Gingerbread...eaten but not forgotten.

In a rush to get all the Christmas pictures up, I forgot a very important event...the annual Gingerbread Decorating Contest! In the scope of life, I know, it seems trivial, but to the Parker children and children at heart, this is a big deal! :) And it seemed like it became an even bigger deal this year, because it kept getting postponed! It's usually done on Christmas, but this year, it didn't happen till New Year's Day (much to the Micah's dismay!). Part of the reason for this delay was that we had to have a few hours to spare (some of the Parkers are just a bit meticulous) and be ready to clean up a huge mess! (16 people all trying to make the best gingerbread person, all trying to get the icing, all grabbing the sprinkles...) We had quite a few masterpieces, and I must admit, I think the Parker-Pichura-Johnson clan has something special here. America's Got Talent could be on the horizon. :)

This would be the sprinkle grabbing, frosting flinging part ;)

Taste-testing was also a very important part of this event for Titus.

After a little coaxing from Kristin, Dad got in on the action.

James, hard at work...making...a...um...something. :)

Kristin's piece of art.
I thought the ball and chain was a nice touch, don't you?

Andrew's creation...anyone who knows Andrew can probably guess this one.

"702 Ridge Road", by Mr. Paulie Parker


The kids did a great job!! Micah made Yoda, Grace and Faith both made really detailed gingerbread houses, and Titus made a bunch of colorful creations!

And now, drumroll, please,....the winners of the Gingerbread competion:

First Place: The "McMasterpiece" by, you guessed it, David Parker.
This was the real deal--drive through and everything! It was only missing the burgers! :)

Maybe he missed his calling? ;)

Second Place was a tie, even after two attempts at a tie breaker!

The 3-way tie: Kimberly, Aaron, and Michelle

The ever-stylish Minnie Mouse.
(This may be the first time in my life I almost won an art contest! Trivial, I know, but I'll take it! :)

Kim and Aaron teamed up to make a really sweet, and very detailed, Raggedy Ann and Andy.

Parkerpalooza!!

Right about when Seattle's snowstorm was coming to a close, we decided to enter another one in Hood River, Oregon!! :) On the day we left for Oregon, David's parents already had well over 2.5 feet of snow! The interstate that goes to their house had already been closed for 3 days due to the snow, so we made a break for it on Christmas Eve, hoping to get there before it might close down again. Although we did have a "minor encounter" with a snow bank ;), we are thankful we made it down with only "bumps and bruises" on the truck. We're also so very thankful for the Parker Family-- everyone in our immediate family was able to make it for Christmas, so it was a very special time...and a slight bit crazy. :) We had 17 people living in a 3 bedroom house, for a week!! We are so thankful and blessed to have such a wonderful family that loves each other and Jesus (how else could we all survive a week together ?! ;)

This is our newest niece, Hannah Grace Parker.
(Daughter of James & Kimiko).

David brought along the turkey fryer for a special Christmas dinner...
we had a few skeptics, but I think all have now recanted.

Christmas Dinner (only half the family fit at the table)

Our nieces and nephews having their own special moment.

Fun in the Snow

As you can see, this was a pretty big snowman...9 feet tall!

So, you may be wondering,
"what do 17 people do for a week in 1 house?"
Answer: Games. Lots and lots of games. :)


This was by far the most entertaining "game" of the week. We had Wii games going all the time, and even had a Parker bowling tournament. I think the Wii holds the distinct honor of being the only game that all 4 Parker brothers have played together. How sweet. :)

The proud winner of our bowling tournament: Micah! He even bowled a perfect game!

Titus got a policeman outfit from his sisters, and dutifully wore it every day I think. :)

This was part of the "Hobo Hilton" living room sleeping quarters :)
With 6 of us sleeping in there, it did get a little interesting.

Faith and Hannah
(the girls LOVED doing anything with Baby Hannah, or anything with babies in general...as evidenced by the picture below)

The Pichura girls found other ways to "play baby" when Hannah was napping...their unbelievably mild mannered dog Tessie puts up with just about anything!

The snow just kept coming and coming!

David's mom Sandy, and a very happy Hannah.

Our nieces and nephews--some of our greatest Christmas gifts!

"Snowmare" - December '08

(Photo by local photographer David Hutchinson)

Don't let the picturesque photo above fool you...that's not sand! We've been having some crazy snowy weather over here in the Northwest! They keep assuring us that it's not always like this, but I'm beginning to wonder...and I'm certainly glad we decided to pack the snow shovel into the moving van! :) We have had quite the snowstorm here in Seattle--I think it's the biggest one they've had in about 50 years! I had one nun at work tell me the last time she saw snow like this was in the 30's!! We had 12+ inches by the time it was "mostly" over, which for Seattle, is HUGE...then add a few layers of ice, barely any plows, lots of steep hills, no salt (!), and lots of drivers who have no clue what to do in snow, and you have "snowmare '08"...or "snowmageddon"as some where calling it. It was beautiful and fun as long as you didn't have to drive anywhere (and if you did, get ready for a scary ride!). Since Seattle has no decent method for clearing all the snow, we just had to "wait it out"...until warmer air melted all the snow. This usually happens in a day or two, but this time it was about 2 weeks later! It was frustrating at times, but we are very blessed to work close to home, so it didn't completely halt things. Eventually, the snow began to melt, and life slowly got back to normal. (Just in time for the torrential rains! ;)

A view from our back deck on Day 1.
(By Day 7 it was at least 3 times higher)

This was one of the more infamous moments of "snowmare '08"--I think it even made national news...2 buses coming off a steep hill could not stop and almost landed on the interstate below!

Since driving was out of the picture, many used "alternate methods of transportation." :)

With only 27 snow plows for the entire city, we saw lots of bulldozers, graters...anything people could think of to get snow off the road!

It's Christmas...already?!

Well, it's done it again-- Christmas has snuck up on me! :) Every year it seems like there are fewer days in December than the year before! It's definitely a small reminder of how fast time slips away...it's our second Christmas season in Seattle! I've been reminded of this in so many small ways this week, and it's brought to mind all that has changed this past year. We've seen evidences of God's grace in so many ways, and we're so thankful for the many blessings He has given us. A year ago at this time, we were renting an apartment in West Seattle, David was self-employed with Nerds on Site, and we were praying about where God was leading us within Mars Hill Church. We had a strong burden to be "planted" in a community, but we weren't sure where that was going to be. Now, a year later, we are homeowners in West Seattle, and God has given David a full-time position at the West Seattle campus of our church! We are so thankful that God has answered our prayers to be planted in a community, and we feel blessed to be in the community of West Seattle...we love it here! :)
God has used this year to teach us a LOT. It's been a year of transition, and for us, that has meant a lot of discomfort...which is good (although I'll admit it doesn't feel so good at the time ;). God has used it to expose our idols, to draw us to Himself, to mature our character, and draw us closer to each other. We've had some rough patches, and those times have been vivid reminders to us both that we would be nothing without Jesus! So, this Christmas season, we come with hearts humbled, knowing that our Savior was born to die, so that we might live.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Our living room (per your request--
a picture of it with our furniture ;)

An East Coast Thanksgiving-istmas

Drum roll please...here it is, a blog post! We know it's been a while...sorry! We're pretty boring people you know, we don't have that much excitement to post about! But, since we did just make a trip back to the East Coast, we can no longer use that excuse! ;) Here are some pictures from our trip -- which was busy but great! We were able to catch up with lots of friends and spend some time with family. We're so thankful for the chance to go back, and for everyone's hospitality while we were there!

Mary (Zach's fiance) making a roux, for some very yummy mac-n-cheese!

Lisa working on the mashed potatoes...one of her favorites!

The Thanksgiving-Christmas Dinner-- lots of work but oh so good... This year I had lots of helping hands, which was great (thanks guys!...and thanks Mom & Dad for a great time!).

The Kuhn/Parker Thanksgiving-Christmas Dinner--it was so nice to have everyone there!

David (Lisa's boyfriend) had his first taste of turkey in over 10 years!! I feel honored! :)

The Kuhn "kids"

David relaxing at the Robb's

Our friends, and oh so gracious hosts, Richie & Linda Robb

When on vacation, why not try something new, something different... like straightening your hair!
I think the "half and half" style could come into fashion? :)

My accomplice, Andelyn...the pro at straightening!

Linda and I

David and Ben having a youtube moment...I realized this is the only picture I have of our time with Ben and Kelly! :( I guess we were too busy playing cards!

We were able to attend our friends' annual "harvest party", which was fun... and crazy! Everyone is quadriplying! :) The adults gave up on a picture of everyone, instead attempting a picture of ALL the kids (what were we thinking?). You can guess at who goes with who. :)