Owls

On MLK Day we were working at the property and I went out the solarium door. A large bird flew down from the sunrise porch and up over the pool building. It looked like an owl to me. I went out front and then came back the same way. Again a bird flew from the sunrise porch and up over the pool building. I told Keith I thought we had owls. I waited upstairs for quite a while and didn't see anything.Tuesday after school, I tiptoed and went quietly out the solarium door and stared at an owl sitting in the rafters. I went to Wildflower, and when Keith came home we got ready to go bird watching. We didn't have much success.Wednesday after school we finally were able to see the owl. Only to discover that there are two owls. Here is the first one that flew away.

This is the one that was left.

Keith tried to take video. It is where I snatched the photos from. My little camera did not do justice. So far we have had kill-deer nesting, hummingbirds nesting, wood peckers, and now owls. It is kind of cool.

Lots Going On....

Hmm, that seems to be an understatement. Christmas went by in a world wind,

spent with Great Oma at her care center on the 24th,

and at David and Jana's Christmas Day.and New's Year Eve was different.

Cirrus spent the night to help me out

and to sew something for her Barbie.

Allarts tend to sleep with their feet sticking out.

I guess Cirrus has those genes.Mom came home on New Year's Eve. She was happy to be home,

and we were concerned for her well being.

We decided as a family to have our celebration at 4:00 pm.

The time it is New Years in the Netherlands.

We had prayer, well wishing, food, and games.

Everyone was ready to leave between seven and eight.

It was nice to come home and relax.

Busy December

On December 20th we assembled for the

annual women's breakfast.

Mom was able to join us. Keith drove me and then went to sit by himself.

Emma decided Opa shouldn't be by himself

and handed Xanthisa to him.

The staff at IHOPS were fascinated with the baby.

I finished Elliot's stocking and we mailed a

Christmas Package to Arizona and one to Indiana.

Monday morning Ari, Cirrus, and Crimsel helped to make gingerbread cookies.

Here they are selecting cookie cutters.

The girls were very pleased with the pink and purple aprons.

Everyone loved rolling out the dough.Ta-da! Finished cookies.

There were thin ones and thick ones,

but plenty to go around for Christmas Eve. Laura took Ari and Bree home before the impending snowstorm.

Crimsel and Cirrus spent the day. When Opa came home we went to visit Great Oma.

I can't remember if Cirrus or Crimsel took this picture of Great Oma.

Crimsel took this picture of his sister.

I think he did a fantastic job.

Her eyes look incredible.

After eating dinner with Great Oma we went to her room where the kids had a lot of fun.

Getting a hug from Great Oma before leaving.

Happy Birthday Dirk!

Happy Birthday to my middle child, my youngest boy. I was excited to be able to call this boy Dirk, my father's name. He was an early Christmas present, and came home on Christmas day. He was brought to me in a red stocking to take home. Dirk was born at 8:29 AM, PST, at Tacoma General Hospital. Dirk has always been a happy person, and willing to help others. He's a natural leader, genuinely interested in others, obedient, and has a strong testimony of the Gospel.

Dirk loves life. He loves people, and has a big heart. I love to see him with his wife and two little girls. He truly loves them and has a lot of patience with the little ones.

Dirk has a winning smile, and has worked hard to finish his BS at the U of U with honors. From the beginning Dirk liked to pose for the camera. I think he has a natural talent.

Happy Birthday Dirk! Dad and I love you!!!

Where Does the Time Go?

So do you write from the past to the present

or the present to the past?

I guess I'll go backwards. Saturday was Bekha's first birthday. One of the first things we did Saturday was this...

especially for Sarah!

On Thursday we had a special Holiday Dinner

with Great Oma at Highland Care Center.

She has a private room and has a special

place to hang her Christmas cards.

On Sunday the olds decided to have another tragedy. We (Keith) spent the afternoon making a repair to get us by. Repairs have been more and more frequent and we decided that this was last one .

Monday found us looking for another vehicle.

Sunday was Xanthisa's Baby Blessing.

Emma made her little outfit.

I think she looks darling.

Friday the 5th, was Sinter Klaas.

Cirrus received a bag of salt for being naughty!

She was not happy.

Sinter Klaas finally gave Cirrus her chocolate letter.

It's a time for family, traditions, and fun.

Great Oma with Bree and Xanthisa

Attention!

Dear Family Members,
If you want to visit Great-Oma at her new temporary place, there is a calendar on this blog where you can sign up for a date and time. Please email or call Johanna or Keith to get the user name and password to access the calendar. If you sign up for an appointment you can put in a time. That way we won't be having too many visitors at one time.
Thanks,
Johanna

P.S. If you are interested in helping Aunt MaryJane do the 12 days of Christmas for Great Oma, please contact her.

Thanksgiving Weekend

The week of Thanksgiving was busy at best. Monday and Tuesday were parent teacher conferences. Mom was still at the hospital, and coming home on Tuesday. Really, going to Mary Jane's. That meant that MJ needed to get her home ready. There was running back and forth to get things ready for Mom. Next came a day off, yeah. I watched Hunter while MaryJane took Mom to the Dr.'s.

Thursday was Thanksgiving at MJ's: changed because of Mom's limited mobility and comfort. Dinner was really late, like 5 hours. MaryJane had her part ready, the rest of it wasn't.

Friday, the Dutch Ladies Christmas Party was at Mom's. There were about 40 people there. Since she was at MJ's I opened the building and set most of it up. Mom was able to come to the party, but left early. David was gracious enough to provide the transportation. The people in charge of the party helped to clean up. Jana stayed to do the final cleaning and locking up. The most interesting event was that my former bishop from Puyallup was there. This time the ladies were able to invite their spouses. Bishop Abney's wife died a few years ago and he married a Dutch lady. So there you have it. He was my bishop in 1982-83.

Saturday, we had the Tweed Widdison get together. Laura brought yummy broccoli cheese soup, Linda brought delicious rolls and juice, and Keith and I provided pot pie.

Everyone was really waiting for the pie event. That is what the Widdison Tweed get together is all about. We had the following pies: rhubarb, gooseberry, cherry, pumpkin, peach, blueberry, jumble berry, chocolate, and lemon. I think only two pies were duplicated. They were delicious. And for those who have left overs - they still are.

I didn't take very many pictures because I was playing with kids, and holding babies. I think that was more important. John John and Crimsel played really well together. It is great for Crimnsel to have a boy to play with. Kelsie, Cirrus, and Ari had a fine time running around and playing. Babies: Bekha, Bree, and Xanthisa were entertained by several.

We played Gassy Gus and Gooey Louie. Disgusting but fun games. Juliann, and Jessica had a lot of fun with those games. I must say that Bonnie was a good sport.

We had a great turn out. And had fun. Thanks to everyone who helped out. Susan, Shawn, Linda, John John, Kelsie, Bekha, Cecelia, Ruben, Bonnie, Juliann, Jessica, Keith, Johanna, Dirk, Laura, Ari, Bree, Jon, Emma, Cirrus, Crimsel and Xanthisa were all there.

Today is our 15th Temple Sealing Anniversary. Keith taught 5th Sunday lesson. He did a great job. Happy Anniversary to us!

Well, there is our busy Thanksgiving weekend.