Joe's Big Day!

Joe turned 32 yesterday. . .he doesn't mind me sharing this, mostly becomes I'm older than him and he knows once I tire of people knowing my real age I will stop sharing his.
He jumped out of bed bright and early for fishing with two of his favorite people. . .Ed and Dave. The kids thought it might bother him that it was pouring rain all day, but it never does. There is something about the fisherman inside Joe that I've always loved the most. . .the patience required. . .the calm spirit. . .and the fact that no outstanding circumstances can ruffle him. Clearly the yin to my yang :)
We spent the evening with our best friends eating a platter full of king crab legs and drinking some of the finest wine we've ever had. The kids piled on top of him with their little presents and handmade cards. This boy is generous and blessed, and I'm doubly blessed by sitting next to him all of the time - lucky me!
Happy (belated :) Birthday Joe! I love you!

Land!

Joe and I have always planned to save our pennies and someday build our dream home on our dream piece of land, something close to town, but with room to run. It recently came to our attention that a piece on Mix Rd. had been put up for sale. Over the years we'd looked at lots here and there, but off all the places we've seen, we always liked the property out on Mix Rd. I imagined us at some point going door to door to find out who would sell us a little piece out there. And now, here it was. . .a little 'for sale sign' sticking out! So we made an offer, they countered, and we agreed! In just about 90 days, barring any unforeseen disasters, this little piece will be ours!

I've spent a good share of my adult life poring over house plans, looking for just the right one - and about a year ago I found it! A plan that required no adjustments, and it was perfect! We received the blue prints in the mail this week. . .I can't wait!
I've heard that building your own house can be quite an 'adventure', and although the task is daunting. . .we are both really excited about it!

A Coeur d'Alene Christmas

It's funny. We have so many Christmas traditions on both sides of the family that I really don't have to plan my calendar, it is already planned out years in advance. I can tell you exactly what I will be doing say. . .six years from today! It is absolutely jam-packed full of family, fun, friends, birthdays, food, lights, movies, and games. We pretty much party and sleep around here in December. . .does it get any better than this?

Well, this weekend was our Christmas party in CDA. My grandparents have produced a family that includes around 85 individuals (going on 87, I believe), so of course we've outgrown any house, and we've moved our celebration to the Grange Hall on Mica Flats, just minutes from my grandpa's mountain. Breakfast kicks off the festivities, and then there is kids projects (Thanks to Terra for the paintable ornaments!), naps, card games, then we round up for a good game of Greedy, and finish it with a lasagna dinner! I love my cousins and I have so many memories of so many Christmases together, and we are fortunate to get to hang together at least once a year!

I didn't take the time to get a whole lot of pictures, but here's just a taste of our big day:

The patriarch of the clan, participating in the Greedy game.

Nutcracker Trip!

Since. . .well. . .the beginning of time, my mom has taken me and my sister to the Nutcracker for Christmas. This year the tradition continues, this being Kayte's 6th time, and Sara's 1st! Kayte has been begging me for an overnight trip, so this year we did it! First we got a little Christmas shopping in at Riverpark Square, home of the gigantic Christmas tree, and then we met up with some cousins for dinner at the Olive Garden.

Kayte was anxious to get back to the hotel to get pretty, but I said they had to finish their spaghetti first. So she hurried over to Sara and started feeding her as fast as the little girl could eat! When her plate was clean, Kayte ran back over to me, "Sara's done, can we go to the Nutcracker now?"

Mom wrapped up some Nutcrackers for the girls, which was a really fun surprise! They did the little girl/nutcracker dance together ;)

Sara is such a ham!

Love Ava's 'ruby red slippers'!

Me and my beautiful girls! I missed half of the ballet cause I was just staring at them, watching them watch the show. Sara sat still as a statue through the whole first half - she was completely entranced!

Little cousin Taylor came by for the photo shoot :)

Festive? I think so!

The girls never stopped dancing - especially Sara, once she got a glimpse of it!

Kayte, checking out the orchestra - it is truly a beautiful score!

Mom buys champagne and cookies for the intermission (we eat well when we celebrate!)

The highlight for Sara was definitely the hotel, which she kept calling "the whole world", it was that big!

More hotel jumping on the bed! I don't know if that is a Driskill tradition, but it is definitely a 'must' for the Casebolts!

Somehow I forgot Sara's clothes! I was interrupted mid-packing and never got back to it properly! Fortunately I remembered her pretty Christmas dress!

Mom. . .thanks for the fantastic tradition! I love still sharing it with you, and now all my girls!

Christmas Program

On Thursday night we went to the kids' Christmas Program at school. . .It was quite the big party and I have to say the music was prettier than ever, especially the last song "Merry Christmas Bells". I missed the usual "Away in the Manger" sort of sweet kindergarten song, but I do get a lot of that at home. . .

This has to be one of my favorite pics of all time:

I mean cute!
Here are lots of pics of the kids and their friends, and some I got from the actual concert:

I love seeing all the pretty Christmas dresses!

Sweet!

Have a very Merry Christmas!

Happy Feet!

I'm in love with him!

I couldn't find Ben. . .I mean, I'd left him here with the basket, but several minutes had passed and no sounds (which is always a cause for concern!). Found him here quietly sucking his thumb and enjoying a little time to himself.
He is growing fast and his vocabulary is expanding a bit. In the morning I go in, give him his bottle, and ask him how he is doing.
"Good!" he says with a great big grin! Such a cheery morning boy!

Growing Boy!

Will said he was "starving" and he wanted to make his own lunch. . .this is what he came up with:

Turns out his eyes were bigger than his stomach, but I appreciated his effort!

Kayte's Winter Concert

This Monday Kayte performed in her orchestra class's Winter Concert. They played Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and May Song. . .Kayte did a great job, it was so fun to see her play with other kids her age! It was an impressive group of kids!

Little pro!

Will:

"Ooo." Will shivers, "I'm cold. . . .I must be getting excited. . ."

"'Bout what?" says I, "Christmas?"

"YES!" says he, "I think we should stop talking about it. . ." (we weren't, actually) "Oh. . .there goes my leg again. . .jumpin' around!"

It must be so fun to be Will.

Lewiston Lights

Every year we make it down to Lewiston to check out their huge light display and have dinner at Red Lobster with the whole Casebolt clan. . .it is such a great opportunity to get the family together, and now we have cousins to enjoy it with!
(Thanks Dave and Ann for the wonderful night out!)

I have to say, I think this was their best work yet! If you have not yet seen it, this is the year to go!

Kayte and Sara danced with the penquins.

Merry Christmas!