Another stay at Skamania Lodge

This year the roads were open!

Got to see the 'vista house' lookout....used the new camera.

Taking the scenic highway to see all the different falls.

Mom and Dad all bundled up.

Multnomah falls...never gets old.

Tried a new hike this year.

I'm amazed how a tree can grow out of a rock.

Great dinner... not impressed with the camera.....the search continues.

Free S'mores!  No rain!  Once again, so cold the chocolate didn't melt.

Dad and I took advantage of the free bike rental to get breakfast in town.

Had another great visit at this lodge.  Heated pool, Jacuzzis, free champagne, free heated drinks in the lobby with games, Christmas tree, huge fire, gift shop with clearance, fireplace in the room and a river view.  It met the needs of all of us and more!  Highly recommend this place; even if you have to pay tax because your in Wash.  And now that I'm back home my fingers can start defrosting.

Christmas...a little early

Stockings were a big hit.

The Christmas story...a tradition that melts my heart every year.

The true meaning of Christmas....how Christ came down to save us.

The biggest surprise of the morning.....smart phone for my sister!

And a standing ovation for the gift my sister bought her husband.

Mi sobrina got a skateboard as well...next year I'll need to bring my skateboard.

A little multi-sensory toy to go with the book.

This is suppose to say mi sobrino's name...and his name is not HIV.  He just ran out of room.

Left over mess.

Trying out all the gifts....before the cat ate all the string off the toys.

Mi sobrino is ready for the snow, sun, nap?

Our traditional Christmas meal! 

Twice baked potatoes
Barbecued ribs
Green bean casserole
Cranberry jello salad
Olives
and Rolls

Trying out the new camera...at least it got my good side.  LOL

A little bit of tea, nails, sewing, and friends

Mother and daughter.

Niece and Tía

Granddaughter and Grandmother.

Perfection every year!

Teaching mi sobrina how to sew by hand...I prefer the machine.

Christmas sing along at church.  Mi sobrina played a piano solo.

Silent Night with the candles.

Tradition of doing my nieces' nails....crushed velvet.

A little competition with the video games.

Opening up Cowboy gifts....I accidentally didn't bring mine...next year.

Beauty and the Beast

Dinner before the show.  Loved drawing on the table clothes.

A little Temple Run while shopping.

Barely made it in time for the curtain call.

Mi sobrino on the edge of his seat!

Family pic.

Kids goofing off during intermission.

It was the best Belle I had seen/heard!  And Gaston was pretty good.  Kept thinking back to one of our guest speakers at school.  He used this story to talk about bullying.  Gaston says to get your guns, knives and swords to kill the beast, because he is scared of what he doesn't understand.  Our speaker believes, kids (mainly) don't use guns, knives and swords but their 'words' to attack other students they don't understand....in other word; bully.

Fitting because one of the dancers in the play was missing a hand....I wonder if she was ever bullied for being different?  

In the middle of the play, Belle escapes and the Beast chases after her only to be confronted by a pack of wolves.  The Beast fights them off and collapses on the ground with exhaustion; with silence.  Perfect timing for my nephew to yell out....'He's dead.'  A few chuckles later, the Beast and Belle head for his creepy castle.

Getting ready for the Holidays

Last time together until the new year!

Ugly Sweater.

Skating on plastic for free.

Internet stated that it was going to be a new synthetic ice.....

Lovely couple who drove us to the park.

74 degrees in Dallas.....love good weather and half days!

Trees with crocheted decorations!  Love this idea.

Off to the art museum to find it was closed.  Sad.

Using paint cards for verb conjugation-stem changing verbs

Each student gets all the colors, Spanish verbs, Engish translation, and a ring to put them all together.

Infinitive forms:  Purple
Yo forms:  Red
Tú forms: Blue
Él, Ella, Ud. forms:  Orange
Nosotros forms:  Green
Ellos, Ellas, Uds. forms:  Yellow

Spanish in the front and English translation on the back.

Thanksgiving- Family experiences

Primos están jugando.  El perro está celoso.

La cena para la familia.  Todos las noches en la casa de tía.

Mi sobrina getting her ears pierced!

Uno, Dos....they didn't wait for Tres.

La casita desde mi tía abuela.

La  mariquita triste.

Estamos dando los patos el pan.

Thought this was a beaver.....turns out it was a nutria!

Second cousins playing together...first cousins drinking in the joy.

El tiburon.....YIKES!

Going to Brass Pro Shop to meet Santa.

Went to swim but the gym wouldn't let us in...went to Starbucks instead.

Little WI time.

Mi hermanita hermosa (llevando mis ropas) con su esposo.

Thanksgiving Golfing Match!

The Ladies trying to keep warm at 8 AM and frost on the ground.

Eventually, it warmed up.

Finishing the match in time to eat a wonderful meal!

Went to see 'Frozen'.

Me encantaba tener familia para el desayuno en mi casa.

A little Rock Band to show off our skills.

'Married couple duet' before we left for the airport.

Dad and I went to a dinner theatre.

 Didn't have time to miss my family after they left....a day after dad left I lost my voice.  Then we had a four day weekend due to 2 inches of ice on the roads, freezing temps, and freezing fog!  Thought I could get better....but no....eventually went to the doctor.  Turns out, I had a sinus infection, ear infection, laryngitis, and bronchitis.  Time to pull out the big guns; a shot, z-pack and cough syrup with codeine....finally a good night sleep!