Winter Wonderland!!

Just some fun pictures to prove that yes, Oregon did receive all this snow! We took some measurements today and most were around 18 inches:-0 I'm so happy to have it yet sad we are home-bound! I am blessed though because I have wanted a white christmas for many years now and will finally have it this year, 2008:-)

My (red) Coral Maple all beautiful with ice

Coffee on the patio anyone??

Dont think my fountain will work right now.....should I try?

Ah finally....is that a bit of blue sky I spot?? Pretty sunset none-the-less

Christmas Cookies for Santa ( or papa )

I cannot believe all this snow we have been getting! It is such a great surprise and we are all so happy to have it, yet we are home-bound so it's driving me crazy!!!! I cant leave the house unless it's a walk with Henry, which is fun and all but I miss my friends:-0.....so to pass some time we made some fun Christmas cookies, Ben had a great time and Ella even better eating all the frosting!

Ben Making the yummy frosting for me!

Rolling the dough and cutting it out

Time to Decorate! Great job Ella Grace:-)

Ta-DA all Done Now!!

Enjoying the fruits of our labour

Fun Times in the Snow

Can I just say how excited we all were for the snow...and now I have to admit I'm done with it! It's just sooo cold outside, but the kids and Henry had a blast yesterday. Here are a few pics I snapped while I was outside

Ben & Ella making snow angels

Henry eating the snow, I think he had the most fun out of everyone!

Ah they do love eachother!

What Happens When Dad ''Watches'' the kids!

It is so funny what kids will do when daddy is in charge and ''watching'' them:-) And I always seem to come home at the perfect moment to catch it all!

Ella Grace had decided to lather her and her brother up with mamas lotion....too stinking cute but I'm just curious how their father had no clue? It must of been a great game! The lotion also got all over my bed, my dresser, even the tv? Dont ask....anyway I was glad I was able to capture these priceless photos!

P.S. Ben is only pretending to discipline her:-0

She's Walking with Him now

What I am most thankful for This Thanksgiving

You know it's been a real tough week for me, and an especially tough Thanksgiving. Normally that is a great day to celebrate with your loved ones, rejoicing and be thankful for all that we have. My day however started out a bit different, my mother passed away. She decided she was done fighting and wanted to be with Jesus. I had anticipated this day for the past year, but having to face it now is so hard. I am so thankful that the Lord has taken her and she is no longer in pain! I am thankful for my friends and family who have been by my side this whole time. I am thankful for my healthy happy children! Most of all I'm thankful that the Lord has been with me during this deeply sad time. I will miss her laugh, her smile and most of all just ''seeing'' her. She was a remarkable women whom I cherished deeply.
Only in time and God's grace will I get through this heartache. I know she is in a WAY better place now, and that is my ultimate Thanksgiving blessing.
Thank you Lord for all you have done for our relationship, I Praise you and Honor you.

I will miss you mama:-)

Sarah Marie Smith, born 10-23-45
Went to be with Jesus, Thanksgiving morning, 11-27-08