Ahh, to have no worries in the world except which tutu you are going to wear...

My little girls make me smile...

Proud Moment for Mom: Jack's 1st Class Presentation

I had one of those wonderful moments as a Mommy today, more specifically, I had a really wonderful moment today as Jack's Mommy. Jack was required to do a social studies presentation in front of his class today. (Yes, presentations in 1st grade.) I helped make the PowerPoint (you got it, POWERPOINT) and Jack worked on his presentation skills. Apparently, he LOVES to teach in front of the class. Given that Jack doesn't seem to get embarrassed, having public speaking issues is NOT one of Jack's challenges. However, attending class and following directions when told is a bit difficult for him, which is why his presentation is such a proud moment for me.

Not only did he follow directions, he read/presented beautifully and was the perfect "game show" host at the end when he was required to answer questions. It took everything I had not to break down crying with pride watching my boy in front of the class. (The tears are flowing now, though.) So with that, I must share this moment with you.

Uploaded on authorSTREAM by crkuffner

Good job, Jack. You made Mommy proud today.

White Christmas

So here we are January 4th and its time for me to play catch up again. Where do I start? Oh yeah, the RECORD BREAKING SNOW that KGW dubbed the "Arctic Blast" for 2 solid weeks that we endured. Now, being the native-Chicagoian/Montanan that I am, this is not a big deal for me. But when it occurs in an area that rarely receives measurable snowfall annually and owns, mmmm...3 snow plows...coupled with a good majority of inexperienced snow-drivers, it really makes for a nasty mess. The main street in East Vancouver never got plowed, nevermind the side streets. When you're dealing with 5-14 inches of snow, this is a big deal and a big inconvenience. So you'd think I would have lots and lots of time to blog? Not so. My kids school got cancelled before the snow actually fell and when the snow did finally fall, Jack's school decided to be heroes and made the kids go to school.

All in all, it made for an interesting experience, but more importantly, a very, very White Christmas--a rare occurance in this part of the Pacific NW.

Sassy in the snow

More snow

Latte admiring the snow

Christmas Eve at Grandmom's and Pop's

It is our annual tradition to spend Christmas Eve at Grandmom & Pop's at their condo on the river. Grandmom cooks up a traditional Italian seafood dinner of some sort. The kids open stocking gifts and the adults get to do their white elephant exchange. It was a "game day" decision whether we would make it to G & P's this year due to the massive amounts of snow and ice, but never fear, it warmed up just enough to melt snow on the roads making it a little less trecherous to drive from the 'Couve to Portland. Thank goodnes, Christmas was not ruined by snow!

Our annual picture of the kids, with cousin, Declan, and our newest family member, Sassy

Colette

Josie

Jack

Vanessa opening her stocking gifts from G & P

Josie excited to open her stocking gifts!

Colette goes right for the food--thanks, Grandmom for the healthy choice!

Jack opening gifts

Eileen giving DC a hand with his stocking goodies

Colette recently started posing for my pictures. Here's her "cheese" smile for Mommy!

And the fam plus Evelyn, our adoptee family for the holiday

White elephant gifts this year included mop slippers, Christmas tree fondue set, Patron St. of Hangovers figurine & prayer card, Verizon Wireless skull cap, potato clock, $ bling necklace, and a leg lamp thingy.

Christmas Day

The stockings were hung by the chimney (well, gas fireplace) with care...

Colette's now *signature* pose

Vanessa's king of all karaoke machines

(Gotta love those credit card reward points)

Jack opening Sassy's gift from him to her

I'm going to take a wild guess, Sassy LOVED her bone, so much so that there is none of it left.

Josie Jo

And me.


Mike got a few treats too

Jack REALLY wanted this toy that he saw in a catalog

It makes a horrendous, continuous, unncecessary squeeking noise. Jack LOVES to watch it for hours and hours and hours...

Round 2: Gifts with Grandmom & Pop, Aunt Eileen & Declan and an added bonus due to weather: Aunt Bern, Uncle Shawn & Judy! (Who are usually with my parents in Montana at Christmas)

Colette baby with her loot

Sassy saying hello to Judy

Presents!

G&P got a nice electronics charger for all of Mom's *toys*

Josie in the surprising hit, her chef's hat and apron

She wears it every day and *helps* me in the kitchen

Here's Vanessa modeling the $ necklace I scored at the white elephant exchange. I hope that it is a sign of the times to come in 2009 for us :)

Merry Christmas to all!

Arctic Blast of 2008

After what appeared to be a "false" alarm "Arctic Blast" in the Portland/Vancouver area this week, full of knee-jerk school closures on the days we had NO SNOW, and school operating on days we HAD SNOW, the doppler radars finally got it right. Saturday the skies opened up and dumped 5 inches of snow. That is UNHEARD of in this area as we are lucky to see snow flurries at this time of year, or any time of year for that matter, on the valley floor.

Unfortunately, overnight, the snow turned into freezing rain and developed a nice 1/4" layer of ice on top of our wonderful snow. So, needless to say, travel conditions in our area are not great, so we'll be spending the day at home. The kids enjoyed playing in the snow/ice mix and helped up shovel the driveway. Colette experienced her first snow, but wasn't quite sure what to make of the situation.

Josie

Not happy Colette

After spending the morning outside, the kids came in and warmed up in front of the fireplace.


Sassy, the kid warmer

I am finally caught up! These pictures were taken today, December 21, 2008!

December 6, 2008: St. Nick Brunch

The Christian Mother's Fellowship Ministry that I belong to at St. Joseph Church puts on a Brunch with St. Nick every year.

I know you have no doubt that Jack exists, but here's an actual picture of Jack just before Santa showed up at the St. Nicholas brunch. So no picture of Jack with Santa, but here's a picture of Jack and me by the fireplace.

My immediate family knows the story, but in case you forgot, here's what transpired after this picture was taken.

So, here you have text book example of why NOT to take your kids to take a picture with Santa after they turn 1 year old. My Christian’s Mom’s group put on Brunch with St. Nick that wonderfully fell on St. Nicholas’ day! Brunch was great, but Jack saw through the window as Santa was walking into the building and, once again, just TOOK OFF. He ran and ran and ran without abandon and without any concern that he was running away from his family and caretakers. If Mike would not have followed him, I am POSTIVE he would be in Canada by now.

As you can see, I attempted to salvage the moment and get a picture with our girls with Santa. Vanessa, of course, wanted to partake, but here, it appears that Josie is looking as though the boogie man has cometh and he is about to eat her toes and Colette is following suit. The look on my face is in reaction to the comedic ridiculousness of it all—my son running to Canada with Mike in hot pursuit, my 2 youngest daughters clinging to me with dear life and literally trying to crawl back into my uterus via the neck opening in my turtleneck sweater and the photographer telling us to “smile”. Truly, a scene out of National Lampoons Christmas Vacation.
Regardless, I hope you enjoy the photo that I painstakingly and mistakenly attempted to preserve for my kids “benefit”.

Copyright: Deb Garrett Photo of 1Studio Photography

(Posted with permission)

Vanessa's Advent Program

Every year, Vanessa's school puts on an Advent Program. Each class sings traditional, religious music in the church, followed by a crazy and insane reception. In all honesty, this event is difficult for us to attend because it is a mandatory event, so there are over 400 families crowded into the church (and tiny parking lot) and the reception ends up being a free-for-all for the kids who end up running amuck. This year, I thought it would be more bearable since we were able to hold the reception in our new parish hall, but it was STILL overcrowded, chaotic and LOUD.

Despite the frustration of having to keep the kids quiet for 2 hours, Vanessa's class (and the rest of the classes for that matter) sounded angelic and wonderful. It was the only event that was able to occur this week due to the "Arctic Blast" that hit the Portland/Vancouver area, so it was nice to get out of the house!

December 12th: Christmas Ships at Grandmom & Pop's

Every year, Portland has a wonderful tradition of the Christmas Ships. Private boat owners decorate their boats and come out on scheduled nights during the month of December and parade around the Columbia River. The boat owners do this at their own expense and out of the goodness of their hearts.

Grandmom and Pop have a front row seat and have us over for dinner and to view the ships as a wonderful tradition the kids look forward to every year.

Sassy's 1st Christmas ships

Josie really enjoyed it this year.

Colette really liked the ships this year, too, since she was only 2 months old last year.

Thanks, Christmas Ship people and Grandmom and Pop!