A Cold Trip to Seattle...December 2011

A group of friends from the ward planned a day trip to Seattle to visit some of the holiday festivities.  We went to the Gingerbread House display at the Sheraton Hotel.  The donations profit Juvenile diabetes.  We ate lunch at the mall and went on the holiday carousel.  This was CC's first trip to Seattle!

We went to the carousel first, but it was just opening, so the line was long.  So we went to the Sheraton and the line was long there too!  Funny situations in line.  Our little 3 year old friends Jack and Jayden were hanging out by the huge potted plants and before we know it, the security guy was right next to them letting them know that if they pulled that red thing on the wall...the sprinklers for the building would turn on and the alarms would sound.  Thinking as a three year old...I don't know if that would deter me from pulling the alarm.  Honestly, sprinklers inside sounds pretty cool!

Here we are in line:  Sarah, Rachel, Jayden Platterborze, Jack Nedry(backwards), Connor Black
2nd Row: Emily Nedry (only her right eye), CC and I, Kade, Leah and Logan Black.
Kate Nedry not pictured...those elusive Nedry folks :)

She fell asleep in line.



My favorite Gingerbread house of Misfit Toys



Snow Monster!

This is from the front

Yukon Cornelius

Sam the Snowman

Charlie-in-the-box

The Lion, King Moonracer

Rudolf and his buddies

Hermey the "wanna be dentist" elf

"A dolly for Sue" as she calls herself

All that waiting...I was WARM (hence the red cheeks)
But look at those lashes on the little bug!

The roof was all gum. Paul and I can't remember what characters were in the house.

It had a Canadian Theme

Down Under Gingerbread House

The reindeer were Kangaroos!

Our adventure at the carousel.



Our whole group minus Logan(back to work) and Sarah (photographer)



Leavenworth Tree Lighting Ceremony

Early in the month of December, Paul's sister Lauren invited us to go to this place called Woodinville Wonderland.  An at-home mega light display that was fantastic. (highly recommend it--37 minutes of pure awesomeness--google it!)  I mentioned then that I wanted this year to be full of holiday spirit so we started to craft our month out to maximize the holiday cheer-o-meter. One of those events we decided on was the Leavenworth Tree Lighting Ceremony.

We went last year on the snow train with mom and all of our family and thoroughly enjoyed making a lifelong memory.  I wanted to have that feeling of being with mom enjoying the lights together again.  I knew it wouldn't be exactly the same, but I felt her in my heart that day.  It was cold but the lights were beautiful.  I missed my mom a lot and found my mind wandering to days when she was around and wishing she could enjoy the holiday season with us and little CC.

December 10, 2011  We piled Mike and Teresa (Paul's parents), and Lauren and Bryan (Paul's sister and bro-in-law) into our Honda Pilot.  It was a great drive.  The roads and weather were fantastic.  It was pretty darn cold, but everyone survived.  Claudia Cate loved having company in the back seat for the drive there and back.  She was mesmerized both by her Grandma Schultz and her Uncle Bryan.  We ate at a yummy place called "Mozart Cafe" and got our pictures taken with all sorts of holiday characters.

Here are some of the photo highlights (big thanks to Bryan for letting us steal some of his photos too!).

Super bundled up...it was burrito cold there!

Here we are!

Photos of the crowds.  This was nothing--once we were 15 minutes from tree lighting,  the streets were packed

Uncle Bryan captured an interesting face...

That's better.

Grandma Schultz

Bryan and Lauren

The whole crew.  It was cold and CC had fallen asleep or else we would have pulled her out for the photo.

Fantastic!

Visit from Auntie Linda

December 21, 2011.

Our dear friend Linda Barnes came into town from NY for a few days and we got to spend the afternoon together.  We took her to our favorite mexican restaurant Avocado's in Everett and then had fun chatting and hanging out.  Auntie Linda brought CC some Christmas presents...so of course we had to open them and make a record of the opening.  Unfortunately we didn't get a group shot...but noone cares about the adults when there is a cute baby around to look at do they?

Oh boy! My first gift opening! 

Oooh what could it be!

Perfect!  A I <3 NY Onesie!

OH boy! and a beautiful pink and green dress!

Linda spoils me!  I also got a cute pink onesie with a pug on it like my puppy Kiki!

Here I am with my Auntie Linda!  Big kisses and lots of thanks!

Oh boy!

We wish Linda lived closer...but we get to see her whenever she comes to town.  She's a great friend...we love her!

A year without my mommy and daddy...

Thanksgiving 2007

Today marks the one year anniversary of my mom's passing.  I would be lying if I told you that it has been an easy year.  Don't get me wrong, the knowledge I have that I will be able to be reunited with my parents after this life helps with my perspective on some days, but on most days--it just plain sucks that they are not here.

I know that they are watching over me and my new little family.  Sometimes I see a sparkle in CC's eyes that tells me they are surrounding us with love at that very moment.  It does makes me feel comforted to know that I can feel their love still each day.

I miss my parents deeply and often feel sorry for myself and think of how unfair it is that they don't get to be a part of Claudia Cate's life here on earth.  They don't get to be with her during her first laugh, her first step, or to take her for an afternoon date.  All of these things I know they would love to be a part of and I wish that for CC.

What's also been hard is the number of times over the past year that I've thought, "oh, I should call and tell mom that."  or "mom and dad will know the answer, I'll ask them."  It is still surreal to me that they are gone.

As each milestone of 2011 goes by, birthday's, holidays, family trips, I take moments to remember.  I am so grateful for all the memories I do have with my parents and how lucky I am that they were part of my life for nearly 32 years.  I know many people aren't that lucky--so I am grateful.

No one loved Christmas like my mom loved Christmas.  As a child we would often be surprised by her gifts---not because we didn't like them, but because we loved them and couldn't believe that mom had remembered from earlier in the year something we mentioned we would like--she remembered and would surprise us with it.  She was always good with surprises.  She was always giving thoughtful gifts to her friends and neighbors--all throughout the year--but especially around the holidays.

I will say as the Christmas  Season--the time of year my mom loved so much-- has approached, each day I think of her and how she LOVED Christmas, the music, the tree, the endless surprising, the family gathering, and all that goes with the special holiday--I want to make those magical moments and memories for CC.

Mom loved Christmas.  I love Christmas even more now that she's gone.  As I prepare to bring the joys and start traditions in our little family this year I am so thankful for a mom and dad that celebrated in the knowledge of our Savior Jesus Christ and who honored him during this time of year--and at all times.  There is no better way for me to remember and honor my mommy than to keep her Christmas spirit, traditions, and joy in celebrating the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ alive.

This year, as we hang ornaments on our tree, string lights outside, play Christmas music, and celebrate as a family--we will honor my parents and remember them.

CC will know her Grammie and Pompa.  She will know them because of the legacy they left behind  here on earth; at Christmas and all throughout the year.

Christmas Memories -- Alabama

There's a blanket of snow coverin' up the old road to the house where I was raised

Through the window I see the lights on the tree and a glow from the old fireplace

Though it all looks the same so much as changed from the way it used to be

Christmas memories of happy years gone by

They come back to me and keep me warm inside

Still those Christmas memories make me cry

Now the stockings are filled; the house is still and the kids are dreamin' away

There's that old easy chair, me and Daddy sat there waitin' for Santa's sleigh

Now Daddy's gone but we carry on 'cause the little ones will need...

Christmas memories of happy years gone by

They come back to me and keep me warm inside

Oh they mean so much to me

Those Christmas memories make me cry

December 4, 2010 Leavenworth, WA
Holiday Lighting Ceremony

November 2009
Rochelle * Dad * Mom

November 2009
Holiday's at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance House