How Many Books?

I was talking with a friend recently who said they were going to set a goal to read a book a month in the new year. It made me start thinking about how much I read. Curious to see if I read a least one book a month, I decided to make a list of the books I'd read in 2008. I would have to rely on my memory, since I hadn't been keeping track. Here is what I came up with (not necessarily in any particular order)...

• The Bible (yep, I read through the entire book in 2008 using a reading plan from our church)
• Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller
• The Barbarian Way by Erwin McManus
• Vintage Jesus by Mark Driscoll and Gerry Breshears
• Prince Caspian by C.S.Lewis (this was a re-read for me - I am a huge fan of all The Chronicles of Narnia books)
• Inside Out by Larry Crabb
• Surrender by Nancy Leigh DeMoss (also a re-read)
• Time Travelers Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
• Radical Gratitude by Ellen Vaughn
• Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge (this was another re-read)
• Reviving Ophelia by Mary Pipher
• The Shack by William P. Young
• Three by Ted Dekker
• Showdown by Ted Dekker
• Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell
• Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
• Traveling Mercies by Anne Lamott
• Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning (this is what I am currently reading)

On my nightstand waiting are...

• Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
• Life of Pi by Yann Martel
• The Reason for God by Tim Keller
• Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
• Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis

There are so many more that I still want to read, too, so I will need to pace myself.

I guess I did read at least a book a month this year, in fact more. In the end it looks like I read sixteen and a half books (six of which were novels), plus the Bible. That averages out to 1.38 books per month. In 2009 I will aim higher - I'll shoot for one and a half or maybe even 2 full books per month! :)

*** UPDATE***
I guess I forgot one. A friend reminded me of another book I read while on a camping trip with her. Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. How could I have forgotten? I couldn't put it down and it was a GREAT book!

Icy Hot

Ashley and Lauren had some friends over for a sleep over and they all thought it would be fun to go hot tubbing in the snowy weather we've been having. It totally took me by surprize when they decided to hop out of the tub and run through the snow and then back in to thaw out.
What a bunch of nuts! :) As one friend said, "Oh, to be young!"

Winter Wonderland

We got so much snow! It's pretty - like Narnia in winter! :)

Natvity Collection

Every year my mom sends us at least one new Nativity Set. Over the years the collection has really grown. These pictures aren't the best, but they show our full collection so far. Thanks, Mom! :)

Deck the Halls

Our annual tree trimming as a family had to be done on a week night this year. With our lives as busy as they are I am happy to have an artificial tree - even though I must admit I miss having a live tree.

Lauren got us started off with Disco Santa - he always has to be the first ornament on the tree. Call it silly, but it's our tradition.

The girls always enjoying finding all their special ornaments - this is one of Ashley's "Baby's First Christmas" ones.

It always looks so pretty when it's all done.

Dad takes care of the topper and all the ormaments at the top of the tree. No ladder needed here! ;)

Merry Christmas 2008!

Thanksgiving Road Trip - Part 2

On Thanksgiving Day my mom worked really hard in the kitchen, but I managed to steal her away for a picture with the girls. I think this is a beautiful picture!!

Dad and Kurt watched the very sad football game. Not the best year for the Seahawks, but at least they got to play on Thanksgiving.

My beautiful Grandma Kirk. I love her so much. She is an inspiration to me. It was so good to have time to visit with her. She managed really well in spite of not feeling all that well. I really love this picture of her!

Before we all sat down to eat our feast, Mom and David had put out masks at each person's place. It was so much fun seeing everyone. Don't Kurt and I look amazing? ;)

Me and my "niece-ee-bobbers" as I call them - Kendra and Danica. I am fondly referred to by them as their "cool Aunt!" :) It's so nice to spend time with them. Watching them and hearing them is like seeing a part of my sister still alive. They look so much like her - especially Kendra!

While we were in town Grandpa David taught us a new game called Slave. The girls loved it and actually, Kurt and I found it to be really fun, too. It'll make a great camping game. We even taught it to Poppy and Joan in Oregon before we went home.


On the road, somewhere in Central California. We stopped to grab a quick snack and use the bathroom, but the line was sooooo... long. It took forever - so much for a quick stop. I was glad to stretch my legs for a little longer!

Mount Shasta was so pretty at sunset - I had to try and get a picture out the passenger window. I'm pretty sure my Dad got a better picture.

The girls were sad to have to say goodbye to Dad and Joan's dog, KC. She is a sweet puppy.

We had such an amazing trip. It was so great to be with my family. Even though the drive was long I would do again in a heartbeat.

Thanksgiving Road Trip

After the first leg of our trip we arrived in Grants Pass Oregon at my Dad's house. He and Joan welcomed us and we visited for a bit before heading to bed.

The next day, we went to Wildlife Images where both my Dad and Joan volunteer. Dad gave us a tour (just like he gives when he is acting as tour guide). It was a lot of fun.

After a full Saturday, Dad, Kurt and the girls and I hit the road to Santa Barbara on Sunday. We arrived at Mom and David's in Santa Barbara just in time for a late dinner.

We went to Hendry's beach when the tide was low and let the girls look at the tide pools. Nana and Grandpa David came, too. Got a couple of great pictures. :)

We spent some time moving my Grandma Kirk out of her apartment at Friendship Manor. It was nice to be able to visit with her. She enjoyed watching videos of Ashley's and Lauren's dance recitals.

When it started raining we decided to head out to Stearn's Warf and go to the Sea Center where they have touch tanks for the kids to play with the star fish and sea anenomes, etc.

We have lots more to do, but we are enjoying ourselves so far!! :) if the weather cooperates we will head to magic mountain next! :)

Santa Photos

Since I recently posted old Halloween photos, why not add some old Santa Photos, too? These are TOO cute!!

1998

1999
2000

2002

2003

How did they grow so fast?

Camera Phone Tour

I'm sitting at home, bored - waiting for the comcast guy to show up in the "window" of time I was given. So... I thought I'd post a few pictures I found on my phone that were worthy of keeping.

First is an AWESOME picture of Lauren at the orthodontist. She had something weird going on with her wire and it made her front tooth totally crooked!! The shades and the odd mouth-opener thingie completed her "look!" ;)

Next I found a cute one of the girls right after they got their hair cut. Lauren wanted to look like Taylor Swift - so my friend who cuts their hair curled it for her, too. Ashley got hers thinned since it is so naturally thick, then she staightened it a little, too. Funny that Ashley has naturally curly hair and wants it straight, while Lauren's is straight as a pin and she wants it curly!

This next set I found to be funny because I was taking TONS of pictures of the girls at the fair. Ashley got REALLY tired of me taking so many, so the look on her face in the last one one cracks me up. Doesn't that just say it all?

Now let's get one of Kurt and I in here, too. This is fron a night we went on a double date with some friends in Seattle. It was a fun night. The second one is the "gum wall" we found in post alley outside of Theater Sports. So gross!

Here is one from Ashley and my birthday - we were at Elke and Bryce's house without our camera, so the phone had to do! Also there is a video from the phone, too.

I went on a field trip with Lauren recently when the fall leaves were REALLY pretty. We had a great time and I loved how some of the pictures came out on my phone.

These last ones are from the recent flood that was going on in Sultan where I work at the church office. The water got awfully close to our front steps, but we were sandbagged and we are up fairly high - maybe four steps from the sidewalk. It could've been much worse. We served coffee, cocoa and cup-a-noodles to high schoolers who were sand-bagging and to some homeless who got flooded out - they live on the river in tents.

I gotta say... I'm actually pretty pleased with the photos I'm getting on this phone. Who knew!

After all that, still no Comcast guy. Grrr...