I should have expected this...

It happens every year, yet every year it still seems just as unexpected as the year before.  After all the hype of Christmas and New Years is over, I can't quite seem avoid the gaping hole that it leaves behind.  I set resolutions and it actually feels good to clean up and take down all the Christmas decorations, and the kids head back to school and I finally have a little time to get things done and catch my breath.  Yet, there is always still that little sadness that creeps in...and the resolutions and fresh start feel more like hard work than exciting possibilities.  We've got head colds, early morning seminary in below freezing weather, church from 1-4pm (with a toddler and as nursery leader), and no immediate plans for anything exciting.  Welcome to January.

Written by Kya in the snow at midnight

Summer asleep at 5pm on the first Sunday of 2017--ugh

Boxing Day in Canada

Since moving to Washington, we've always headed to Canada the day after Christmas (I guess that's fitting since there is no "boxing day" in America).  This year, I was a little worried that the snow would keep us from the trip.  But there was no snow was in the forecast for the 26th...

Well, sure enough as soon as we hit the border, we ran into some snow.  And of course we planned on driving the back roads since it was closer to Tina's house...you see where this is going?

That's right.  We got stuck...in the snow....driving up a hill...on a curvy country road...with no gloves or boots...and a car full of kids.

Jordan and I tried pushing...then Mike and Jordan...then we accepted defeat and called family to come help.  Luckily less than 5 minutes after I called, a couple of friendly Canadians (fitting every stereotype) stopped and helped us push.  After just a minute or two we were up the hill and on our way.

And just like that, we arrived safe and sound for 5 days in The Great White North!

Snuggles from Grandpa

Even for me

Stories with Grandma

Black light, 5 Pin Bowling with these grumps and The Tambres

Snuggles with Peetah

And finally (after who knows how many years) Tim Hortons!

Christmas 2016

Another wonderful Christmas has come and gone...too quickly, as usual.

Christmas Break

We were lucky enough to have some of our friends (The Boyntons) staying with us for a few days.  We went to Bellevue Botanical Gardens, which were beautiful but we walked through the entire display in about 10 minutes.

We also went roller skating!  Super fun and brought back childhood memories of birthday parties.

Christmas Baking

This year we only made sugar cookies, pulla, and naniomo bars...Summer loves to be "Mom's Little Helper!"

The kids got a little out of control with the decorating of the sugar cookies this year...we ended up with quite a few black ones (due to mixing food coloring) and even a few broken ones.  But I'm sure they'll agree it was more fun.

Christmas Skating

As cute as those tiny size 8 toddler skates are, and as excited as Summer looks...she absolutely HATED ice skating.  Jordan and Kya didn't last too long either this year, so I think we were done in under an hour.  Hopefully it'll go a little better next year.

Christmas Jammies

Christmas Presents

A lot of clothes and shoes for the girls this year...and a lot of toys for Tyson and Summer.

Christmas Naps

There's nothing I can do to stop these two from falling asleep once we put on a movie.

Christmas Sunday

I actually loved having Christmas on Sunday this year (it helped that church wasn't until 11).  It was a beautiful way to honor our Savior and celebrate his birth.

Christmas Dinner

 Yum, Yum, Yum!