Christmas Card

So Jim and Nadia did such a fine job of using their blog to send Christmas greetings, I thought I would do the same.

But first a little back story. Every year, I debate sending cards out. I so enjoy receiving them, the photo cards from old friends, the beautiful cards, the letters, etc. But it really, simply put, is just a major stress for me each season. Forget the letters, all that writing puts me over the edge. I just can't seem to get the tone right--what is bragging about your kids and life experiences, what is sharing? A clever list, a poem? Aargh. And a picture--oh my word!! This year was fairly typical--the stomach flu and winter storms conspired against my simple desire to have a family picture with all 6 of us looking decent, at the camera, and maybe in Santa hats (that would have been cute, right?) I wasn't even dreaming of actually having us in matching/coordinating clothes. But no, that didn't work.

So, I finally gave up the dream of a recent, decent picture and instead opted to use a family shot from our great trip to Cannon Beach. Paul likes this picture, but I don't (pure, unadulterated vanity--I think I look like something the cat drug in). Margaret created a beautiful card for me to print and send out. I was almost convinced to just buck up and do it, despite not liking the picture when it occurred to me that 1) I would have to set up my printer to the new computer and get it all plugged in (it has been in the garage since the house is staged for selling)--a pain; 2) I would have to get Word loaded on the new computer so that I could access all the addresses and make address labels--another pain. We don't have Word on the new computer, because the Seattle-crippling winter storms hit and we didn't get to the Microsoft store to buy the new software. Sure, I could always handwrite all the addresses, but again--a pain. Do you see how the Grinch/Grouch stole Christmas cards from me this year?

My new goal is to try and do "We moved! Here's our new address cards" once we sell the house and get moved into a new one. And then Nadia and Jim did their Christmas cards on a blog, and I thought, heck I could do that, especially since the only people who look at my blog are my family, Paul's and a few friends. I can handle that.

Like I said, Margaret graciously designed the following card for me, when I was still optimistic about sending out cards. She does a great job, doesn't she?

And, drum roll, here it is.

Christmas Tag

So here are my answers to this pass-along blog tag. Here it goes.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both, but it is commonly known that I don't wrap very well. Usually function over form at our house.

2. Real tree or Artificial? Real trees are best, but we bought an artificial one this year for a few reasons. It will be nice to have it in the attic for the years when we need it.

3. When do you put up the tree? Never soon enough according to the kids.

4. When do you take the tree down? In time for the boy scout troop to pick it up.

5. Do you like eggnog? Not really.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Grover, definitely. Thanks again Jim!

7. Hardest person to buy for? My friend Beth gave my answer: "everyone". I definitely do not have "gift giving" as one of my languages of love. Pretty easy to buy gifts for the kids, but otherwise, hit or miss.

8. Easiest person to buy for? Each year it is different. This year it was definitely Ryan.

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Several. I get a new one each year for me as well as one for the kids (a "kid-friendly, play-with me one"). This year's kid one was from Grandma Gwen and is one of those wood puzzle ones. My new one is a "Eastern European" one, which I got the Holy Family. I'll buy the other pieces (the wise men and the camel set) next year.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Whatever happens. Finally have figured out that I do value sending cards out, but I need to start planning earlier. I'm going to do a blog one later today. I think.

11.Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Can't think of one.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? "It's a Wonderful Life" watching it on Christmas Eve as Paul and I wrap the last gifts, make the breakfast casserole, and finish last minute necessities.

13. When do you start shopping? I did my only Christmas shopping this past Saturday. Paul took care of pretty much everything this year. Yeah, he rocks!

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Probably, but I can't remember.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Our Christmas Morning Breakfast Casserole! Delish!

16. Lights on the tree? Is there any other way? This year's artificial is great because it is pre-lit. I like clear, Paul likes colored, so most years we do a combination.

17. Favorite Christmas song? Just one? Here are a few: "In the Bleak Mid-Winter," "Gesu Bambino," 'Gabriel's Message," and my all time favorite traditional is "Away in a Manger," from the humnbook, the last verse and the alto line.

18.Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay at home, although the one and only time we did travel to Utah was fabulous.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Most definitely, as can my kids. We did it just this morning.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Haven't established a tradition on this.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning. Paul thinks it is absurd to even think about doing it Christmas Eve, but I have some pleasant memories of doing one on Christmas Eve. Also, we have established the tradition of making Christmas Eve more about Christ, with a nativity play, reading scriptures, etc.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? My own anxiety about getting everything done.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? We don't have a theme, just a hodge-podge adorable tree. We all get a new ornament each year and Paul and I always buy an ornament from whatever vacation spots we have gone over the year. I can't find my Leavenworth one, though. Bummer.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Ham, rolls, au graten or funeral potatoes.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? The new computer that I typed this up on. Thanks Paul!!

Merry Christmas to all!

Fall Soccer

So here are some pictures from Fall Soccer. I've been looking through my pictures the past couple of days, getting some picked for Christmas cards, and also deleting a ton so that when my new computer gets here (shout hurray!!) I don't transfer over all the out-of-focus, duplicates to my new laptop (again, shout hurray!! and also--THANKS, Paul!)

School Pictures

School Picture day is on Tuesday. The girls have their shirts picked out, Paige has been sporting a new hairdo, and we are hoping Ryan will wear his handsome button-down shirt instead of a t-shirt. But before those pictures are taken, here are the over-due pictures of the first day of school. Paige was sick with strep the first few days of school, so we took more on her first day, which was technically the fourth day (fourth day of fourth grade).

Thanks to Little Red for introducing me (via your blog) to slide.com. Makes things so nice and easy.

There, now I've blogged for October. Coming soon--soccer pix.

More Pictures from Cannon Beach--Finally!

I'm not sure why it takes me so long to get around to these kind of things. But here, finally, are some of my favorites from that fabulous vacation at Cannon Beach.

Sunset at Cannon Beach

Fourth and Final

There is no point to this post: I just like to do things in fours (a nicer number than three I find), so it is my fourth and final post of the day. That must be some kind of record.

Maybe I won't let so much time past between posts from now on.

And now it is time to go make my rolls for dinner. We are having a good ole-fashioned dinner of roast, mashed potatoes, gravy, rolls, peas, and salad. Oh, I need to think of a dessert.