Cofee and Parents

This is just a short, brief blog.

Tonight we are impatiently waiting for my parents to arrive. They are on a train somewhere in Montana, fighting through the snowy weather and already 11 hours behind schedule. They are joining us for Christmas this year and we are all SO EXCITED we can hardly stand it!!

We are also cupping... or "professionally" taste-testing coffee blends, as we get ready to sell them online. It's a very unique process and experience! And tons of fun:o). Our house smells amazingly good right now, and I'm enjoying the chance to experience the very prominent differences between coffee beans. So far my favorite is the Sumatran. Rich, dark and bold, but not burnt. (although brewed, I prefer the Porto Rican with it's smooth nutty taste:o)

Happy Birthday Elie!

My daughter turned 6 yesterday!
Here is a glimpse of her day...

The traditional Paulson birthday dough nut wake-up song & present...
Thanks Aunt Ali! She loved her winter set for Kaya!!Birthday hug from her brother.
(and yes, at 8am it is still that dark out!)

Bryce also had to leave for a business trip yesterday, but not until the afternoon. So, we had a birthday breakfast instead of the traditional dinner:o)... Elie chose Bob Evans and ordered the fruit plate - I guess six years old means she is now health conscious??

We then went home to enjoy hot chocolates & decorate gingerbread houses that Aunt Sheila made, especially for the occasion. Bryce was able to hang out for this too, and it was quite the party:o)!

The very last present Elie opened yesterday was a birthday dress from American Girl Doll collection, from Nonnie! Complete with a matching purse and tiara. She is so in love with the dress that when she came out this morning she was wearing it! I wouldn't be surprised if she tried to sleep in it:o) - Mom, amazing pick!!

We will have the official Birthday dinner when Nonnie and Grampa arrive on the 20th - to which Elie will of course be wearing the whole ensemble.

My little girl is growing up!

Our Friend Brian

Once again my pictures loaded in revers. I have no idea why! But here is a glimpse of the time we shared with our latest house guest - our friend Brian from Newberg, Oregon.

Bryce and Bryce met in a men's group at our home church and have been good friends ever since. His wife, Becky, and I are friends as well, and they have four girls.

Brian helping hang lights on our 30 ft tree.
Brian taking the kids for a sled ride through the neighborhood!

Jadon's new best buddy... look out Daddy!
(Elie munching on some of the homemade jerky Brian brought)Bryce hanging the rest of the lights between snow storms, so they would all be ready for Brian's arrival:o) ... what a stud!

Brian, we had so much fun with you!! Thanks for coming and sharing life with us. The house is a bit emptier with you gone home. Becky - thanks for sharing him:o)!

Wintry Moments

Here are some random wintry pictures.

Mom, the snow boots finally came in handy:o)!
(only as we were getting him ready, he REALLY wanted to wear his crocks! go figure:o)

The kids got to spend close to two hours playing outside in the snow today... They came in and warmed up with hotcoco & a snack. Our Advent wreath... I'm so proud - and excited to be able to actually follow this through. We're using Jotham's Journey as our story base. The kids love it so far!

Our beautifully happy house that is halfway decorated:o)! Bryce got as far as he could before the snow storm really got bad. We also have yard ornaments:o)... such fun!
And you really can't see them in this picture, but we have at bell ornamental light hanging in our front window.

Otherwise we are busy with daily life. Elie has three more weeks of Kindergarten, and Jadon is begging me to do school with him more each day. Elie has a ballet recital this week too - which we are all looking forward to!

One more cute/funny thing I'll leave you with. This conversation took place in the back of the car today as we were driving...

Elie: God spoke "Let their be an Elie" and then I was in mommy's tummy and He breathed life into me so that I would come out and cry.
Jadon: Oh. Well how did I get made?
Elie: God spoke "Let their be a Jadon" but mommy didn't hear Him. Well, she did, but He whispered so it was harder.
Jadon: Oh. Then what?
Elie: Then you were in mommy's tummy too.
Jadon: Then the angles came and got me out?
Elie: No, God yelled at mom that it was time. You came out a little while after that.
Jadon: No, I think He would send angles, not yell at me.
Elie: Okay, but you cried a lot.
Jadon: Well... God doesn't have teeth, so how does He eat?
Elie: He spoke "Let everything have teeth, and let me have them too" and then he had teeth.
Jadon: Well, but He doesn't have a table, so where does He eat?
Elie: Jadon! God spoke, "Let there be my table." That's how. Please stop asking so many questions. My head is spinning.
Jadon: Okay, sissy. You're beautiful.