Christmas

As you all know we were unable to return to Kearney for Christmas. However, Dad did enjoy spending the weekend before Christmas with Gabe's family, Becky's family and Nellie. I am very thankful for modern technology which allowed me to be there using Skype. This year I was able to see everyone open their presents and to observe what was going on. As I watched Dad jump up once during the opening of presents to get bags for the grandchildren to put their things in or get distracted by someone talking to him, I realized that in years past that was probably me. I wondered how much I had missed because of distractions. This year there were no distractions and I was able to absorb it all. This was actually a unique experience that I enjoyed until it came time for hugs and kisses. The physical contact was hard to do without! And once again I am thankful for modern technology. The digital picture frame displaying all the Christmas pictures is great!

Dad and I picked Nellie up at the Portland Airport on the Thursday before Christmas! She and Zoey made the trip just fine. While she was here we took her to the coast where she insisted on touching the Pacific Ocean. And although the waves were very turbulent and rough she managed to get her fingers wet when they rolled back out. (I managed another lighthouse picture too.)We also were able to get very close to a high waterfall in the mountains on our way back from the coast. She and I made jewelry, gingerbread houses, Christmas cookies, snack mix and ate and ate and ate! She wore Dad out doing "Just Dance " on the Wii. Zoey, who wanted to be sure everyone received something for Christmas from her, made little chocolate colored presents and left them throughout the apartment for us. (She preferred to leave them on the Christmas tree skirt under the tree.) Sunday came much too soon.That morning we took Nellie to the airport to fly home. I cried all of Sunday morning and part of the afternoon. We miss all of you soooo much! As I said before though I am grateful for modern technology. I don't know how my Mom's generation managed without Skype, cell phones, facebook, blogs,etc. I would be totally depressed right now without them.

                                                                   Zoey at the ocean.

                                                          The waterfall in the mountains.

                                                                      The Pacific Ocean.

 All of us and the lighthouse on the Oregon coast.(Zoey is back in the car wiggling out of her carrier and peeing on the car seat to let us know how she felt about being left behind.)

                                            It was a little windy the day we went to the coast.

Nellie trying to get close enough to the ocean to touch it with me in the background hollering, "Don't do it!"

                                     
                                             You can see the turbulent waves behind them.

The Pacific Ocean.

Cape Meares.

Thank you Rachel and Dean.

Thank you again.

Thank you Caleb and Camber!

Gingerbread Houses! Yum!

                                       

Nellie loves opening presents.

Merry Christmas to All!

 

New Year's Eve Dad and I went to a dance. We really need to brush up especially on the waltz.The waltz seemed to be the dance of the evening. I think it was more fun for me than for your dad. I appreciate him doing that for me.

New Year's feast.

Close up of the feast. Happy New Year!