Merry Christmas

Nope, I didn't mail any cards....

 But I did hang 20 stockings ( from the only place in our house that's long enough), did some other wrapping, decorated a little tree (oops, that's right Ilex and Ivy decorated our tree this year!) baked a few GF cookies and helped Ivy make a gingerbread house from scratch, put up a few other decorations, made most of Christmas Dinner, (Shannon did the table decorations and eath brought their particular specialty ) and we all enjoyed time with family!!  

Drake is home from the Navy for Christmas so the newlyweds are happy...

The after dinner walk has become a set custom and the weather has cooperated the past few years.

From Our House to Yours

Rilla

More Summer Happenings

#719 was our place in line for the grand opening of the marvelous Albany carousel!

Check out the dresses.

Our fabulous new carousel in Albany is now open. Rilla, Sweden and Lola got rides about a week after the day of opening. (We actually tried to attend the event but the line was hours long and we just couldn't do it. The first two pictures are from that day.)  The town of Albany has been working on this, with volunteer carvers, painters, and builders for literally years now. We have been anticipating the grand opening and watching the progress with keen anticipation for so long.  

Summer Rushing Away

Summer events and happenings.

Drake and Jess

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Love

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Reception

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Beautiful

Magic at Dawn

Getting up early has its benefits. This morning at the hot air balloon launch for example. More than worth it.

Best Camping Ever

We have been camping in this magnificent rain forest location for 40 years(can I call it a rain forest even if it's not tropical?) Almost every Year, with the same family friends we have camped, hiked to nearby falls, swam, jumped off the same huge moss covered rock, collected interesting rocks,(and bugs. We've eaten great food cooked on a variety of camp stoves, and fire pit, roasted marshmallows, and slept in tents. (Well, two trailers have been added now). Our families are growing, our number has increased and we are 3 generations of two families. (We missed only a few members this year due to work schedules.)

Sisters

Usually plenty of normal sibling rivalry ~ today {at the moment} best buddies.