What's the Result?

What's the result of crying outside of Walmart? (And carrying a dozen donuts?) Flowers from Jen. I've had a rough past few days and Jen Hakes passed me walking out of Walmart, crying and carrying a gross box of donuts. She took pity on me, doing what some of us only think of, and she bought me some flowers.

Is it in the Genes?

As a kid, Kyle used to lay out his clothes as if there were a flat mannequin on the floor. I have to laugh, because I came home last night from Jen Hakes house to find Brody and Brooklyn's clothes all set up for the next day...it was de ja'vu! (Is that how you spell it?)

I also found Brooklyn and Braden like this!

Pick a Place...Any Place

I feel like the weight of the world is on our shoulders as we get to "pick" where we'd like to move for our next assignment, for 4 years. I almost wish at this point that we'd just be told where to go so the responsibility, and the consequences, won't be ours. (Then I can complain about someone else if we don't like where we end up!)

Our choices range from Germany, South Carolina, Georgia, Texas, Washington, and some other unmentionables. I hope we don't mess up on our picks!

Bathroom Duty

Who knew that Comet could make bubbles like this? Well, my kids on "bathroom duty" figured it out. The bathroom doesn't look all that clean though!

Our 'Days' of Christmas

Shoveling More Snow...Again

Trade Babysitting

Stephanie, Beth and I traded babysitting so we could finish our shopping in the horrid, unplowed streets of Olympia. After 4 kids you'd think I knew what I was doing, but with 9 kids and 1 me, I just sat back and let them go.

Pacific Northwest Ballet's Nutcracker

After assuring Stephanie I KNEW where we were going, and then getting us lost, we made it to the matinee showing of the Nutcracker. It was incredible. I think the 'bonding' we did during the 2 1/2 hour commute home will remain 'un-noted'. Thanks for driving Stephanie!

Christmas Eve Hot 'Tubbing'

Beth took the cover off their hot tub and let the kids take a 'dip' to ward off our crazy cold temperatures.

Treat Bag deliveries to Madigan

We took bags to active duty and prior service soldiers again, just like Thanksgiving.

I had to get a picture of this 'gift' that a patient gave to Chris.

Christmas Eve Traditions

Crescent Rolls

Waffles with Chocolate syrup

Catered Mexican Food

Christmas Program

Luke II

These are just a few of the mixed traditions brought to our multi-family Christmas Eve this year.

Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum

This is the only glimpse we got of Bailey playing the piano this Christmas since she's too shy to play in front of anyone.

I stole an idea from Carol Stephens...and this years our gifts were: A want; A need; A wear; A read.

McEuen/Trejo Tradition of pipe bells, "Christmas Bells are Ringing"

Beth had the kids draw numbers, then pick little gifts from a bag.

Nixon: Boy from the Hood

The Stuff:

Christmas Morning and the 'stuff' we got.

Braden with the Rock Band guitar for our new Wii from Santa
Opening gifts from the cousins...we drew names

Leavenworth

We spent two days in the Bavarian town of Leavenworth shopping, sledding, and taking a sleigh ride.

Our 'view' from the front row.

What's an Arizona girl to make of this?

We have 3 extra days tagged onto our Winter Break thanks to the snow. The kids have (surprisingly) spent a ton of time outside reveling in the powder. It's probably a good thing since we'll probably end up somewhere in the South next year.