The Last Few Days

On these few days...

...the kids made a lot of different things with Paul's K'nex. It's amazing what they can build with these little connector toys. It kept them busy for hours. Best gift yet.

...Max finished up his work at the new house. We stopped in to say goodbye. It was so fun to get to know Max; to learn of his life and the years he's done his craft. He even let Jason help hang the crown molding in our master bedroom. Great man!

     

...Jason painted this wall again. We chose a darker turquoise blue. However, he was still not thrilled with the color. I knew it would probably be painted again. And here we are, painting the wall. He chose a grey color...and everyone loves it. (I love his Zip it poles, btw. He's able to create a paint booth right in the room while covering the ceiling and walls that he doesn't want to paint.)

Terrall installed was in working on the plumbing, We got the sinks installed! He agreed with Jason that the blue was a little bright on the wall in the office. I'm just fighting a losing battle.

...we took the kids to a movie. It's always fun to splurge a little and go to the theater. We saw The Good Dinosaur. 

...we played a little Rack-o. I love this game! I remember playing it when I was younger. This was among our New Year's Eve activities.

...Emma and I got a little silly before church.

Week #52: Recitals and Movies and Gift Wrapping and Christmas! Oh My!

This Week...

...we gathered the family for Emma's birthday. The big kids don't go in for playing upstairs anymore. So they broke out the cards and played a game or two. The rest of us watched the Seahawks game while we visited.

...I took Emma and her friend Hannah to a movie for Emma's birthday. We saw The Good Dinosaur. It was fun to be out with just the girls.

...Emma and Paul had a winter piano recital at Riverton retirement and assisted living center on Bellereve Drive. After the recital, we ran upstairs to see our Grandma Andersen. So good to catch up with her.

...I made sugar cookies to take to Max (at the house) and the girls at the office. Everyone loves sugar cookies! Ok, maybe not everyone, but I sure do. Yum!

...we stopped off at the office to wish them a Merry Christmas. Sure do love Dianee McCants and Shelly Olson. Isn't that a great Sheriff's Office tree?!

...we stopped off to see Aunt Kelly at Craftsmans. The kids had a great time being silly. We tried to reign them in.

...we went to the Sheriff's Office to wrap presents for a family that Jason's squad adopted. Jason's Sgt. Bob Brockman came to help, as well as squad member Mike Clark and his family. It was so much fun! My kids had a great time being involved in providing Christmas for someone else.

...The counter tops were installed. It looks so good! I'm so glad that we were able to do the dual colors. So happy!

...Max was working away, even on Christmas Eve. It's just him and his wife and so he put some hours in cutting and hanging trim. We took Max a plate of cookies, with quite a few extras. And it's a good thing too. The electricians were there working when we stopped in on our way out to Mattawa. What?! They were installing the under mount lights. 

...we painted some accent walls. Brett let us come in and spray the walls before the carpet and trim were installed. That typically doesn't happen. We were very appreciative. Jason used his zip wall to cover the main walls and ceilings and then just sprayed the accent wall. So easy! This is the office. I wanted a blue, turquoise type color, but Jason isn't a big fan. He, along with everyone else who sees it, thinks it's too bright. It will probably get repainted.

...we said goodbye to Stewart. Every year he must return on Christmas Eve. We sure had a fun Christmas with him this year!

...we celebrated Christmas Eve with my family. We had dinner and then exchanged gifts. One of the highlights is our favorites gift exchange between siblings and mom and dad. Each person selects a few of their favorite things and then buys enough for each person. Guys buy for each other and us ladies buy for each other. It's so fun to see what everyone has as favorites.

We always let the kids go first because the anticipation just kills them.

We were able to make it home fairly early. The kids had a fun time opening the gifts they received and playing with them. Everyone had something to play with and work on. Paul was a great help to Lainey on her Frozen Lego set.

...Christmas Day was great! It's so fun to celebrate together with our little family. Of course, the kids couldn't come down until Jason and I were ready to come down first. This year, we actually had to wake some of the sleepy heads up.

We started a new tradition this year. Where's the pickle?! It has been said to be a German tradition to hide a pickle on the tree. The first child to find it would get a prize; the first adult, good luck for a year. I didn't think I hid it that well, but I stumped them. Benjamin was the one to ultimately find it. (Whether the German tradition is myth or reality, it was fun to try it out this year.)

The Elders came over to bake some pumpkin bars for members/investigators and also skype their families. It was great to get to know Elder Schultzka and Elder Cordon. 

We headed out to Jason's parents house after the Elders were done. We were able to open presents and eat dinner together. We had a great time.