Decmber 2009

December started out nice for a few days while I got the Christmas lights onto the roof, but then it turn dry and cold for nearly 2 weeks. Our water fountain was turning into a big block of ice.

We tried to slow down this year and just enjoy the Holiday Season together. One night we went to see the Christmas lights at the Zoo. I packed a large thermos with hot cider, and we spent the evening wandering around laughing together and seeing a few animals along the way. It was one of the most enjoyable, silly nights we've ever had together.

Christmas Eve morning I woke up and realized we had not gotten our family ornament for the year! So we drove to the Harbor, then walked down to the Christmas Shop to see what they had left. After finding the perfect Sailboat, a little dog ornament that looked just like Sadie, and a family of 5 carolers ornament, we sipped on some cider at the little park on the harbor until we were frozen enough to head back home. The picture is deceiving because the kids are in sweatshirts, but I am actually in my down parka with a sweatshirt under it and wearing a hat a mittens. I was still colder than the kids. I think my internal heater has gone on the fritz.


Here is a lovely picture of Erica and I snuggling with Sadie. Merry Christmas!

New Year resolutions

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. We enjoyed a record snow fall and had a magical White Christmas!
Now the New Year has begun and it is time to get serious about life again. As much as I love having the kids home so we can play together, I am glad to get the kids back to school and get into a routine again.
I always need to make a new physical goal each January to motivate me to get back to the gym. In the past I had the goal of sea kayaking in New Zealand (which was awesome), then I stepped it up a big notch and participating in a sprint triathlon(which made me realize I can do anything I put my mind to). Then I climbed Disappointment Peak in the Tetons(very high and crazy scary coming down). This year I decided to ride 100 miles on my bike. It is known in the biking lingo as a Century Ride. My first Century ride will be May 16th. It is called "Reach the Beach" from Portland to Pacific City, Oregon. I am so excited for this ride. If you are interested in learning more about it check out www.rtb.kintera.org
I wonder if anyone else has a realistic goal they would like to share?

December Happenings

Heather turned 38 years old on December 1st. I had a great day going sailing and spending the evening with my family. I got a new ipod shuffle (that Megan loaded full of music) so I can have something to listen to exercising. I also enjoyed a big slice of Chocolate Cream Pie.

Here are a few pictures of the majestic view we are privileged to witness on a daily basis. I call it the many faces of Mt. Rainier.

Erica visiting with Santa. I am sure she is asking for a Puppy. For most of you I know this is a sad amount of snow, but for us it is a big deal and the kids were very excited to take pictures. But most of you can not say you have Rudolf's family living in your backyard. If you look close you will see the mother behind the fence in the middle of the picture.Here is our beautiful Christmas tree. The girls had lots of fun making old fashion popcorn and cranberry strings for decorations. We are having a wonderful Christmas Season and hope you all are as well. Hope to see you soon in the coming year.

Erica's Baptism

We were lucky to have Grandma Yost, Grandpa Yost, and Uncle Thayne come to visit for Erica's baptism on Novemer 8th. (You will see pictures of them sailing with us in the previous posting.)

Erica was so excited to be baptised into the Church of Jesus Christ of Lattrer-day Saints. She has grown up so much over the last year.

Erica recieving her own scriptures.

Sailing Adventures

We took every opportunity possible to shanghai family and friends to go sailing with us. We are still learning the basics, so it is great practice to go out with other people that know nothing about sailing, because they don't know what we don't know!

Here is a picture of Heather trying to remember how to tie a bowline knot on the jib sheet. (Don't you love the sound of the pirate terminology.) And Tracy teaching Megan some basic sailing knots.

Just enjoying the quiet ride and trying not to freeze in November.

Megan and Grandma Yost in front of the Gig Harbor lighthouse at the mouth of the harbor.

Josh posing at the mast after the trip.

Erica likes to be daring and ride up on the bow pulpit. If we ever loose anyone overboard it will most likely be her.

Here are a few nice pictures of Gig Harbor. It is a beautiful little harbor. I often feel like I am just on vacation then remember I am so lucky to actually live here.

Soccer

This Fall both Erica and Josh played soccer. They practiced on evening a week and had a game every Saturday. It was great to have practices just down the street at the school so they could walk to practice or back home if needed. Games were really fun. Of course they played rain, fog, or shine. Thankfully we had a mild fall with mostly sunshine. Here are a few action shots.

Josh playing in the worst downpour of the season!














Joshua playing his last game of the season.

Erica (a.k.a. Jake to her soccer team) playing center defender. She was the big hitter on the team.

Birthdays

Erica was so excited to turn 8 years old on October 10th. We had a fun party with lots of new friends, and one of her best friends (Leah) was able to come visit from Oregon City for the weekend.
Megan turned 14 years old on September 27th. We had a surprise visit of friends from her Girl Scout troop in Oregon City. They came up on the train and spent the weekend with us. They gave her a cocoa mug with all their names on it. We had fun hanging out with old friends. I took Megan to see the "Phantom of the Opera" for her birthday present, and also took her to the Portand Ballet to see "Swan Lake" with her friend Hanna.