More snow.....

We got more snow yesterday & last night, and I had to post some more pictures. I have never seen this much snow in Seattle, but we have only lived here for 3 1/2 years. It reminds me of when we lived in Pennsylvania: people out clearing their driveways, snow thick in the trees and snow piled high along the roads. Tomorrow we are suppose to go to Portland, and my Dad said this morning they have almost 15 inches. We'll see if we make it! Looks like we are going to have a white Christmas! I can't help but think about how much my Mom would have enjoyed seeing all this snow around Christmas time, and I wonder if they have snow in Heaven??? I hope!


Like my last blog entry, I went outside this morning and measured the snow. Almost 8 inches! This is a lot for Seattle!!

Let it snow...let it snow..let it snow!

As I type this entry I can see outside more light snow slowly coming down on the already 5 1/2 inches of snow (I measured it with a ruler this morning - in my pajamas I might add). It is so beautiful! Church has been cancelled today and I don't think I will attempt to get out in this weather (except maybe to go sledding with the kids).

Yesterday before the 2nd snow came we went downtown with the kids to do our tradition of riding the monorail and then the carousel. It was 20 degrees downtown with some snow & wind, so it was a pretty chilly adventure. Below are some pictures of our time.

Asha riding the carousel.

Jeffrey and Mommy on the monorail.

Asha and Daddy on the monorail.

I just had to take this picture! Random man downtown Seattle wearing a short sleeve shirt. Remember it is 20 degrees with wind! But, wait he has his Starbucks....so that must be what is keeping him warm. Funny!

3 Years Old

On Monday Jeffrey turned 3 years old! This was a bitter sweet day for me...as you know he is my "baby"! I do miss his sweet baby years where he would just sit on my lap or I'd hold him wherever we went. He still likes to be held once and a while, but he is becoming a little boy now! He loves to run, jump and play! He tries very hard to keep up with Luke, and most days they enjoy playing with one another (even though they are very different). We had a pretty simple birthday this year. We went out for hot chocolate in the morning as a family, and then in the evening we opened presents and had cake. We love our Jeffrey and thank God for his life! Here are some pictures of his birthday!

He just couldn't quite figure out how to blow the candles out.

He loved the chocolate cake!!


He got some cool Lightning McQueen stuff from his family in Oregon (can you see the fun slippers).

He loved his front end loader (I think that's what it is called) from Grandpa and Grandma Hudson. It makes all kinds of fun noises!!

SNOW!!!

Today was our first snow day of the season! It was especially fun for the kids because they woke up and were totally surprised to find a blanket of white outside our window! There was almost three inches, and it was just enough to get our sled to go down the hill. I love snow! Especially when our whole family is home together and we can play in it! Here are some fun pictures (though sadly they turned out too dark)!

Jeffrey pushed his truck the whole time we were outside.
His most favorite thing to do!

This is the hill right by our house that we sled down. It is perfect!!
Several neighbor kids came out and we had a blast!

Matt and Asha going down the sled together.

Lana hitching a ride up the hill. (Notice my kids had rain boots on! Not great for the snow. After about one hour their toes were frozen and they could hardly walk. Guess I better invest in some snow boots for everyone!)

Christmas Picture

Since having children I have tried to take a Christmas picture of them each year. Of course, every year it's a struggle to get one picture that will "work". This year after attempting once to get all four to sit still and look in the same direction (with a smile of their face), I decided to take two separate pictures. One with the girls together and then one with the boys together (chances of a good picture increase greatly this way). I did finally get two that look pretty good, but I thought I would post two of the funny ones (especially the last one). You should be getting the real one it in the mail soon! Yeah!





I have to also mention....if you know Luke you know that he constantly challenges me and loves to push my buttons. =) He is a boy, of course! But, some times he says things that truly let me see his thoughtful and sensitive side. Today he was praying before dinner, and this was his sweet prayer: "Dear Jesus, Thank you for this day. Thank you for this dinner. I pray that Grandma will have a good day in Heaven today. Amen."

In Memory of Ryan...

Katie and Ryan were married December 31st, 1994. In just a few weeks they would have celebrated their 14th Anniversary. Tragically Ryan was taken home just a few days ago. He and his wife were missionaries in Africa, when he had a car accident and died. He leaves behind his wife, three beautiful young girls, and family and friends that loved him very much. I was blessed to know Ryan. In college he pursued Katie during our freshmen year. I had the privilege of watching them as Katie and I lived together almost two years before they got married. Their relationship was always honoring to God - from the beginning. Ryan loved people well all throughout his life. You knew that because people always gravitated to him. Even when Matt, my husband, met him for the first time he said he felt like Ryan was his good friend even after a few minutes of talking with him. He just had that way about him! He will be greatly missed by so many! I grieve and pray for my friend Katie as she walks through this time with her three girls. I can only hope that God will comfort her in a way no one else can!

Thanksgiving 2008

As we went around the long table sharing what we were each thankful for, my heart was swelling up with a mix of great gratitude and great sadness. How could the two go together I wondered? There I sat with my family whom I cherish...each one so unique and special. It wasn't a quiet thanksgiving, it wasn't a calm or chaos free thanksgiving, but....it was a thanksgiving filled with love. For that I am very grateful! The swelling of sadness came only because there was just one person missing. My Mom! We lite a candle in her memory and shared many words of thankfulness that she was in peace in Heaven. The loss of our Mom will be very noticeable this holiday season, but I am so thankful for my family in the midst of this loss!

Here are some fun pictures of our Thanksgiving together:

Eating around the table (not everyone pictured).

Candle in memory of my Mom.

We also got to share our Thanksgiving with our friend
Stephanie. She pitched right in to help!

It is tradition for Ernst to carve the turkey! He takes his
job very seriously!

Asha helped me decorate our table.