Two beautiful 11-year olds

I have been reminded a couple of times now that I have neglected to post a blog about Mattie and Lauren's birthday. I apologize for putting it off, but I'm ready to document their
11th birthday!

We started off the celebration with a family birthday party. We were especially lucky to have it the same weekend that Alyssa, Taylor and Ada were here visiting.



They received some really cute gifts - handmade aprons from Grandma Lark...

And cute hats and earrings from Jared and Christina along with other very nice gifts from everyone.

Chris was especially excited about the gifts:


Sharing a birthday usually means sharing a cake, too, but this year Mattie wanted a chocolate cake with mint cream filling and Lauren wanted banana splits. Their desserts complimented each other nicely just as their personalities do which makes for the best of desserts and the best of friends.


Later that week my sister, Beth, and her family came for Thanksgiving. Their birthday fell on the day after Thanksgiving this year and you know what that means: shopping! For the first time ever I let them go shopping with me on Black Friday. (I don't think they found it as fun as I do.) Then Mattie, Lauren, and Tyler made cupcakes which I let them decorate. Then we cleaned the frosting off of every surface of the kitchen.

And Mattie, Lauren, Tyler, Quinn, Hannah, and Jonas made marshmallow people.

We ended the day at the Christmas Parade downtown.


We love having Mattie and Lauren in our family - they both bring joy and laughter to my day. I'm proud of the beautiful, graceful, and compassionate young women they are growing into. I love you, girls!

Wonderfully Warm

Winter hit Central Oregon hard last week. With temperatures in the single digits during the day and below zero at night, we had to be creative in finding ways to keep warm.

Sam and Jonas decided a ninja approach would be both toasty and stealthy.

With help from Grandma Ann, Lauren knit a yarn stocking hat. Not bad for her first attempt....next time she'll make one that will cover her ears too!

Jonas decided to go "on frozen pond" in PJs and boots.

Santa came to a party and warmed everyone up with his jolly cheer.

Being close with those we love keeps us wonderfully warm all through the year.

-awwwwwww