a very merry christmas

Christmas Eve was spent at my dad's brother's house with family. We had so much good food, I made a yummy cheese ball. We played "two truths and a lie" (we try play a getting-to-know you /how-well-do-you-know-your-family game every year), it was funny to hear what everyone came up with. We exchanged gifts, I ended up with $30 iTunes gift card, yeah. It was a pretty heated gift exchange game. We don't see my dad's side of the family very often even though they live real close. It was good to be with them and strengthen our friendships.

We were just missing 4 of my grandma's grandchildren this year

After our Christmas Eve celebration at the Farrars I went to my parents to get ready for Santa's arrival. We stayed up extremely late getting ready for Christmas, before going to bed Stephanie and I set the table all fancy for breakfast (we wanted to surprise everyone). We woke up early and my sister and her family came over to open presents. We ate breakfast first this year. Leah was darling, she knew exactly what to do with all of the presents (click here to see pictures of Leah). My family is very generous with each other. I got a lot of nice things. Thanks everyone. It was exciting to see what everyone else received. We took an hour plus drive to my mom's brother's house, it started to snow! SNOW! We had a white Christmas, our first in forever. We ate again, more this time (I am still a little ill from eating too much). Leah was frightened of my uncle's 2 dogs, she was mostly just being dramatic, but it was funny still. She spent most of the day on the couch hiding from the doggies. We rode the ferry home that evening, it was so cold, we took some scary pictures of us outside on the ferry. Grandma Jackie came back to Lynnwood to spend a couple of weeks with us.

(when we left Mother Russia for the New Country)

I love Christmas and I am so sad that it is over. I kind of feel that Christmas is what we live all year for. And when it is over my heart is kind of lonely. I guess the good thing is that there is always next Christmas. I have the new year to look forward to, 2008 is going to be fabulous and that makes my heart happy.

traditions

A classic, The Christmas Carousel and Gingerbread Houses:





Making Christmas goodies:

The Christmas Ship:

A new one, decorating a gingerbread house:

What a great holiday season the Farrars had this year. These are a few of the highlights. I didn't do a few things that I wanted to do, like VT gifts and Christmas cards to name a few. But I didn't stress those things. I tried to just enjoy all that I did do. We took our annual trip to downtown Seattle to the Christmas Carousel. Our group was kind of small, but it didn't rain and we had a great time. We gathered back at the Farrar's for treats and laughs. Emily came over to my parents one night and we made a few different cookies and candies, it was a late night. Jacob and Lisa surprised us a week or so before Christmas for a weekend of fun. We took a family photo (kind of our first one), saw the Christmas Ship at the Ballard Locks, decorated a gingerbread house while watching the Survivor season finale and more. They stayed at my house while they were in town, it was fun to have roommates again(my roommate Kate moved out before Thanksgiving). Stay tuned for Christmas pictures...two words: WHITE CHRISTMAS!

hmmm....

My blog is worth $11,290.80.
How much is your blog worth?

I read strangers blogs, that is what I do. It makes me strange, but so be it. There is always something funny, sad, and/or interesting on them. This is one of the interesting things I found recently. I didn't really figure out how my blog's worth was calculated or what it means. The real questions is, can I add this to my total net worth? (Linds remember when we had to figure that out in Dr. I's class)

time to start thinking about new year's resolutions

http://www.blip.tv/file/255494/

Click To Play

I hope this post works, if not check out the link above. So funny, unfortunately some parts are true some times. Visiting Teaching is so important and something I can do so much better.

Happy Goal Setting! I love this time of year.

look what i just got

I just opened the door of my apartment and guess what was there: This is what the note said:
This is who wrote the sweetest note ever:

Thanks Trevor! You were my favorite, but don't tell any of the other kids. I taught the six year olds in primary for a few months. I really enjoyed it, they were crazy but fun. It was easier than Young Women's. I miss them. Trevor is great, so funny and charming. I was so excited to find this treat tonight. I even ate a piece of chocolate, good thing I went to the gym this evening!

it's been awhile

This is Leah's workout bar. She stretches and does the splits, so funny. She thinks she is hilarious.

It has been awhile since I have done a Leah post. Look at her, she is getting so big. She is so cute. I wish you all could meet her. She is so funny and happy. She does have her "naughty pants" moments, but she is good most of the time. She is talking so much and she sings and dances. I just love her. P.S. She got a haircut, I haven't seen it yet. Don't worry there will be pictures soon.

a way to help

I mentioned in my snow post the horrible flooding in Western Washington. Well, it was bad and the clean up is horrible. And a lot of people need help. If you can help or just want to find out more about it Go here. Thanks everyone.

snow in seattle

December 1st brought the first snow this winter. I was very surprised and excited. I really like the snow the big problem is that I hate driving in the snow, it is one of my biggest fears. It makes me so nervous. My fear of driving in the snow is one reason why I bought a Subaru. I feel a little safer now, but I still am not a fan. Since the snow came on a Saturday that I had planned on just being a bum, it was perfect. I did, however, babysit up a Mountain. Yikes, that was scary. Little did all of the residents of Western Washington know that our snow on Saturday would turn into rain on Monday that would become the second most raining day in history for the State. It was actually pretty disastrous. I feel blessed that we were all safe, just a little wet. And I pray for those thousands just a little south of us without a home this Christmas season.

What I saw outside my home when I opened the door.

Happy for the snow. What I look like at 7am Saturday morning on the way to the gym (sorry you all had to see this).

Happy for more snow. I looked much better before I went out in public again, thank goodness.

My Subaru handled the snow like a champ. It was so beautiful to drive through the snow listening to Christmas music.

The blizzard I drove in Saturday night (okay, so it wasn't really a blizzard, just more snow than I feel comfortable with).