Snowy Days

Well, I am finally putting up some of our snow pictures! As most of you know, the NW had a big snowstorm that lasted for over a week, which is very unusual for this area. It was fun having a white Christmas, but I'm glad to see the rain come back so I can at least get out of the house. :)

Dave helping Emily dig her car out of the snow - crazy girl drove all around without chains or studs the whole week! :)

I drove with Dave to work and the freeways looked like this for several days. I love the snow laden fir trees!

a little beauty

And a little fun! Our friend, Dave was helping out with plowing during the storm and was driving by our house while we were gone and decided it would be fun to push a huge mound of snow in front of the garage. My Dave thought it was fun, too and had a great time parking on it all week long. :)


Dave came back later to confess to his crime. :) (I was so upset when I thought the city had dumped a huge pile of snow in our driveway....we soon figured it out though) :)

"I sure do like those Christmas cookies, sugar...."

Well, Emily is home for most of her Christmas break, so yesterday we decided to make not-very-good-for-you Christmas cookies. They are still yummy though....so much for dietary plans... :)

Charlotte was a good girl and stayed on her blanket, just watching us with lonely eyes. I think I caught her glaring at me a few times for not letting her off her blanket to "help" us. ;)

"......I sure do like those Christmas cookies sugar

I sure do like those Christmas cookies babe

The ones that look like Santa Claus

Christmas trees and bells and stars

I sure do like those Christmas cookies babe

Now Christmas cookies are a special treat

The more she bakes the more I eat

And sometimes I can't get myself to stop

Sometimes she'll wait til I'm asleep

And she'll take the ones that I didn't eat

And put those little sprinkley things on top

Now those sprinkley things just make things worse

Cause it makes em taste better than they did at first

And they're absolutely impossible to resist

Some disappear to who knows where

But I make sure I get my share

And those kids just stand there waiting for the ones I miss......"

Yum!! :)

Two boys and their parents :)

Yesterday I met Karl and Kelly, Russel and Jasper at a park downtown and took some family photos for them! Here are a few of my favorites. :)

I love this little smirk/smile he has here! :)

The boys had fun at the best place in the park - the playground!

I don't know exactly why, but this is one of my favs from the day -

it's somewhat distorted and funky, but I love it! :)

Thanks for letting me take your pics, guys! ;) You are all such a fun family to hang out with!

Thanksgiving in Florence

We spent three days in Florence, OR with the Bartlett family for Thanksgiving. This year the family rented a church instead of being at Grandpa and Grandma's place - the family is growing! :) There was lots of space for everyone to hang out, a big kitchen to prepare the Thanksgiving dinner, and even a game room in the basement with air hockey, ping pong and foosball. We all had a wonderful time and I was glad to get to know Dave's family better!

Here are some snapshots of the weekend. :)

The beach was only a few minutes away, so a bunch of us went there before it started to rain.

Sisters :)

Strong young men playing with big sticks! :) They made a huge splash when they threw the logs in the water.

The whole group, minus Aunt Ruth Ann who was taking the photo - thanks!

Andrew twirling around a long piece of kelp....or seaweed....(what is that thing?) Anyways...Justin and Tony were getting a huge amount of air jumping over it!


We tried to let Grandma have some rest from prepping Thanksgiving dinner and doing dishes, but she always managed to be in the kitchen most of the time! ;)


Guys talking. :)


Beautiful Kim - she's got that pregnancy glow. ;)


Sisters :)

Cousins.

We all gathered around the piano Thanksgiving evening and sang hymns while Aunt Christine played.

Kelly and Aaron

Philemon playing ping pong. :)

The little girls loved to have the guys give them shoulder rides. :)

Dave with his little buddy. :)

I may have more Thanksgiving pictures up later. :)

Drinkin' from my Saucer

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Thought I'd just share a nice poem. :)

Drinkin' from my Saucer

I've never made a fortune

and it's probably too late now.

But I don't worry about that much,

I'm happy anyhow.

And as I go along life's way,

I'm reaping better than I sowed.

I'm drinking from my saucer,

Cause my cup has overflowed.

Haven't got a lot of riches,

and sometimes the going's tough.

But I've got loving ones around me,

and that makes me rich enough.

I thank God for his blessings,

and the mercies He's bestowed.

I'm drinking from my saucer,

cause my cup has overflowed.

I 'member times when things went wrong,

My faith wore somewhat thin.

But all at once the dark clouds broke,

and sun peeped through again.

So Lord, help me not to gripe

about the tough rows that I've hoed.

I'm drinking from my saucer,

Cause my cup has overflowed.

If God gives me strength and courage,

when the way grows steep and rough.

I'll not ask for other blessings,

I'm already blessed enough.

And may I never be too busy,

to help others bear their loads.

Then I'll keep drinking from my saucer,

Cause my cup has overflowed.

Dave & Jeny

I had the privilege of taking Dave and Jeny's family pictures - lucky me! ;) They are such a beautiful family! Here are a few of my favorites. :)

Don't they both have amazing eyes?!

I have to smile every time I see Emy's expression and pose here! :)

Awwww....
Another look at those blue, blue eyes!

I just could not get over how cute this outfit was on her!

Thanks for letting me take your family pictures! You guys are a lot of fun, especially with such a beautiful little girl! :)

Butternut Squash and Cannellini Soup

I've never been a fan of squash, or yams, or sweet potatoes - just ask my mom! ;) But last week I decided to make a go of it and use it in a recipe. My goal was to disguise it as cleverly as possible. :) So this post is dedicated to you, Mom! ;)

I finally found a recipe for Butternut Squash and Cannellini Soup with Bacon that I thought looked promising. I got the recipe from here but changed it up a bit to the way I wanted.
Here's my version:

BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND CANNELLINI SOUP with BACON
6 thick bacon slices, chopped
1 1/2 cups chopped onion
6 garlic cloves, minced
3 cups low-salt chicken broth
4 cups 3/4-inch cubes roasted, peeled butternut squash (from one 1 3/4-pound squash)
3 15-ounce cans cannellini (white kidney beans), undrained (you can find these beans at Trader Joes)
1 14 1/2-ounce can diced tomatoes in juice, drained (Italian-style is a good option)
1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
Savory - just eyeball it
Cumin - eyeball it
Curry - same as above. :)
Chives for garnish

Split and roast whole squash at 375 for about 45 min.
Meanwhile, saute bacon in heavy large pot over medium heat until crisp, about 4 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain. Add chopped onion and garlic to drippings in pot; sauté until golden, about 10 minutes. Add chicken broth; bring to boil. Stir in butternut squash, 1 can cannellini with liquid, drained tomatoes, and fresh rosemary. Cover and simmer until butternut squash is tender and flavors blend, about 15 minutes. Puree entire soup with immersible hand blender. Add 2 cans cannellini beans. Cook until beans are thoroughly warmed. Season soup with salt and pepper.

Ladle soup into bowls. Garnish with chopped bacon and chives. Enjoy - it's delicious! :)

I gave Emily some of this soup and made her try to guess what was in it (she's not a fan of squash, either). I don't remember all of her guesses, but I know not one of them was squash....and she liked it! Mission accomplished!

Butternut squash muffins are also amazing, too! Especially recipes with lots of spices! Yum!

Breathtaking Crater Lake

If you've never visited Crater Lake, you should put it near the top of your list - it really is breathtaking! We had the opportunity to visit it again with our family while we were in Southern Oregon. The first time we went was on our honeymoon and we stayed in the rustic lodge....did you ever hear that story...?? Well, apparently, in the summer months it is super busy, and it's recommended to get reservations far in advance. But we were just kinda winging it during our trip and didn't make and reservations for anything! We got there around 4 pm, which was the latest time you could check in for the night and they had just two tiny rooms left. The person in line behind us took the other room. :) Whew - an answer to a prayer that hadn't even been requested! :)

Anyways! Back to our current trip.... :)

Kate walking with help from Mommy along the rock wall near the Rim
"Beautiful view, eh cousin?" ;)

Nah, I bet they're just interested in this cute little ladybug. :)View from the observatory

I think this would be a great sledding hill during the wintertime! ;)
Looking out toward Klamath Falls area

Our destination was right at the tippy-top. Can you tell I love me some sunflare? ;)
Starting up the hike

At the top - I think this used to be some kind of lookout for spotting forest fires

Dave and I up at the top

Sarah :)

See those little toy cars - that's where we started the hike. :)

The Google car that takes pictures of the street view on Google Maps - who knows, maybe one day you'll see the group of us on that website someday! ;)

Philemon with his Auntie.

Spires - these this are so neat - and huge, too!

Driving on the way back to Klamath Falls

And one last panoramic look at the beautiful Crater Lake!