Need a Christmas Gift for Anyone?

Click to enlarge.

A Mug of Piping Hot Peppermint Tea...

...and a thick slice of chocolate banana bread on a cold afternoon in Autumn! So delicious! =) The weather is actually behaving like it should - thermometer is in the late fifties, lots of cold wind, with chances of rain. (I haven't been outside, so I'm not sure if it has rained yet or not. =) It's so much fun to bundle up after months of hot weather!

Memories...

We can't have these moments forever!

-Singing hymns in parts with my sisters and Daddy
-Singing "This Old Man" at the top of our voices
-Late night Civil War movies with my sisters
-Volley ball
-We girls getting the "weebs" for no apparent reason
-Reading Elsie Dinsmore books together
-Watching Gomer Pyle episodes with my family

The Weather's Changing!

Today, I'm wearing my first long sleeved shirt this season, my hair down, socks, and a thick jean skirt. Winter is just around the corner!

We're Back in Oregon!

Yep, after another four weeks up in Lynden, part of our family (Daddy, Stephen, Hannah, the cats, and I) is back home. We got here at around eleven last night, tired, but very glad to actually be home.

Our last couple days in Lynden were pretty busy with caulking/puttying/painting base boards; puttying/sanding/texturing dents, smashes, and holes in walls; touch-up paint work; dinner and volley ball at friends' house; a couple volley ball games (and a sprained ankle!); Hunka Munka and her bee sting; lots of time with Phil; lots of lil' Betty; and preparing and having Sarah, Stephen, and Gracie over the weekend.

The rest of our family will be coming either today or tomorrow, I'm not sure. I'm really looking forward to real life (even school!) after this back-and-forth-work-on-house summer! =)

It's been about a month...

...since I've last posted. First - the most exciting news -

Elisabeth Jean Criss was born on Monday weighing 8 lb. 3 oz. and 20 1/2 inches long. I'm totally thrilled to have another niece and don't mind in the least that my prediction of a nephew was wrong! I bear the name of a doting auntie with pride. =)

Ah, the little kiddo who first gave me the title of auntie. The chubby bundle of squishiness, hugs, kisses, tickles, and sgwidgy mungerness. (I speak in baby language. =) The lil' pun'kin has a little white tooth showing through pink gums and more pushing towards freedom. She's excited to have a first cousin on the Criss side and to be a big sis (She explained to me that now that their are going to be three little babies around, she won't get as many kisses and squishes.) We had tons of fun with Gracie this past weekend when she, Sarah, Stephen, and a couple H-lines came up and we can't wait to see her (and her parents! =) this weekend when they come to meet lil' Betty.

Another highlight - the Christian Heritage kick-off picnic. We had around 220 people, mostly from Washington, several from Canada, a couple from Texas, Nevada, and two families from Oregon (guess who! =). I was at the registration table for a while and got to meet several new families and catch up with old ones. There was lots of active volley ball, soccer, wonderful fellowship, picnic dinner, potluck dessert, a talk from Mr. Bradrick, a recitation of "The Hiding Place", and tons of fun with friends!

As for everything else that we've been up to -

-Painting - mostly touch-up work, inside and out.

-Puttying, caulking, and painting the base boards

-Painting trim

-Having Grandma and Grandpa here for four days

-Washing windows

-Some weeding

-Volley ball

-Having guests in the house over the weekend

It's been wonderful to have lots of friends over helping with the house - Krista, William, and Mr. Van Cleve, McDonald family, Mr. Baker, Felmleys, Grandpa, the Hamiltons, Bryan family, Sarah & Stephen, and I'm sure there are more, I just can't think of them. =) Thank you so much for all your work, guys! It's been such a blessing!