Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Christmas in Baltimore, MD

Violet holding toys out of Lucia's reach (poor  little Lucia)...

Charlie and Greta opening gifts side by side (best friends forever)...

Lucia enjoying her limited time in the doll's high chair...

 The adults waiting anxiously to open their presents...  just kidding...kind of...  

Every little girl's dream: a Barbie camper van.  I may or may not have been a little jealous...

The camper van could not be assembled fast enough...


Unwrapping one present after another, after another...

Clark looking seriously impatient while Chad helps Violet with a toy...

Janet enjoying the evening's events...

Charlie playing with some Star Wars figurines...

Janet and Kim watching their children revel in the great multitude of unwrapped gifts...

Jan capturing the action...moving children are NOT easy to photograph...

Thank you Clark for our new, amazing camera lens...

Lucia wondering what the heck she just unwrapped...

After the gift unwrapping had ended, and after singing Christmas carols (so so so fun!!!) to the tune of Karl's borrowed guitar, we ventured over to the Miracle on 34th Street...

December 26th: Lucia demonstrating her massive Tobler appetite...I was told that before I arrived she ate a banana the size of her leg...

Cousins eating donuts and sharing a laptop screen to watch entertaining Disney videos...

Cousins sharing an even smaller screen to watch entertaining videos...

It was over too quick, but we were sure happy to have spent the Christmas holiday in the presence of family and friends.  Thank you Kyle and Kim for hosting yet another holiday gathering.  We miss the madness of rambunctious children already...

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Pseudo Christmas in Pasco

Though Clark couldn't travel to Pasco with me due to his work schedule that he currently has no control over (can't wait until February!), and even though I lost the majority of my wonderful photos due to a faulty SD card, I had a fantastic trip back to Pasco!  It's amazing how fast eight days flies on by.  Here's a taste of my last two days in Pasco, with the exception of the first two photos which were taken on my point and shoot's internal memory.

This photo is from they day we went up to the mountains for some sledding action.  This was taken right after my SD card died, after I had taken some ridiculously awesome photos. Not a very convenient time for my SD card to stop working!  The views on our snowmobile ride were seriously breathtaking.  I'm still sad about my lost photos, if you can't tell...

The other internal memory photo.  Katie and Teya outside the cabin, having some sledding fun.

Me and Cole being silly.

Dagmara's works of art.  Her cookies are not only unbelievably delicious, but they look like they should be placed in a gold plated frame or shadow box.


This is all her, no formal training whatsoever.

My Dad took us down to the river so we could take a walk on the sand dunes.

The boat ride was a little chilly.  Can you see my earmuffs?!  I finally found the perfect earmuffs at JC Penney for 5 dolla.  Thanks to my madre who had a 10 dollar off coupon.  I absolutely love my earmuffs. They rock my world and keep my ears toasty warm. 

Gorgeous scenery.

I just Love my Dad.  He's such a cool guy and I'm proud to be his daughter.




My parent's Christmas tree on Pseudo Christmas (Dec. 23rd, the night before I flew home).  I had really hoped they would adorn the tree with their fishing lures, like they've done in years past.  The lures look so dang cool.  Maybe next year?

Chase cheesing it for the camera.

Cole and Chase seriously concentrating on their "playing" tasks.

Teya in her SUPER TEYA Halloween outfit.  Katie dressed her up just so Scott, Dagmara and myself would know what we missed out on during Halloween.

I just want to pinch those sweet, cheesy cheeks!

Proud Aunts Rachel and Dagmara.

Scott keeping the boys--and himself--entertained

Later in the evening, Katie dressed Teya in one of her several holiday dresses.  Little girl clothing is just so darn cute!

This year we were presented with "grab bag" style gifts.  It was awesome.  Best type of gifts are the eclectic gifts that you can barter with your siblings.


Cole perched upon Tyson, watching TV.

Teya found herself a ride...

And a camera!

Me and Katie.  Not our best effort, nor our best photo.  What is up with our faces? And the UW sweatshirt strikes again!  Never shall it die!

Mom keeping Teya entertained.

I was so excited to find out that my oldest brother Cedar would be driving in on the night of the 23rd! I didn't think I would get to see him since I had an extremely early flight on the 24th and he told me he couldn't drive to Pasco until later in the day on Christmas Eve.  I was sooooooooo happy and pleased he was able to show up the 23rd!  I got to see him for a couple of hours, which is better than not at all!

My visit to Pasco flew by, but I am so thankful for the time I got to spend with my wonderful family.  I love you all very much!  Looking forward to my next visit home, which will be....several months down the road!

Monday, December 26, 2011

Holiday Spirit on the East Coast

West Philadelphia: Holiday spirit is overflowing at these two rowhouses. And I LOVE it.  I snapped these photos before Christmas while we were stopped at a stoplight.  There was some sort of confrontation arising on the porch at the left, so I thought it best not to get out of the car to take pictures.   "Hi, sorry for interrupting.  May I take some photos of your decorations?"

Totally awesome and excessive.  Wish I could have congratulated the owners of a job well done.

Baltimore: This street is referred to as the Miracle on 34th Street during Christmas time.  It is a miracle, in my eyes and in the eyes of all children and adults who equal my maturity level.  Excessive Christmas decorations= Happy Rachel.


I just love outside ornaments.  Someday, oh yes, someday. 

This photo is so busy and colorful my eyes don't know where to focus first.


This photo reminded Clark and myself of a quote from Wedding Crashers: "Crab cakes and football.  That's what Maryland does!!"




Just Lovely.