A Christmas to remember

This has definitely been a Christmas to remember. Last Sunday morning, the power went out and our exciting week of "roughing" it began. As the temperature in our home slowly dropped, we began making plans to stay warm and entertained. It was so exciting for the kids to play outside in all the snow again. The sledding hills are great here, especially when no one is driving on the icy, snowy roads! Then we snuggled in for a long night. Monday morning we awoke to find the temperature in our house was 48 degrees, brrrrrr. The fireplace was not doing it's job, so we headed out to the store to buy a generator and a little portable heater. The problem was that there seemed to be no way to connect the generator to the furnace. We used it instead to run power to the fireplace fans to try and get the heat throughout the house. We dressed warmly and kept moving - the temperature rose to 50 degrees by the end of the day and we headed to bed.

Tuesday morning, the house was back to 48 degrees. Colby went to work and I spent the day keeping the fire going. You can just call me little pioneer woman - I had no idea how much work it would be to try and keep a house warm. I burned through a truckload of firewood, but the house was a whopping 52 degrees - Success! Luckily, I am married to a very smart man. He had figured out a way to hook the generator up to the furnace. He took a cord, cut off one end, hooked up the wires and plugged in the furnace - HEAT! I have never been so grateful in all my life (even though I was looking forward to the Marriott). Early the next morning, the power was on, but then back off again a couple of hours later. We ended up having a beautiful, quiet (no Christmas music, tree lights, etc.) Swedish Christmas dinner (we have a gas range) and Christmas Eve night. Christmas morning came and was wonderful. Santa found our house, even without any lights, and the kids were happy. I was amazed at how well the kids handled our little trial. Many of their presents didn't get delivered to our house, yet their attitudes remained positive and happy. I am so greatful for a warm house, lights and a happy, healthy family.

God Jul!

Nutcracker

Annika had the chance to dance the part of a Rosebud in her dance center's production of the Nutcracker. She loves to dance and had a great time, despite having a terrible earache. This was from Friday night's performance. It was cancelled today due to all the snow and ice. She was so upset because she loves to be on stage!

Snow!

Can you believe this snow in Portland?? We probably got 3-4 inches of snow at our house. They cancelled church yesterday (Colby was thrilled since he was suppose to speak in Sacrament Meeting!) and school today. It is unusually cold, 21 degrees, so we think the snow may stay for a while. Yea! This is a picture of our back yard. You can't even see the pool.

Happy Birthday Tanner!

Christmas Trees

Nine years ago, Colby and I were out with our friends, Thayne & Lanae, Christmas tree hunting - a tradition for the next many years to come. I was VERY pregnant with Tanner, who was due Christmas Day. Of course, we had to search and search to find the cheapest and best tree we could possibly find. We had been to so many tree lots and I was feeling so tired. My legs were hurting badly and I was having a tough time walking. Colby got the tree and we headed home, finally. It was such a great afternoon, but I just couldn't figure out why I could no longer walk at all and just needed to go to bed. Early the next morning, we were headed to the hospital and Tanner was born a few hours later. Ever since then, we always get our Christmas tree the first weekend in December. This year we decided to go out a little early since Grandpa & Grandma, and Dustin & Bre-Anna were in town.

Thanksgiving - 2008

Grandma and Grandpa Manwaring came for Thanksgiving and to help while Colby and I headed to the hospital with Arik. It was great to have them here!

Arik - the saga continues....

So our sweet little boy, Arik, has been ill since May. We are not sure what is wrong, but we are working towards helping him get well. Last Monday, he had surgery and they removed his tonsils and adenoids. He was such a brave boy and is doing so great. In fact, he even went to school and basketball practice yesterday! Here are a few pictures from the exciting day.

November 24, 2008

Before surgery...

After surgery...

The wheelchair ride out of the hospital. He was a little loopy from the morphine.

A few hours later, Annika had to snuggle because she was so worried about Arik. There really is nothing better than twins!