Snow

We got one of those rare snows in Portland! Guthrie, Jake, and I took a walk to the bakery for bread for our soup. Took these pictures when we got back -- you can see that the top of Jake's hat is white.
Eating organic Oregon snow. Ha!
Snow was still coming down heavily. Pretty!
With the flash off, you can't see the snowflakes.
This one learned from Guthrie how to make snow angels!
Happy!
Meanwhile... Mike had gone to the coast of Oregon to work for the day. He got totally stuck coming back -- had to take an alternate route and then creeped along highway 26 towards home. I had to go pick him up at a meeting point since there was no way the prius was going to get him home. I have never been so thankful for AWD and snow tires -- my car performed beautifully, while there were lots of cars parked all over the roads. Finally got him home at 10:30pm, after a 6 hour commute. The joys and perils of snow in the northwest!!

More Christmas Pictures

Outside the lodge there was this decoy coyote. When we first saw it, from a distance, it was the strangest looking thing and we couldn't quite figure out what it was. So we had to go check it out. Jake thought it was cool/fun. That's the frozen lake in the background. It was 21 degrees.
Reading his new Pippi Longstocking book. I loved Pippi when I was a kid so it is quite fun to read her again, from an adult perspective!
Jake and Mama.
Gramma, Jake, and I went on a carriage ride! The horses were named Ted and Kate and took us on a 30 minute ride on the ranch.
After the ride, getting some hot cider.
The three of us playing one of Jake's new games, Zingo.

Before leaving, one last swim on Daddy's back. Jake and I went swimming on Christmas day, in the evening, and then Jake went back with Daddy.

Jake's Pictures

Perspectives from a 3.5 year old eye...













Yes, he and Mama were having fun with the camera.

Happy Christmas!

Christmas morning breakfast.
Third generation Apple lover :) Music iPod, in orange, his favorite color.
Happiness is opening presents.
Jake was thrilled with his new bike!
And we immediately went out to ride it.

(Forgot to bring the padded front cover from home... thus a cheery substitute for now.)
Cute new Christmas shirt.
Outside the lodge after our Christmas dinner.
Happy Holidays from all of us -- Lee, Tyler, Amy, Mike, Jean, Jake, and Rich.

Christmas Eve

Happy Christmas Eve! We all gathered at Black Butte Ranch -- the Vees arrived the evening prior and everyone else on the 24th. After lunch, it was time for the serious business of making Christmas cookies.

The littlest cook.
See? Serious business.
Busy in the kitchen.
Aunt and nephew.
These guys stayed away from the kitchen relaxed.
A break to go outside and play in the snow!

Then back to the cookies -- time to cut them out into different shapes.

iPhone love.
Merry Christmas from the Vees to you!
The stockings were hung by the chimney stairs with care...
In the hopes that St. Nicolas would soon be there.
A little boy in his new polar bear pajamas, leaving out milk and cookies for Santa and a carrot for the reindeer.
Reading the night before Christmas book before bed.