He's got the 'stache.

Gabe bought himself a mustache at the quarter vending machine at the start of our busy Tuesday shopping, ballet, and library day. He enjoyed the chuckles and comments, and concluded at the end of the day that the general public thought he was pretty cool.

Ballerina

Lydia had the opportunity to dance to Tchaikovsky's music in the Nutcracker this year as a porcelain doll with her Ballet 2 class.

Gingerbread House

Grandma and Grandpa came to visit and help out for a few days. Gabe and Lydia fulfilled their gingerbread candy house fantasy with the Costco kit and Grandma. They refrained from the general temptation to eat the candies until Mom was absent, attending her "Nutritional Therapy" class the next day, and found a noticeably undressed house upon her return. The house went on the highest shelf for the rest of its exhibition. You can see Gabe was tempted with the idea of demolition and ingestion right away.

Entrepreneur

While Mom was busy with other things, Gabe developed his idea of a little tree business. This idea grew from his earlier venture to bring in a Christmas tree. As he had started to cut down the little seedling, he came up with the idea of digging it up and repotting it. I was pleased when he brought the live tree idea onto the front porch. I got out a planter for him to replace the initial pot. He then proceeded to decorate and redecorate that little tree in lights and chains, and ornaments of different sorts about five times. Then today he brought another tree for the porch. My enthusiasm waned for digging up baby trees, and I thought I communicated that sentiment to Gabe, but evidently not. As I was taking apart, cleaning, and reassembling a gas fireplace, Gabe had potted four more trees and was making his for sale sign which he posted at the bottom of the drive.

Chimes and Lights

Small Town Tradition that we have enjoyed three years in a row.

We joined the community crowd on the chilly night for the chimes, band, sing-a-long and lighting of the Christmas tree at city hall and lights everywhere including the festive boats in the marina as pictured with bonfire in the foreground. The crowd followed jolly Santa through town as he waved and smiled from the top of a vintage yellow fire engine, before he and Mrs. Claus disembarked to the waiting sleigh and the children lining up.

Three Year Home

This next year holds lots of unknowns, but we know we must say goodbye to this house. I have been involved in every painstaking detail of this house, and it proved a wonderful home, in warmth, light, attractiveness, and ability to embrace family, even the four footed kind, big family, and more families graciously. I don't expect to have a house quite like this again. I'm just glad that "home is where the heart is" and that hearts are mobile.
So this house is in need of a New Homeowner! Anyone desiring a home with an extravagant view on the Kitsap Peninsula, please refer them to us!

Thanks Giving!

This Thanksgiving we celebrated plenty with thankful hearts. May I remember to give thanks in every thing.