One of the reasons I moved to AZ

People always ask me why I moved to AZ. Most of the time I really don't have an answer ....until ..... It's winter! :) While everyone else is freezing, snowed in, & sick ...this is what it looks like around here. I love Jan through the 1st of May BUT when June comes.... I question once again why I moved to the sunny state. :)

Karla turns 70

I know... can you believe that my mom is 70? I'm having a hard time saying it. (S-E-V-E-N-T-Y) Wow! You never think your parents are going to get old. (sorry mom) :) I must say, my mom does not look seventy and she certainly does NOT act like it. She still thinks she can do every thing and she almost does. :) Who else has a mom that enjoys moving irrigation pipes at seventy? :) Love her!!! She is a farm girl at heart.

As far as being a mom, I could not have a better one! She has been a wonderful example. When I was little people would always say to me, "you look just like your mom" or "we can tell that you are Karla's daughter". I have to admit... that used to BUG me... but as I got older, I realized what a compliment that was. :)

My mom is not only a beautiful person on the outside, but she is also beautiful on the inside. If I could only be half as good of a person as my mom... I would consider myself fortunate.

Happy Birthday Mom!!!

Love & miss you!!!

More Snow for Seattle

Yes- the snow continues to fall in Seattle. It has been a crazy year for them. This is the road leading up to my sister's home a couple of weeks ago. Everything is beginning to melt and now flood.

At least the girls made "the best of " the snow. I think they really enjoyed it. Here's the snow fort they made. I'm still having problems trying to post the video of them. Hopefully later this week... I'll be able to figure it out. Keep checking back for this post to be updated. :)

This is a cute picture of Hallie helping Jan make some goodies.

Wishing I was home for the Holidays

Christmas for the family was a little different this year. Jan and I did not end up going home to Idaho for Christmas. I was a little sad. I love a "White Christmas". Jan got to enjoy one without traveling. :) You know the saying, "there's no place like home"... that pretty much sums up how I feel about Christmas. You try to make the best of it, but it's still not the same. If I only had those red shoes!!! :) I'm really grateful that Jon lives so close to mom. This year the Boyle's (Kristen's family) invited the parents over to their home on Christmas Eve. They played games, ate, and the little kids acted out the Nativity. I know the parents really appreciated the invite. Jon and Kristen had the parents over on Christmas. Here are some pictures the parents sent.

Christmas with the Anderson's

Since I didn't get to go home for Christmas... I spent it at my cousin's (Jon) home. It was a lot of fun! We ate, played games, opened gifts, played more games, and ate some more delicious food. We also helped Jon celebrate his 38th Birthday. Thanks again!

Later that week we got to spend time with Joe and his family at Aunt Joann's.

I love being around little children at Christmas. They are so fun to watch! They totally make Christmas. And Joey was no exception... he was so dang cute opening all his gifts. I loved watching him interact with everyone, especially his "Uncle Jon". It was so adorable! Jon is going to be a wonderful dad! Can't wait to meet the new little one later in May. :) I think my favorite time was when he opened the tractors from April and Jon. Joey was so excited. I think he said, "OHHH WOWWWWW"! It was wonderful being able to spend some time with Joe and his family. Wish they lived a little closer.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from Arizona!

Wish we could have been home to celebrate... unfortunately it didn't work out that way this year. It was probably a blessing... traveling would have been a mess with all the snow.

Thank-you for all the gifts! Sophie and I were spoiled. We want you to know how much we love and appreciate all that you do for us. We hope that your Holiday is Merry and Bright! Come visit us! We would love to have you!

I think Sophie did extremely well. Thank you for thinking of her! :)

Snow in Seattle

Yes- It snowed the other day in Seattle. It is amazing how everything shuts down. I think the girls were excited about school. Here's what they did with ALL their extra time.

Josie made this by herself. Great job!

Hallie having fun in the snow.

And since it was extremely cold..... and they were "freezing"... they got to open a gift early.

The girls in their new coats.