Let it snow....

Isabelle Maureen Neal.

Isabelle with a neighbor friend.

Delaney Jane and Olivia.

Isabelle and her BFF.

Mom and Liv.

We have had quite the snow storm in Portland! The kids have been out of school all week!

Brittan's recital

                                                           Brittan and fellow singers

                                                                     Naughty or nice?


Brittan has been taking voice lesson's this year. She is with two other girls in what is considered a group class. She has enjoyed it very much and has learned and improved a lot. She had a Christmas recital the other day and was totally adorable!

Neal family party

                                                      John sporting his new sweater
                                                            Lyn, Mary, Emily and Kati
                                                         Liam is Uncle Jay's new favorite!
                                                       Michael, David and Liam (2 mo.)

Every year we have an adult Christmas party with Michael's family.  It used to be tradition that Terry would give a long winded sermon on the Christmas Story, and would end with Maureen doing what all of us were thinking and say with a long sigh "Terry!!! Enough already!"  We would all break into laughter and the evening would continue with a gift exchange game that we play, good food, singing and long winded stories (a Neal family tradition).  The last couple of years have been a little different with Maureen's passing and Terry's "government paid vacation".  It has taken a few years to get it just right again.  This year was a blast.  We returned to good food, fond memories, and just simply enjoying one another.  We continued our game of exchanging gifts.  Kati brought the spirit of Maureen to the party by wrapping one of her "ugliest" Christmas sweaters as one of her gifts to exchange.  She included a note that said how much Maureen would enjoy that we were all together on Christmas.  To keep her memory alive- whoever received the sweater as their gift would have to 1. wear it the rest of the night 2. bring it next year as a wrapped gift for someone else.  Of course a few tears were shed, but in loving memory of her and not the despair and sadness that we have felt the last few Christmas'.  

Thanksgiving

                  Olivia with neighbor friend and her horse.

Brittan with her friend Kelly.

Where do I start?  I have so much to be grateful for!  This Thanksgiving was especially great because we spent it- just the six of us in Central Oregon.

Off the top of my mind here are a few things that I am grateful for:

-down time so that I can blog!

-Central Oregon weather

-a husband who is mistaken for Matt Damon

-children that have helped me discover every emotion possible

-siblings that I love to be with

-parents that love me 

-friends that I cherish 

-hair clients that teach me who I want to become

-sunshine

-cooking for my family (only if they rave of course)

-when all of the kids are asleep and I can connect with my hubby

-diet coke w/fresh lime (should actually be toward the top of the list)

-boating

-my puppy (who would have thought I was a dog person?)

-Natalya (Can't live without you)

-sitting in church with my family

-Country music

-watching something new "click" with a child

-watching movies (and falling asleep on Michael's shoulder)

-star gazing

-hot cocoa on a cold morning

-letting my big kids stay up late so they can tell us secrets

-laughing so hard my stomach hurts (need more of this!)

-watching my kids enjoy each other

-ping pong

-burning candles

-a clean car

-all of the seasons (a little less rain please....)

-new beginnings (I stole this one from Michael)

-freedom

-to be a woman

-that I have sisters

-that I have fun brothers

-napping after church on Sunday

-excedrin

-my MacBook and iphone (sorry...can't live without)

-all of my precious nieces and nephews 

The list goes on.  I think that it is important to always have a list going (whether it is in your mind, or written down somewhere).  Its amazing how more things pop into your mind when you are thinking grateful thoughts.  I love you all.  Thank you for being a part of my life, no matter what part you play.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Parenting

I've been viewing my siblings blogs lately and have enjoyed all of the pictures of the new babies.  It has made me ponder the rapid rate as to which my children are growing.  It used to be that everyone needed a quick hug, a bandaid, a diaper change etc.  all while making dinner and scheduling hair appointments.  Although those times were challenging and very exhausting, I must admit I am missing my little ones. Those days are creeping further and further into the past and the present presents new challenges.  I fed my new little nephew a bottle the other night and enjoyed the simple pleasure of being able to instantly solve his hunger problems.  I feel at times that there is no longer a "quick fix" to teenage challenges and problems.  I share with you my thoughts only because perhaps it may make you spend a little more time enjoying your journey.  It's ok to be tired all of the time, to always smell like sour milk, to stand in the back at church and to never feel like you have adult conversations.  Those days will be gone before you know it, and like I- you will miss them!  Hug those little ones, snuggle with them at bed time, take lots of pictures and video-tape them!

Liam David Neal

Last week I witnessed a miracle!  My sister Rachelle gave birth to a very healthy baby boy.  I will always remember this special day-  

McKenzie River Hike

The beauty in Central Oregon never seizes to amaze me.   Aunt Mary took our family on a hike on her side of the Cascades yesterday that was hands down the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.  From waterfalls, to underground springs spilling out of the ground, to breath taking views- this was by far my favorite hike so far.  The trails were well groomed with built in steps in the steep areas and bridges made of log to cross the river.  Wow!  Amazing!

Castle Rock

Our newest discovery was actually featured some time ago on the Discovery Channel.  It is a rock formation in the Jefferson Wilderness that looks like a castle!  We asked around until someone finally caved and told us how to get there.  Evidently the forestry service keeps this place a secret and intentionally keeps if off the maps.  What a discovery!   It is only about 10 miles from our cabin, but took us over an hour on dirt roads to get there.     

Shasta Baby!

We decided on a whim to pack up the kids and head to Lake Shasta.  We rented a house boat for a few days and played our hearts out!  I learned to water ski (no small task) and the kids played until they dropped dead at night!  

Soccer

Olivia and Isabelle are both playing soccer this year and loving it!