Posts under ‘Holidays’

We happened to pick up a huge box of sparklers one night and lots of fun with them. I posted some of the unique pictures below.

Bryan and I spent several days on the Oregon coast with my parents and niece for the New Year. It severely stormed the first few nights and days while we were there so we were confined to the house unless we wanted to be blown away. I think the winds got close to 60 MPH. On those days we enjoyed playing games and relaxing.

On Friday, the sun came out so we headed down to Florence Oregon, had lunch and walked around down town.

Saturday was my favorite day. We walked around Cape Perpetua. We walked around three coastal trails seeing many interesting things along the way. It was fun to explore and watch the waves crash into the rocks.

Unfortunately, our time in Oregon came to an end and we left early on Sunday morning only to return home to MORE SNOW!

The last day the Anaya family was visiting we went sledding at a park in town. We had lots of fun and got a few bumps and bruises along the way. Everyone went down the hill a couple of times so I posted pictures of everyone below.

For Christmas this year we had the Anaya family at our house. It was an extra special white Christmas. It was nice to have everyone together for the holidays. Almost everyone came the weekend before so we had a lot of time to spend together. We had fun shopping, wrapping presents, playing in the snow, and Bryan and his brother went snowboarding. One day we went sledding right down the street from our house. We found a spot where some people had built a jump, and we built is up a bit more. It was pretty good because the first time Bryan went down the hill he got enough air to just stand up. Below I posted pictures from their time here.

A few weeks ago Bryan and I were on the search yet again for a 10 to 12 foot tree. Being the evergreen state you would think that it would be easy for us to find a tree of that height but it is not so. Most lots carry only up to 8 foot trees. I called one lot and they assured me that they had 12 foot trees, but when we got there and walked around several acres of trees they had one tree above 10 feet and the bottom half was completely dead. After visiting another lot and nearly dying at the $70 price for a tree we stumbled upon a lot in some guy’s back yard. He had a lot of tall trees, his price was way below $70, and it was starting to look very cloudy so we went in search for the perfect tree. I found the perfect tree; but unfortunately Bryan refused to cut it down and take it home because it was about 18 feet tall. So, we settled on another tree standing just under 11 feet. I’m not sure which was more difficult, cutting down the tree, or putting lights on a tree of that size. The saw we had was about as sharp as a butter knife so it took Bryan quite a bit of time to cut it down. I tried to help him but I was about as useful as the saw. We finally got the tree home then more hard work began.

The task of putting lights on a tree of that size is no easy feat, especially for a light crazed maniac. It took me two days, and Bryan several light bulb changes to put the 1500 lights on the tree. I’m sad to say that one of the branches still doesn’t have lights on it because I ran out of lights. I’m tempted to go to the store tomorrow to get just one more strand of 100 but I think if I do my husband might have me committed.

So, after all was said and done, Bryan and I agreed on an 8 foot tree next year.

We are having the Anaya family at our house for Christmas this year so we figured we better go all out on the decorations. This afternoon we started putting lights and decorations on the outside of the house. I’m not sure how many more lights Bryan is going to put up but we want to make sure you will be able to see our house from Mars. I will post more pictures when we finish.
*Perr if you look closely your graduation present is in the background of one of the pictures; I took that picture just for you.

  

For Thanksgiving Bryan and I surprised my family and went to Visalia. A few days before Thanksgiving we were in San Jose with Bryan’s family and watched Bryan’s sister present her thesis. *Congratulations on finally finishing and your amazing presentation Michelle!!! After being in San Jose we took the train to the valley. My brother-in-law brought my sister with him to the train station to pick us up and I really surprised her! I had my back turned to the car with my hood on and my sister thought I was a bum at first; but at least she was surprised. Thanks a lot Allison! We had the traditional Thanksgiving at grandma and grandpa’s house and it was delicious as usual. After lunch we played apples to apples into the wee hours of the evening. Bryan and I had lots of fun spending time with both our families and playing games.

Last week Bryan and I went to the pumpkin patch to pick out two perfect pumpkins to carve. As you will see in the pictures he did most of the work getting the pumpkins to the car.

Life was crazy this week so we didn’t have a chance to carve the pumpkins until this afternoon. At least the trick-or-treaters got to see them. One Boy even told me that he really liked the pumpkins.

Bryan and I met my family in Wladport, Oregon for a little bit of R&R over Easter Vacation. We had such a fun and Amazing time. We went to the Aquarium, the Marine science center, the Sea Lion Caves (I recommend skipping that one) we built sand castles, visited a lighthouse, flew kites, played games, and had tons of fun!

I have to add that Bryan came a few days after I got there and he was being missed by my nieces. All they asked me about was when Uncle Bryan was coming. It was so cute, on the day he was supposed to arrive, (with Uncle Bruce and Grandpa too) Shelby, my youngest niece was looking out the window with the saddest look on her face. I asked her what was wrong and she said with the saddest sigh, “Uncle Bryan hasn’t come yet.” Below is the picture I took of her waiting by the window. I just want to know how come they aren’t like that before I come.  

We always have such an amazing time when we go to Waldport. Thanks Mom and Dad for opening your house to the family and for such a fun time!

Below I posted pictures of a few cards I made. I didn’t have enough time to make one for everyone so I didn’t send them out. The last two pictures are of one I made for my niece; the first picture is of the outside and the second picture is of the inside. Hope everyone has a wonderful Valentine’s Day filled with lots of love!