The ocean

Welcomed by the cool ocean breezes of winter, Chayse and Jagur embraced Christmas Day.



Jagur was enchanted by the world below the ocean that the low tides revealed.



Overlooking the craggy Pacific coast, the cousins paused with grandma and grandpa.



Then we ventured to Ano Nuevo where the elephant seals are arriving to deliver their babies.



The bulls lounged amidst the sand dunes waiting to claim their harem.



Soon this 2 1/2 tons will be battling fiercely.

Christmas Eve

brought forth the shepherds...



and cousins...



and brightly colored packages...



and irresistible smiles...


and hugs...in warm fuzzy new jammies...



and stockings hung by the fire.



*Disclaimer for Auntie Kristi...Jaela had to be convinced that her new jammies were her size (and age)...and now she doesn't want to take them off! She wants to wear her fuzzy, footed, warm jammies everywhere, but her mean ol' mommy won't let her!

O Christmas cold! O Christmas cold!
Thy cough is so annoying!

O Christmas cold! O Christmas cold!
Much misery thou givest me!

O Christmas cold! O Christmas cold!
My nose doth shine so brightly!

O Christmas cold! O Christmas cold!
How fully thou hast decked me...

Out for the count!

First Piano Recital

After weeks of practicing Jingle Bells, Jolly Old Saint Nicholas, Good King Wenceslas, and Baby Owl, recital night finally arrived.



A sparkling princess was ready to go!



Tapping toes wait!



A grand performance!


*******************************************

Cruising home the radio blared country music, as we laughed and talked.

Then Kade started, "Red solo cup!"

Dad chimed in, "Red solo cup!"

And the six year old didn't miss a beat with the next line, "I fill you up."

Suddenly the Klinghagen 5 broke into full song--compliments of Toby Keith. No need for radio now, as the suburban rolled and rollicked down the streets of the upscale neighborhood. One should never let Montanans at heart move into the neighborhood.

Rednecks anyway.

Disclaimer: This is not my song of choice, and frankly I was not impressed when I first heard the strains come across the sole country radio station in the bay area. You must seek it out for yourself...if you must...but you have been warned!

Chapped lips

Dryness quickly splits and cracks the skin on the lips resulting in a constant burning sensation.

Thus my son came to me several days ago just before bedtime, wondering if there was any chapstick in the house.

Chuckling, I told him that he needed his grandpa who always has chapstick handy.

With a little digging, we found some chapstick, and he generously applied it before snuggling into bed.

The next morning he proclaimed chapstick is magic because he was healed. (Funny how the generations can be so much alike!)

Then he continued, "Mom, we need to buy lots of chapstick for the homeless."

He had been thinking about this as a boy scout, but until this moment he couldn't think of what he wanted to contribute, as the list didn't intrigue him too much. However, he was adamant chapstick is essential for the homeless, and not just any lip balm will do, he wanted "Grandpa's ChapStick."

Piled high on my counter is "Grandpa's ChapStick." It makes me smile every time I walk by, but today my boy scout will take it away.

A simple, thoughtful gift.

Everything the season is supposed to be about.

Thank you, my son, for the reminder.

Winter Rose

Dear Karen,

I have been waiting patiently for my winter rose to emerge. After months of not blooming, the single white rose appeared yesterday on my rose tree.

A year ago today the loss of you was tugging hard at my heart, and the winter rose surprised me. It's unexpected appearance made me smile. Like the day you paused briefly in my classroom doorway when I was a new teacher and waved and smiled--how did you know I needed those unspoken words of encouragement? And those twinkling eyes that would foreshadow your playful mood when you would tease the kids...and me...and your delightful laugh that followed--the memory still makes my heart smile.

Sometimes, though, I wish I could hear you laugh just once more.

By the way, before I forget again, I want to tell you I found the missing girl scout key. Remember the one you asked me about, and I assured you it was in the box? Well, it surfaced in Pittsburgh just before we moved...just a few months after your funeral. I wanted to call you and tell you. Well, actualy I did, but I got your voice on the answering machine and remembered...

So now I carry the little key on the green keychain with me. It is tucked safely into a pocket in my purse (I swear i can hear you chuckle now at my story). It is a silly memento, I know. A key I lost. A key I found after you were gone.

Life is funny like that. Unexpected. Happy. Sad. Complicated. It is the reason I hug your memory tight.

Before I go, I want to tell you that I studied the curriculum for that Masters in Creative Writing last night. I don't know if I should just write or studying a bit more, but I do know your quiet words of encouragement for my writing planted the seeds that are slowly emerging.

I do know I love to write. In your memory, I will embrace the words and uncertainty and take a chance because you showed me that life is meant to be lived.

Love,
Lori

PS. As I signed my name, the strains of Randy Travis' song, "Three Wooden Crosses" filled the airwaves--"I guess it's not what you take when you leave this world behind you, It's what you leave behind you when you go."

Behind the Scenes

My impatient decorators were up on Saturday morning ready for Christmas decorating. Of course, decorating means storage boxes which are safely tucked above the garage (since there are no basements here).



A little stacking didn't quite do the trick, but have no fear as the drama queen seeks a solution...



with help from her assistant sporting red high heels in her elegant flannel gown!



When in doubt, just stack higher!

Without the photo documentary, mom would have never been the wiser. Thankfully, I wasn't...until everyone was safe and sound on the ground again.

Fairytale

Garland...my first Christmas touch. I love it.

Twinkling lights accentuated by golden pine cones and glittery poinsettias piques my imagination, and I find myself dreaming of twinkling eyes tumbling through my door on Christmas eve.

I am dreaming of a fairytale Christmas for the kids...and the kids at heart!