Sunday, November 28, 2010

The Tradition Continues...

Chris is one determined guy! Each year he comes closer and closer to winning our neighborhood's annual house decorating contest and wants this to be his year.  For those of you who like to walk down memory lane, here are some memories from decorating past...




It's Saturday afternoon and the assistants are ready to help!


Sunday afternoon Chris went where he's never gone before: 
the roof  

Here are some priceless reactions from the kids when they saw him up there.

 Thrilled that I'm taking pictures of him from Emma's bedroom window :)
 My view for a while :)
 Daylight is quickly fading, but he's still working hard!

Saturday is our annual lighting party and we're expecting a big crowd.  
Chris will be ready to impress!

Decorating Is So Nice, Let's Do It Twice!

We finished the last of our Thanksgiving leftovers, so it was high time to get the 2010 Kasparek Family Christmas Tree! 

Emma spots the one!
 
Hanging out with Daddy...
 Spreading some holiday cheer singing Jingle Bells as our tree is loaded up.
 Let the decorating begin!


 No, I didn't make a mistake and get this pictures out of order (I wish I did!). This was taken this morning when Chris discovered a leak in our tree stand.  Off came all the ornaments and we got to decorate the tree again!
 Camden's making sure Chris gets the star just right on the top of the tree.
 Applause for Daddy!
 Our little helpers working hard.
Santa needs this cute little reindeer!

Friday, November 26, 2010

A Kasparek Family Thanksgiving

This was the first Thanksgiving that Chris and I have spent with family in 10 years.   Celebrating this day of gratitude with our friends in Texas, Maine, Japan, and Washington was wonderful, but this Thanksgiving was extra special being together as an extended family.


Camden is ready to help Lori make the pumpkin pie.
 Emma working on a little turkey craft (with Cole hanging upside down in the background).
 Enjoying a "friendly" game before dinner.
Chris carving the bird.
The feast!
 Cole loved his first Thanksgiving meal!
 A little brotherly love while cleaning up the kitchen.
 Let the games continue!

Thank you so much for coming to visit us, Tim, Lori, and Cole!  We miss you already!

Thursday, November 25, 2010

The Power Returns!

As the blackout continued I captured a few more moments.
Here are the cute Kasparek kids watching Peter Pan.
 Coffee was a must on Wednesday morning so we brought the coffee maker to the generator extension cord on the kitchen floor.
 7:30 a.m. - WE HAVE POWER!!!
Emma stood still for just a split second during her happy dance so I could take her picture.
Our plan before the storm was to go to Seattle on Wednesday. You can't come all this way and not see some of the city!
Cole enjoyed his first ferry ride.
Lunch at the Crab Pot was delicious!  
 The Kaspareks by the waterfront.
 Thoughts of walking around snowy Seattle in 27 degree weather didn't sound all that fun to us, so after lunch we headed back to the ferry.
 Sweet Cole is ready for a nap...
Enjoying a double date last night full of lots of laughter!

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

A Thanksgiving Break To Remember

We warned Tim and Lori that there might be a little snow when they were out here visiting.  It's normally in the high 40s this time of year, but there was supposed to be a little system moving through the state.  The kids were very excited on Monday morning when they woke up to a little dusting of snow and enjoyed some time playing outside before school.

The snow continued falling off and on during the day.  My meetings at school were cancelled and I was thrilled to get some extra time with our visitors.  The kids played outside a little more and Lori and I baked cookies. 
Flash forward a couple hours and just as dinner was ready,  the lights went out.  We have been very lucky in the past and this was our first blackout experience in Washington.  We enjoyed a delicious dinner by lantern light.
Camden is armed and ready for the night!
 Cole's not too sure what to think of all this darkness...
We had a wonderful evening by the fire chatting and laughing.

Here we are this morning!  It's 59 degrees in the house. Lori and I entertained the kids in Camden's room while the guys went on an adventure to Home Depot in search of a generator and some more fire wood.


 Our heroes!!! 
We know Butch enjoyed some bonding time over the phone with 2 of his sons as he talked them through all they needed to know about generators.
 Lori and I needed a little adventure too, so we headed out for a walk this morning to check out what Chris and Tim had found on their way home.
This is the gas station at the bottom of our hill...

A little snow and ice make our hill not so hot for driving on, but great for sledding! 




We're in hour 20 of no power, but we're warm, have a stocked (cold) refrigerator, and other essentials (like the computer and tv) running off the generator.  
Tim and Lori's adventure in Washington is sure to continue-stay tuned!