Pour yourself some cider...it's a long one!!

Last weekend we went up to Whistler with Fred, Tami and Max where we were blessed to enjoy Jeff and Kathi's condo. What a treat!!
It was snowing when we arrived and never really let up. The village was so beautiful, all sparkly and shiny!

We tried to get some Christmas card shots. Ashleigh doesn't like to be in our photo anymore so we asked this snow lady to step in. What do you think?

I think this one is good for Fred and Tami. They needed two substitute sons...snow Danny and snow Sam.

We thought maybe we could try one with the Olympic sled. Do we look competitive?

Very exciting to have the games so close. I pity those poor people who think getting there will be easy! We'll be watching from home!!

Tami looks so cute! I look like I've been stuffing my hat!

Tyler, Max and Brian had plans to snowboard and ski on opening day. People camped out all night to be the first one up the mountain. The boys didn't like the long lines, especially with only a few runs open, and decided to bag it. Instead they built up a jump and had fun playing around with that. Brian took a lot of great pictures of them, but Tyler loaded them on the comp. and I don't know how to get them over here!!!

They had a lot of fun...until Max fell and broke his wrist! What a bummer! The R's spent about 3 hours in the emergency room. I'll let Tami tell you about socialized medicine!!

Tami holding the official coca cola torch!

A beautiful trip!! I'm so glad we had the chance to go! Brian hiked up to the top of Blackcomb and saw the sledding tracks. He got quite a few pictures before security asked him to leave! They are on my other camera which I can't get to load on my computer:(

We had lots of great food, wonderful walks, coffee in the snow, scrap booking and stitching!

Thursday night was the Lynden downtown Christmas shopping night. I love to go and see all the stores and decor. I wish it was better attended, but I didn't see that many people. Please get out and support your local stores!!

This is the Kitchen Konnection, where I work. It looked so pretty and bright and Lori was serving up some awesome samples!! She had a lot of traffic and lots of sales!!

There were carolers wandering the streets ...

This is Surroundings, above Dutch Mothers. Got some nice goodies with my purchase!!
Love the colors on this tree!

Tami, http://theladyinthestonehouse.blogspot.com/ , runs the gift shop at the Lynden Pioneer Museum, my first stop!! She had some fun antiques for me and of course the new Christmas Gooseberry Patch book!!!

She and Frosty make a pretty cute couple! Wish you could see her sparkly, red shoes!!

Friday was the 2nd annual autumn pie party at Lynda's. This is such a fun tradition that she started and I'm afraid she has to do it forever now!!!!

Using the timer on the camera...not the best...but here we are!! Karen, Lynda, Terry and me!

Aprons are required and everyone brings a pie. Lynda serves up a lovely lunch and provides us with a stitchery to work on. Missed taking pictures of both of those!!

My BFF, Betty, aka Lynda...I'm so blessed to call her friend!

Lynda liked my shoes and took a picture. My legs looked so skinny (which they aren't) that I had to add them to the post!!! To put it in perspective, that is my apron, not the tablecloth!!
Just focus on the legs please!!

A festive autumn table with adorable chalkboard name tags.

I'm the only one who got a decoration on her tag...I felt very special!!!

There was a game with about 30 possible correct answers. I won! I got 4 right!!! (It was a very difficult game!!!) Got to take home all the tags!!! Sorry girls!

What a feast!

Karen's blackberry pie...

Lynda's caramel apple cheesecake pie...

My apricot pie...

And Terry's peach pie...which I forgot to take a picture of...sorry Terry!!


We had such a wonderful time together! Thank you so much Lynda!!! Life would be so empty without you ladies!

The pictures just keep coming!!!

Please feel free to pause and nap at any time!

Got the carpet in last week, the couches arrived and we've started putting things in the room! Not much in the decor department as I don't want to take it all down when I add Christmas.

The computer got moved into the sitting area. It's tucked in a little corner. Love being able to play my Christmas music and Aunt Ruthie's music too!!http://sugarpiefarmhouse.com/. Plus I'm able to blog and watch the finals of Dancing with the Stars!!! I'm rooting for Donny as he was going to be my husband at one time. I wore the purple velvet skirt, had the Donny lunch box and all his records. Plus I practiced writing Holly Osmond over and over!!!

this used to be our dining room and we've made it into a sitting, game, computer room. I really like the coziness of it, and the openness to the other room.

We got our new couches! Chocolate brown! I must admit that they were much comfier in the store, so I've been jumping on them to loosen them up a bit!!! Tyler worked on them tonight!!

I need to get some blinds on the window, but I hate to cover them up!! Will make it a little cozier in here though and we won't be on display to the neighbors!!

The fireplace is used every day! It's wonderful!! On a remote and has an adjustable flame, which is really nice! Tyler's been taking lots of naps in front of this thing!!
I'll start decorating for Christmas this week. It takes me FOREVER!!! I'm sure it will take even longer as I figure out where everything should go now! Can't wait to see how it looks!

We'll be heading to Bainbridge Island for Thanksgiving and look forward to spending time with family.

We're so blessed and thankful to live in this great country, in this amazingly beautiful part of the world. To have family nearby and dear friends who bring us such joy. We're healthy, have a warm home to live in, abundant food, and more than we could ever possibly imagine. God is so faithful and I am so thankful for His provisions. So many people are hurting and alone, and feel as if they have no hope. May they feel God's presence this Thanksgiving and may His blessings be upon each and every one of you!