Last hike of 2011

It was an unseasonable warm day for a hike.

We took a short jaunt up towards Burch Mountain.

The views were beautiful!

That's it for this year!

Christmas summary...

Our Christmas was relaxing and extremely busy.

We didn't stress about trying to make anything a big deal...

in fact I have yet to finish sewing Rolli's Christmas present and I'll be sending out 'New Year' cards instead of the usual before Christmas 'Holiday' cards.  

Life is good at this pace ;)

Rolli and Vivian enjoyed opening up their gifts.

In my Grandmother's words...

"you're not spoiled, you're loved."

Yes, we feel well loved, happy, and fortunate.

I don't have many pictures to share because our camera has been acting up.

Vivian in her new snow suit.

Rolli in his new snow suit.

We need some snow in the Wenatchee Valley.

The kids like putting on their snow suits and walking around the house.

I can't wait to see what they think out in the snow!

Rolli in his new bear pajamas.

It is nearly impossible to get the kids to sit still long enough for a picture...

Vivian (and Rolli too) in her new big girl pajamas.

These two do their own thing.

Thanks to everyone for the Holiday wishes and gifts (more than are posted)!

I hope everyone still has that warm, happy Christmas joy lingering in their home.

Here comes Santa!

Rolli and Vivian met Santa Claus today!

...for the first time ever.

They weren't very excited.

Me, Vivian, Santa Claus (for reals!), and Rollin.

Vivian would NOT let go of me.  I don't think she cared for the beard.

This Santa was sure nice.  

He moved slow, talked softly, and gave out candy canes ;)

Perfect for first-time-visitors.

I think Viv will warm up a bit by next year.

Family picture with Santa!

Maybe next year we'll actually tell the kids what 'Santa Claus' is all about.

But for this year...

It wouldn't be a successful meeting without hot chocolate!

And of course the hot chocolate was topped with whipped cream and sprinkles!

Yum!!

It was nice to meet you Mr Claus!

Nursing Graduation!

I started the Wenatchee Valley College Nursing program in the fall of 2009.

And...

I Graduated the WVC Nursing program on December 9th, 2011!!

My parents (Rollin and Debie) with me, Rolli and Vivian at my graduation.

My family has always offered me endless amounts of love and support.

Thanks to my Mom we ate lots of home-cooked, yummy food even when I was too busy studying to stop and make a meal!  Thanks to my Dad for driving those meals all the way to Wenatchee!  And thanks to my family for taking Rolli and Vivi on a summer vacation!  

Marshall, Kathy, Me, Rolli and Vivian, Jean and Bob.

I have the best in-laws!

Me and my class-mate/friend Chloe with our kids.

Congratulations Nurse Chloe!  I'd work with you any day ;)

Me, Vicki and Alissa 

(don't mind Vivian...right in the middle of the picture looking the wrong way.)

During my last quarter of the Nursing Program Alissa was my preceptor in the Ambulatory Care Unit.  I was incredibly fortunate to be able to learn valuable nursing skills from both Vicki and Alissa (and the other ACU nurses).  The preceptorship was definitely my favorite clinical experience of all!  I'm sure I'll be a better nurse because of it.

Thanks Alissa and Vicki for the 106 hours worth of mentoring!

Now what?!

Work of course!

I'll be working part time at Cashmere Convalescent Center.  

Vivian

Sweet Vivian and all of her personality!

I absolutely LOVE my daughter!

Here are some pictures of Vivian after a long day without her nap.

Vivian loves her Daddy!

This little puhkin' was so incredibly tired!

She even slowed down enough to snuggle.

Oh this face...

Goodnight, sweet dreams!

ready for lab class!

little nerds...

animal sounds

Rolli and Vivian are adding to their list of animal sounds.

Here is the list so far:

cougar scream

cock-a-doodle-do

meow

bear growl

wolf howl (or maybe it's a coyote)

and...

Rolli just learned the owl hoot.

click on the link to hear...

snowy owl and mr giraffe

We seem to be found of our PNW animals.

The kids have yet to learn the typical cow, dog, or sheep sounds.

We'll work on that later. 

Thankful for the Ewing farm!

We sure enjoyed our mini Thanksgiving vacation to Oregon last week!

I definitely have tons to be thankful for.

I'm thankful that our children were nearly angels for the 8 hour drive!

I'm thankful to my sister and her family for hosting us!

I'm thankful for cool, clear weather during the Turkey Trot!

I'm thankful for friends who open their home to us and our busy toddlers!

I'm thankful to happy strangers who point us in the right direction!

I'm thankful for a loving family who helps keep my kiddos busy, feed, happy, and safe!

I'm thankful for our time together!

...I could keep going but let me get on about the Ewing (and Linda) farm.

Rolli and Vivian were in heaven!

Rolli loose in the barn!

The little guy doing chores before riding horses.

He really didn't do any chores but I remember having to help dig up thistles before being allowed to ride.  It takes lots of work to maintain all of this.

Fancy Face saying "hello", getting a neck scratch and nibbling a bite of grain. 

Vivian and Rolli's first pony ride on Dusty!

Yeehaw!  Giddy-up Dusty!

Click on the link to see a short clip of the twins' first horse ride.

horse ride!

In the video you can hear the helicopter working at the Christmas Tree farm next door.

The kids took turns riding Dusty with me.

I think Rolli wanted to go faster and Vivian was ready to start doing tricks.

We'll be back for more!

Rolli, Rachel, and Vivian with the chickens.

Who wants eggs for breakfast?

Aunt Esther showing Vivian one of the chickens.

Vivian, Daddy, and Rolli.

Rachel and Vivian walking off Thanksgiving dinner.

So many acres to explore!

And of course there were lots of mud puddles.

Click on the link to watch Rolli and Viv splashing around.

puddles on the farm

And I'm thankful for a safe (and shorter) drive back to Washington!

Turkey Trot!

gobble, gobble, gobble!

Our Thanksgiving started early!

We were up at 5 on the road by 5:30 and running at 8:20.

Marshall (pushing the kids) and I ran the Turkey Trot at the Oregon Zoo in Portland.

It was 4+ miles of crisp air and beautiful fall colors.

2 miles down hill and 2 miles back UP.

Whoa BIG hill...Thanks to Marshall for pushing the kids!

Vivian and Rolli bundled up for the run. 

The Wallace Family with the race day mascot.

Marshall and the kids at the start line.

Me, Vivian, and Rolli ready to run!

We finished!

The finish line was at the elephant exhibit but we didn't see any elephants.

Thanks to my sister Esther for our banana breakfast 

and the post race peanut butter and home-made jelly sandwiches.

After the run we took the kids around the zoo to see the animals!

Ooooh, Sea-lion!  

This sea-lion was swimming right up to the glass and then doing a back flip.

Rolli and Vivian loved him!

Penguins!

The only protesters we saw while in Portland.

This was supposed to be the Polar Bear exhibit but for some reason the penguins were here.

And there is the Polar Bear!

This one was backing up and then walking forward, backing up, walking forward.

Measuring up!

Daddy and Vivian watching the primates monkey around.

These guys were making lots of noise and showing off!

Rolli watching the monkeys.

Vivian sees the BIG fish!

Daddy and Rolli.

Whooaa!

Our little zoo animals... still in their pajamas.

This was a great way to start our Thanksgiving!

Fresh air and exercise.

I'm thankful for a happy, healthy, and busy family.