Here are Kameron's Senior Pictures and new Better-Than-School Pictures of Ailey and Bryn. I really love them all and am so grateful to have such an amazingly talented friend, Amy, who takes such great pictures of our kids!!
First up:
Kameron: Senior Pictures
Ailey: Freshman
Bryn: Fourth Grade
I LOVE these new pictures of the kids!! I wish that I still got regular new pictures of Reilly. :(
I REALLY need to get family pictures taken this next year!!
And...if you are wondering if Amy's Better-Than-School Pictures are REALLY better than school pictures. I'll let you be the judge:
There has been so much hype about this book. It is on so many lists of books-to-read. Here's the deal, maybe I have just read a few too many religious zealot father books lately but I didn't love it. I can't even put my finger on what exactly bugged me about this book but something did. Perhaps it was because I had just read The Sound of Gravel which is a very well written book and this book in comparison seemed like more of a jumble of memories. Maybe I was hoping for more of the prepper background story. That part was intriguing. I just had a hard time connecting with Tara and her slightly detached story-telling.
From Goodreads: Tara Westover was 17 the first time she set foot in a classroom. Born to survivalists in the mountains of Idaho, she prepared for the end of the world by stockpiling home-canned peaches and sleeping with her "head-for-the-hills bag". In the summer she stewed herbs for her mother, a midwife and healer, and in the winter she salvaged in her father's junkyard. Her father forbade hospitals, so Tara never saw a doctor or nurse. Gashes and concussions, even burns from explosions, were all treated at home with herbalism. The family was so isolated from mainstream society that there was no one to ensure the children received an education and no one to intervene when one of Tara's older brothers became violent. Then, lacking any formal education, Tara began to educate herself. She taught herself enough mathematics and grammar to be admitted to Brigham Young University, where she studied history, learning for the first time about important world events like the Holocaust and the civil rights movement. Her quest for knowledge transformed her, taking her over oceans and across continents, to Harvard and to Cambridge. Only then would she wonder if she'd traveled too far, if there was still a way home.
Westover's story is interesting. Her abuse...emotional and physical...is upsetting and heartbreaking. Her triumph over her circumstances is inspiring. The apparent luck of her family and their survival of terrible accidents seems to be miraculous... but somewhere in her telling of it all...her story falls flat. So much is frustrating. Maybe it is the odd decisions she makes? Why would you constantly decide to go for drives and to get ice cream and milkshakes and ask to go on camping trips with an abusive brother? Maybe it is her story telling style? Maybe she should've waited to write this book after more time had passed and more perspective had been gained. Her story is complex and her family dysfunction is off the charts. She still seems to be drawn into it or wanting to be drawn into it. This memoir was frustrating to read and she was frustrating as a narrator.
I plan to listen to several interviews and podcasts with her and I hope that I learn/see/hear more about who the *authentic* person is behind the memoir.
**Update: My book club read it in November 2018 and our discussion was one of our very best!!**
My Rating: OK. I didn't love it as much as everyone else seems to. 2.) The Book of Essie by Meghan MacLean Weir
I saw this book on Goodreads and thought that it sounded interesting. A religious reality TV family, secrets, and scandal. Sounded intriguing.
From Goodreads:
Esther Ann Hicks--Essie--is the youngest child on Six for Hicks,a reality television phenomenon. She's grown up in the spotlight, both idolized and despised for her family's fire-and-brimstone brand of faith. When Essie's mother, Celia, discovers that Essie is pregnant, she arranges an emergency meeting with the show's producers: Do they sneak Essie out of the country for an abortion? Do they pass the child off as Celia's? Or do they try to arrange a marriage--and a ratings-blockbuster wedding? Meanwhile, Essie is quietly pairing herself up with Roarke Richards, a senior at her school with a secret of his own to protect. As the newly formed couple attempt to sell their fabricated love story to the media--through exclusive interviews with an infamously conservative reporter named Liberty Bell--Essie finds she has questions of her own: What was the real reason for her older sister leaving home? Who can she trust with the truth about her family? And how much is she willing to sacrifice to win her own freedom?
This was my third religious zealot father book in a row and I was a little over it by this book. But despite that I did enjoy it and it was a quick read. It was also NOT A MEMOIR. Thank goodness. Just good old fiction. That helped with the enjoyment part. That this was not someone's actual life.
The premise is great and the story is compelling. I also liked the characters. One problem for me is that the novel has 3 POVs and I think they were one too many. I don't think we needed Liberty's back story and point of view. I think she still could have been a great character and confident of Essie without her POV which really slowed things down. Although being contemporary fiction the novel has a definite YA vibe and voice. The ending was also a bit anti-climatic for me. But still a fairly good read.
My Rating: Okay
3.) Little Lord Fauntleroy by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Another book written by the beloved France Hodgson Burnett. It should be no surprise that it is wonderful. It is such a cute and sweet story. I loved Little Lord Fauntleroy, his love for his mother, Dearest, and his infectious positivity.
From Goodreads:
Cedric Errol is a generous, kind, and exemplary middle-class American boy who is suddenly found to be the heir of the Earl of Dorincourt. Saying loving goodbyes to his working-class friends, Cedric goes to England together with his mother to embrace his new fortune. His grandfather, the old earl, is a bitter old man ridden with gout and a foul temper, trusting no one. However the angelic boy elicits a profound transformation in the grandfather, which not only benefits the castle household but the whole populace of the earldom. If only the old man's heart would soften toward Cedric's estranged mother, the family would be healed at last. And when another potential heir to the earldom makes a claim, it seems that everything is lost....But all things are possible through a child's innocent trust, true friendship, and unconditional love.
We need more stories of kind children who reach out and lift up those around them. I loved this book of optimism and unconditional love. A great read aloud to children with a great message. This is a wonderful classic childrens novel.
My Rating: Charming!
4.) The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory
I continued on with the Plantagenet and Tudor series by Philippa Gregory. This has been my least favorite book in the series thus far. Margaret Beaufort isn't a likeable or sympathetic protagonist which takes a toll on the reader. Also the author is telling the same story but from different viewpoints in different novels. It has been interesting but I am ready for the story to move forward. Unfortunately the next novel in the series, The King Maker's Daughter, is the same story/time from yet another viewpoint and I really have no interest in reading it. I may just skip forward to the book after that one. The series needs to move forward in time.
From Goodreads: The second book in Philippa's stunning new trilogy, The Cousins' War, brings to life the story of Margaret Beaufort, a shadowy and mysterious character in the first book of the series - The White Queen - but who now takes centre stage in the bitter struggle of The War of the Roses. The Red Queen tells the story of the child-bride of Edmund Tudor, who, although widowed in her early teens, uses her determination of character and wily plotting to infiltrate the house of York under the guise of loyal friend and servant, undermine the support for Richard III and ultimately ensure that her only son, Henry Tudor, triumphs as King of England. Through collaboration with the dowager Queen Elizabeth Woodville, Margaret agrees to a betrothal between Henry and Elizabeth's daughter, thereby uniting the families and resolving the Cousins War once and for all by founding of the Tudor dynasty. My Rating: Okay
5.) Girl Waits with Gun by Amy Stewart
This was the 2018 selection for Spokane is Reading. I love this annual event. A book is selected for our community to read and then the author comes to speak at two events. The books are always interesting and usually something that I wouldn't just pick up on my own. I have enjoyed all of the Spokane is Reading selections. This novel sounded unique and intriguing. Very different from previous grittier selections. The description sounded almost quirky. It was! In a very delightful way!!
From Goodreads:
Constance Kopp doesn’t quite fit the mold. She towers over most men, has no interest in marriage or domestic affairs, and has been isolated from the world since a family secret sent her and her sisters into hiding fifteen years ago. One day a belligerent and powerful silk factory owner runs down their buggy, and a dispute over damages turns into a war of bricks, bullets, and threats as he unleashes his gang on their family farm. When the sheriff enlists her help in convicting the men, Constance is forced to confront her past and defend her family — and she does it in a way that few women of 1914 would have dared.
This was a fun, fresh, and even funny historical read. I really enjoyed it. I also thought that it was an interesting glimpse into the lives of single women in the early 1900s. I especially loved that this book is based on the real life and career of Constance Kopp the first female deputy sheriff in the United States. But I have to say that what I loved the most were the three Kopp sisters...Constance, Norma, and Fleurette. Their interaction and sisterly dynamic was hilarious. It made the book for me.
Last night I had the pleasure of hearing the author Amy Stewart speak. It made me love the book even more. There are several more books in the Kopp Sisters series and I look forward to reading them. I especially loved hearing about the real life of Constance Kopp. The author has done extensive research on her life and I loved hearing about how she came to learn about Constance Kopp who was such an incredible pioneer in female law enforcement and her friendship with the incredible Sheriff Heath (also a real person) who saw in her such potential and value. If you ever have the opportunity to hear Amy Stewart speak I would highly recommend it. She was also funny and interesting. I look forward to reading more from her.
My Rating: An unexpected delight.
6.) The Body Keeps the Score by Dr. Bessel Van Der Kolk
This was our book club selection for October 2018. It was an interesting choice. We don't often read nonfiction and especially not clinical books. I liked switching things up a bit and reading a different genre. That said, this book deals with the heavy subject matter of abuse and trauma. It isn't a light read but it is an important read. It is an excellent book on the subject of mental health, neuroscience, and trauma research.
From Goodreads:
Trauma is a fact of life. Veterans and their families deal with the painful aftermath of combat; one in five Americans has been molested; one in four grew up with alcoholics; one in three couples have engaged in physical violence. Such experiences inevitably leave traces on minds, emotions, and even on biology. Sadly, trauma sufferers frequently pass on their stress to their partners and children. Renowned trauma expert Bessel van der Kolk has spent over three decades working with survivors. In The Body Keeps the Score, he transforms our understanding of traumatic stress, revealing how it literally rearranges the brain’s wiring—specifically areas dedicated to pleasure, engagement, control, and trust. He shows how these areas can be reactivated through innovative treatments including neurofeedback, mindfulness techniques, play, yoga, and other therapies. Based on Dr. van der Kolk’s own research and that of other leading specialists, The Body Keeps the Score offers proven alternatives to drugs and talk therapy—and a way to reclaim lives.
This book discusses the long-term physical effects on the brain from trauma. It was eye opening, to say the least, in several different ways, First, how prevalent trauma is...we all have or will experience it. Second, how prevalent abuse is; in all of its varying forms. Third, how despite feeling like you have handled or dealt with your trauma it can continue to affect your health and brain. Fourth, the lack of understanding of trauma and how to treat it. It was fascinating and heart-breaking.
Van Der Kolk presents an interesting history of mental health treatment and trauma research over the years. He gives many detailed case studies on PTSD and child abuse. He discusses the subject matter in an intelligent, compassionate, and insightful way. This is a man who has dedicated his life to helping people learn to face, deal with, and overcome horrific events. He explains in great detail different modes of therapy and why some therapies are more effective than others.
I learned so much from this book. For example, how the brain is literally changed due to adverse events. The body truly does keep the score. No one comes through trauma without it making its mark on the body and its systems. Trauma can often manifest itself in the form of sickness and mental illness long after the abuse stops. Much can be attributed to excess cortisone that is continuously secreted in the brain through stress...stress from abuse or trauma that can have occurred decades ago. The mind/body connection is unbelievably powerful!!
From the book: “We have learned that trauma is not just an event that took place sometime in the past; it is also the imprint left by that experience on mind, brain, and body. This imprint has ongoing consequences for how the human organism manages to survive in the present. Trauma results in a fundamental reorganization of the way mind and brain manage perceptions. It changes not only how we think and what we think about, but also our very capacity to think.” “Long after a traumatic experience is over, it may be reactivated at the slightest hint of danger and mobilize disturbed brain circuits and secrete massive amounts of stress hormones." "When the alarm bell of the emotional brain keeps signaling that you are in danger, no amount of insight will silence it.”
“Somatic symptoms for which no clear physical basis can be found are ubiquitous in traumatized children and adults. They can include chronic back and neck pain, fibromyalgia, migraines, digestive problems, spastic colon/irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue, and some forms of asthma. Traumatized children have fifty times the rate of asthma as their nontraumatized peers." “After trauma the world is experienced with a different nervous system. The survivor’s energy now becomes focused on suppressing inner chaos, at the expense of spontaneous involvement in their lives. These attempts to maintain control over unbearable physiological reactions can result in a whole range of physical symptoms, including fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, and other autoimmune diseases. This explains why it is critical for trauma treatment to engage the entire organism, body, mind, and brain.” “As the ACE study has shown, child abuse and neglect is the single most preventable cause of mental illness, the single most common cause of drug and alcohol abuse, and a significant contributor to leading causes of death such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, stroke, and suicide.”
I found this book to be highly readable despite its extremely difficult subject matter. There are case studies that will literally break your heart. This book appealed to me on several levels. First, as a person who has experienced trauma and secondly, as a person who has a background in psychology. It was at times triggering for me and most likely will be for someone who has experienced particular types of trauma. I had to read it and then put it down and then pick it up again later. It is fairly technical and clinical at times. The book is filled with statistics and empirical research. It might be an easier read for someone with a working knowledge of the terminology. But it is still readable and relatable. Our book club really liked it despite all of the above.
It is disheartening to contemplate the lack of understanding that there is about trauma and how to treat it. It is politicized and monetized and humans are being marginalized. Van Der Kolk stated, "We discover the amazing effects of neurofeedback on trauma survivors with complex PTSD--only to then find out that in the US, very little time or research has been devoted to studying neurofeedback because it's nowhere near as profitable as prescription drugs.
"Because drugs have become so profitable, major medical journals rarely publish studies on nondrug treatments of mental health problems. Practitioners who explore treatments are typically marginalized as "alternative." Studies of nondrug treatments are rarely funded unless they involve so-called manualized protocols, where patients and therapists go through narrowly prescribed sequences that allow little fine-tuning to individual patients' needs. Mainstream medicine is firmly committed to a better life through chemistry, and the fact that we can actually change our own physiology and inner equilibrium by means other than drugs is rarely considered."
Van Der Kolk discusses many promising therapeutic treatments...such as EMDR, brain imaging, neurofeedback, yoga, movement, mindfulness training, theater, and other nonpharmacological methods. Something definitely needs to change with drug companies, politicizing healthcare, education, and the way that trauma is diagnosed and treated in our country.
My Rating: Essential reading. If you haven't experienced trauma you will or someone you love will.
7.) Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
I decided to read this children's classic. We all know the story...a girl falls down a rabbit hole and adventures ensue. I had only previously seen various movie adaptations and read children's picture book versions. I had never read the actual novel. I was hoping that I would learn something that I didn't know before. I did. I learned that I don't like this book.
From Goodreads: After a tumble down the rabbit hole, Alice finds herself far away from home in the absurd world of Wonderland. As mind-bending as it is delightful, Lewis Carroll’s 1865 novel is pure magic for young and old alike.
Goodreads doesn't know what it's talking about! It was tedious and nonsensical. Not the magical romp through Wonderland that I expected and was hoping to experience. I didn't even like Alice. What?! This book was not for me. I'll stick with the Walt Disney movie!!
My Rating: Literary nonsense.
8.) Times Convert by Deborah Harkness
I started reading the All Souls series this year. It is super popular and I am late to the party. It has been a popular trilogy for several years and this year a new companion book came out that is in the same All Souls world. It does kind of continue the story of Matthew and Diana but it focuses on Marcus and Phoebe. I liked the character of Marcus and I had been in a TERRIBLE BOOK SLUMP so I was excited to revisit a world that I enjoy.
From Goodreads:
On the battlefields of the American Revolution, Matthew de Clermont meets Marcus MacNeil, a young surgeon from Massachusetts, during a moment of political awakening when it seems that the world is on the brink of a brighter future. When Matthew offers him a chance at immortality and a new life free from the restraints of his puritanical upbringing, Marcus seizes the opportunity to become a vampire. But his transformation is not an easy one and the ancient traditions and responsibilities of the de Clermont family clash with Marcus's deeply held beliefs in liberty, equality, and brotherhood. Fast-forward to contemporary Paris, where Phoebe Taylor—the young employee at Sotheby's whom Marcus has fallen for—is about to embark on her own journey to immortality. Though the modernized version of the process at first seems uncomplicated, the couple discovers that the challenges facing a human who wishes to be a vampire are no less formidable than they were in the eighteenth century. The shadows that Marcus believed he'd escaped centuries ago may return to haunt them both—forever.
This book did get me out of my reading slump. It was entertaining enough but not fantastic. That's how these books are for me. Some are hits and some are misses. Parts of each of the books drag...and this one was no different. The plot was weak and there was a complete lack of suspense and mystery. It was just an explanation of who Marcus is and where he came from and while interesting some parts didn't hold my attention. But I did enjoy revisiting the characters.
My Rating: Okay. If you like the All Souls books you will like this one about Marcus...even if it does drag a bit.
9.) To All The Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han
I love Bookstagram. I love following book/reading accounts on Instagram. One of my favorites is @anniebjones05. She is an indie bookstore owner in Georgia. She said that she read this YA novel and absolutely loved it! YA is not my thing but she was raving about how good it was and how much she loved the family dynamics. She can also be trusted to give solid book recommendations so I decided that I would give it a try. I also found out that there was a movie version was on Netflix...much beloved by tweens and teen girls and apparently grown women too. Ha ha!
From Goodreads:
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is the story of Lara Jean, who has never openly admitted her crushes, but instead wrote each boy a letter about how she felt, sealed it, and hid it in a box under her bed. But one day Lara Jean discovers that somehow her secret box of letters has been mailed, causing all her crushes from her past to confront her about the letters: her first kiss, the boy from summer camp, even her sister's ex-boyfriend, Josh. As she learns to deal with her past loves face to face, Lara Jean discovers that something good may come out of these letters after all.
You've seen my above book list...so you know that I have been reading some dark books with hard topics. So I was MORE THAN READY for a light fun read. Who knew that I would enjoy a trip back to high school so much?! But I sure did. I loved the character of Lara Jean. I have now finished the three part series and Lara Jean will be a much beloved character forever and don't even get me started on Peter Kavinsky. Loved him! There is just enough fun, whimsy, charm, and something slightly John Hughes-esque about this book that made this mother of four stay up far too late to finish it and INSTANTLY downloaded the next two books in the series. I also promptly watched the Netflix movie which I enjoyed but...you know what I am going to say...THE BOOK IS BETTER! Of course it is!! But the casting of Lara Jean is SPOT ON!
This is one of Starbucks new holiday flavors. Bryn and I tried it on a whim. Our usual order is hazelnut hot chocolate but we ended up really liking this flavor and the rest of the family liked it too so we have been drinking it regularly ever since. So good! But FYI it is super sweet so basically consider it a liquid dessert. :)
2.) Bookstagram
My favorite social media platform BY FAR is Instagram. It's where I like to hang out on the Internet. But even more delightful is the Instagram subculture of Bookstagram. Instagram accounts that are book related. It is my ultimate happy place on the ol' interwebs. I love to read and I love to read about reading and apparently look at pictures about reading. I have found so many great readers to follow and book recommendations. I love it!!
3.) To All the Boys I've Loved Before book series by Jenny Han
This book series was one that was recommended over and over on bookstagram. The first book is also a Netflix movie that was also highly recommended. YA lit isn't my favorite genre but it came so highly recommended and by so many people that I decided to give in and read the first book. (My book club also happened to pick it as our December book too.) Well...I absolutely LOVED it! It is funny and charming! I love the book series and the Netflix movie is super cute too. I have to say that the first book is my very favorite. But this series has been a fun and light-hearted read especially after all of the dark and depressing books that I have read lately.
4.) Road Trips
Not much elaboration is needed. It is awesome to get out of town once in awhile and especially to go to a city that you love!
5.) Petite Provence Boulangerie in Portland
There are several of these FABULOUS French bakeries in Portland. If you are ever in the greater Portland area you simply MUST go...SEVERAL TIMES!! My love of Petite Provence Boulangerie is STRONG!! I HIGHLY recommend!!
Where did November go? I blinked and it was gone. We started our month off with birthday celebrations. Reilly turned 22 years old and a few days later Kameron turned 18. Eighteen and twenty-two?? Already?! Where did their childhoods go? The saying, "The days are long but the years are short" is so true but now even the days feel short.
We had a birthday dinner for Reilly on the Sunday near her birthday. She requested broccoli divan, teriyaki green beans, homemade cherry pie with homemade whipped cream, and a special sparkling drink concoction. It had club soda, raspberry syrup, pink lotus syrup, and orange juice. It was delicious!
Hunter came over and we had a fun night of celebrating and playing games. We introduced Hunter to Chicken Foot!
Normally Kameron and Reilly celebrate their birthdays together but since this might be Kameron's last birthday with the family before he heads out on his mission; he decided to have his own birthday dinner the next weekend. We had a big family outing to celebrate both of them then too.
Our lovely TWENTY-TWO year old!
A few days later it was Kameron's big day. Kam turning 18 hit me pretty darn hard. Just like it did with Reilly. Ouch...
It was the last Fast Food Birthday Lunch delivery at school for this kid. He requested Taco Bell for the millionth year in a row. This has been a fun birthday tradition to do with our kids. I'm 99.9% sure that Kameron has requested Taco Bell every single year. I told Kam, "I think I'm going to cry" when I handed him his lunch and he said, "Please don't." and laughed as he walked away. I *may* have cried when I drove away. This boy has grown up too darn fast. I love this kid so much!!
Yes, I made him pose with GIANT balloons and take many many pictures...in our drive way no less!! Ha Ha!! You only turn 18 once!!
Kameron's actual birthday was on a Sunday and he got very celebrated by his teachers and leaders at church and he had treats dropped off at our house too. It was so cute! Kameron also received his patriarchal blessing. That was an incredibly special experience. It was so neat to share in that with him.
We had a family dinner and outing that weekend for him:
Kameron is going on a school trip this spring to Hawaii so all he wanted for his birthday was cash for his trip...hence the pineapple decor...but he ended up getting a few things too!! Kameron requested street tacos, cream soda, and my homemade cherry pie but with ice cream for his birthday dinner.
We went bowling as a family to celebrate both Reilly and Kameron's birthdays. We tried a new place and had a great time. The bowling alley that we normally go to is fancier and brings fancier food to your lanes but this one was SUPER cheap and not crowded and our kids LOVED their pizza and they ended up liking this place even better!
The birthday kids!
Reilly got us all crying in the bowling alley thinking about next year when Kameron will be off on a mission and she will be celebrating all on her own.
Who even wins at this STUPID game anyway?
Ailey does!!
She joins a select few in our family who weirdly have good luck at that game...Kameron and my sister Kelley.
Please enjoy Reilly's bowling ensemble!! ;)
Kameron's Wind Ensemble performed at the Veteran's Day Concert downtown at the Fox Theater. I love this concert. It is a gift to the men and women of the Armed Forces in our community and it is so good and very patriotic. Veterans from all of the branches stand and are honored as their songs are played. There were guest speakers and touching dramatic readings. I loved it when the audience sang the national anthem. It was an absolutely wonderful night!
Last year Tyler had just barely been released from the hospital and couldn't attend this concert. The girls and I went alone and it was the first time that I left Tyler's side after his hospitalization. I was a nervous wreck last year. I was so glad to have him with me this year!!
Jonathan doing one of the readings. He did a great job. They also had a local announcer do the main narration and at one point even he was moved to tears. I loved that. It was a great night!
I clipped the last of my roses. There is something EXTRA special about a November rose!
We voted! Tyler did a special FHE all about voting and we went over all of the issues and people we would be voting about with the kids and then Tyler, Reilly, and I filled out our ballots. Kam was bummed that he missed out on voting for the first time by ONE WEEK!
One Saturday I met my mom in Coeur d' Alene. We went to the grand opening of our friend Megan's new store Lovely Chaos. Megan also owns another great store across the street called Junk. Both stores are great! My mom is a vendor in Junk now. She's not going to be doing vintage shows in the future and this gives her a great outlet to sell her cute things but isn't quite so much work. We had a great time shopping and going out for breakfast.
We met some extended family for lunch at the Daft Badger. Tyler met us as well. It was so nice to see my Uncle John. It has been awhile since I last saw him. It was great to laugh and hang out with him.
Love him!
The next weekend I met my mom downtown and we went to the Christmas Open House for the store owned by Fielding and Dianna, a mother/daughter duo, that we have known for years. We used to do their vintage Christmas show years ago. They have a big vintage/antiques store in a new location and they had some darling Christmas items. Between their store and Megan's store I found all of this year's Christmas ornaments for my family. Tyler met us for dinner. We went to a great Pho restaurant.
One Saturday morning after the Stake Primary Baptisms, Bryn and I went on little Starbucks breakfast date for Snickerdoodle Hot Chocolates and pastries. Have you tried those? They are so good!
Stacey and my mom were vendors at a little Christmas show in Bonners Ferry, Idaho which is about 2 1/2 hours from here. Bonners Ferry is a little town in North Idaho near the Canadian border where my mom was raised. It is so cute! It looks like one of those small towns from a Hallmark Christmas movie and it brings back such great memories of my grandparents. Tyler took off half a day from work and we went on a little day trip.
We went to the Christmas show and found some really cute things. My mom and Stacey's booth was darling. So was my friend Jennifer's booth. I LOVE vintage Christmas!!
Tyler and I bummed around in Bonners Ferry for a bit after we visited the show. We stopped in at the Catholic church that was also having a Christmas show and ate some amazing homemade tamales... AND...some absolutely delicious Lefse!! Ty's little Norwegian heart was thrilled. It was especially good super thin Lefse. Yum. We also bought some homemade huckleberry jelly and huckleberry syrup. It was not as good as my grandma's but still delicious. We drove home through Priest River. We stopped in to see my friend Deb who was participating in a Christmas show in Chattaroy, WA.
It was quite the Christmas Palooza that day! Tyler and I went out for dinner before heading home and had a great date day/night!!
Kameron was one of a few high school musicians from our school invited to participate in the Festival of the Arts. It was amazing and each different group was conducted by a special guest conductor. It was really cool for Kameron to be invited to participate. He had a great experience and our family had a fun night downtown.
We had to stop and hang out at the Davenport Grand for a bit.
We celebrated with... you guessed it... more Starbucks Snickerdoodle Hot Chocolate!!
After that Thanksgiving was just around the corner and it was time to pack and head to Portland!! We spent Thanksgiving with Paul (my cousin) and his wife Whitney, their two daughters, and Whitney's parents. We had an absolute blast! The only bummer was that Reilly couldn't come with us. She wanted to go to Hunter's family's house for Thanksgiving as there were some out-of-town relatives that were going to be there that she wanted to meet. It worked out that she was able to do a double Thanksgiving. She went to Hunter's house (they eat early) and then she and Hunter went to my mom's house (my family eats late) and it sounded like she had a good time at both places.
We stopped along the way and did some shopping for Sisters Creed. We got there in time to hit our favorite French Bakery for some treats and dessert for Thanksgiving. We also went to some amazing specialty gourmet food stores and markets and found some great food and cheese to contribute to the feast the next day.
Bryn found a friend!!
We got an Airbnb for our stay and it was awesome! It was on a little lake and water way that was so pretty. It had three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a beautiful deck overlooking the water, a nine person hot tub, and even a baby grand piano!! It was also only a mile from Paul and Whitney's house which was perfect!
Out on the deck. There was even a canoe that we could use to paddle down the water way.
Bryn and Ailey loved the room that they shared. The owners left all kinds of snacks, drinks, and fruit for us. It was so nice! We will definitely stay there again!
We did a bunch of shopping that evening and then went out to dinner at our favorite Chinese restaurant that Tyler and I found the last time we were in town. OH.MY.GOSH it is SO GOOD!! It is quite authentic and you can order delicacies like jelly fish and all kinds of other interesting things.
We were so excited for the kids to try this place!
There is NO GOOD Chinese food in Spokane! So this place was an especial treat! Everything is served family style and we ordered a ton of food!! It was out of this world amazing!!
Bryn tutoring Ailey on her chopstick skills. Brynnie is quite the expert! The kids LOVED the food and the restaurant. We had such a great night and brought back a ton of leftovers to our airbnb which we ate every single bite of!! We also all soaked in the hot tub and relaxed until super late that night!
The next morning we slept in and watched some of the Macy's Day Parade while we got ready to head over to Paul and Whitney's house to celebrate Thanksgiving.
Just some wildlife right outside our bedroom window.
Whitney's parents... Susan and Dan...had arrived from California. We LOVE them!! They are awesome and it was so great to see them again. It was such a fun day spent talking, laughing, cooking, and hanging out.
Paul is a chef and so, of course, the food was amazing! Whitney and Susan are great cooks too and it was fun to try some of their family's specialty dishes!! So good!!
Paul did two turkeys on his Traeger grill and they were FABULOUS!!
Zoey with Bryn and Ailey
Quinn and Whitney
Kam LOVED talking politics with Susan!! They are bonded for life! He was THRILLED to be amongst conservative republicans!! We are a rare breed in Washington, Oregon, and California. Kameron is our very own Alex P. Keaton and it makes me laugh. He takes after Tyler's dad who had a masters degree in political science. Tyler's dad even ran for local office in Utah. I love seeing these character traits passed down through the generations from grandfather to grandson. It is especially poignant as Tyler's father passed away when Tyler and I were dating and our children never got to know him...and yet they are like him in certain ways which is fun to see.
We had so much fun with Susan and Dan! They are so awesome. Wish they lived closer!!
Paul had a copy of the flight log of our Grandpa Ellersick. He was a B-17 bomber pilot in WWII and flew bombing runs over Germany. Reading Grandpa's words was fascinating and brought tears to my eyes. It was so neat for Kameron to read this and me too. Our Uncle Steve made copies for all of our boy cousins... I guess he ASSUMED we girls wouldn't be interested?! WRONG. Paul is going to make me a copy and I will share it with my sisters. It is unimaginable the danger that our grandpa was in and to read about each mission...some of them were truly terrifying and heart-breaking. It really hit home to me how old my grandpa was at the time. Not much older than Kam. It was pretty sobering especially since Kam just had to register for the draft.
Susan and Dan have two of the cutest dogs...they have a Bichon Frise and a Bichon Havanese. We absolutely fell in love with them...especially the Havanese. That is going to be our next dog!! Janie was the cutest!! Susan and Dan rescued both of them and they are super involved with Bichon rescue and have done it for years. Susan was giving us all the info and details to find a great rescue dog.
We stayed late and had such a great time! It was one of our very best Thanksgivings...despite missing Reilly. Even Kameron said as we left..."Hands down the best Thanksgiving EVER!" That is an extremely high compliment from that boy!! It really was so nice to enjoy good food, good conversation, and good company!!
The next morning we slept in late and ate some of the best donuts for breakfast. What up Portland? Why so many good donut places? I FINALLY got a good crueller. They are super hard to find in Spokane and the ones you do find are terrible! We did some more shopping that morning for Christmas and for Sisters Creed. I found some great things for my Christmas show that was coming up the next weekend. Then we went out to lunch at our favorite Cafe Yumm!
You cannot beat one of their Yumm bowls and their tempeh sticks!! I had an extra fun surprise the week before when my friend Stephanie told Kameron to stop by her house because she had something for me and low and behold it was a bottle of their famous yumm sauce that she had brought back for me from Portland! Our whole family shrieked with joy! It is so good!
After that we went back to Paul and Whitney's house to hang out. Paul was making his famous Turkey Noodle Soup. It is a take on our Grandma Ellersick's famous Chicken Noodle Soup. He makes the homemade noodles and then kicks the whole soup up a notch. It was fun to reminisce about our Grandma and our memories of her kitchen and past Thanksgivings at the lake while we ate this delicious soup and Thanksgiving leftovers. Paul also made THE BEST pomegranate punch that we will be drinking at Christmas this year. Kameron was his little sous chef on the punch making and took notes.
That night we all rode the Max (light rail) down to the zoo to see their famous Zoo Lights. Riding the Max is an experience all unto itself. It was such a great night!! The zoo in Portland is amazing. We had just gone the year before and so it was extra fun to see it all lit up in beautiful Christmas lights!!
This year was Paul's year to host Thanksgiving for his in-laws. His mom was spending Thanksgiving in Spokane with my cousin Justin and his family and Paul's sisters...Wendy and Jennifer...and their families were spending Thanksgiving together at Wendy and Ben's house. They live about an hour away from Paul and Whitney. We were able to meet up with them at the zoo and spend about an hour together catching up in the elephant house which was really nice. I hadn't seen Wendy and Jennifer and their kids since my grandma's funeral.
Wendy's daughter Brooke with Zoey and Bryn
After visiting for awhile it was time to head back out and look at more lights and get hot chocolate!!
Then we jumped back on the Max and headed for home. We got back to our airbnb super late but Ailey, Bryn, and I still sat in the hot tub for awhile. The weather was perfect...frosty and cold...and a clear sky full of stars. It was perfect!
The next morning we slept in again and then slowly got ready. We had already said goodbye to our family late last night. We had a few places that we still wanted to hit in Portland before we left town.
The kids enjoying the baby grand piano before we left! Ha ha! We played that thing like crazy. Who knew?!
I had a bunch of Christmas stuff that I wanted to get so we headed out for a bit more shopping. Kameron had one request...Chik-Fil-A...which we honored. :)
Then it was on to IKEA:
I've never been there around Christmas time. Kind of fun! I got all my teacher gifts there this year and I got my friend Mary's birthday gift and some Christmas presents for the kids. I guess it will be a very IKEA Christmas this year!!
We picked up some snacks and weird candy for the road and headed for home. We had a good trip back and made it home by about 7:30 pm. It was such a fun trip and getaway. The next day we all seriously crashed and stayed in our pajamas all day. We found out later that evening that my mom had fallen down at the lake. She was putting away some Thanksgiving decorations and tripped over her boots that were on the floor. She whacked her head against the basement door that was partially open. She ended up in the ER with a concussion, sprained neck, and sprained wrist. My sister, Jordin, who is a nurse took good care of her and got her all situated. She is doing okay now although it has been a pretty slow recovery. She missed over a week of work and still isn't 100%. Sheesh.
We had our Thanksgiving Family Home Evening and did all of our little traditions...like our Thankful Tree and our Thanksgiving Journal.
Bryn clipping off and reading our Thankful leaves.
We managed to get both of our Christmas trees up but didn't put ornaments on them right away. I had a HUGE Christmas Show the next weekend and I was crazy busy preparing for that and finishing up projects. I did manage to decorate the house for Christmas but didn't decorate our Christmas trees until after my show.
I also managed to squeeze in a cooking group meeting. We meet each month and talk about/demonstrate/share recipes for different types of cooking. This month was freezer meals. I am not a freezer meal person but I look forward to trying some of these tried and true freezer meals...maybe in January.
I also had book club this month. We read:
It was my turn to lead the discussion. We had an awesome time discussing this book!! It was one of our best book club nights if I do say so myself!!
I also managed to squeeze in a Starbucks date with a friend and ten tons of Primary stuff while we planned trainings for the new curriculum and classes for 2019. All while painting, packing, and glittering away. Set-up day for my Christmas show was the last day of November. That was also the day that Tyler's boss finally retired!! HALLELUJAH!! Let's just say that Tyler was THRILLED!! :)
I am a stay-at-home mom and small business owner. I have four FANTASTIC kids: Reilly (29), Kameron (25), Ailey (21), and Bryn (17). I have been married to my amazing husband Tyler for 31 years. We are also grandparents to four cute grandkids and another on the way!
