Christmas
"Arctic Blast 2008" (named by the media) hit the Metro area and actually beat record snowfall from 40 years ago. In addition to the snow, it was windy which created large drifts. My car (under a carport) was stuck. I was stuck. For 5 days. That's a long time when you live by yourself. Luckily one night early on, Anne's family picked me up on their trek to Fred Meyer. I went back home with them and helped Anne bake cookies the rest of the night. Ron kindly drove me home. It was a very much needed break out of my apartment.
Since the weather shot our normal holiday plans, we decided to go to Dawn and Mike's for both Christmas Eve and Day and just do a sleep over. So Mom and Dad loaded up the Explorer and came to rescue me. We stopped at Albertson's on our way over to Newberg to pick up Dawn's online grocery order. Mind you, we were already packed up with 3 people's luggage and Christmas gifts. There was barely enough room for me in the back seat. And now we added groceries. A lot of groceries.
I posted this pic on Facebook, and Cousin Cindee asked if we always brought our own toilet paper when traveling. I hadn't noticed it was a 12 pack. I was just so freaking glad to be out.
This shows how deep the snow was on their deck.
View of the Valley from their deck.
Cozy inside
Bacchus could tell that present was for him!
Food. Christmas Eve is always munchies, fondue, deviled eggs, etc.
The massive tree in their newly remodeled foyer
A rare photo of the elusive Mike
I made this chocolate cake in a fun Bundt-type pan that looks like a forest. It turned out a little dry (it was so gooey, I ended up over baking it) but it was my first cake from scratch!
Dad and Mom with lapdog Bacchus
Food. Christmas Day is ham, scrambled eggs with pepper and cheddar cheese, onion roasted potatoes and Challah bread french toast!
It was nice to not worry about the weather once we got there. We could just stay all cozy and festive! We played a ton of games and cards. We ended up staying 2 nights.Here are Mom and Dad by their tree. They always decorate with the living room colors of burgundy and blue
