Just Often Enough

As y'all have either figured out or you know, our little family of four lives in the Northwest corner of the Pacific Northwest.  In this area, we get a lot of precipitation.  Mostly the rain kind.  We get lots of different kinds of rain: the heavy mist, the drizzle, the occasional large drop timed perfectly to hit the back of your neck, the rain just steady enough to be depressing and last for weeks (no kidding), the downpour/sunburst/downpour, the buckets of rains, and then the sheets of rain.  There are more, I just feel like I may be boring you. 

Well, for the last couple of days, the precipitation has been coming in a different form:

Snow!  Yay!

The kids could not wait for more snow to hit the ground.

As soon as there was enough on the ground to pack into some form of a ball, they were out rolling balls for a snowman.  They each did two balls, one got discarded for having too much dirt, leaving the perfect three for the snow-man (kid, thingy).

Mr O did the honors of placing the face and arms.

After the snow-creature got a bath.

Faces of Mr O

Surveying the area.

Executing the plan.

Noticing Mom has the camera.

A few giggles for the Momma.

Stop it Mom!  Giggle giggle.  I mean it!  Giggle giggle.

I'm cool.  Very cool.  I don't mind photos at all.

From Black to White

When nothing at all is going right, I have some advice.  If it is possible (I know there are some situations that it can't be done), walk away.  Get out of your house.  Take a car ride.  Remove yourself from the situation.  I had one of those days just recently.  Nothing was going well, breakfast was awful, the kids had one of "those" mornings, and then the dog decided to get out and go for a run.  Well, that was enough.  I got the dog back inside, cleaned up from breakfast, and left.  Got into my car and took a short drive.  Roughly 8 miles from my door was another door.  On this I knocked.  Behind the door was a wonderful friend, who saw that I was having a rough day and suggested a walk down to the river. 

So we did.  Both bundled up in hats, gloves, and jackets for the chilly weather, we set off.  Right about a mile from her door there is so much beauty!

Breath-taking blue sky (between the clouds), crystal clear river, and trees.  Lots and lots of trees.

Then we saw them: a pair of eagles.

They were obviously mates from the way that they spoke to each other.  It was so beautiful to hear them sing!

A wonderful way to change the day.

Dragon Breath

So around here we never expect a white Christmas.  They don't usually happen, and when they do it is a treat to be thoroughly enjoyed.  This year we got our typical beautiful snow-less Christmas.  I like snow, and wouldn't mind having snow, but we just don't get much (if any) around here.  But, on the flip side of that, if we got snow, I wouldn't be able to take photos like this.

Or this.

Crisp. 

Clean. 

Cold.

Beautiful.

A Great Big Smile

So...for Christmas.  We all got Legos!

Mine was the most complex to put together. 

Coming in at a whopping 1230 pieces.

Also the most fun!

The Space Shuttle: to scale!

Awesomeness!

Love

Dogs have a way about them that just speaks of love.  They never complain when they are left outside for long periods of time, they just wag their tails and grin at you for letting them in.  Dogs love unconditionally no matter what.

We had an additional dog at our house for a few days as some friends did some traveling.  Four legs didn't really like it at first, but got used to having another dog around pretty quickly.  They played with each other outside, running in circles and just enjoying having someone like themselves to play with.

Throughout those few days Four Legs had to be constantly re-assured that he really was our favorite dog and that we weren't replacing him.  He would come up to us if we were sitting, or standing still, and push his nose into our hands.  Soon the other dog picked up on that as well and began to do that.  Seeking attention.  It was so funny to watch!  One dog would nudge one hand and the other would nudge the other hand, both looking for love. 

Once the friends returned from their trip they picked up their dog.  And it has been funny to watch our dog re-adjust to being the only dog again.  He looks for someone to play with when he goes outside now.  And he still seeks almost constant reassurance that he is loved.

Which he is.

Something Wonderful

When I came downstairs this morning, I had to take a second look.  And then grab the camera.  I did have to re-adjust the light a couple times because Four Legs kept "helping."  But this was what I saw.

A lovely reminder about what this season is really about.