Christmas 2011

For Christmas I decided to visit my sister, Heidi, and her family in Garden City Kansas. My brother, Owen, decided he would also head to Heidi's. Lucky for me he lives in Colorado so he picked me up at the Denver Airport and we drove together to Heidi's. The first thing I noticed when I arrived in Denver was how warm it felt compared to Seattle even though the temperature was lower. I have really struggled with the wet cold and enjoyed the 5 days I had of dry cold despite the extremely dry skin. Christmas Eve Owen, Heidi with some help from me made Jagerschnitzel for dinner. The boys also got to open one gift.

Santa filled our stockings with all sorts of goodies.

Uncle Owen playing with Gavin's train table before Gavin got to.

Adam really, really, really, really, really, really wanted a 3-D Nintendo DS and Santa did not leave him empty handed. I gave Adam money to get a new game and as a result of my gift I got to go into a Game Stop store for the first time while he picked out a game.

Heidi playing with Gavin as he hammers shapes in his new toolbox.

Matt busy playing with one of his Christmas gifts

So, if you did not notice in the picture of our stockings, the boys were given Jayhawk pet pillows. Unfortunately, Heidi and Robert are KU fans. Well, Owen and I, having gone to K-State, felt it was appropriate and our duty to help them see the light. So, Christmas Eve, at midnight, Owen and I crept out of the house via the sliding glass door into the backyard. We made our way to the driveway in the front of the house and improved Robert's license plate with a surprise gift. Christmas Day, Heidi, noticed that the screen door was slightly open. It is funny because after we had completed our mission, I noticed I had not closed the screen door all the way but I let it go and immediately thought "I bet Heidi notices." As sure enough she did. She said, "So, this is how Santa Claus go in the house"; Heidi and Robert do not have a chimmney. I told Heidi I had made the footprints in the snow so the boys would think they were Santa's. Anyway, as Heidi and family pulled out of the driveway in the minivan to go t church later on that day, Heidi, the most observant family member noticed Robert's new license frame. I am sad to report it was taken off Robert's car as soon as they got home from church. Owen even parked his car as closed as he could hoping it would block Robert from taking it off.

I-Fly Seattle

While Alexis' father, Von, was visiting, he wanted to try I-Fly Seattle. It a wind-tunnel that simulates skydiving. Alexis, her brother, Adrian and his wife, Kim, and the Twins had experienced this simulation. So, Derek, Von, the Twins, and I took a turn. Before my first turn I kept telling myself to "just relax, relax your body." It was not scary at all. They have you go in the tunnel for 1 minute increments. I think I went three times. I wanted to go high but I think they keep the wind levels down so you can't. I really enjoyed myself.

L to R: Me, Derek, Evan, Von, Greta (wearing her Mary Jane's)

Be instructed to straighten out my legs

Greta flying Solo

Evan shows us proper technique

Derek flying high

Twins Falls

During Thanksgiving we went hiking with Alexis' dad, Von, up to Twins Falls. The moss on the trees and the twist and turns of the branches made me fee like I was walking through a Dr. Suess forrest.

Through twisty forest I will go
Not on my head but on my toes

I will not eat the fuzzy moss

Nor will I stop to brush and floss

Up and over the rainbow limb
I'll blaze the trail and sing a hymn

It is not hard, I can find my way
To see the first waterfall cascade

Oh, there are other people hiking today
But I will not stop and ask to play
(Evan, Derek, Greta, Alexis, and Von)

Instead I will join them on their hike
We have to walk it's to hard to bike
(Evan, Holly, and Greta at the 2nd Falls)

Up and down and all around
I'll stop and pose then head on down

But how will I get down
I am too tired to hike...

Maybe I could ride a moose

Or catch a ride on a train's caboose

Or could I said sail down the river

While reading the book, The Giver

Perhaps I will kayak down the roaring falls
And then swing from branches big and tall

That's it, I know how I will get down

I will ride a moose,
Then jump onto a train's caboose
Then I will sail, kayak, and swing from tree to tree
I cannot give up, I must go on, till the journey ends for me

Pumpkin Carving 2011

One sunny fall day we carved our pumpkins. I decided to go for silly face. Evan and Greta helped their parents carve theirs. Then when we took the carved pumpkins outside Evan and Greta wanted to do a photo shoot.

Alexis and Greta carving away

Alexis and Greta's Jack-O-Latern. I think this Jack-O-Latern looks mischievous. "Sure; I am innocent".

Derek and Evan hard at work.

Derek and Evan's Jack-O-Latern. "Ah, yep I am goofy."

Holly's Jack-O-Latern. "I am all mixed up."

Life is good.

Thanksgiving 2011

This year, under the tutelage of Kathy (Alexis' mom), Alexis and I cooked a Turkey and all the fixings. I made 7 layer dip (a Leonard favorite) for the football games, homemade rolls, and mashed potatoes. Alexis made a sweet potato pie, 6 cup salad, gravy, and stuffing. COSCO made the pumpkin pie for us. The food was great and cooking a turkey is not as hard as I thought.

I was worried that I would add too much flour and they would be heavy but they turned out really light and fluffy.

The bird is ready! Alexis gracefully places the Turkey in the oven.

Von teaching Derek how to carve a Turkey.

L to R: Von Kays, Greta, Derek, Alexis, Evan, and Kathy Kays. Dinner is served.

Part of Derek and Alexis' Thanksgiving traditions is the creation of a Thankful tree. Every day you write something you are thankful for on a leaf and add it to the tree. There are a lot of things I am thankful for and have been greatly blessed by the Lord. Evan is adding a leaf to the tree.

Greta, in her Turkey hat made at preschool, adds one more thing she is grateful for.

Northwest Whiplash

One thing about living in the Northwest is the potential for whiplash is higher due to all the spider webs. There has been many times when I am walking along and find my face covered with cobwebs. It usually causes a startling jolt (hence the whiplash) and quick move of the hands to free the face.

Boeing Classic

Back in August, I got to to be a spectator at the Boeing Classic. Since, Alexis' mom lives in Snoqualmie she receives 4 free passes thisChampions Golf Tournament. I really enjoyed not only the golf but the beautiful setting in which the golf course is located. It is absolutely gorgeous.

Must be rough to have to shoot from the ruff in such a beautiful place.

At the tee on the 12th hole there is a view of Snowqualmie Falls.

The beautiful view of the 13th hole. I spent a lot of time at this hole and the 17th hole because you could watch the golfers both tee off and put since it was a par 3.

Mt. Si in the background of the 14th hole.

The 17th hole was my favorite. We just had really good view of the golfers teeing off and then putting. On the last day of the tournament we were at the 17th hole and there was a guy snoring nearby. He slept through some amazing shots. When Cochran birdied on this hole to tie for first place with Calcavecchia going into the final hole, the sleeping spectator finally woke up from the cheers of the crowd.

View from the 18th fairway.

View from the 18th hole; isn't it just spectacular. I really did enjoyed the golf even though most of my pictures are of the landscape.

Since Cochran and Calcavecchia were tied after 18 holes they had to play the 18th hole again. It was pretty exciting and here is Calcavecchia making his winning shot.

Since it is called the Boeing Classic, Boeing has a flyby each year. This year a 787 Dreamliner was the star of the show; it was pretty neat.

The pilot on his way back towards us tipped the wing.

Mt. Si is in the background.