More snow

Well, now THIS is more like it! I thought yesterday was good, but today was even better!

I was so excited when I got up I just had to start taking pictures. Well, those didn't turn out at all, so I waited a while longer. Even though it was not that great of light, I like how the color turned out.

It is only just over an inch, but that is enough to cover everything and it is so beautiful. Pictures don't show it nearly as beautiful as it is.

Red Cross

I am now the proud holder of two more Red Cross certificates. Last Friday and Saturday I attended two full days of classes to become an instructor for the Red Cross. I now am able to teach Disaster classes. Funny how a couple of years ago, I hated talking in class and now I feel ready to instruct one. My kids equate my collection of class certificates to Boy Scout Badges. Whatever!

Snowy wakeup

I love waking up to snow! First thing I did was make sure the wood stove was going, then I made myself a latte and curled up in a blanket and watched those huge flakes falling down. Of all times for the furnace to go out. The repairman was here on Friday, but needed to order a part, so until Monday, the wood stove will be going full force. Did you ever notice how quiet everything is when it snows?

January is Birthday Month!

Wake Up to This!

Sunrise at Christmas

Message in Snow

A little surprise from John.

McCool Family

This is the whole McCool family on Christmas Day.

Dad's Second Job

This is where we were sure to find Dad all week. Playing his game and getting advice from the Guru Dennis.

Mt. Hood

A few days after Christmas, John, Rachel, Emily and Joshua, Jessi and I decided to drive up to Mt. Hood for more snow. The kids got to sled, but the highlight of the day was John finding a little campfire somebody had left behind.

Christmas

So I jumped around there a little bit...Mom's birthday was the end of November and Dad's was January. Now here are some pictures from Christmas. It was really exciting that we got snow on Christmas Day. After Emily and Joshua tried out their new sleds, Jessi and Joshua built us a snowman.

Dad's Birthday

After all that for Mom...this is what Dad got...a trip to Boring to the Mexican restaurant at the golf course and a little tiny cake with a random 6 candles...why 6? Because 6 is all Cyndi brought with her. Why didn't she call us to bring more? Not sure. He turned 73.

Mom's Birthday

My parents both just had birthdays. We did Mom's up big with a trip to Kauai. It was a surprise for her because she was having her 70th. Dad made us all wait to tell her until after dinner on Thanksgiving. He said it was because if she knew before dinner that we were all headed out first thing the next morning, we might not get our turkey dinner. She was completely surprised! First thing the next morning we were all on the plane. We didn't let a day go by without her wearing her 'Princess for the Day' crown. It was a great week, we snorkeled, kayaked, shopped, had a spa day, ate way too much and made it a week to remember.

THE DIXONS

This is us on Christmas morning. See it snowing in the background? It started snowing just before we posed for the picture, so we all have the shivers. But that made it really fast and easy to get the picture, they knew we were staying out there until I had a good one! It is the first time in a few years that we all were together for Christmas.

First Posting

I have decided I need a blog. I think it will be a good way to keep in touch when I travel with the Red Cross or just on a vacation, along with pictures of the family now and then.