Kelley Christmas at Stonewater Ranch

Christmas in the Northwest-Winter wonderland!

It is freezing! It is bright and sunny and MSN weather says it is 21 degrees. The fir trees are loaded down with dry snow and every few minutes snow falls creating a powdery cloud in the woods.

It was our plan to be here in Washington with our family for Christmas even before I broke my ankle. Still, I have found myself thanking God for allowing me to be here from the time of my surgery in October. We have had lots of time with our children and grandchildren, as well as our church family.

Stonewater Ranch

This last Sunday our children and their families joined us at Stonewater Ranch for 3 days to celebrate Christmas early and enjoy the snow.

Laura, Marilyn's sister, and our granddaughter Elisabeth enjoying hot chocolate

Monday morning we ate our traditional Christmas morning cinnamon rolls, the kids opened presents, and then we went out to play in the snow while the turkey roasted.

Sarah our little princess always in a dress

Kai with his first tricycle

a lot of clothes needed....it was cold, especially for this Mexican born baby!

Grace sledding, the Lodge in the background

Laura making snow angels

Isaiah trying to snowboard on a sled with Eddie's help, Kai in the cold with his poppy, Jay


We ladies planned the menus but when it came time to cook, Josh and Micah took charge

PreChristmas dinner

Hanging out together

Jay, Isaiah, Faith, Kai and Elisabeth TenBrink

The next day, we drove over to Leavenworth, the Northwest's famous Bavarian village. During the spring and summer we do much of our whitewater rafting in this area. It is beautiful in the winter, reminiscent of the Bavarian Alps.

Laura, Grace, Marilyn, Josh and Sarah

Amanda, Kaitlyn and Micah (plus new baby boy due in March)


These are taken from the bakery where we retreated to eat our sack lunch of left-over turkey sandwiches, and drank hot cider. Outside the bakery they decorated a tree for the birds.

The morning we drove back home the snow had returned with a gentle vengance. The weather service predicted 2 to 3 feet of snow over the next 24 hours so we had to get going.

So the snow continues...

Oaxaca on New Year's Eve

My ankle has been on the mend, and I have been learning to walk again. Physical therapy has been helping, still I use a cane occasionally, and wear a brace to help with the swelling.

We fly from Seattle to Acapulco on December 31st and will be met by Laura and Dave Nelson. It will be different to go from below freezing temperatures to the mid to upper 80's, but we are ready.

Still, Christmas is coming.

Celebrating with gifts and Christmas dinner on December 15th has kind of taken the stress out of Christmas for us. Next Sunday is the children's program at the Gathering. Christmas Eve we will have a beautiful candlelight service as well.

I would like to invite any of you able to join us to The Gathering Church on Christmas Eve at 7:30.

We pray that you and your family have a special Christmas. May God's faithfulness show itself as you review the year, and may His mercy cover you and comfort you every day.