Welcome 2017

 I will work my way backwards in this post.........
Yesterday, the last day before Chris went back to work and the kids started school, we had some fun at Beacock's Music Store.

I'll just throw a couple of pictures of Meg here in the middle.
She wanted to go out and help Chris trim the trees in her new hat, mittens, and boots.






















The best thing to do if you can't get your sister up on her feet is to tackle her, right??

The last date of 2016 was for Elsa. She and Chris went to a wood fire pizza place here in town and then got some ice cream at Dairy Queen.

 We had snow off and on during the day of New Year's Eve. It really was coming down that night.
We were able to get out and get our traditional Chinese food for dinner before the snow started sticking. Everyone had their chopsticks out and ready!! Luckily it had mostly all melted by Sunday morning. I took Rhaevyn to another ward that morning since a friend she made in her swing dancing class was giving his talk before leaving for his mission to Las Vegas. I think she was the only friend that came, so that was nice to show some support.

 I can't remember if I've mentioned the Yule Ball that is for those 16 to 18 in our Stake. The Stake President is trying to help the kids get out and date in groups. If you wanted to go (girl) you put in your name with the understanding that you could not say "no" when asked. The leaders of the young women and young men in the stake have paired everyone up according to similar likes and things in common, but no one in the same ward or meeting in the same ward building are paired together. The dance will take place on January 21st. Aeva is still waiting to hear who got her name. Rhaevyn was asked on Friday. His name is Wesley, and he sent several emails to Chris and I introducing himself and asking what Rhaevyn's likes and interests were so that he could come up with a  fun way to ask her to the Yule Ball. Both Rhaevyn and Aeva have been prepared with an answer so they wouldn't keep their date waiting for that "yes." Before Wesley left, Rhaevyn gave him her answer.............with Korean soda.

We are excited to see what 2017 has in store. I think we are starting off the month with some fun things...........

Rhaeyn is making apple pie filling at a friend's house on Wednesday, and Myles is going to try out the library event of reading to a dog in two weeks. Then there are new classes for the girls and the Yule Ball.

What fun, what fun!

Christmas

 I love Christmas morning!!! It's always so fun to see the excitement in the eyes of my little ones and their appreciation and gratefulness.

Meg got some new slippers. Her feet just couldn't be crammed into the ones from last year anymore.

She also got Pj's (thanks Oma/Opa), an Elsa dress-up costume, and stickers to help with being reverent during Sacrament meeting.

Myles got a cool new hat, pistachios, Legos (thanks Oma/Opa), and Santa made him this really cool Millennium Falcon on the 3D printer at work.

Aeva got the complete compilation of Beethoven's Sonatas, spiral bound, which she was super excited about because that is her favorite composer. She's also excited to use her Michael's gift card (thanks Oma/Opa).

 Rhaevyn got her very own digital camera. She is excited to get some books at Barnes and Nobles, thanks to Oma and Opa.

 
 Elsa was thrilled to receive Barbie clothes, and she cannot wait to go get new ballet or tap shoes at Payless, thanks to Oma and Opa. Her Barbie had a little fashion show yesterday. She also got a dress-up costume. She and Meg have had a lot of fun already playing princesses.

 

Each of the kids got to draw names and get a gift for that sibling thanks to my best friend's in-laws. They each had a blast picking out a present and wrapping it. It was so fun to see what they chose and how excited they were.
Rhaevyn is making Chris a scarf; it didn't quite get done in time. He got to see the part that is done so far. She was sweet to get me a treat and Myles a card game.
Myles went shopping at Sister Lee's house (literally) one day. He picked out some cute things, mostly Christmas decorations, for each of us and wrapped them up. So super cute and sweet of him and Sister Lee.
Church was wonderful. It can't get much better than reading about the birth of our Savior and singing Christmas hymns. Only three of us got to go. Chris stayed home with our three sick ones who slept  and rested. 
Our family has reflected recently on how blessed we have been this past year; thoughts of the little miracles and tender mercies that we have witnessed, been a part of, and benefited from have touched and humbled us. Although life has it ups and downs we know that our Heavenly Father and Savior know us personally and are aware of our trials, weaknesses, joys, and strengths. They love us perfectly. May we each strive to see the Lord's hand in our life each day and feel of his great and enduring love for each of us individually.

Wishing you all a joy filled 2017  💓

Heading Home

 We woke up to a beautiful blue and pink sunrise Christmas Eve morning. The sun came out! Myles, Aeva, Chris, and Elsa took one last walk along the beach after breakfast.
The girls wanted to stop at a bookstore on the way out of town. Aeva finished the book she was reading while we were at the coast.

We stopped at the Tillamook Cheese Factory for ice cream and ended up getting  hamburger for Myles. He had gotten car sick on the way to Tillamook, and, while we were eating our ice cream, Aeva pointed out that some real sustenance was most likely needed  since he had his head down on the table; she would know since she has episodes of nausea fairly often. So, we got some real food in him and he perked up. We made sure to switch his seat to the middle row, window seat, and he was fine the rest of the ride home. Unfortunately, that night he came down with what Rhaevyn and Meg had.

Big Surprise: Day 2

 Early Friday morning.....
See the boat out there?

This seagull was a regular visitor last time too. He kept coming up to the sliding door and pecking it. Poor guy had one eye that had been damaged.
 High Tide.

 Sleepy girl.

 Elsa with her jingle bell ponytail holders. Her dentist thought they were awesome.

 Aeva, Myles, Elsa, and Chris went for a stroll on the beach in the stormy weather. It started hailing while they were on their walk.

 Swim time:

 Wild hair.

After swim time we went to a couple of stores. Poor Meg was coming down with what Rhaevyn had, and really had not eaten anything. She just kept drinking liquids. At the last store she threw up. Luckily I caught most of the small amount in her stomach in her jacket. Chris cleaned up what made it to the floor. We got out to the car, and Chris and I had a little laugh about how it's never a dull moment. You just have to laugh and roll with what life throws at you. We had had Pizza the night before that we had brought with us, and this night was Nachos. We watched A Christmas Carol and had our hot cocoa and popcorn.