Hello January 2017!

Jacob, Connie, Elizabeth, Brianna, Max & Terry, Madelyn, Angela, Stuart, Jaden, Esther. 

Murphy Dog, and Bear.

We started the new year with a nice walk at Lewisville.  (The bad weather kept us close to home) Stuart tried out his new backpack, and I tried out my new hikers. Stuart and I plan on hiking as many of the trails around Mount Saint Helens as we can this year. Its so beautiful here. and I want to see the natural forests, the quiet meadows, the streams, and hills that have wild flowers.

Terrys parents, Steve and Madelyn, Came with us. I am going to invite them on our hikes, because they said they want to do more with our family. I know it is mostly because of Max, but I would do the same!

I am looking forward to this year. To the fun times and places we will go. I know I am lucky because of how compatible we are, and his constant efforts to make me laugh. Even when I don't want to.

New Years Eve was low key. Much needed after the eventful Christmas season. Lucy is not to sure about Max.

 Laura brought over a new game that was lots of fun. Jeremy was patiently explaining,while Stuart (who didn't want to play) watched because he did want to figure it out. Elizabeth was probably thinking that the game will take forever at the rate we were going because mom and I were so slow. None the less, I would love to play again.

Sophia and Esther ate ice cream while we played games. 

Before 2016 ended Olivia, Connie, Adrienne, Laura, Elizabeth, and I went to the Grant House for some hors d' oeuvres, and mostly dessert. It was festively decorated, giving us a nice place to visit, and catch up with Laura, who had been in Canada with her family. It was such a lovely evening, that I want to get together more often in this coming year. Its not the things I have, but more the relationships, that are most important. That is one of the things I am going to work on!

The beach in December

One evening this fall Stuart and I were reminiscing about the trips we had taken this year. The camping, hiking, sporting events, family dinners, picnics, swimming down at the river, etcetera....
We had some laughs, and were happy to have had some fun times with our family.
We thought it would be nice to have one last trip with everyone. We picked the first weekend in December to start the Christmas season together, We stayed in a beach house that we had been to before knowing there would be room for all.  ~ It was cold and windy, but the sun did shine. We had a few walks on the beach, even though they were short!

  A serious conversation about football!

 I tried to get a good picture of them, but this is what I got.

Thanks Elizabeth.

Max loved to look out the windows!

 We were all in and out of the hot tub. It was perfect weather for it!

 Mathew and Bear on their daily run. (When the sun was out)

Even though it was so windy we braved the weather and strolled down the boardwalk.

A trip to the beach is not complete without sitting in the love chair!

I was so glad Lilly went with us. They entertained themselves. like braiding hair!

 We went to Ilwaco to get some oyesters, and walk down by the boats.

The oyesters were to make Elizabeth happy. The last time we were here we did them on the fire, but she was with Taylor and they were gone by the time she got back. Lilly tried one, so I finally ate one. Stuart has been offering them for 26 years, but they looked disgusting! I couldn't let Lilly show me up. Truth be told it was good. Lemon and butter make everything good. Its the texture that makes me gag. So maybe next time I wont chew it.

Mathew stayed the whole weekend! I was so happy, After all he is my favorite son.

Stuart is always the first one up in the mornings. When we are not home I don't stay in bed long after he gets up. Max is also an early riser, so we took him to Scoopers, still in his pajamas, so it would be quiet for every one else. ~ It was such a nice weekend. I think it will be a new tradition for us. All of us together, in a beach house, the first weekend in December.....Sounds good to me!