Full Moon

There was a full moon on Tuesday and luckily I had my camera with me because after dinner, it was just rising and was absolutely huge, bright and beautiful!!!

Celebrating another year

I had a birthday this week and was very spoiled. I am typing this post on my new MacBook Pro and several accessories accompanied it including a new "mighty mouse" and photo card reader. I am slowly learning "all things Mac"! In addition to that, I got to spend a wonderful mother-daughter weekend with my mom in Spokane. What a treat! Here's a couple birthday pics...

Mountain Views

We've had some beautiful views of our mountains lately - here are a few pictures that I have captured!

It's winter again...or still...or something....

Crazy weather abounds and it started snowing about noon yesterday and snowed hard all day. It was blowing on top of that. This morning it was 19 degrees and the roads were insanely icy! It was one solid sheet of ice from Lynden to Bellingham. The good news is that it has mostly melted! Here's a couple snow pics!

Oahu trip pictures

We had a fabulous time on Oahu...enjoying the sunshine and rest and relaxation! We were there with our good friends the Hewitts: Trevor, Carissa, Wade & Dean. We could've stayed...but reality and home called...so home we are. We'll treasure the memories and look forward to our next visit to the island...

Some interesting coincidences from our trip:
* Both Carissa and I had friends from our hometowns on the island at the same time we were there.
* Carissa posted pics on facebook and one of her friends recognized our family - turns out she is Natalia's Girl Scout leader, and we hadn't made the connection previously!
* We got on our shuttle at SeaTac to take us back to our car Thursday night at 10:30 pm and who should be on the very same shuttle, but my cousin Sara and her husband Mike. What are the chances...?

Make a Smilebox slideshow

25 Random Things

I was recently 'tagged' on Facebook with the challenge of sharing 25 random facts, habits, dreams about myself. It was interesting and it is fun to see the lists put together by my friends. Thought I would share here and hope you'll post a list of 25 random things on your blog to share!

1. I can be moved to tears by a good rendition of our national anthem.
2. I wore some form of vision correction from the age of 7 until five years ago when I had Lasik surgery and was LIBERATED!
3. When I am nervous you might see me rub my ear lobe.
4. My first car was a pink-panther-pink Volkswagon VW Bug – it was awesome!
5. I drove said Bug over a 30 foot embankment, between 2 trees with six inches to spare, and into the Skagit River. My sister and I walked (swam) away.
6. My favorite flower is a hydrangea…blues, purples, pinks…beautiful!
7. I absolutely love a good game of Rook – cards anyone?
8. I have visited more countries than I have states of our great country…
9. I have a weakness for the 3 C’s: chocolate, coffee and cheese.
10. My brain does not process/notice detail well – you would never want me to be a witness of a crime. Did he have black or brown hair, tall or short? It just doesn’t register. If I don’t notice your haircut, it’s nothing personal!
11. I am really excited about photography and want to learn how to take more professional photos!
12. Laying on the beach or by a pool in the warm sunshine, with book in hand, is ultimate relaxation and enjoyment.
13. I am a strong believer in vitamins and faithfully take them every day.
14. I love finding a good bargain and rarely buy things that aren’t on sale.
15. My sweet husband is one of the kindest people I know and I feel so very lucky to be married to him.
16. My goal this year is to have more of the spirit of a servant.
17. I love being near the ocean, hearing the waves, smelling the air, walking the beach.
18. My children AMAZE me; I learn so much from them.
19. I used to think I would have a pet tiger when I grew up. Meow!
20. I work for a library, my last name is ‘Read’ – how perfect is that?
21. The only bone I have ever broken is my left ring finger.
22. I love learning new software and figuring out ways that it can make things simpler/faster/more productive/etc.
23. I love Western WA on a sunny day…the other 364 days a year I dream of living somewhere sunny and warm J
24. There were only 42 graduates in my high school class.
25. I find Facebook/blogging to be a bit addicting and love to see your updates, photos, vidoes, etc!

Natalia's in "business"

Natalia's back in business - let us know if you "need" some Girl Scout cookies!

Not quite 40 days and nights...but we did think about it!

Here's a few pictures of our "neighborhood" this week...

This is at the Lynden city limits looking south towards the river/bridge on Hannegan Road. The bridge is back by the trees in the distance. This is the road we take every day to work :-)

This is from south of the bridge looking north towards Lynden

This is the local basketball court
Our Lynden city park - the creek which runs through there is normally about knee deep and 6-8' across and a long ways from the play area!
This picture is taken from the bridge on the Guide Meridan Road, looking south. The river normally stops at the near tree line.

All in all, we are very fortunate - the only way we were affected was finding different routes to work and finding childcare arrangements for 3 late starts, and one closed school day! There were many homes flooded, a landslide and other destruction in our county. Maybe this week we'll have a normal schedule and normal weather. Wait, what is normal?????

Our 2008 Holidays

Well, I am a bit behind, so I compiled all my holidays photos, including our family Christmas in Lynden, extended Harvey Christmas in Oroville, and New Years/belated Christmas with the Read family on Whidbey Island. We had special days with all of our family on both sides!

Make a Smilebox photobook

Christmas Piano recital

Yesterday was the girls' Christmas piano recital ~ they both did so well ~ I am so proud of them!

Johanna played "Jingle Bells" as a duet with her teacher.

Natalia played "We Wish you a Merry Christmas."