It's a Record

Well Spokane, WA set a record for snow fall. It had snowed 63 inches so far this season. 61.5 inches in December alone. That's right over 5 feet this month. That doesn't count the 2 inches we got last night. We are scheduled to get another 12 incher tomorrow. That's in the valley. The mountains get more. What a winter wonderland. As you might expect we got a White Christmas. We may even have a white Memorial Day if it keeps this up.

Gayla's Big Five Seven (57)

Yep, that's right Gayla is now 57 years old due to the fact today is her birthday!!!!

Just a few reminders what it was like in 1951:

A New House cost -- $9,000

Average Income -- $3,515 per year

Average Rent -- $78 a month

New Car Cost -- $1,520

Tuition to Harvard University -- $600

Movie Ticket -- $.65

Gallon of Gasoline -- $.19

United States Postage Stamp -- $.03

Dozen Eggs -- $.24

Bread -- $.16 a loaf

Well you get the idea!!! What a Wonderful Life!

Have a Great Birthday Gayla!!!!

Love, Allen

A Break from the Snow -- Not!!!!!

Yesterday we awoke to a blast of warm air that caused the snow to start melting and it rained for a little while -- then the temperatures dropped and the rain/snow that melted turned to a sheet of ice. It made coming home form church an adventure -- again. But not to worry we got up this morning to another winter storm -- should get 4-7 inches of snow today with blowing and drifting snow this afternoon. I knew it wouldn't last. To add to the fun the electricity went out last Saturday night around 10 pm and stayed off till 12:48 am. The reason I know when it came on is all the lights in the house that had been on when the lights went out were suddenly on and we awoke with a start when they came on!!!

Pictures from Siberia

Suzanne's Ginger Bread House

Let it Snow!!!!! Sunday's Adventure (21 Dec 08)

We had an adventure on Sunday coming home from church. We got to Saddle Mountain and it was snowing and blowing (35-50 mph winds). It was white out conditions --blizzard. We forged our way toward home with Suzanne in her car behind us (she had visited the singles ward) and she wanted to follow us home. When we got about 100 yards from our home I high centered on a snow drift about 3 feet high. We all got out of the cars (which was no small feat as the snow was up to the windows)and hiked to the house (Suzanne and Gayla in dresses and I in my suit). We called our neighbor who has a plow at 5 pm. He was in town, and said he would come help dig our cars out when he got home. He came up at 7 pm and he got his plow stuck in our driveway (the snow was over his plow). We dug him out and then he pushed the snow up to the front of my car. Then he went and got his high loader. We dug Suzanne and my cars out while we waited. We had to get in the cars every once in a while to get warm as the snow was blowing and drifting up against the car as we dug them out. He came back with his high loader and scooped the snow out from in front of my car and then dug us a single lane path to our house. We followd in the cars. Then he had to plow a path to the top of the hill so I could drive the pick up truck to the top of the hill and turn around and make it back to the house, as I had gotten it stuck the day before trying to get up our south driveway. At 10:30 pm we finished getting all the cars/truck dug out, and we settled down nestled in our beds till morning where we went out and everything had blown over again in drifts -- so we had to dig out again!!!! We should still have snow on the ground here till the 4th of July. We are expecting another storm today that should bring another 12-20 inches of snow. Thankfully, DeAnn and Roger, have offered to let us borrow their snow blower so maybe we can move some of the drifts back so the plow can get through.

White Christmas in Washington and White 4th of July?

Good News

We have quite a bit of good news. Laura called and said she and Russell will be sealed in the Mt. Timpanogas Temple on 24 January 2009. We will be driving down that weekend and hope to bless Cindy's new baby that weekend as well.

We also heard from the bank that holds our construction loan and they are going to give us a 2 year loan with a ballon after 2 years -- so I can get a salaried job, and maybe sell our home in VA. Wahoo! Some breathing room so we can maybe weather this stagnant economy and recover from the housing crisis.

Calm Before the Next Storm

The Big Snow -- 32 Inches

Allen's Big "Six 0" Birthday

Family Photos -- Thanksgiving 2008

Suzannes Birthday Party

Happy Birthday Suzanne -- 19th (Belated)

Suzanne turned 19 on the 14th of November -- sweet 19 an never been kissed!!!! We had her wait till she came home from school (BYU-Idaho), so we could celebrate with her.

First Snow in Deer Park, WA

We got our first snow today, 28 November 2008. I am glad to see some snow finally -- Gayla not so much.

Thanksgiving -- Thoughtful Pose

I got this picture of Roger Stapley after I posted my blog. So here it is Roger -- your own thoughtful pose!!!

Thanksgiving 2008

We had the kids up here for Thanksgiving. It was a chance to get wild and crazy!!! DeAnn and Roger joined us for dinner.

Fog Over Long Lake

Up Above the Clouds

When Reed and Heather got here we went up on the mountain and were up above the clouds (fog). What a sight!!!

Suzanne Arrived

Suzanne arrived from college yesterday, but not without incident. She slid on the road and hit a guardrail on the trip over. She dented the left front of the car and took a nick out of the wheel. She was fine but the car needs a little work.

She forgot her directions so I had to talk her all the way here on the phone once she got to Spokane. She hadn't been here since we bought the property in 2005. It is home now, but not familiar.

She couldn't wait for Gayla to get home from work to see her mommy!

Now we need to get her a WA state drivers license and tags for her car while she is here.

Fall/Winter is a Coming

We love the Pacific Nortrwest with its cooler weather and abundant sunshine. Where we live a lot of times we are above the clouds below. It's like you are in heaven. Gayla has a lot of projects planned. For some reason she likes to pick rocks. She (me to a lesser extent) has been picking rocks on our property.

The forcast is for some snow/rain in the next week. I love snow so it should be a wonderful winter. Gayla made me put some studded snow tires on her truck so she should be set!!! Bring on the snow.

The Family is Coming for Thanksgiving

Our house will be busting at the seams in a few days as all our children, except Cindy, will be coming for Thanksgiving.

Suzanne arrives from BYU-Idaho on Friday the 21st of November. Reed will be the next to arrive on Monday afternoon. Stephanie will leave Monday, but stop in Montana for the night. They will arrive mid-day Tuesday. Laura leaves Tuesday and stays the night in Idaho with Russell's family. They will arrive Wednesday afternoon. So each family/child will arrive on a different day. That way it will spread out the fun. Gayla will be able to take some time off from work as will I. So it should be a lot of fun.

Beautiful Pacific Northwest

Just a few pictures to highlight the beautiful Pacific Northwest.