Ash Wednesday

A clean heart create for me, O God, 

a steadfast spirit renew within me. 

Cast me not out from your presence, 

and your Holy Spirit take not from me. 

                                 Ps 51:12-13 

Lent 2016 is upon us! I hope everyone has a fruitful season of growing closer to God and preparing hearts to receive a deep understanding of the suffering, death and resurrection of our Lord. God bless! 

Happenings

Monday was sort of warm, so the kids and I spent some time at the park. 

Craig brought home an old projector from work and we watched a movie in the basement. 

We let the girls "camp out" in the living room Saturday night. 

Walk to the park on Saturday. 

Ouch!

Fat Tuesday pancakes! 

Eucharist

Bishop Barron does such a good job of explaining this crux of the Christian faith.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/bishop-robert-barrons-sermons/id75551187?mt=2&i=350090690

Levi 2003-2016

We said goodbye to our doggy friend Levi on a Sunday morning in January. He was the happiest he has been in a while snug in Craig's arms. He went to sleep with all of his family around him. It was  very tough. We could not have had a nicer dog. 

His last meal was Christmas Day, after that he stopped eating. He was so severely atrophied. 

I ordered a canvas of my favorite picture of him, taken back in Portland. It is now hanging on our living room wall with our other family pictures. This boy is irreplaceable. 

Merry Christmas

Happy eighth day of Christmas, happy Solemnity of Mary Mother of God and happy new year! Mass today was so nice, what a perfect way to start the new year. Here are some pictures from our awesome visit from great grandma Beverly and grandma and grandpa Thompson. 

Picking up great grandma from the airport. 

Elsie's quilt from grandma. 

Sewing time! 

Russian doll great grandma bought the pattern to in France. 

Reading the night before Christmas 

Treats for Santa

Pre mass breakfast on Christmas morning with their stuffed animals from the Smith's

8 am mass; K and I went early to be greeters. 

Sparkling wine and See's truffles, thank you Aunt Colleen and Uncle Skip! 

Prime rib Christmas dinner was fab! Thanks to grandma and grandpa for springing for the roast! 

Game time! 

Getting nails done. 

Two peas in a pod. 

New doors!

We had to have our back doors replaced due to water damage. We took the opportunity to put in actual French doors instead of what was there, were only one door opened. Our friends husband did the work since he has a contract company. They did a great job for us and kept the cost as low as possible. Here is the progress over two days! 

Christmas break!

What a fabulous start to Christmas vacation! We let the girls open a gift basket from great Aunt Joan and Ucle Don (best gift basket ever!) which included matching pj's, popcorn supplies, movies and hot cocoa. After a Christmas movie and snacks they headed up for a sister sleep over. Good times!