A very exciting fun filled December for the Peterson family. We focused on quality family time this Christmas season and filled our spritual cups with the abundance of the season.
One of our first activites this month was a service project Eris attended on Campus. Where she participated in making Christmas cards for active military members that would be sent over seas.
We also particpated in a service project with the food bank sorting almost 4,000 pounds of potatoes that would be added to Christmas food boxes.
Before the holidays began if full swing I had another home improvement project to tackle. I was on a mission to tear out the glass door/walls of the shower and put up a curtain. I hate glass doors for showers as they harbor so much grime and gunk that can't be reached no matter how much you scrub and scrub and scrub.
It turned out great!! It is sooooo much cleaner, what's not to love. I will spare you the pics I took of what was lurking under all those metal tracks....eewwwww!
With that task accomplished and the kids on holiday break, we had time to focus on enjoying the season.
Every year the kids make ornaments for the tree. I love that this pic has the tree reflected in the door. This year I only put one box of bulbs on the tree, the rest were all homemade or gifted ornaments. My goal is to reach 100% homemade or gifted!
Every year in Ketchikan we would go to the Christmas boat parade. So I was thrilled to learn they had one here as well, so we can continue the tradition. Hot cocoa and blankets are always a must.
I was taking pics with my phone and the boats were a little too far away and of course moving, so this is the only one that turned out somewhat decent. There are some spectacular boats though, people really go all out.
Juno joined the viewing, not sure what it was all about but happy to participate in anything we are doing!
Unfortunately we had a mild disaster dampen our spirits a bit when a tree fell on our coop and displaced our last two hens.
Very sad indeed. Gregory worked so hard on our coop and we love our farm fresh eggs. We won't be able to fix it until spring so the hens had to be rehomed. Thankfully we have wonderful friends that live about 10 min up the road who own a 20 acre farm that were willing to take them in. Their chicks are free range so our hens will live out their retirement in bliss!
To help cheer us up and get back into the holiday spirit the kids did some baking, of course.
Eris made Chocolate Peppermint cookies.
And Beren made melted snowman sugar cookies.
Both kids are so comfortable in the kitchen, I have always welcomed and included them. They took these projects on all by themselves and did a wonderful job. There is something to be said for the age of independance.
Finally Christmas arrived, along with it Gregory and my Brother Sam.
It was a wonderful morning watching the smiles and laughter and just enjoying the company of loved ones.
We recieved a gift card for the family from Gregory's parents and decided to take the kids to the new Portland Aquarium with it.
Here are Gregory and Beren at the first tank full of tropical fish.
Almost half of the exhibits are interactive. Beren was in Heaven!!
My brother and Mom were able to join us. This is a pic of me, Beren and Uncle Sam.
Here is Beren next to the Nautilus, I have never seen one of these in person it was quite fascinating.
Another of Beren's favorites was the Moray Eel. It was huge and reminded him of a Sea Serpent.
Their last exhibit is a Lorakeet enclosure where you can feed the birds.
Beren felt is was a little too close for comfort.
It was a great experience and wonderful gift, Thank you Grandma and Grandpa!!
Our library has a lego workshop it holds once a month that Beren really enjoys attending. Gregory was able to attend the activity with Beren this month. The theme was snow, so Beren of course built an Ice Dragon.
We spent the weekend after Christmas at Gregory's parents house and were able to spend some quality time with Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Brandon and Aunt Rebecca.
Uncle Brandon and Beren wrestling.
Aunt Rebecca and Eris looking Beautiful.
We cherish these moments with our family!!
(Snowflake ornament crochet by Lisa)
I hope you all had a season full of love and family. And I hope that the new year will bring you abundance, contentment and moments to cherish!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS.
