Deck the Halls

Of course the Christmas season was under way right when we got home from Thanksgiving. Everything is decorated, the Christmas music is on, and the kids ask for cocoa EVERY day! Report cards are in & conferences are done (every body did fine). Most of my shopping is done too. I LOVE IT...except I sent a huge batch of Christmas cards out yesterday with not enough postage & am wondering if everyone is gonna get charged ! Merry Christmas?

Thanksgiving

We had a great Thanksgiving. It was good to see everyone who could make it to Joe and Mel's. I believe the head count was in the 20's....can you believe that is low for the usual Elenbaas gatherings?! The man in the picture carving the turkey is Tim's uncle .

Also pictured are: Alyssa w/ her cousins eating up the relish tray items, and Alyssa's school paper on what she is thankful for.

We went over to my parents for a bit too, then went out with all Tim's siblings & their spouses to see the movie Australia.

This Post is For You!

Today was the almost annual "outlet shopping" with my sisters & cousin in law. It perked me up to spend time with them. I think I got some good things and advice- so thanks ladies! ...and this is me taking your advice to post on my blog more! I look forward to seeing you again soon. So, Jess, everyone else knows already- but did you know I've taken up knitting? The above pic is my first project( my only completed project truth be told), a scarf that I sent to my brother's girl freind for her birthday. Can you hear Solon? "Not ANOTHER Hobby!" Well, I had to put some picture up with the post, and a clothing item is good to represent the day.

Trick or Treat

I came down with a cold the day before Halloween, So Solon took the kids to our church festival on his own for a bit. On Halloween, I picked up Jake and Alyssa from school early so that when Julie got home they could go in to Solon's work to trick or treat. Jake was a military person, Alyssa was a cat, and Julie did not dress up (but was a mummy at her junior high youth group's party). I felt ill and stayed in the car. I loved doing Jacob's cammo make -up.Something kinda funny is that the green makeup stained Jake's face. So, he got to show "part" of his look to his grandparents when we went up to B'ham over the weekend. We went to the Young Life auction up there w/ all Solon's siblings. I had fun- but felt miserable. Anyway, now we have a gigantic bag of candy at home. My mom could scarcely believe her eyes when she saw it! When I feel better (I now have ear infections: ouch) I'm sure I'll have at it.

Pumpkin Patch Pals

We got to meet at a pumpkin patch with the Allinson family last weekend. I didnt get that many good shots...but I liked this one of Kenzie & Alyssa. They were like two peas in a pod wearing their vibrant colors/scarves/hats! Anyway, after the pumpkin patch we went to their place for an awesome dinner/dessert. We also played some fun games! So, thanks Allinsons....we always enjoy time we can spend together.

Purple Dolpins

We are in soccer season now, until Nov. Alyssa has the same girls on her team as last year, except one quit & a new girl filled that spot. Solon is the assistant coach again w/ the same head coach. The team name is "Purple Dolphins"....which doesnt work as well as last years name "Pink Panthers". Oh Well. I dont have many pics where it is just Alyssa... it is always a POD of Purple Dolpins around the ball! I think they have lost 1 of 4 games...but who's counting right? (me)!

Go Team!

The Russians are coming!

OK - the name of todays blog is a joke. We celebrated my sister in law's birthday a couple weekends ago, and while we were hanging out at my parents waiting for her side of the family to come to the BBQ, Alex would say "the Russians are coming!" It was Funny... anyway, I took some photos of her and Jon, ate some good food, hung out w/ the Russians, and got to spend some time w/ my niece & nephew too. The girl in the kid pics is Alex's sister: Sabina. She is a year younger than Julie, and they have fun together when we get to see her.

Ready -Set- School!

Today was the first day of school. Here are the bus stop pics. I was the only mom embarasssing their child at the middle school stop. Oh well. The kids said they had a fun day. I enjoyed a coffee date w/ bus stop moms & Solon came home for lunch. So, it was a nice day for me....but it went too fast!

Weekend Break Before School

We spent the weekend up at my inlaws trailer at Black Mnt Ranch. We got to go swimming, and the girls went on a small horse ride while the boys played some golf. We TRIED to get a volley of tennis going- but that didnt go so well. What I really liked was driving up to Baker and climbing around a bit. Now it is the day before school. Jake has Julie's 4th grade teacher- a nice Christain lady. Alyssa has a teacher that is new to our family, but she seems like a nice lady too. Julie wont know her schedule till tomorrow. She doesnt seem to be too nervous about her new school. Well, here we go.....Back to school!

Shark Bait Ooh Hah Hah

Well, one swim lesson session down- one to go. Alyssa passed from "Turtles" to "Seahorses. Julie and Jake will remain in Sharks. I love taking the kids to the pool each day and watching them! Julie does well on her dive. Jake does well on back stroke....and wishes "cannon balls" were part of the curriculum! Alyssa got alot better at backfloating- but above picture is her working on her crawl stroke.

July 4

We had a great time on the 4th of July. We had an afternoon BBQ

at my parents. My grandpa and grandma were there, along w/ my aunt & uncle,

and brother & sister inlaw. Here we are in front of the flag.

Due to gas prices my brother got a moped. He brought it and everyone took a spin on it.
I drove it once- and was a tad nervous. I used to drive my dad's when I was Julie's age...no fear of course....but I guess I lost my cool.


Jacob was very keen on his uncle's arsenal....and I am not kidding when I say
ARSENAL! My brother has a hidden weapons permit- and brought alot of his stuff to
show us. Let's see, there was: brass knuckles, a metal wand you snapped to extend out(used to cane or smack someone in the temple), a couple hand guns, and at least 3 war rifles...that looked like machine guns (but were semi auto). The one Jake has has the bayonet attachment on.
He is looking forward to guns safety classes when he is older, and going duck hunting & such w/ his uncle.


Besides the moped & guns uncle Jon brought oysters to grill for appetizers. It was a first
for Solon, Jacob and I. Jake had just this one, seasoned w/ butter, garlic, and salsa. He said they didn't have much taste- but declined seconds! I tried 2 each seasoned differently....they weren't
my cup o tea.

Here is Alyssa eating a festive cookie. After we ate we did a few sparklers and headed off to my inlaws. We went down the road w/ them to a neighborhood BBQ/ fire works show. My neice and nephew went too. As it turns out the kids were more into playing on the play set than watching the fireworks. One of the ladies that came had the GREAT IDEA to bring tons of glow bracelets. It made it nice to keep track of where the kids were in the dark. Unfortunately, I had forgotten my camera & have no pics w/ the Elenbaas side. The above pics are from my dad.
Well, we love the 4th. We are grateful for the freedoms we have as Americans, and pray those freedoms will continue.

Seaside with the Allinsons

Here are some kid pictures of our Seaside camping vacation with the Allinson family.
They have invited us camping w/ them at least once a summer since Julie was a baby! We make fun new memories w/ them all the time. We enjoyed many things in Seaside-the beach (the dog's favorite), the shops, rides, swimming, smores, playground...ETC! Above are the buddies @ the beach, and below is Julie trying to be a big girl helper w/ the baby...& Levi enjoying licorice(while everyone else was eating ice cream). Until next time......

Father's Day Weekend

On Sat. we had a joint 60th birthday party for my mother/father

inlaw. It was an open house hosted by their kids, and I think it went

pretty well.

Here is my handsome baby daddy! 2 things he loves: his guitar & his ice cream, so we gave him some music....and a new ice cream scoop. It was a good day. We had a BBQ @ my folks . Below Alyssa is husking the corn...yum.

Cousin Campout

So, the weekend before last we had our 9th annual cousin campout. If you are on the Elenbaas side of the family, and an adult cousin (no kids)..your in.

We have been to Mazama, near Mnt baker, Ellensburg, Deception Pass, Bridgeport, and now The Black Mnt. Ranch.

Sometimes the weather and bugs are against us- and sometimes we have more amenities than other times, but the company is always great.

This time we had alot of amenities, mild weather- but also mild bugs :)

Above are pics of Solon 1) golfing on the golf course 2) showing some affection from the pool

then there is the group photo * Ben & Jess not pictured- but they were up all day Sat, and I feel horrible I didnt take a picture before they left.

Days on the farm

I seem to be behind in my blogging. These are pictures taken Mother's Day weekend, when we were at my in-laws. We went up this past weekend too, for our neice & nephew's joint B-day party. We spent some time w/ my side of extended family for a BBQ. Alot of Solon's weekend time was doing landscape work for my mother in law, I would be jealous....but it's been a long time coming for her!...The only other things that are happening:

• Our washer broke, but Tim got it working again
• The kids are signed up 4 their swim lessons & penciled in 4 their week@ grandma's
• Julie, whose hair is flowing in above picture- got a bob haircut
• Jake is on his last week of baseball

I am looking forward to summer (dare I say break?)

Eat your heart out Hank :)

This is my dad's new toy. A Miata! My grandma passed away last fall, and he put his inheritance towards it. I know she'd get a kick out of it. It is a hard top and we all sang the transformers theme when my dad put the roof down!Well it sure is fun, and my dad is being very relaxed w/ it ....even letting my mom eat in it & helping the grandkids drive!! He used to name all the old beater vehicles he had.....and they were women's names (good job Kaleb A for not being sexist and naming your camper "hank")! We'll see if he names this one!

My wedding photography slideshow

Well, I finally have a quick slide show of some of the wedding pictures I took. It was a lovely event @ Balboa Park in San Diego. As you can see, the bride and groom are a gorgeous couple, and I am very greatful they gave me the opportunity to shoot my first wedding! It was challenging & fun at the same time. I hope you enjoy watching!

Take me out 2 the ball game......

So, here is my baseball guy! It is busy these days w/ 3 games a week and a practice. Throw in our Bible study, and that gives me one day a week where I dont go anywhere....except the coffee stand! So that is mostly what we are up to. We are also clearing out a section of yard to plant three blueberry bush starts. I did have some fun visiting this past weekend at a baby shower for an old highschool friend. I better go get dinner started cuz guess what?.....game tonight!

When you wish upon a star.....

We just got back from a vacation to CA. The weather was pretty good- mid sixties. Took the kids to Disneyland/CA. Adventure parks. They also went to a princess breakfast, so to make it up to Jacob we also went to a Medival Times dinner. We also walked around the grounds of the Crystal Cathedral one day. After our time in Anaheim we headed down to San Diego. The main purpose of going down there was for me to photograph a wedding, so Solon and the kids had a 1/2 day at Seaworld and the beach. Fun times. It was my first wedding to photograph....and I will put some samples up soon.

Easter Celebration

Happy Easter. We always enjoy going up to see family and celebrating Christ's ressurection. It's also fun to dye eggs & hunt 4 candy. We hope you have a great Easter too!

So this is a list of top five's -- if a person mentions you in the last list (of those whose lists they would like to see) you are tagged and are supposed to put your list on your blog(make sure to check the list to see if your name is on it! I want to see your lists, too!)
5 things you can't live without (well, I could live without them, but I do enjoy these) under $5:
1. white chocolate ,macadamia nut mocha 2. dvd rental 3. Sunshine 4. sudoku puzzle 5. a hot shower .
5. favorite movies: 1. Lord of the Rings Trilogy/Star Wars saga 2. Indianna Jones 3. Count of Monte Cristo/Les Miserables 4.Moulin Rouge 5. ET/Goonies
5 Baby Names you LOVE but won't use Girls:1. Elisa 2. Lily 3. Ryan4. Olivia5. Taylor
Boys:1. Isaiah2. Lane3. Josiah4. Zachary5.Kaleb
5 songs you could hear over and over again:1. Amazing Grace 2. Electrical Storm3. Jesus loves me 4. Here is our king 5. All creatures of our God & king
5 People who influenced your life in a positive way:1. Jesus2. my parents3. Jessica Wendover (Steele)4. Deborah/Rebecca Osburn5. Joanna Allinson
5Things that stay in your purse at all times:1. Wallet2. keys 3. cell phone 4. reciepts!!.5 . lots of various over the counter medicines
5 Moments that you knew changed you forever:1. Accepting Christ/ being baptized 2. Getting married 3. finding out I was pregnant (each time) 4. the car accident i was in at 17- boyfriend in coma. . 5.mom was diagnosed w/ liver disease...and when she got transplant
5Obsessions you have right now: 1. photography2. blogging3. reading with my kids :) 4. talking to mom on the phone 5. Watching the colbert report
5 Places you would really like to go1. Bora bora 2. Italy/Greece 3. New Zealand4. China5. African safari
5 People you would love to see their top 51. Lesha2. Mandi3. Jess O 4. Britton5.BrookeTag! You are it! email it instead if ya dont blog. Good luck!

Top o the Morn'n to Ya

Happy St. Patrick's Day. It's the first year I haven't done anything clever, like putting green food coloring in the toilette and telling my kids " leprechauns don't know how to flush their tinkle either!". Oh well. What are some Irish things I like you ask.....uhm ....potatoes and Bono! Wishing you more than Luck, God bless!!