Dashing through the snow...

It's finally here. The post you have all been axiously awaiting. (Ya, right.) The true Christmas weather decided to show up in Hillsboro, OR this year. While we mostly get the cold and rainy, we decided to join everyone else and get blasted with the white stuff this year.
Because of the snow, the kids missed the last week of the '08 school year. Yes, they thought it was fun, but I wonder how much fun it will be making up the school days this summer?
McKinna came home from college for the winter break. It was fun listening to her tell of all her "adventures" this first semester. She is busy trying to catch up with all her friends as well as the younger sisters that want to hang with her. Oh to be popular!!
We have a tradition that Grandpa Homer always reads 'The Littlest Angel' on Christmas Eve. Kaitlyn and McKinna decided that they would video it this time. If Nicole & Brittni are nice I might get a copy made for them.

The girls all slept in the same room on Christmas eve (tradition). If my ears heard right, they were up til well past 2 a.m. This ended up being nice for Alan and myself as they also got up late. And boy, was I tired. I know that I heard Santa down in the family room after 3 a.m. (of course Alan was fast asleep and missed all that ruckus).

Eliza was happy with all the Camp Rock, High School Musical and Hannah Montanna stuff she got. Also in her pile were some much needed clothes as she seems to have taken a growth spurt lately. For KD were clothes (could she be any more of a typical teenage girl?) and a football (?)

McKinna was excited to see more jackets for the cold Idaho weather she will be returning to. Alan got some much needed new shirts, and some walking shorts (hint, hint-they would be good for a warm weather vacation-signed, Judy), and Judy got another pair of running shoes (can you say-marathon) and another cookbook to add to her collection (no I don't cook they are purely reading material!!). Of course more DVD's were added to the collection as well as more games. The girls had a great time singing (is that what that noise is called) karaoke if front of the tv. Notice Kaitlyn's fancy microphone!! They even got their Dad to rock out with them. Yes, that is a Hannah Montana microphone around his neck, and guitar in front of him. And this time McKinna and KD both have fancy microphones. Can I just say I was happy to play photographer?!?
We did miss Nicole & Brian (in VA with his family), and Brittni & Jim (at home in MA), but did talk to them to find out how their Christmas went. Hoping another year we can all be together for the holiday season. We count our blessings that everyone has good health, and, all are making it through this not so great economic time. Hope yours was a Merry Christmas!!!

SWEET 16 FOR KAITLYN

My sweet 16- As told by me, Kaitlyn

My birthday really seemed to start on friday, the 5th. It started as a good day playing a game in seminary. We kicked butt until the end. We lost by one point :(
Then I got to school and had to wait forever for shayna to get there!! (Shayna is one of my bestest friends) You see, Mr Mahlum and I have the same birthday. So we just had to bring him brownies, a card, and a hat. As I was walkin around school waiting and looking for shayna I was all paranoid that he was gonna walk around the corner and see the brownies in my hand. Being all anxious made the ten minutes waiting for shayna seem like ten hours!! We went to class, gave him everything, made him wear the hat, he was super embarrassed, but loved it!
Now, I am not one to tell everyone it is my birthday, but everyone seemed to know this year. So people were saying happy birthday alllllll day! Which of course made me feel amazing.
Ms Arrigotti and Ava got me the coolest present! As I was opening it she said "it'll need an explanation" Well... Me, Ms Arrigotti, and Ava all come from all girl families and whenever their sisters come home, they watch pride and prejudice. So thats what they got me! I'm dying to watch it with my sisters!
My next birthday "thing" happened at lunch. Summer texts me and asks when my lunch is. I tell her I was already at lunch. My next class a note comes for me, but it isn't given to me. But I just KNOW it is for me. I wait over an hour til the end of class to get the note. It is telling me to go to the office. I get down there and there is a green bag with a balloon tied to it. courtesy of Summer. Inside there's a winter hat I've been wanting!! ya know those hats with the ears covered and strings hanging down? I really wanted one for the snow. She found one without strings. I didn't even know they existed!! If I had known I woulda asked for that instead.
That night we were chillin at Sarah's getting ready to go watch a movie at Crystals. Tj's like " hey I have something in my car for you" so we go out there and he's got a present in his car. I kind of freak out. so I open that and it's the most amazing sofestestest scarf in the world. It is amazing.
So, the day BEFORE my birthday, I've already got 3 perfect presents.
That night we watched the dark knight and Shayna and Sarah slept over. I don't even like batman, but it was fun. And I've convinced myself I havta watch it again and I HAVE to love it.
Saturday morning, my birthday, I sleep in til after 10. And I only woke up cuz my sistr called. I got the most hilarious card from my grandparents! And my dad and I went to prtland for my first date.
THE DATE
1st stop: a few pictures at the temple

2nd stop: The OHSU tram. Seems awesome, actually is way awesomer! My new favorite way of transportation.

3rd stop: hollywood burger bar. The tiniest lil place ever. Prolly seats 13. Best burger I've had in my entire life! and actually I think the best fries too. Besides curly fries :)
4th stop: festival of trees. Awesome christmas trees! Got me all inspired to decorate a tree and such
-come home, go to Alisa's baptism, come home, go to portland again-
5th stop: Todai sushi. Huge sushi buffet. Really expensive, but FREE on your birthday. The even have "orangey sauce." I've never eaten so much sushi in my life! It was absolutely delicious.

HOME: I walk in the door expecting a regular rectangle with "happy birthday" or sprinkles or somethin. NO. Castle cake!! and princess jewlery! ( wore it to church today)
I blew out every single candle :) Then had a tiny piece of cake cuz I was so stuffed. Ya, prolly shouldn't have had that. I was like afraid to swallow cuz I seriously thought I might pop! Then I opened a BUNCH of presents. Like four shirst, a sweatshirt, and..and..and... BABY JAMMIES!!!! :) my favorite jammies ever. And we tried to find some at kohls twice and they didn't have my size. Well sneaky lil mom found them and bought them WHILE I WAS THERE without me even knowing! I lined up all my presents and took pictures. only to finish and realize I forgot some!

Later that night I'm just chillin and Alisa calls to see if I'm all done with birthday stuff. I am, so I go help them decorate someones door. Well, Sarah and Lizzy came also and gave me their presents. And adorable shirt form Sarah and a bracelet with charms from lizzy. Of course its not just a bracelet. Each bead has a meaning and I'm sitting there bawling my eyes out reading it cuz its amazing and makes me feel loved.

I guess thats pretty much the whole birthday thing. I had people calling and texting me alllll day! It was insane, but awesome. And the Lee kids sang to me. It was so cute :) I think there are tons of details I am leaving out that I will have to throw in later. But for now you've got the basics. It was the best birthday. Ever. :)

P.S. I will havta have my mom put pictures on later seeing as I have no idea how to do that and I really don't wanna jack anything up.

P.S.P.S. oh ya. And I was happy alllll day except one time!! thats seriously a miracle.


* there are two alisa'a in this "story"