Second Snow Storm

Our second snow storm was a doozy.  It started snowing just as school ended on Wednesday, December 14th and we got a couple of inches of snow that afternoon.  It caused an unprecedented traffic jam throughout the city because everyone left work at approximately 3:00, trying to get ahead of the storm, and the freeways and side streets were unexpectedly treacherous.  Kurt left his office at the airport just before 3:00 and he arrived home at 9:45 pm.  School was cancelled both Thursday and Friday, due to snowy and icy roads, which started our winter break a few days early.

Snow day one - J&K.

The snow was fluffy on top with ice underneath.

Jocelyn was happy to run around the neighborhood.

Headed down the street to see what was happening.

Happy Jocelyn.

Kathryn was loving the snow day.

Big smiles.

Tried a new sled but the snow and ice were tough for sledding.

Kathryn's legs were a little too long for the small sled.

I looked out on the back deck to see some barefoot foot prints in the snow.  Looks like Kathryn ventured out with no shoes.

The sun came out on Friday so we headed outdoors again.

We took a walk around our local golf course, which was a winter wonderland.

We went to a nearby playground and the girls delighted in swinging in the snow.

Happy swingers!

A big smile for the camera from Jocelyn.

Kathryn could have played here all afternoon.

Another swing to try out.

Eating snow.

Jocelyn excited to be walking home.

Fantasy Trail

After Aspen Meadows, we popped over to the Fantasy Trail for our annual visit.  Didn't take many pictures but got this quick shot of the girls at the top of the trail.

Aspen Meadow

After discovering Aspen Meadows last year, we made it a priority to get out there again.  It is such a beautiful light display and it is way less crowded than the more well known options.

K&J enjoying the fireplace in the lodge.

Kurt and the girls at another cozy nook in the lodge.

Photo op with the theme of 2016, Believe in Hope.

Aspen Meadows.

Kathryn, me and Jocelyn trying to become penguins.

Frog Pond

It's that time of year again when we can venture out to Frog Pond Farm to visit Betty Boop, our friendly neighborhood camel.  On this trip, we got to chat with the owner of the farm about Betty and he showed us how to feed her some of her favorite treats.  

Here is a short video of our visit.

Jocelyn and Betty Boop.

Kathryn petting BB on her nose.

While Jocelyn communed with the camel, Kathryn found the movie watching room.  She loitered happily in here nearly the whole visit.

Betty Boop showing off her humps.

Jocelyn watching Betty eat a treat.

Still chewing and entertaining my girl.

First Snow

Our first snow storm of the year hit on December 8th, causing a two day cancellation of school and a four day weekend.  It wasn't a lot of snow but it was very slippery.

Kathryn watching the snow out the front window.

A little skiff of snow in the neighborhood.

Watching snow flurries in the afternoon.

Christmas in Dairyville

Alpenrose was high on Jocelyn's list of Christmas fun.  She asked for Dairyville multiple times during the season.  We made it out there twice so she could visit the animals and watch the holiday cartoons in the Opera House.  Kathryn likes the model train displays but we didn't end up with a picture.

Me with K&J in Storybook Lane.

Jocelyn takes pictures of everything she likes, not unlike her mom.

J&K in the snow covered trees.

K&J having a mooo-ry Christmas

Christmas in the Garden

Oregon Garden was our first holiday stop this year.  The lights were fun but the girls wanted to spend most of their time at the ice skating rink, watching all of the skaters.  We couldn't interest them in going out on the ice, but they loved watching everyone else go round and round.

The hill leading to the big light display.

Joce forged ahead, as usual.

J&K in the light tunnel.

Kurt and the girls sitting by the warming fire.

The skating rink was the highlight.

K&J with Kurt in the festive sled.

A quick moment with Santa Claus.

Santa Picture 2016

This was our official Santa pic this year with Jocelyn full of wild eyed wonder and Kathryn wondering why.

This was my other favorite.  I love it when they capture these sweet moments.

Halloween

 Our Halloween costumes this year were a fun tribute to Game of Thrones, which is a popular TV show right now.  The shirts say "A Girl has no costume" in reference to Arya Stark who is trying to become a girl with no name.  Kurt set up a video display on our garage with creepy Halloween images and the girls LOVED watching it.  They don't get scared by traditional scary images but thrill in the movie playing outside on the garage.

J&K right before we left to trick or treat.

Kurt with the girls in front of his video display set up.

Trick or Treating with Joce in focus and Kathryn as a blur behind her.

Posing with one of the ghosts on the garage.

I love that they look like they are interacting with the skeleton.

All the girls with the scary girl background.

Going through the spoils of the night.