Holiday Fun!

Maholla peeps,

It's been so long since I've blogged I hardly know where to start!!!! We are three short days away from Christmas, and I've got almost all of my presents bought and wrapped, ya me!
It has been snowing non stop for the last 5 days or so, and this morning Alex measured 10 inches on our back porch. All I can say is stop the insanity Susan Powter. I braved the icy, snowy roads today and made it into work, only to be sent home at noon when our building lost power. Oh the weather outside is frightful . . .

Two weekends ago Alex and I hosted the second annual Friend Extravaganza Feast at our house. It doubled as a housewarming, since we haven't really had anyone over since the remodel finished. Oh- THE REMODEL IS FINISHED!!! And we got a COUCH! Big news.

The party was a huge success, everyone brought their favorite holiday side dish, and I cooked a turkey. The night of the party was the first day it snowed in Seattle. We all went for a walk around midnight to enjoy the first snow.


The girls got together for our annual gift exchange, gingerbread house crafting gathering. Another fun event I look forward to every year. It is getting harder and harder for all of us to see each other at the same time, so it was especially nice to all be together.
Alex and I have been hitting up the local theater scene taking in many a Christmas Show. Andrew and Kathy joined us for the ACT's A Christmas Carol, which was fabulous. We went out after for some late night Palomino happy hour- best deal in town. The following weekend Alex and I went to the 5th Ave to see 7 Brides for 7 Brothers, which was AMAZING. The dancing in that show blew me away. SO SO SO good, right up there with Jersey Boys. And then, to top it all off, we went to the Nutcracker last Saturday night. If you are wondering if we won the lottery, the answer is no, we just went a little hog wild and bought each other tickets for Christmas and birthdays. Total worth it even if we're broke now =)

Char and Francie are both home for Christmas, Bobby is flying in on Chritmas Eve. Max left this morning to join Anne and Oggy in Texas for Christmas. Although we will miss them, I am sure they will be enjoying the warmer weather.

TTYL

25 Days 'til Christmas!!

Maholla peeps-

Last weekend I headed down to Vancouver, WA for the Padden Family Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving really is my favorite holiday. I love the giant gathering (45 people this year), the food (Laurie's stuffing and Abby's sweet potatoes), all the noise and excitement.

Due to the rain, and overall lack of organization, the flag football game was called off. The Padden women made up for it by taking a yoga class in the middle of my grandparent's living room, lead by our own Maria Dalbotten. It was fab, so great to stretch out the muscles before digging into dinner! My 89 year old Grandpa was a little surprised when, returning from the store, he found 25 women doing yoga in his front room. He took it in stride, only commenting that it felt like "Jones Town" . . .

My dad, Max, Margaret and I reunited the family band and preformed "Seminal Wind" prior to the meal. Margaret was lead vocals and acoustic guitar, Max played lead electric guitar, my dad took base and back up vocals, and I played the mandolin. Margaret picked Seminal Wind because of it's Native American feel . . . . we were a huge success as usual =) My grandpa followed up our performance by dancing and acting out "Brother can you spare a dime" - which my dad played on the guitar and sang. I always thought the Padden's love of the spot light came from my Grandma, but apparently my Grandpa has a bit of the acting bug as well.

I caught "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" on TV tonight. What a FANTASTIC cartoon. That Dr Seuss sure knew what he was doin'.

25 Day's 'Til Christmas!