Vacation Day One: Christmas

2:55 a.m. Tualatin:

"Mom, Dad!!!! Santa came!!!!" Abby yelled to us.

"That's great honey!" Kricket replied.

"Grrr-hmmm, grrrr." I said.

Kricket was able to coax Abby back to sleep, and we all came downstairs at seven or so for stockings, presents and Christmas breakfast. Grammy had gotten up at 0630, (after midnight mass no less,) and drove over to be at our house at seven.




Grammy got Abby a Wii Glee Karoke, (say that three times fast,) game. I think it will be a big hit.


Suzie was curious to see what Libby was doing.



We're spending the week in Victoria. Our plan was to get on the road by noon-ish, headed for Port Angeles, WA.

Kricket caught me singing "Don't Stop Believing," on Abby's new game and said we'd never get out of town if we didn't start packing the car.

Noon-ish turned into two-ish.

Eventually we got to Port Angeles, and checked into the Super 8. The restaurant next door was open 365 days a year, so we availed ourselves of fish & chips. Libby used her new camera
at dinner:




We finally got to sleep, ready to get up bright and early for the ferry to Victoria.

Zoo Lights!

Last year, we tried to go see the Zoo Lights, but it didn't work out. This year, my cousin Carrie invited us to go with their family. We were much smarter this time, getting there within the first hour they were open and going on a week night. Carrie also had comp tickets for the lights and the train ride. It was great! Now, we know how to do the zoo lights without losing our minds.

Abby, Libby, Brenden, and Jacob.




Abby looking less than thrilled.

Cheesy!

Wonder what she's thinking.




Abby and the boys.



Bill!









Mmmm, hot cocoa.



Waiting in line for the train.

Pretty girl.


Smile.

Silly face.

More silly faces!

Me!

Brenden and Jacob, riding the train.





Libby playing with Aunt Carrie and Uncle Brian.


Libby wanted to pose like this for the camera. Pretty funny.

The Beers Family!

Sanders Family Christmas Party!

Christmas parties abound this weekend! On Sunday, we headed to Lebanon for a Christmas party with my mom's side of the family. Since my mom is one of four sisters and many of the grandchildren are girls, too , no one actually has the name of Sanders anymore. However, my grandparents, Floyd and Esther Sanders started it all...and, it much easier than saying the: Green, Chambers, Wirrkkala, Burchell, Beers, Roberson, and Kolander Christmas party!

My sister Rhonda, my cousin Stacy, and my mom!

Libby Lou.

Aunt June, Nikki, and Nora.

Hanging around with the cousins.

Aunt Sandy with the cousins.



Nora!

Aunt Carrie, Libby, and Aunt Rhonda.

Goofy girls!

Bill and my mom.

Brian, Jacob, Carrie, Brenden, Bill, and Abby!


Opening presents!






Aunt Kathy almost always ends up hosting these things. She's great!



Abby writing in her new diary.

Giggling Nora.

Jacob repeated a presentation he wrote for school on his family and their Christmas traditions. He got a round of applause when he was done.

Merry Christmas!