate and knife. The plate is made from a melted bottle!

Grandma Val sent Amber a pair of peppermint socks. They look nice and comfy.

Grandma also sent her this handmade doll. Grandma Val said she got it at the library when they had a sale there. The shirt Amber is wearing is new (blue with butterflies) and she's wearing her socks from Santa (with the bears on the cuffs), and the slippers Evyn bought for her.

These are the wonderful gifts I got this year. The pink Snuggie (as seen on TV!) is from Daryn (he also gave one to Amber). He also gave me a 75-300 mm zoom lens for my camera, and those two CDs ... they are the best gift ever! Our wedding is on one, and the other is the kids through the years. We really need to find some videos, though, he couldn't find anything of Evyn prior to 2 years old! I can't believe I didn't shoot anything of him ... but all things are possible :( The sweatshirts are from Mom and Dad, and the scarf between them is from my friend Laurie (she made it!). The sunflower is a tealight holder from Mom and Dad, as is the Gooseberry Patch cookbook (to round out my collection of those fabulous cookbooks!) There is also a very pretty faux scrimshaw pin with Santa and a snowman in the shape of a heart from my Mom.

This is the pretty sweatshirt. It fit after all. I was thinking it might be too big, but if it was smaller, the sleeves would be too short!

Before dinner I sent Evyn out to give a test ride to his new Santa bike. He loves it! It needs some adjustments, though. The breaks were not working very well.

Christmas dinner with the trimmings. We said our prayer, sang Happy Birthday to Jesus, and tucked in. The only non-homemade item on the table (besides the sparking ciders) were the pumpernickel rolls which we got at the commissary a few days before.
FILOC = Food Induced Lack Of Consciousness! Daryn went straight from the table to the sofa and fell asleep for two hours! The rest of us watched a movie.

It was truly a wonderful day. Thank you to everyone for the thoughtful gifts!

For Knitters Everywhere ... 'Twas the Night Before Christmas ...

‘Twas the night before Christmas and all around me
Was unfinished knitting not under the tree.
The stockings weren’t hung by the chimney with care
‘cause the heels and the toes had not a stitch there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds
but I had not finished the caps for their heads.
Dad was asleep; he was no help at all,
And the sweater for him was six inches too small.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I put down my needles to see what was the matter.
Away to the window, I flew like a flash,
Tripped over my yarn and fell down with a crash.

The tangle of yarn that lay deep as the snow
Reminded me how much I still had to go.
Out on my lawn, I heard such a noise,
I thought it would wake both dad and the boys.

And though I was tired, my brain was a bit thick,
I knew in a moment, it must be Saint Nick.
But what I heard then left me perplexed-ed,
For not a name I heard was what I had expected

“move, Ashford; move, Lopi; move, Addie and Clover Move, Reynolds;
move, Starmore; move, Fraylic--move over”
“Paton, don’t circle round; stand in line.
Come now, you sheep wool work just fine!
I know this is hard semi, it’s just your first year,
I’d hate to go back to eight tiny reindeer.”

I peered over the sill; what I saw was amazing,
Eight woolly sheep on my lawn all a’grazing.
And then, in a twinkle, I heard at the door
Santa’s feet coming across the porch floor.

I rose from my knees and got back on my feet,
And as I turned round, Saint Nick, I did meet.
He was dressed all in wool from his head to his toe
And his clothes were handknit from above to below.

A bright Fair Isle sweater he wore on his back,
and his toys were all stuffed in an Aran knit sack.
His cap was a wonder of bobbles and lace,
A beautiful frame for his rosy red face.

The scarf round his neck could have stretched for a mile,
And the socks peeking over his boots were Argyle.
The back of his mittens bore an intricate cable,
And suddenly on one I spied a small label.

SC was duplicate stitched on the cuff,
and I asked “Hey Nick, did you knit all this stuff?”
He proudly replied “Ho-ho-ho, yes I did, I learned how to knit when I was a kid.”

He was chubby and plump, a quite well-dressed old man,
And I laughed to myself for I’d thought up a plan,.
I flashed him a grin and jumped up in the air,
And the next thing he knew he was tied to a chair.

He spoke not a word, but looked in his lap
Where I’d laid my needles and yarn for a cap.
He quickly began knitting, first one cap then two;
For the first time I thought I’d really get through.

He put heels on the stockings and toes in some socks
While I sat back drinking Scotch on the rocks!!
So quickly like magic, his needles they flew,
That he was all finished by quarter to two.
He sprang for his sleigh when I let him go free,
And over his shoulder he looked back at me.
And I heard him exclaim as he sailed past the moon
“Next year start your knitting sometime around June!”

Author unknown

Nutcracker 2010

Our family tradition continues. Amber was 3 when we started working on Nutcracker productions. It is now a family tradition spanning 6 years and we hope will continue for many more. This year was more special than most because the entire family was on stage. Although we weren't all together, we were all involved. All the children had their specific dancing parts and roles, and even understudied. Mom and Dad started out in one role and were changed to another. The last week or so has been quite hectic with changes in choreography, problems with costumes ... all the normal aspects of doing stage productions. But, as usual, it came together in a glorified ending and we have now entered into the holiday season. I don't know if it will ever seem festive unless we are involved in a Nutcracker production.

Amber backstage with all the other angels. Their teacher, Jenae Irwin, is making sure all their "whiskers" are tucked in (ties on their ballet shoes), tutus are laying flat, wings are on the right direction, and each one has a smile.Jenae gives Amber an extra spritz of hair spray. Her whispy curls keep escaping. Jenae danced the part of the Sugar Plum Fairy.

Here Amber is all set and ready to go on as an angel.

Daryn was Herr Drosselmeyer this year, a last minute casting. He was given the part days before he had to leave for a week for San Diego! He did admirably and worked very hard with both Annanise Lowney and Jennifer Branner. This is the sleigh in which he pushes out Clara and the Prince.
Sitting around backstage waiting for the show to start.

Amber all dressed in her lamb costume and ready to prance with the other lamb, her friend Hallie Scott. They dance with Jade, who is Marzipan.
Ah, the Nanny and Drosselmeyer!
Evyn and Tyler Cantrell, the Prince, do some last minute practicing of their fight scene between the Rat King and Nutcracker Prince. Fine tuning like this made a spectacular battle scene!
Evyn two-swords it!And, in case you were wondering what he looked like to the audience ... . Of course, his "neck" piece was tucked in.
After the final production ... a moment in the sleigh. Evyn with his rat head, Ian as head soldier (he was also understudy for Nutcracker prince), Daryn as Drosselmeyer, Amber in her lamby costume, and Ethan, again, as Fritz. At the cast party at Sizzler, Tanya Bleil (the studio owner) said she didn't know what she was going to do if he wasn't Fritz. He has the part SO nailed down and his facial expressions are perfect. She envisions him at 15 throwing his temper tantrums on stage because he can't get a Nutcracker! I think it would be hilarious ... and then in his final production as Fritz, he should finally be awarded his very own Nutcracker!
And, our family shot. It's not the greatest. Hart to get folks to understand about getting the "whole" picture. The lady cut off Evyn's rat face mask. Ah, the price of having the entire family involved in a production ... you can't take your own photos!

Christmas Tree Hunting

Neither rain, nor rain, nor rain will keep us from our appointed task ... we're off to get our Christmas tree. The place we normally go to wasn't going to be open until 4:30, and even then for only an hour. So, we headed off down the road in high hopes we'd find another tree ranch ... and we came upon this place. The trees are beautifully maintained, easy to maneuver around, and we set off, yes, in the rain, to find our perfect tree.

Ian is not feeling well as he has a headache, chills, sore throat, etc. So, he stayed with me most of the time under the umbrella, only joining in for an occasional photograph.
It really wasn't very long before we came upon this tree and it had a wonderful shape. We brought along a tarp so the cutting job would not be a soaking wet one!
What you don't see between the last photo and this one is the tree falling in toward the kids! Ethan just caught the top of the tree, Amber screeched, and they began to juggle around the cart to get the tree on it. The tarp was folded up, and the trek back to the shed/barn was not a long one. They took the tree ... a 7 foot Douglas Fir ... gave it a shake on their machine, and then they plopped it on top of the van.
The tree is in a stand of water in the garage, drip-drying! Decoration photos to come. I doubt we'll get to it today, maybe tomorrow. Only time will dictate when ... we still have Nutcracker performance through tomorrow afternoon.

Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving

Daryn had the turkey soaking in a brine bath the night before. Then it was stuffed with herbs, an apple, and an orange.Basting the bird after it's been roasting a while. The juices were nice and dark and we kept squirting them up inside the bird to keep the white meat nice and moist.
Ellie (left) and Amber finished prepping the table at the Dawson's house. Each place had a pen and a tail feather. We were going to write on them the things of which we were most thankful. Then the feathers were put into the back of the pine cone making a beautiful turkey.
Here is the spread. Gray cut up the bird while Daryn made the yummy gravy. We brought the big bird, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, corn, apple pie, and chocolate pie. The Dawson's provided broccoli and cauliflower with cheese, sweet potatoes, homemade rolls, a couple pumpkin pies, and sparkling cider and wine, as well as coffee and other beverages. Carmen and her daughter provided another turkey, pasta salad, an apple tart pie and pumpkin pie.
Julie read from a newspaper clipping about putting on an original pilgrim feast in this day and time and then it was time to load up the plates. Ian, Evyn, Ethan, and Ely ate at a small table in the kitchen, while the rest of us dined at the table set for ten.
Gray and Carmen's daughter, Haley, begin to dig in. Julie can just be seen grabbing her plate for turkey.
Lastly, the chex mix I had intended on taking yesterday, but made this morning.

Our First Snow This Year

See anyone in the classroom window?
Daryn hung Christmas lights yesterday. When I woke this morning to the light dusting and realized it was still snowing, I decided to toddle out in my slippers to get a couple photos of the house. This is with the flash ... you can see the flakes coming down!
This one is without the flash. It is supposed to snow until 4:30 this afternoon, and then throughout the week until Thursday. But then the weather is supposed to change. Rain is forecast from Thursday through Sunday. Yuck!