Here We Go Again!!!

In 24 hours, between Wed. and Thur., Dec. 17 & 18th we got dumped on. Approx. 2 feet of snow. A new record for Spokane. The only saving grace was that is was powder -- light and fluffy -- but piled high. Below is the 6am path that Arn made so the dog could get out.
Early morning Arn decided to venture out to fill the bird feeders.

Heightwise, this is as much snow as we had all last year. Our backyard and side drifts are as deep from one storm as the many we had all last season.

"Nannook of the North" (Steve in disguise) decided to help with the clearing project. Gooooooo Steve!

Here we have "Snowblowing 101" Come to the great Inland Northwest for classes beginning immediately.

Steve caught on right away and the two boys finished the job in record time (compared to our previous years of shoveling).

UPDATE ON SARA

Thanks to everyone for all the thoughts and prayers. Sara is healing, but it will be a slow process. She's trying very hard to behave herself and not do too much. The Dr. was discouraging telling her she probably won't be 100% for a year, but only time will tell. Please keep the prayers coming as we know God can work all things for His good.

This will be my last blog until after Christmas so we wish a safe, joyous, blessed, and truly meaningful Christ's birthday to all. Merry Christmas blessings.

Just for Giggles

Daaaahhhhhhh! My name is Steven and I shovel snow in less than 10 degree weather in shorts!! As you probably guessed, he didn't stay out very long. Just long enough to make one swipe for the dog to walk down. However, it's all covered up again by now. Thx for the try Steven.
This phesant found he had a much better view atop the squirrel/bird feeder. He was beautiful.

Soooor Is Coooooooold!

Dad and Skeets are ready for a walk. The temp right now is 5 degrees with a wind chill of -17 degrees. They weren't out very long.
The latest battle we're having with Nita is her claim that she has lived (not just grown up, but lived!) in snow country and can go out in a skirt and open toed shoes. We've talked and argued until we are blue in the face. However, she's not going out without at least boots on. She truly has no idea of the potential danger involved with weather like this. She believes that her years in Ohio as a child quialifies her as a snow and cold weather expert. Grrrrrrrrrrrrr.

First "real" Snow '08

The prediction for Dec. 12-14 was for Spokane to get 6-12". Spokane got a dusting and Deer Park got the 6" (of course). This is our back deck early Fri evening.
Skeets first venture out this season. She loves it.

Arn was ready to crank up the "machine." It did great and did it fast!

Sor is purdy, ma.

Emergency blog for prayers

Good morning everyone. Sara (our daughter-in-law) had emergency back surgery last night. Unfortunately, she slipped on ice and fell on her butt on Sat. and the pain in her legs just kept getting worse. She went to the emergency, then the dr. and when things started going seriously numb Thur. morn they did an emergency MRI and sent her immediately to the best hospital and called in the best surgeon and by 5:30 last night she was in surgery.

Seems she had a huge ruptured disc. I did not know that when this rupture presses on nerves and other stuff it does actual damage and they were unsure how much of the numbness would go away or how much muscle use would come back.

This morning she is feeling pretty good, she can walk and has numbness only in places on both feet. We're praising God that she has come thru so good so far -- but more prayers are needed for her complete recovery (Drs. say she won't have 100% recovery), that she heals quickly, and that she is patient and follows orders.

She can't lift anything heavier than a coffee cup for 2 wks. and then she can lift up to a milk carton in weight. They want her walking 2miles by 6 weeks. She'll have to have some rehab too.

This was all so sudden we're still kinda shocky. We have the kids for the weekend and then we'll see how to arrange care and help.

All the prayers will be greatly appreciated. Thx. and blessings to all you too.

The Great Cookie Deco

December 6th was the great cookie deco-off. We deco'd about a hundred sugar cookies (at least it seemed like that many). Left to right: Bryson, Kevin, Diane, Arnie, Steve, mom (Nita), Rylee, Marc and Cody. Sara is taking the pic, but she helped deco some really pretty and tasty treats too.
Here are some of the artists hard at work.

Taa-daa! The final projects. We were all winners cuz they were entirely too edible and we are still enjoying them.

Turkey Day 08

The new family mug shot -- left to right: Sara, Marc, mom (Nita), Diane, Cody, Arnie, Bryson, Rylee, Kevin and Steve. Yeah -- we're all togethere this year.
Great picture of Marc and Kevin.

Ever think you need an extra set of hands? Marc got lucky and found one.

The inevitable kiddy tables

Yummmmm, yummmmm. Sara's a great cook and everything was wonderful.