Christmas in Washington 2013

This year for Christmas we got to go to Washington. Preston was able to work remotely so that we could come up for an extra week, which totaled 3 weeks up in the Great Northwest! We are thankful that we could be there for so long. It was a wonderful time to be together with family, friends, and to enjoy the special Christmas time in the place I grew up. 

Here we are with Grandma Suzie decorating the Christmas tree with enough ornaments to fill two trees. It was really fun, even Natalie got into it. Jordan also enjoyed helping put up the stockings and checking Christmas lights. 

We were lucky enough to get a little snow dusting of snow while in Washington. It lasted for about half a day; we enjoyed every minute of it. 

Jordan couldn't wait to go outside and have a snowball fight with Mom and Dad!

Snow changes the landscape into a magical place. 

Snowball fight! 

Jordan giggled and laughed whenever he got Mom or Dad with snow. He was a good sport when we'd get him back too. After exploring around we went inside for some hot chocolate... one of Jordan's favorite drinks. 

We couldn't miss a chance to go to old Poulsbo for some donuts and cookies. We also had fun checking out the Norwegian shops and all their fun viking attire. The kiddos had a lot of fun playing by the water after they got all sugared up from their cookies. 

This boy loves to swing! The higher the better. Whenever we are at a park he always asks to go higher. After going on Grandma Suzie's swing, nothing else can be too high. We are training this kid to love heights Webb style. 

Preston had great plans to spruce up the old go-kart while we were in Washington. Jordan wanted to be right alongside with his Daddy. In the summer Preston had the go-kart working but it did not have enough gusto to make it up a hill. He added another gear reduction to up the torque so the go-kart could be used anywhere in the yard.

I love the woods! 

My heart is so happy when I see trees towering above my head with the sun shining through them. 

We went out to Scenic Beach with everyone. It is a beautiful place to walk along the water and explore the forest. We even found a dead jellyfish that Jordan promptly started poking with a stick. He also had fun looking at the different sea shells on the beach.

Here Preston, Charlie, and Ron enjoying some traditional rock hitting into the water. Good times. In the lower right hand picture Charlie thought he could hit a really big rock into the water even if his stick broke. Well, his stick broke as expected, but the rock did not make it to the water. It was a good hit, but the stick just could not handle it.

Grandma and Natalie having fun. We had to reign in this little girl. All she wanted to do was play in the water. Preston let her stick her hand in the water expecting her to pull it back because it was cold. Well, Natalie had other ideas. She just kept splashing...backfire.

Oh so pretty everywhere you look. 

Jordan and Natalie staying warm in their new coats. These two have a lot of fun together. 

Charlie and Melissa enjoying the peaceful view.

On Christmas Eve, Grandma read from Luke 2, "And Joseph went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem. To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child...And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger..."

The narrator and angel. 

I asked Jordan who he wanted to be in the nativity story and he chose the angel. He has always liked any character or person that could fly. Jordan was so proud to be the angel that held the star up over Jesus so that everyone could find where he was. It was a very sweet moment for Mommy and Daddy.

"And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them... And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." 

From left to right: wise man, shepherd with baby sheep, shepherd.

Mary, Joseph, and the angel. 

We as a family had never acted out the nativity before. It is a tradition I would like to have with our own little family. What a perfect place to begin this tradition. It really brought in the spirit on Christmas Eve. 

Natalie was a great sheep. When we would ask her what sound the sheep makes she would respond, "baa baa." Well done Natalie on your part. Well done. It made sense that Preston and I would be the shepherds... we had to keep track of our little sheep and herd her towards the nativity.

After reading and acting out Luke 2, Charlie showed us a wonderful video on lds.org of the nativity. Jordan wanted to watch it over and over again while sitting with his baby Jesus (who is my old Strawberry Shortcake doll). Children are so precious. 

On Christmas eve, Jordan had a hard time going to sleep in anticipation of Santa's arrival. For a while he and I sat in front of the Christmas tree talking about "The Night Before Christmas" story. (He has a good part of the beginning memorized) Before he would go to bed he wanted to open the fireplace door so that Santa could come in. 

Christmas morning came and Jordan could hardly wait for everyone else to get up. Presents were opened, toys were played with, candy was eaten, and a big mess was made. It was a successful morning. 

Here are some phone photos of Charlie and Melissa. It was so fun to get to know Melissa better and it was so great to be able to spend Christmas with her. 

Preston was nice enough to make scones for everyone on Christmas morning. They were delicious! Melissa introduced us to apple butter and we all loved it. It was a perfect breakfast for Christmas morning.

After all of the morning festivities Natalie was in cuddle mood and ready for a nap. Mom was soaking in the cuddles. 

A sky view of the trees from the woods behind Grandma's house.

Natalie having some swinging time. 

Happy Birthday Mom on December 26th! It is a family tradition to go to Azteca for her birthday. I know Mom enjoys the food, but I'm not so sure about the sombrero. This year she said it was worth the chocolate moose dessert. 

p.s. Jordan and Natalie did the best they have ever done in a restaurant! It was awesome! Jordan stayed in his seat and ate his food, Natalie ate, colored, and the parents could actually hear most of the conversation. Christmas miracles continue. 

Here is the aftermath of the work and fun from driving the go-kart around the back yard. The redesign was a success, however, there were other issues that came along with it. The steering wheel broke off when Preston was driving and he had to stop by running into the bushes. The engine was sporadic. Sometimes you would go faster if you pushed on the gas, and sometimes you would slow down. The brakes were not so good either. All there was for a brake was a piece of metal that pushed against the tire. This worked well when the tire was dry, but, you know how Bremerton is in the winter, it was wet the whole time! It made it really interesting when he gave Jordan a ride around the yard. Charlie also got to drive it around and he loved it. It was a little too crazy for Ron's taste. 

When they were all done with the go-kart, the engine was really having a hard time, the front axle was bent, and there were two flat tires. I think that go-kart has just about seen the end of its days. It was sure fun though!

We all wanted to go for a little hike and so through the wonderful internet we found a park we've never been to and went exploring. We went to Newberry Hill, Heritage Park over by Klahowya High School.

We had a bunch of fun exploring and found some really gorgeous areas. We were lucky enough to spot a couple of bald eagles as well, which was a big bonus for Melissa who loves birds. 

Having fun exploring the woods.

I have to mention the owl experience we had this visit. Melissa is a huge bird fan. She has a knack for finding them. She and Charlie found an owl in the yard. They watched it and fallowed it. The little guy was curious and watched them as well. Melissa and Charlie brought everyone outside to see it too. It was so neat to see the owl and to wonder how long the yard has been its home. I have never seen an owl in the yard and Melissa found one on her second visit. Well done! Thanks for discovering the cool things around us that we didn't even notice. 

This is my attempt at trying to take a picture of Natalie in front of the tree in her Christmas dress. Not what I had hoped for but at least it's something. This girl is like her brother who doesn't want to sit still. She's a cute little lady who is always on the go. 

It's apple pie time! What's a Webb family get together without apple pie? We all had fun helping to make the pies. Melissa showed us how her family does their crust by drawing an apple tree and making holes for the apples on the tree. The apple pie was delicious! We always love to drop a pie off for our extended family the Peterson's as well.

My dear friend Kira invited us to a fun play gym one day. The kids had a blast jumping, sliding, and exploring the entire place. 

Here is Jordan being a champ at climbing up this huge slid. He saw other kids going down face first and so he thought... ok. There goes my brave boy. He could go there all day every day. 

Go Mamma's! Here Kira and I are going down the slide with our youngest kiddos. "Weeee!"

Snack time. Natalie and Joshua are looking at each other like, "What's your snack?" Jordan and David sat right next to each other chatting and laughing about who knows what. What a fun time. Thanks Kira for the great time!

So funny story... I bought Preston a shirt for Christmas; Bart and Gayleen bought Ron a shirt for Christmas. Notice anything similar? Good taste runs in the family. 

Preston and I spent New Year's Eve with Kira and Jason. It was so nice of our parents to watch the kids so we could go out to dinner, play games, and hang out as adults. Happy New Year everybody!

Jordan decided that in between the sliding glass door and the couch chair was a great hide-out spot. Natalie agreed and I got these cute pictures of the two hanging out together. Brother and sister good times. 

For our last day in Washington we did a couple of things, one of which was bowling. We all used the bumpers to play except Ron who is the most skilled at the sport. It was really fun to bowl together, cheer each other on, and try and keep track of the kids in the process. Thanks to the bumpers, I actually won a game.

This is a picture of everyone who was here for Christmas. We had a fantastic, memorable, special, lovely, and all around marvelous time at home this holiday season. Thank you family for making it so great! We love you all and hope to see you again soon. 

Ho Ho Ho!

We got to see Santa at the library. I was so happy we got a picture with Santa before Natalie started crying. In this picture she was just at the stage of concern. Jordan on the other hand loved it. When Santa asked him what he wanted for Christmas Jordan said, "a candy cane." The simple joys of a three year old are so cute. 

Here's Santa reading "The Night Before Christmas."

Natalie started chewing on her candy cane before I could open it. 

Here is Jordan and his friend Landon. They both ate their candy canes in record time. Jordan was so happy to get what he wanted for Christmas. He was also excited to show Santa that they have the same hat. It is fun to see him understand holidays more and more each year. 

Here is the gang that came to see Santa. Ho Ho Ho! 

The Christmas fun is just beginning this holiday season!

Thanksgiving 2013

We had the wonderful opportunity to be together for Thanksgiving at Heather's house in Albuquerque, New Mexico. We had such a blast! Here's what we did...

Lots of time spent in the kitchen. Cooking food, eating food, sipping wassail, making pies, devouring pies, going back for seconds, and leftovers. It was delicious and fun to work together to make the Thanksgiving dinner. 

Hanging out... it is amazing how much fun it is to just be TOGETHER with family. Telling childhood stories, talking about life, and laughing about whatever. When we get together it reminds me of what it was like growing up together in the same house. Family time is special, no doubt about it. 

Here are Jordan and Natalie hanging out watching Toy Story in the early morning when everyone else is still fast asleep. Why do kids never sleep in? Oh well, they sure are cute. 

Aunt Heather got Jordan some paint to do some art on her wall out back. He had lots of fun with all the colors... and I think us adults had fun painting too. 

The Webb family loves to be outside! Someone came up with the great idea to go hike up the Sandia Mountains. It was a breathtaking hike. I loved all the snow we got to see and play with while hiking. 

A pretty shot of the contrast between where the sun hits the mountains and where it stays shady and frosted with snow. 

Pictures of some good looking folks. 

I couldn't help but take a bunch of pictures. The snow, leaves, trees, mountains, and everything was a much welcomed break from the desert of Tucson. I thought it was interesting to get a picture with cactus mixed with pin cones. Albuquerque is still a desert but has enough trees that you don't feel it as much. 

While hiking together we took the opportunity to have snow balls fights. By the end of it, most of us had gotten snow down our backs, in our face, and most anywhere else. Charlie started the joke about how we were different countries bombing each other. I think it started with Ron getting Charlie pretty good with a snow ball. He went off on a Pearl Harbor rant and it escalated from there. 

I don't remember what country everyone was but it went something like this... Ron: Japan, Charlie: U.S., Hillary: Norway, Bart: Russia, at times we all wanted to be Switzerland but no one got to, and I just can't remember the rest. It was so fun to be adults hiking up a mountain and still act like kids throwing snow balls at each other. What fun!

It was soooo awesome to go hiking! I hadn't gone on a long hike in a very long time. I felt rejuvenated and surprised I was able to do it so well. Oh ya, this lady has still got it. 

Beautiful scenery everywhere we looked. 

We hiked to the tram and got to ride down. It was nice to only hike one way and end with a quick trip down. Charlie is ever the guy who keeps things light and fun... when the hike got steep and some of us where getting tired (myself included) Charlie lightened the tone and made a snow angel. He's got a talent for fun. 

At the top. We made it just in time before running out of sunlight. Good thing too, because we didn't have flashlights. What a gorgeous sunset. 

Yay for leaves! Preston, Jordan, and I had a leaf fight in Heather's back yard. It was awesome!

Playing at the park. 

The ladies. 

Heather and I decided we wanted to go swinging. 

Then Bart and Charlie wanted to get in on the fun too. We had a memorable time in Albuquerque for Thanksgiving. Thanks for all the fun. We are so grateful for our wonderful family!