Thursday, December 29, 2016

Really Random Thursday, 12/29/16

This is it, folks. The last Really Random Thursday post of 2016.

Mark and I got our Christmas present early--we have had a jacuzzi for years. And we use it all the time--actually more in the summer than in the winter.

Our current one was 15 years old. And it looked like this. Yuck. A major leak down there in the corner, which resulted in constant mold on the cement. And all that old redwood siding. Ick. We had already placed an order for a new one, but then second-guessed ourselves on whether we should have repaired rather than replaced. But then the heater burned up.
We made the correct decision. The new one was delivered a week ago and we have already been enjoying it nearly every night.
Mark and I went out to dinner Thursday night at one of favorite restaurants, Sierra Brewing, in one of our favorite parts of town, the Tower District. It's a rather funky part of town, as you can see, both outside
and inside.
Yeah, they hang an ornament from the backside of animal every single year.

But I did appreciate this sign in the bar area.
Ella turned 3 on the 21st, which was a Wednesday, so we celebrated her birthday on Friday night. Homemade pizza. So yummy.
Ella and Amelia (along with cousin, Luke, up there in the corner)
Ruby and Charlotte
Levi and Gabriel
Right after I took the picture of the boys, Gabe wanted me to delete it and take another one of him.
Because who doesn't want to do bunny ears on their own head? So silly...

Jason stopped by on Christmas Eve morning with Ruby and Amelia, so they could pick up their gifts.
Ruby had wanted a Lego set. And not too long after they left, we received these pictures.

That didn't take long...

As we alternate Christmas Eve and Christmas Day between us and Christa's side of the family, it was our turn this year for Christmas Eve.
We had pulled pork, cole slaw, raspberry jello, roasted potatoes, and later had ice cream with fudge topping and leftover birthday cake.
Since only the kids have presents to open, for the last couple of years we have done a scavenger hunt so Christmas present opening lasts a bit longer. This year we opted for a photo scavenger hunt. I went around the house and took pictures of items that for the most part are in plain sight. Then I cropped the pictures really tight so only a part of the object was in the picture.

They criss-crossed pretty much the entire house.
From top left, going clockwise: wrapped present decoration in the family room, pencil cup in the office, gummy snacks in the pantry, and paw of favorite stuffed animal in the guest room
Quilt in the dining room, large pincushion in the sewing room, detail of cutting board in the kitchen, and hand-painted heart on a piece of wood in the master bedroom
For some reason, this black knob was hard for them to figure out, even though the cabinets in the master bath are the only ones in the whole house with black knobs. And then, ta-da, behind the shower curtain....all the gifts. In the tub.
It was a fun hunt. I need to start thinking about next year instead of waiting until the week of Christmas as that always stresses me out. :)


 Nana and Papa enjoyed spending time with their great grandchildren.
We always get the kids new pajamas for Christmas. But I forgot to take a picture of the four of them. I even had Santa hats for each of them to wear. I'll have to recreate it when they spend the weekend in January.  

Anyway, after the gifts were opened, and Nana and Papa had gone home, we put in a movie for the kids to watch, while the four of us played a new game, Colt Express. I got these pictures of Ella before she changed position--for some reason she looks so much older than 3 in these two pictures.

We received this picture on Christmas morning. It is significant because when Aaron was about Levi's age, he bought Mark a set of screwdrivers, really small ones. We still have them and use them very frequently. And now it has moved on to the next generation--Aaron received a set from Levi. 
And now all the Christmas decorations have been put away and the house has been cleaned. I feel ready for the new year and I'm looking forward to 2017. Did you see this Google banner last week? I love that two of letters are knitting. 
2017 is going to be the year I learn how to knit socks. So I was pretty excited to receive this package from dear friend, Carla, who owns a yarn shop in Kamloops, British Columbia. Orange sock yarn!!

Mark is back to basketball reffing. And the other day, the coach of one of the teams turned out to be Angel, who was Aaron's roommate his senior year in college.
Whew! That was a lot packed into the past week. 

January always puts me in the mood to start cleaning out drawers and closets. So I will leave you with this.
Happy New Year, friends. See you next in 2017.

8 comments:

05 08
Needled Mom said... #

Wow....that was quite a week! It sounds like your Christmas was perfect. The scavenger hunt was a wonderful idea. Your Christmas photos are great - terrific memories for the years ahead.

Anne / Springleaf Studios said... #

I love the scavenger hunt idea with the photos leading them to the bathtub. Brilliant! So fun to see your family all together and to know what you all went through to adopt little Ella. She's such a cutie. Wishing you a wonderful 2017.

Chris K. said... #

"Getting Started Knitting Socks" by Ann Budd is the way to go. A really great book.

Susan said... #

Your idea of a photo scavenger hunt sounds like great fun! The children all look very happy with their gifts! ! Love that orange sock yarn! I really do need to learn to knit socks...in 2017 now!

Michele said... #

I like the scavenger hunt idea. I think I'll use that idea for next year for the kids' advent calendars.

Val's Quilting Studio said... #

What a fun idea with the grands. They are growing sooooo fast! Thanks for sharing your holiday with us. Continue to enjoy that new hot tub...we love ours too!

felicity said... #

This is just a wonderful round up. I absolutely LOVE the scavenger hunt idea, and the photos especially. Happy New Year, friend!

PS Carla's shop is about two and a half hours' drive from me. Just saying.

cungphu said... #
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