Pictures of Caley's car with a branch crunching the front hood. Hannah had just been out under that tree, not too long before, taking pictures of Russ cleaning up the debris.
Lots of snow and ice the last week or so. I know, I know--those of my family that live in Spokane and eastern Oregon laugh when we have a whole week of school cancelled for "snow". I laugh, too! We really have enjoyed it--the girls more so than me. I had to give up snowpants, gloves and boots this year to Hannah--I sure hope she stops growing soon!
This is Hannah and Heather with our neighbor Cassie. They were using boogie boards to slide down the hill on our street before the trucks came around and dumped tons of gravel on it.
I remember being able to withstand frigid temperatures as a kid. We never came in from the snow unless we were called in. Same with the girls. When they did eventually come in, Hannah couldn't feel her bottom for at least 2 hours.
I don't think they were actually moving--just a great shot.
Where's the mountain???
Caley and Hannah trying to catch snowflakes??Our church put on a "No Ball" for our highschool youth this year. According to Caley and Hannah it was very fun and worth all the time they spent tracking down dresses to wear and doing hair and makeup!
Why can't these pretty girls just smile naturally?
I, as a mom, thought is was nice to see most of these young men dress up.
Beth and Amanda--now there's a nice smile, Amanda!
Caley and Hannah before leaving the house.
I think Russ was a little afraid to let them out the door...
Me helping with a tiny bit of make-up--kids at this age have such beautiful skin why cover it with make-up?!?You know how it is...on one hand you dread it because you want the perfect picture and on the other hand it can be one of the best times spent with family. We've done this for several years on the weekend of Thanksgiving. We figure out what to wear--what color we have the most of that year-- grab the tripod and camera and head downtown. Mostly, the photos have consisted of the girls, simply because they are the ones who have been changing so much over the years. I think the last family photo was 2005. I'll have to dig some of those out of the archives... 
I'm not sure what happened here but it must have been funny! This is one of our favorite spots in a very secluded alley downtown. At one point, I didn't post the photo, I started laughing hysterically and couldn't stop because we were actually "posing" facing Liberty or Commercial in front of an old building and people were just staring at us!! You can imagine how ridiculous we felt...that's why we search for the old buildings in the alley way...
This one is my favorites--it's a simple, traditional pose.
Everyone else liked this one--I actually did too, after I got use to the bottoms of our feet. This and the one above were taken in the alley across from the downtown Great Harvest. Wait!! I'm giving away all of our secret spots...
Hannah, Caley, and Heather... I wish I had hair like them...maybe I'll try growing mine out--maybe not! This one goes on the annual photo mug. (Spoiler for the grandparents!) My dad actually started this tradition at the Oregon State Fair when Caley was a baby and we have been doing it ever since! My parents used to have all of them displayed--too many now. This will be the 17th one!
I really like this one because of the creativity--Russ and Caley working together.
Willamette University after a few hours...
This was just fun setting the timer and walking hand in hand...just like when they girls were little...
Across from Willamette...
THE END!Thanksgiving this year was spent with Russ's parents in our home. We had a great time together eating, playing games and eating some more!
Family picture...
Russ working on the turkey--complaining the whole time it was burning his hands--I think he needs to do more cooking!
Grandpa with the girls trying to figure out a math problem Russ had his kids do at school--only problem, he forgot the answer... 
Hannah eventually started drinking out of the bottles instead of her glass..
Beautiful picture...Caley had just come off of working long hours at Great Harvest: Tuesday 11-5 pm, home to sleep for a couple of hours and then back for the 8-1am shift, then Wednesday from 10-4. She absolutely loved it!! What I would give to have that kind of energy again...
Too much turkey and not enough exercise...
Playing golf...
Grandma and Grandpa with the girls...For those of you who don't know, Russ and I work with a bunch of great 6th graders at our church along with Dave and Ranelle Hudson, Ashley Strom, and Nick Noffsinger. What a crazy night! We definitley learned many interesting things about these kids. We took them bowling and out to dinner. The guys went to McDonalds (Yuk!) and the girls to Taco Bell (Double Yuk!!)
If all of the girls showed up at any given time, there would be 14 of them!
Here's Dave, Russ, and Nick with a few of their guys.
This is Morgan Connelly--I think she got ahold of the camera once and really liked it! Lots of deleted pictures after that!
I think Nick got a strike on this one--he's been in a league before so not fair for these guys.
The "Hansen" boys--obviously not related.
Rachal and Morgan
Do you really think they sat here so nice and calm?? No way! Not until I intervened to remind them that they were actually out in public...
At one point, the manager had to tell them not to use the slippery part of the floor for ice skating...we'll have to work on proper etiquette before we go out again.Russ and I were gone somewhere, Hannah was at swimteam practice and Caley and Heather were home alone. We never know what we'll find on the camcorder or camera when we return. Heather had somehow figured out how to double her legs up inside her sweats and this was the result. It gave her a slight taste of what amputees experience. I want to be respectful, but it was hilarious to watch her walk up and down the stairs, swing her leg (half leg) up onto the couch and manuever herself up onto the black chair.
If you look close enough, you can see how her feet are tucked in the back of her sweats.
Behold, children are a gift of the Lord...
Psalm 127:3
The last 2 days have been rough. I have been sick and have spent most of both days in bed. My children are a blessing to me in that they are so encouraging and sensitive. They have gone above and beyond what is expected of them in a normal day. Clothes have been washed; dishes taken care of; house continually picked up; closing my door in hopes that I'll get more rest-not realizing it makes me feel better to hear the activity of the day in its normal volume; Caley taking and picking up after a busy day at work; school work accomplished in a timely manor (for the most part!). All went on as scheduled--pretty much without me. What a blessing that is to me!! Knowing that only God deserves the glory for how these 3 are turning out. Thank you, Father, for these blessings...they truly are a gift from You!
