Envious....

I know. Other parents look at this kid and just can't help it.

Williams Family Christmas Run Down

I think this really has been one of my most favorite Christmas's... ranks right up there with one of my last Christmas's at home in Vista, when all my siblings slept in the basement Christmas Eve night... waking up all together in the morning.

This year was a favorite for a couple reasons:

1. The snow really created an ideal Christmas. Not only did it snow heaps all Christmas Eve and Christmas Day providing a White Christmas, but it allowed us the opportunity to spend over week together relaxing and enjoying the season with one another. We are so blessed to have so much love in our home. It also provided an excuse to spend last weekend with my sister-in-law's family, something we do not do often enough!

2. Christmas Eve with dear friends. We invited friends over to spend Christmas Eve with us. Darby, Jeremy and their daughter Ellette, as well as our friend Al all braved the treacherous conditions to be at our home. I hope it was worth it to them, because we loved having them. Ellette and Quincy played and played and really had a blast... our house showed it. We are so fortunate to have such good friends, and we look forward to all the fun we will have in 2009 with them.

3. Quincy! What fun it is to have the magic of a child at Christmas in our home! He is so excited for decorating our Christmas Tree, seeing the Christmas lights, reading Christmas Books, seeing Santa, opening gifts, singing Christmas songs. It will be a fun time of year for a long time to come.

My wishes for next year are for Quincy to better understand the reason for our celebrating Christmas. I hope that Dan and I can help him to learn more of Christ and all he has given us. That he can live a selfless life; with honor, integrity and JOY!

Jingle Bells!

One of our favorite things this Christmas is Quincy singing "Jingle Bells". He does so well! Here is a video from our Christmas Eve sing-a-long.

Welcome Winter

Winter has certainly made it presence know here in the Pacific Northwest, as it has throughout much of the country. We stayed home from work for the first time in our almost 9 years with the company. On Thursday we drove all the way in to work at 11, only to find out that they were sending everyone home! Back in the old days we would have risked it... but now with a toddler, things just are not the same.

Saturday's forecast was for blizzard like conditions and extremely high winds. So, instead of staying at home to brave the storm... we drove to Snohomish to hunker down with my sister in law's family. They have propane and a generator, so we knew we would be warm... plus, it was just a fun excuse to go over there and play games and enjoy the season. This California girl saw things she had never seen before! Wind blew snow all around, sometimes making it difficult to see. Snowdrifts created some odd humps and lumps all around.

We contemplated staying another night, but decided to make the trek home. I think we made a mistake... we should have enjoyed one more night there, as we returned home to no water. We are hoping it is just frozen pipes... not broken pipes. Regardless, we have been unable to get a hold of a plumber, and you don't realize how much you use water, until its gone. Flushing the toilet? Brushing your teeth? Bathing? Washing your face? Washing your hands after using the bathroom? Hot cocoa? Dirty Dishes piled up? Its kinda a bummer.

Luckily, we have most of the week off, and I think I will re-arrange some vacation time around to only have to work a little bit tomorrow. I am so behind! Urg! Looks like things will be warming up into the 30's (that is warm compared to the low 20's we have been seeing!) so I am hoping we will be done with the snow and ice for at least a little while.

Update: Since I wrote this blog last night... our pipes thawed up a bit and water is again running! Thank Goodness!

I have included some pics, although nearly all of them were from the first day of snow... more came since those pics were taken, and more is expected! Good thing we have no obligations, other than a drive to Snohomish for Christmas dinner!

We'll see if I get to make those Christmas cookies I had planned on making this week...

Weekend in Cali

A little late with my post, but we came home and were immediately submerged back into "real life"... except for today! Home at 10 am, watching "Wow!Wow! Wubzee" and the snow fall outside. I love being trapped at home and not going to work! :) we realize that Quincy is totally unprepared for snow. No Hat. No Gloves. Not that he would wear them, oh well.

Anyhow, we had quite the whirlwind visit to Vista, only 3 full days is definitely too short! We arrived quite late on Friday night. The flight wasn't too bad, luckily it wasn't a full flight, so Quincy was able to sit beside me and watch Elmo on my laptop. Food is a good distraction to an almost 2 year old as well. Saturday we ran some errands and went out to lunch with Jessica and Tyson, and then that night a big party at my mom's house. I saw all kinds of folks I hadn't seen in far too long. We were also celebrating my grandmothers birthday. It was fun, and Quincy has a new love... Ellie. They wrestled and had all kinds of fun together. Here are some pic's from Saturday night.

Quincy with Great Grandma:

Quincy and Ellie

All the girls! Me, Jessica, Brady, Crystal and Marla

Sunday afternoon was a big party at my aunts house. It was awesome! I so so many family members I hadn't seen in years! We were all together in the first time since who knows how long! There were lots and lots of photos taken! Some dear friends, Kristin and Amy and their daughters also showed up, as did old friend Leanna Hunt. It was so good to spend time catching up with all of them... although, the blog world makes it easier to keep up even when distance keeps us apart.

Quincy makes a move for the cake:

Cicely, Leanna Hunt and Jessica:

Hayley, Kristin, Jessica, Cicely, Jeweliette and Amy:

The Voigtlander's:
Sunday night was my favorite, and really what I wanted during this trip most of all, a night with my mom and dad and bothers and sister. We played Balderdash... and my family is so dang funny to play this game with. We are so creative! I was laughing so hard at times that I thought I would wet my pants! I miss them. I wish I didn't live so far... or I wish we could afford to visit more often. Monday was pretty mellow... sadly, I brought the rain and wind and cold from Seattle with me. It was not the sunny and 70 degree weather I was hoping for. Jessica and I took advantage of granny (a.k.a "Ba-Bo") and got our nails done and went out for lunch. That night I got my fill of delicious Mexican food to last me until our next trip in March.

While there, we also discovered Quincy's talent for the drum.

Future drummer for sure:

I was sad to leave on Tuesday, especially since that was the day with the most sun! I made a point of driving down the coast on the way to the airport so I could enjoy it as much as possible. We got there at 12:30, only to be told that our flight was cancelled, and I would be on the 4:30 flight, landing in Seattle at 7:30pm. It took everything in me not to completely lose it and cry then and there. How was I going to entertain a 2 year old for 7 hours in a small area??! It wasn't easy, and I was VERY grateful to land and have Dan's help. I don't think I will attempt a trip like this by myself again for a long time! It was good to see everyone, and I appreciate all the great parties everyone threw while we were there!! we love you all!