PERKINS FAMILY PARTY 2008

Josh

Eating the Houses


Nathan

Waiting to for the cousin's gift exchange to start

Gran's NEW Kitchen

Big boy Blake

Brielle getting cozy

Dan and Blake

Gran and some girlies

Kristin and Annie's Cute Casa

My disaster (the first one fell down, plus I had a four year old helper)

Jenny's REI Garage sale complete with Dave and Dan camping out just like they did in real life a few months ago. (see them in their sleeping bags by the fire?)

Christmas at the Cabin 2008

Everyone's favorite Uncle Mark

Jenny and her kiddos

Emily carrying the sled back up the hill

They were going way to fast through trees on icy snow for me to watch

Dan my Pepsi man with his new Pepsi beanie

Cute Natalie

Brian

Checking out the loot

Nathan, Dave (dan's brother), and Brian

The cabin and Tally the dog

Dan and Natalie going up for another run

Me and Blake in the Kelty

Some girly cousins lounging in the snow

Waiting to see what Santa brought

Blake stuck in the playpin from 1970 something

Blake's first snow


The fast and the Furious

Stockings hanging from the...hooks on the wall

So I finally finished the stockings and hung them on the removable hooks I stuck to the wall. This will be the first year since kids that we didn't have a mantle to hang them from. Why don't I have a mantle? I have a new house right? Well since it doesn't get very cold here they just don't put fireplaces in all the houses. I guess if the power goes out we bundle up. I remember one thanksgiving in Northern Idaho when the power was out we cooked the turkey in the sauna behind our fireplace. There will be no cooking like that here. If the power goes out, we light up the grill out back to cook. But hey, don't the stalkings look pretty good anyways? I think I will make a fireplace next year out of poster paper and tape it to the wall. This just doesn't look right to me.

Oh Christmas Tree! Oh Christmas Tree! I miss your lovely soda!

This is my dream tree. If I was still a Dew drinker I would have made one myself.

My favorite is the 2 liter for the star on top. This poor fellow had too much time on his hands. But hey, he was probably hyped up on caffeine and pulled an all-nighter. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Going the Distance

I did it. I ran the 5k and now I can take a break from pounding the pavement. Well, at least until Monday. But I will sleep better tonight, eat whatever I want tomorrow, (cooking a turkey), and try to look forward to the next 5k. I never thought I would ever, EVER, take up running. If I can, ANYONE can. You burn the most calories running or cycling and get into shape faster. I had much baby weight to loose and lost 10 lbs over the last few months getting ready for this race. 10 more to go though..... :( Thanks Shannon, Meredith and Jenny who inspired me to go the distance!

Snow...in Arizona?

We had the great joy of going up to Dan's Grandparent's cabin in Pinetop Arizona the weekend after Thanksgiving. It snows up there (Over 6000 ft elevation), so we enjoyed some sledding and hot cocoa. 2 things you don't get to enjoy down here in the inferno. Dan decided to teach Emily the art of Monopoly (she actually beat him fair and square), and the Game of Life. I don't know too many 7 years olds who are willing to put 3 hours into a game like that. I know I don't like playing. Must be the daddy/daughter thing. We had a good time as usual and are so thankful to be able to go up there and spend time as a family.

Dishwasher Dreams

About a week or so ago my good friend Mandi posted a story and photo on her blog about her little boy and his love for sitting on the door of the dishwasher (when it was open of course). I just kept thinking how I have never had a kid who even cared anything whatsoever about the dishwasher. Not one day later I was loading ours up when this little bugger came over and started gnawing on it. He sat there for 20 minutes or so just chewing on it. I guess I have a kid who likes the dishwasher after all.

Just a follow up to Twilight night a couple weeks ago. It was great! Nothing like a Theater full of women and a few brave men to get you in the mood to watch a vampire love story. There was a raffle and some other prizes handed out that made it that much more fun. Thanks to Heather who put it on and Kristin who invited us! It was the perfect girls night out!

The photo left right: Annie (sister in law), Kristin (sister in law), Lissa (mother in law), Me (Windy), Jordy (sister in law), and Jordy's mom Neena.