Merry Christmas

Well, Merry Christmas to the faithful readers of our blog! We're coping out to posting those sentiments, because we didn't quite get to everyone on the phone today. We'll make up for it tomorrow on our way down to Oregon.

In the meantime, revel in the latest achievement in the Armstrong household - a livable downstairs room! Yes, the living room now has furniture, paint, and heck, even a spunky ol' Christmas tree for all to enjoy. Behold!



Ah, above is the "center" of the room, at least in my eye. The entertainment center. Looks snazzy with the hardwood floors, and tan walls, eh? We're so stylish!



A view from the other direction, looking back from the front door. Our new artificial tree fits nicely, and makes it feel like a real room for now. It was fun to travel last year, but certainly nice to be home for Christmas for the first time too.



And of course part of the fun there is putting our plethora of ornaments on the tree! Jamie in action!



I got in on it too of course.

Merry Christmas to all, and we'll be back with another report and some more pictures from Oregon wine country in a few days. Yes, we're taking a trip down to the Willamette Valley for a short getaway, wine tasting and shopping. Can't wait to get down there!

The Graduate

No, not the movie, but an actual real life graduate! That's right, we got to hang out with one and celebrate this past weekend.

Some more information to make this a bit less cryptic. Jamie and I went back to Spokane this past weekend, as Jamie's mom Mary was graduating and receiving her Associates Degree in Nursing. This is a pretty cool deal, as Mary went back to school after all of these years, and is now looking forward to some nursing career options in Eastern Washington. She worked really hard to put herself through school, and Jamie and I couldn't be prouder!

Here's a pic of the grad and her kids after the ceremony. And some little monkey we've had hanging around.



After the graduation, we had a nice party with family members at a restaurant called Vin Rouge in Spokane. We enjoyed plenty of appetizers and wine - and of course dessert too (Kona Coffee Ice Cream sundae...mmmmmm). Here's a nice picture of Mary and her girls. (Mary Pavic, you will note that Mary is saying "hey")



So congrats to Mary for finishing her degree!!

As for the rest of this past month (a blogless one yet again. Good thing I don't get paid for this.) one of the highlights/lowlights was the Apple Cup football game in Pullman. The Mighty Cougs didn't quite pull it out, but at least we had fun with our friends. Then I tried to camp out at a WalMart to get a Nintendo, but that's a story for another time.

Here's a shot of us before the game, when hope was endless and our dreams were uncrushed.



Next up - Extreme Home Makeover part 2 - the living room! Yes, finally getting some painting done soon so we can finish off the living room and make it look like an actual home! Exciting details to follow.