The Holidays

This holiday season is different for us, with Bo being gone, but we stayed busy and was given the present of his Skype call on Christmas Eve. :) That day also marked our year here. I hope all of you are able to spend time with those you love.

Tidbits of 2010 Christmas in our household.

Christmas spirit in our home

A little spirit spread to Afghanistan. Bo's tree we sent him and our first packages along with a package from a dear friend from California. Thanks again Chrissy!

Bo in the Spanish tent with their Christmas tree.

The boys had a two day Tsunami Duals the days before Christmas and here is a snippet of that event.

Nick's pin

Jared's pin

Our team took 3rd!

The boys, Kaiah and I Christmas Eve

The best Christmas present for our family. A Skype call from Bo. :)

Surprised with a white Christmas.

Looking forward to the coming of a new year with changes and new goals, but will end 2010 with my eldest turning 17yrs old. :)
Happy Holidays to you all!!

Kentucky Snow and Ice

Snowflakes are kisses from heaven. ~Author Unknown

The weather has been a wintry mix here in Kentucky. Monday it snowed so much that it reminded me of being back home in Alaska. Although it came with warmer weather.
Trying to stay up beat on these chilly gray days, I would drive around at times to try to capture the scenery in my lens.












Yesterday came with an ice storm. Thankfully this one was not as bad as the one that hit in 2009, but I did prepare for it. The kids had no school Thursday but had practice for wrestling. As I drove back and forth from home to bring the kids to and from, I brought my camera along to see if I could catch the beauty of ice.

My Japanese maple tree encapsulated in ice.

More evidence of icicles.

Of winter's lifeless world each tree
Now seems a perfect part;
Yet each one holds summer's secret
Deep down within its heart.
~Charles G. Stater

Christmas time is near...

The last time we had a tree up and fully decorated the house was in December of 2008. The year after around the holidays we were on the road on a move to Kentucky. This Christmas is to be our first in this new house. Usually I would have already dragged out all our Christmas decorations and lights right after Thanksgiving. Although the motivation this year is hard knowing a major part of our family is gone.

So I may be slow going but it will happen. I am just deciding on whether to look for a smaller tree for now or put up our big one. Then with being new in this house where the tree will go is another major decision. We have more room in our den downstairs but I would love to see it upstairs in our living room so that we see the beauty and feel the spirit when we wake up in the morning. So, it looks like some rearranging will be happening soon. I may choose a day that the boys are on a road trip for wrestling. Then I will have the time to concentrate on where I want stuff and get it ready so that they can decorate the tree with me.

Looking back at the past Christmas of 2008 inspires me to start going through my storage room and little by little drag my decorations up. Who knows I may go into historic Glendale and scour their antique stores and boutiques for more unique things. :)

Until my tree and decorations are up here are some images of the Christmas spirit in our house in 2008. We were in Fairbanks, Alaska. I miss the winter wonderland but not the temperatures they have already been enduring. I like the 30 degrees around here, but not a fan of rain in the holiday season.

Christmas 2008 Ft. Wainwright, Alaska


I collect Snowmen and Santas. :)

Our main tree.

Nutcrackers

Small tree in the dining area.

Outside decorations.

Hope you enjoyed a step back in time with me....now to get this house decorated. :)