New Years Day

"How does Bella do that?"

We played fetch with the cockapoos for at least a half an hour (from the hot tub). We tried very hard to get it to land on the frozen pond to see if they would venture out onto it. Bella was brave Sophey was amazed at Bella's ability to walk on water and was not so brave.

We found 2 things. It is impossible to get a ball to bounce from the snow onto the pond. It is impossible to keep a ball from bouncing off of a frozen pond onto the snow. 

Heidi always the good sport, is compelled to find the dogs ball that is lost in the snow.

"I got it! Again...."

Waiting for Christmas....

The snow has been very nice this week.

We have a very sweet Woodstock Nest in one of our trees. It's precious.

You may notice in the previous post, we still have gifts under our tree! We have yet to celebrate Christmas.

We are all anxiously awaiting it. Heidi, Joe and Kristen (she is at her families right now) came in this weekend. Wil gets in tonight and then Michael tomorrow night. Then we will have Christmas finally on Thursday. We are excited to have all our family together and have been enjoying the White Christmas Season. We have had lots of snow and lots of cold! It was 8 last night.

It is pretty here, we like the weather like this when it's so pretty! (o:

Happy New Year

xoxo

Leila and Bill

Happy New Year!

Happy 2008 to everyone!

We hope your New Year is happy and good!

Bill and I had a very fun time last night having dinner with another couple then we went and practiced our very rusty ballroom dance skills. It was fun to go out for a change for the New Year (a first for us) and to get dressed up. We had a fun date together.

Love Bill & Leila

White Christmas?

I think our snowman is happy about the snow, he looks peaceful

It is a snowy morning here. I think it is very pretty.

I am a little sad. I am still sick. Too sick to have our BrandNavigation Christmas party tonight. We had to cancel. I can not cook for 15 with the flu. I was looking forward to a festive evening. Maybe it's for the best so the staff doesn't have to drive at night in this weather.....

I am so sad I will never get to wear my adorable dress I bought for this Christmas Season. Oh well. I put on the Christmas Music on the iPod and will try and rest and get well. 

lgc

cuzins

The cousins came for the weekend.

We convinced Juri and Kinley to cook for this Italian family.

I am not sure if Grandpa is trying to tell Juri how to cook or how to vote (*/*) You know Grandpa


Juri let me help him cook, well slice really, it was still an honor to share my kitchen with him. I didn't do so well, his knife was almost as big as I am.


Kinley is an excellent assistant to Juri, she has an elegant way of describing the dishes they prepare. She also makes a delectable tiramisu!

The menu was Grand!

The food was not only mouthwatering to look at it was a delicious dinner. Yummy!

Juri is not yelling at me about my slicing... He is excited about the 25 year old balsamic. It was amazing. I want it for Christmas.

Kirsten is beautiful and glowing as always, I like her.

Our Nephew Anthony is not only a handsome young man, he is really a joy to have around. He is pretty cool, he reminds me of a young man I know close to his age that I miss a lot.


Grandma chats with Kirsten, relieved for once she doesn't have to clean up after an Italian Chef.


These two cousins are so pretty. I think at times they could pass for twins.. Not identical just twins. They enjoyed Juri quite a bit. He reminded them of an Italian Joe (ours).

Politics were discussed.... A lot....

The downs times were spent as they always are in this family. In front of computers, cell phones etc...


We loved having some other Chiaravalle's here. Our time was short but sweet and treasured. I am so thankful for the love of family and the simple magic that relationships bring. Having Juri and Kinley cook was a very special event and I will store it in my heart for a long time. Thanks to all.

God Bless & Good Night. Sorry about so many pics and so few words. I have been sick and am  tired. I love you Kiki but I don't love your flu.
-lgc

Weekend

Let's see if I can actually do a post in 35 minutes... That's how much battery I have left.

We drove over the pass this weekend to pick Laura up from school for her first semester break and to watch the Sisters Outlaws play football at the stadium at Oregon State (Laura's School).

It was a snowy/icy drive but pretty.I just get so nervous driving on ice. Poor Bill...


Once we were over the mountain, I calmed down and enjoyed the beautiful scenery of Oregon. We really do live in such a pretty state.


Sadly the Outlaws lost the State champ. They were ahead at one point but the opposing team just out played them. It was a good game and I really enjoyed watching it in the huge Reeser Stadium. It was fun! Laura is now safely home for a month fighting boredom with helping me on a few projects... Including her laundry, woo hoo!


I spent the rest of the weekend trying to get the home decorated for the Christmas Season. We have three dinner party type events in the next two weeks so I wanted to get the home feeling festive! I went with a white/gold/ silver theme. It my look a little plain in pictures but I think it is pretty and elegant. I now feel like I am ready to entertain house and party guests!





It getting cold here... It's been in the teens at night, brrrrrrrr. How many months of this do we have left? Oh my..... At least we have family coming soon, then times with friends, then family again. I am thankful for these heartwarming events that will make our home cozy and warm.

Have a good week o.k. Mine is BUSY! CRAZY BUSY! (o: and I am not even talking Christmas shopping. I have yet to purchase a single thing there.... hmmmmmmm Good thing we are celebrating in January!


Smile.
Why so serious?

Nice Visit

Yay I get post about my quick trip to go see Michael. I was waiting for some pics from him, I got them today.



My camera charger is lost so he took a few shots with his iPhone for me. I miss having my camera very much. The sad part is first my camera was lost and I had the charger now I found my camera and have searched everywhere for the charger... it seems to be gone for good )o:

Anyway, I had a nice trip down to LA to visit my youngest son. The flight down there is so easy I can actually be at his house by 10:00 a.m! So I woke him up and we were off to Disney. Let me tell you, the time to do Disney is the week after Thanksgiving. There are NO crowds, none, no lines, well.... a half hour for Nemo but considering the 3 hour wait times in the summer...

It was fun I like Disneyland, a lot, and I enjoy Michael so much. It makes me miss him even more. He is such a fine guy. I am amazed at what a great young man he is, he is just outstanding. He makes a mom feel so proud.

It was very Christmasy at the Park and I enjoyed the festivity of the decorations very much!



Bill came and met us for dinner after his meeting with the billionaires..... It didn't go so well.... Billionaires are not the easiest to make happy! Then we all went back to the Park to enjoy the evening.




Exhausted from a very early a.m. and a busy day I enjoyed sleeping in the next a.m. (since Mikey had a class) while Bill headed back to OR to work. Then after Michael's class I met him at the mall and we did a little shopping for him. I was wishing I had several more hours to shop and to be with my son but I had a flight to catch... So hugs and love goodbye back to LAX

As I stood waiting for the Car Rental bus I tried to soak in the warm sunshine and 75+ degree temp knowing I would end up in the 20's with snow on the ground. Blah! So home now. It's home and I love it but the weather is not my friend!

Thank you Michael for sharing a day with your mom. You are a gem and I love you!