Breaking the Silence

I have not been blogging! Has it really been nearly 3 months since I posted an update? I am clearly in a different season where blogging has not been one of my primary forms of communication. For those of you that do follow along with my adventures, I have decided to take a little time over the Christmas holiday to 'catch up'! I have tried to recap the last 3 months with my favorite form of visual communication...photography! Hopefully I'll be inspired to write more in the New Year. Merry Christmas and Blessings for 2011!

Holiday Memories

BrynTobyDahl:
A traditional Christmas gathering with the Brynestad/Tobiason/Dahl families (my mom's first and second cousins). This year held on December 18th. In honor of the Norwegian roots, my sister's dress their kids in traditional Norwegian 'bunads'...of course gifts from my mother! The highlight of the event each year is the Nativity play with all the children.

Phillips Family:
On December 22nd, I celebrated Christmas with the Phillips family who I live with. They are so special to me and it was joy to exchange gifts and share a meal together. (The week before, Gavin had an accident on a play gound so he is displaying a shiner that is on the mend!)

My roommates, Angela (nearly 6), Gavin (7)

Alexis, Troy, Gavin and Angela

Christmas Eve Morning:
Its works out well to celebrate as the 'Brown' family on Christmas Eve morning, and then my sisters travel to their in-laws the following day.

Ben and Jesse sporting their new musical ties their daughters picked out for them at the Dollar Store.

Christmas Eve:
Traditionally Christmas Eve is celebrated with the Brynestad family (mom's side) at the home of aunt Pollyann and uncle Jim in Gig Harbor. There were 36 of us present...including 9 little ones running around. Lots of laughter comes from the traditional White Elephant exchange!

My beautiful sisters

Aunt Bryna with Audrey and Abigail

Grandma Rosy and Papa holding their traditional homemade lefse (a Norwegian specialty). Obviously we love it as this photo was taken minutes after they walked in the door...shortly after the whole tray was gone! They were smart to hide another plate in their car for dessert!

Mom and Aunt Jane with their grandkids

Ben showing off Audrey's balancing act

Abigail loved her new 'Cooking club' apron from Grandma Rosy

Christmas Day:
In the morning I enjoyed breakfast by the fire with my parents, our neighbor Jim Troyer and my best friend Stephanie. Then later in the afternoon we drove up north to Seattle with my mom's parents...to enjoy a delicious Christmas meal at my uncle Paul & aunt Jan's home...my dad's parents were also there. Not many 31 year olds get to spend Christmas with all 4 grandparents who are alive and well...I feel extremely blessed! After our meal I provided the entertainment and sang by the tree (what a gracious audience).

Toasting with Grandma Joan

Aunt Jan, Grandma Rosy and Mom

With my 2 handsome Grandpas!

Thanksgiving in Winthrop

We left the snow in Tacoma & Seattle and drove east across the North Cascade Mountains to a small town called Mazama, near Winthrop. My uncle Jeff and aunt Alicia, own a beautiful 'farm' here that runs as a Bed and Breakfast with self contained cabins on the property. We grew up coming to this part of the state as my Dads parents had a home here for over 20 years. It was a joy to be with the entire Brown family for Thanksgiving and of course enjoy the snow!

A beautiful morning on the Browns Farm property

An early morning inside, cuddling with my nieces Abigail, Audrey and Alaina

Serving up the Thanksgiving feast...I must say my favorite meal of the year!

Grandma Joan and Aunt Alicia making gravy

Jonathan and Alaina bundled up for a snow walk

My Dad with his two younger brothers, Jeff on left and Paul on right

A wave from Abigail

Jesse invented a way to keep Abigail upright on the sled

Winter smiles as we just left the warm bakery

Brynestad Wedding Celebration

On November 13th, my cousin Mail Brynestad married Rylan Hawkins in Seattle. It was a very fun family event, with my parents just home from their latest African trip.


The Happy Couple!

Alaina (3 years) & Jonathan (nearly 5) Windham, with Kesley Thomas (just 3)

Abigail Thomas (1 year)

Audrey Joy Windham (now 5 months)

Uncle Bart hanging out and laughing with the kids. Jono was the ring-bearer with 7 cute sailor girls as bridesmaids. (My cousin Adam has 3 girls, Annamarie 2 and Britlese 2)

The Brynestad Family: Aunt Berta, Barty, Mali & Rylan, Bjorn, Jens and Uncle Bart

A photo of the cousins

My lovely Grandma Rosy

My date to the wedding and new 'special friend' Nathan Eklund. It has been a joy these past few months getting to know him. Like me, he has a huge heart for Africa and left at the end of November for Liberia, where he is working alongside an NGO for a few months. We are doing the long distance thing which hasn't been easy with limited phone coverage and no wireless on his end. Trusting Jesus for whatever will develop in the New Year.

Sweet Pea Cottage: First Quarter

It is hard to believe that I have now been in my job as Assistant Preschool Teacher at Sweet Pea Cottage: Preschool of the Arts (West Seattle campus) for a quarter now. School started at the very end of August and its definitely been a journey. With many moments of laughter and joy, paired with challenges...its definitely where I feel God has called me to be for this season. The children are precious and I have enjoyed watching so much growth in the last 3 months I have known them. My teaching partner Cara is awesome and not only have we become great friends, but we delight in how our individual strengths compliment each other daily.

Captivated by a story...cuddling up and reading with these guys is one of my favorite things to do!

Playing Train...preschoolers everywhere love this!

Outside watching a special guest (yes its an only boy day!)


For a little Halloween gift, the kids painted these frames I made for their parents. We now have 2 more students since these were made in October. A total of 14 kids...12 boys and only 2 girls. God always seems to give me MANY little boys to love!

Just three days before Thanksgiving, Seattle was hit with its first big snow fall of the year. The roads were clear enough to get to school on the Monday morning, but the following few days were canceled giving us a nice long Thanksgiving break!

With our small 'snow day' class, we went for an extra long walk around the neighborhood and played in the snow!

Each week we study a different country with the children. In December we were in Scandinavia, and during 'Norway Week' we got to eat meatballs & lefse, and I talked about my heritage.

I planned three solid weeks of Winter/Holiday crafts in December...I love this part of my job as Art Teacher!

Cara and I enjoying some non-kid time at a Christmas Tea, hosted by my church. We are becoming great friends and I so look forward to our adventures ahead in the New Year!