A Star from the East…Or Christmas is Over!

Greetings long lost friends.  Once again, the PD Christmas missive will not be hitting your mailbox anytime soon.  We could say it is our effort to reduce, reuse and recycle but truth be told, we just didn’t get to it.  I know, you are shocked! 

I thought about having each of us list some of our favorite memories of 2008 but Katie-who-lives-in-the-moment looked at me like I’d lost it.  I didn’t even try with Jeff. 

For the record, 2008 was fabulous.  Plenty of challenges.  Plenty of fun.  Plenty of travel.  Plenty of family and friends.  All in all, a great year.  So here are some pictures of the Advent/Christmas season. 

Hard at work!

Ta-da!

 

Kerri's birthday in Chagrin Falls

 

No shortage on frosting in the PD household!

 

Katie and her Build-A-Bear "Hannah Montana"

 

We really are alive!

How many posts have I begun with the phrase “it has been a blur!”  Since our vacation in August, we’ve had one free weekend up until last week.  Katie’s 8th birthday, kicking off the new year, 3 busy weekends at church, 2nd grade homework, short-staffed… yep, it has been a blur!  So here are some pictures – enjoy!

 

Mom, Katie, Kerri and the Whittier Daily News!

Katie and the Pillsbury Doughboy!

Prepping for the Birthday Party - That would be a Jonas Brothers CD!

Anthony, Katie and Morgan

Surprised by Mrs. Blankson

The birthday girl!

The gang!

A post party concert by Hannah and Miley

A favorite gift was her restaurant-style dinner cheques upon which she loves to take dinner orders! Here she is -- Katie the waitress!

Jeff had the chance to go to the OSU game last year and this year was my chance. Oh. My. Gosh! What a kick!

So we've had a snowy Easter but really, a snowing Halloween? October 28, 2008

 

Katie turns 8!

We really can’t belive that Katie is now 8. We were in Montreat for her birthday (not the first time she has celebrated her bday in Montreat!). What a great day. After opening gifts (restaurant order forms, new pens and pencils (with her name on them!) and a guitar!) we hiked Lookout Mountain. This was Katie’s first time and she did great! The plan was to go swimming after but the pool was closed (darn chemicals!) so we did some rock-hopping, enjoyed some ice cream at the Huck and then went to Mellow Mushroom for pizza. Here are some pictures – enjoy!

Hannah Montana watch out!

May I take your order?

Starting the trek to the top of Lookout Mountain

Yes, she is hiking in a skirt!

We made it!  Assembly Inn in the background

Big smiles!!

Taking in the view

 

 

 

Ahhhh

I think this may be the first day of quiet in way too long!  Jeff is in Atlanta for a D.min. class and Katie is off to day camp.  As we loaded up today to head off she said to me “Mommy, you get to have some quiet today since your chatterbox will be gone.”  It appears that Katie has a very keen sense of herself and her mom! 

 

Paddling… finally!

After our move to Ohio and the reality of Katie’s long legs (e.g. she’ll no longer fit in the hatch of Jeff’s boat!) we purchased a tandem kayak so we could get back on the water. Saturday was the perfect day!  We went to LaDue Reservoir (about 35 minutes away) and enjoyed a great afternoon of paddling.  This was Katie’s first time with a paddle and she did a darn good job!  She also did some fishing with her pink Barbie fishing pole with a lovely pink worm attached.  Of course.

Here are some pictures from the day. 

Katie and Jeff take off!

  

Kerri and Katie

 

A family of Canada Geese

 

Any luck Katie?

 

Fishing makes Katie hungry!

 

and paddling makes her tired!

 

 

 

Girl’s Night at the Movies

I’m not sure where Katie came up with the idea but she has been planning tonight’s event all week long.  We ventured to the neighborhood movie store and picked out two movies: Jump In! and 27 Dresses.  You can guess which one I picked!  Of course, I was pretty sure it said it was rated G but that could be related to the fact I didn’t have my glasses with me and couldn’t quite read the fine print.  Oops!  Jeff was allowed to pick out a movie too but was clearly informed that he would not be allowed to watch with us.  He picked out Simpsons:  The Movie.  Yeah, go figure.

After making some popcorn, pulling out the bed in Mamaw’s room (AKA the guest room) and finding some comfy blankets, Katie and I curled up and giggled for the next couple of hours.  It was hilarious.  Every time there was a kiss on the screen she would cover her eyes – and mine!  At the end, with one final kiss she cried out “puh-lease!”  It was one of those nights I’ll long remember – especially in a few years when she won’t want to be caught dead watching a movie with me!  I am grateful for the gift of this daughter of mine!

Tomorrow is a paddling day and a picnic.  Pictures to follow!