Christmas 2008

Merry Christmas Everyone, from Lilah-the-grinch

(well, can't say I don't blame her....)


As I type, the last of the Christmas decorations have been packed away, all the holiday sweets are gone, and Nick has just finished taking down the lights. I am sorry the holiday season has come and gone, and I'm already looking forward to next year's Christmas (especially with Lilah)!

Our Christmas got off to an early start thanks to an impending snow storm. We originally planned on spending Christmas Eve with my parents in Beaverton, then spend Christmas Day in Parkdale with Nick parents and my parents. With another snow storm predicted, however, Nick correctly determined it would be best to get out of town before it hit. So, with very little warning, we quickly celebrated "Christmas Eve" Tuesday night with my parents and sister Michelle and her husband Bryan.




Daddy helps Lilah open the first Christmas present


Yep, this IS the best shot I got with a squirmy-wormy toddler!


Mom & Dad got each other the same gift : Electric Razers. What every married couples needs....

Mommy helps too!

Ever wonder what your dog is thinking?

Lilah makes friends with Auntie Michelle's cat (Simon was very scared of this cat)

Then we drove through a blustery/icy gorge late Tuesday night, and watched it snow in Parkdale all day on Christmas Eve day. Nick's parents had about 4 feet of snow -- plenty of snow to chill our wine:

During the snow storm, we ventured up to Auntie Karen's open house and got together with family for a couple hours on Christmas Eve day:

Lilah and Katlyn play together!

Somebody help us! Both our Mommies are gone!!

Lilah liked to hug Katlyn. Shortly after this picture was taken, we had to pry Lilah off crying Katlyn, who was a little scared of Lilah-style hugs.

On Christmas day, Daddy got to open the first Christmas package:

Lilah opens her stocking:

The Tyrrell Jrs on Christmas morning, '08

Then we opened presents:

Lilah no longer needed Mommy or Daddy's help opening gifts

And shortly after this picture was taken, we lost power for a couple of hours thanks to the snow! We stayed warm with the wood stove, with Nanny Tanny even preparing to make Christmas dinner on the stove. Luckily the electricity came back on before she started cooking!

Lilah now helps Simon open his presents:

Uh, that's a lot of snow......

After opening presents, we went outside to shovel & play in the snow. Nanny Tanny made a sledding run:

while Lilah tries to feed Simon snow

The day after Christmas, we braved the snowy roads and headed for the Roundhouse for extended Christmas time with the fam. We were the first to get to the Ohouse, and this is what we found -- 3 feet of snow -- more than ever at the Ohouse:

Nick and I couldn't get the truck into the driveway, so Nick prepared to start shoveling (which is a lot of shoveling). Since Lilah needed a diaper and lunch, I waded through the snow with her on my hip. :)

As Nick began to shovel, a man stopped along the road and said he'd clear for $25. The man probably smelled opportunity on us city-folk, but Nick immediately said deal. (Honestly we both would have paid twice that amount to get it cleared) So the man came back with his bobcat:

This guy got a lot of good business that day -- while he was clearing our driveway several other people were stopping along the road and asking him to do their driveway as well!

Lilah enjoyed watching all the commotion from the window while she ate her lunch:

The rest of the family arrived shortly thereafter, and games immediately broke out!

Ah-hah! I finally got a picture of them both looking at the camera!

Two of the five dogs (yikes!!) get pooped out with all the activity:

Yes-sirree, Lilah's a chip right off the old block....

Ahhhh.... It was a great Christmas, followed by a nice New Year with friends. I am working on posting some Christmas videos soon! I cannot believe it is JANUARY now...

Wishing you all a happy and healthy 2009!