Welcome to 2009

The winter storm at the beach turned into winter STORMS here and in the Portland area. We did make it over the hill to the valley mid-December. Then we had to stay there because the roads to the coast were closed because of snow and downed trees. The snow finally melted when the rains arrived and then flooding started. We did get back to the beach with all the Kaufman girls in tow ( including Allison) on December 26th and had a fun 3 days before they headed home. We even tried out a new tea room in town just for girl time. The rains are now heading east and the rivers are slowly lowering. Welcome to 2009!

Our Christmas was decorated with snow. We haven't had a white Christmas in years! It was messy getting around but Dick put chains on his SUV and we managed. Our West Linn condo is up a hill but luckily our Homeowners Association kept that road clear. It was much better off than most streets of town. On Christmas Day, Dick had to make a few trips up the hill to Brett and Liz' house with me and the Kaufman clan to have our holiday morning together. Then Dick and Brett ferried us all down again after a great brunch, presents and some competitive Wii playing. At 5 years old, Sarina is a mean boxer and Eliana beat us all at bowling. You should see Dena go jogging on the Wii Fit program, too. It was a fun day and Allison and the girls finally got out of the house after a week of not driving anwhere. Cabin fever had set in. One day Allison walked to the grocery store just to get out of the house. Jason was assigned childcare duty for an hour or so. The girls had an extra week off because of the snow and so were home almost a month. They started back to scholl this week, Allison started a new job and Dena even started a new day care program right where her mom works.

The grandkids are growing up. Eliana has her 9th birthday tomorrow. Dena just turned 2 on December 30th and St. John will be starting real day care next month. What a big boy! We even took Dena and St. John for suprise photos before Christmas and they arrived "close" to the holidays. Never got from the airport to the store in the time frame everyone planned on. Darn weather! Brett and Liz got IOUs from St. John for Christmas.

Monday, Dick gets sworn in to his City Council seat. He is enjoying his time with people in the community and getting to know them all. He has been drinking a lot of coffee around town with outgoing council members, local retailers and just regular folks he has met. We spent a nice afternoon at the home of Susan and Gordon Walker and enjoyed touring their wonderful beach home.

The rain has stopped. Holiday rushing is over. I think I am back in my beach coma once again. It's just 2009, here we come.