***Let it snow... let it snow....let it snow....***

I emailed this to my friend Kelly, but afterwards I knew I had to share with you all as well..

I was watching the kids build a snowman yesterday. I was just staring at them out of the picture window. We had Christmas music on… Mike built a roaring fire…maybe it was the season.. but, I was totally mesmerized by them. Their cold little hands molding the snow. They had smiling little faces with rose red cheeks. Then when they caught me, they waved wildly. They were so innocent, and happy. And I thought to myself.. Damn I have a good life!


Maybe it was the three shots of rum I had beforehand? :D LOL



Yea! It snowed!

It's begining to look a lot like Christmas..

The smell is in the air... The songs are on the radio. Officially, I am in the spirit. Mike and I suprised the kids this last weekend by decorating the front yard. :) The were very excited.
I dont know about you all, but at least for me, seeing my children smile, makes me the most spirited. Something about the honest and sincere wonder in thier eyes.. It makes me feel like a kid again. :) Today I had some presents delivered for the kids. I swear it was more exciting for me than anything in a very long time. :D Thats sad I know Tee-hee
I honestly dont know what is so different about this year. Possibly because we are married, and an "official" family?...Maybe because my brothers and sisters are so much closer now than ever?... Or maybe because the kids are much more loving and thoughtful of each other?.. Whatever the case may be, I feel this year is somehow different, special. I cant wait to see what happens next. :D

Below is a video of Jontae's solo in the Christmas concert.. My baby has some pipes. :D

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Thanksgiving 2008

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

We had Thanksgiving at our house this year. It was allot of work. We ended up having a wonderful time. Being surrounded by close friends and family, that is what we were Thankful for!

~Crystal

Casey Halloween

OK so I am behind in posting... Sorry :(
For your viewing pleasure...

Portland's Shanghai Tunnels

The "Portland Underground" tunnels, more popularly known as the "Shanghai Tunnels", were basements of buildings that connected to other buildings through brick and stone archways that were intersected with tunnels that connected under the streets, linking block to block. These "catacombs" or "tombs", as they were sometimes called, created a unique network of passages and thoroughfares that were used by unscrupulous individuals called "shanghaiiers" or "crimps", in addition to "white slavers" who grabbed women and sold them into prostitution.

When I read this statement on the Cascade Geographic Society's website, it really didn’t phase me all that much. However, it did become an experience I will not soon forget.
Throughout the year, Mike and I plan "activities" for our family to take part in. On April Fools day, we always do something really goofy. We have done a meatloaf cake with mashed potato icing.. Toothpaste oreos..etc. Harvest time we will have a ghost story night, with hot apple cider, homemade gingerbread and roasted pumpkin seeds.. Christmas we do a baking party... "family" secret Santa.. and a ornament night.. The list goes on and on...

Well, I thought since the kids were becoming older, it would be nice that we do something befitting their new age groups. :)
I signed us up for the shanghai tunnel tour....
We arrive a few minutes early, and were eagerly ushered into the back of the room. After a few minutes of waiting we were all taken into this beautiful courtyard. It's rich and secret history could be seen in the massive iron gates, hung not to keep people out, but to keep them in. The infamous elevator shaft was so quiet it was deafening. It made me so uncomfortable I didn’t want to look, but I couldn’t take my eyes from it. We walked for an hour and a half through the catacombs. Each step brought us another discovery. I saw opium dens with bunks stacked to the ceiling. I stood in the same cell prisoners stood awaiting their fate. I stuck my fingers through the bars of the cells, just as they once did. My heart aches for the people who found themselves there. Kidnapped, tortured, abused. You could almost hear the sounds of human suffering.

Unfortunately, I cant explain why I felt so uncomfortable, or why it gives me goose bumps right now. But I can tell you that if you have an opportunity to experience this page of Portland’s history, you should. Portlander's should not forget why this city at one time was called "The Forbidden City"

All in all it was a great time. We learned so much... We got creeped out.. and we all got along for 1.5 hours. Woo-hoo! a new record. :)

My thoughts...

I thought this little survey was cute....



Honestly, how did you meet your significant other?

1. Well, most people know this story... I went to pick up my friend from work, when Mike walked up to me and said "Who the hell are you and what are you doing in my bar?" It was love at first sight. :)

Where did you meet?

2.How How Lounge November 2005

What was the first thought that went through your head when you met?

3.What an ass. He thinks he is being cute.


Do you remember what he/she was wearing?

4. Golfing clothes, he had just played a round of golf.


Where was the first time you kissed this person?

5.How How lounge. We were with

Where did you go for your first date?

6. Shari's... Be split a Philly Cheese steak. It was very dry.

How long did you know this person before you became a couple?

7. About 3 months.


How did he/she ask you out?

8. Well considering we both had significant(or not so significant.. depending on who is telling the story) others... he and I both took it very slow.


Has this person ever proposed to you?

9. Yes. On Christmas eve 2006.. Ashley and Jontae actually proposed. :) They were entirely too excited, and beat him to the punch. :)


Do you and this person have kids together?

10. Yes. Together we parent five kids together.

Have you ever broken the law with this person?

11. Yes.

When was the first time you realized that you liked this person?

12. It took me a little longer to realize it... Everyone kept telling me I was in love, but I was fighting it.


Do you get along with his/her family?

13. Yes. I love his family. He loves my family.

Do you trust this person?

14.With everything and anything. I trust him more than I trus myself.

Do you see her/him as your partner in your future?

15. For the rest of this life and for eternity.

What is the best gift she/he gave you?

16.His love.

What is one thing He/She does that gets on your nerves?

17.

Where do you see each other 15 years from now?

18 . Traveling to exotic locations ... enjoying each other.


What causes the most arguments?

19. My/His ability to be stubborn


How long have you been together?

20. 3 years(almost)

Married?
21. Yes. we've been married for 37 beautiful days

Hello...

Well hello to everyone checking out our little piece of cyberspace. :) I feel so grown up, having my own blog and all. It is so hard to be able to keep in touch with all of our friends and family with all of the demands our five children have for us, daily. :) So there... Our blog has been born.
Ok so a little about us...

Mike: (a Casey) The glue that holds us together. He is the perfect combination of stern and silly. Mike loves hard. And count yourself very lucky if your are in this very Small list. He is extremely hard to read. And a rather unapproachable person.... That is....until he likes you.. Then prepare yourself for lots of practical jokes and laughter.

Crystal:(aTonihka and a Casey) The president and CEO of this operation. (Mike likes to think it is his title...but sadly no) I am hectic and casual at the same time. I am crazy and wildly humorous. If I had one piece of advice for people it would be.... "The only thing we leave behind in this world are the memories from the people who knew us." I think about that everyday.

Taylor: (a Casey) Or the boy genius, as we like to call him. Taylor could literally do absolutely anything he wished to. He is the most amazing kid! Taylor is always nice to the boy(Lyndon) He is simply a great guy. He loves to be crazy sometimes, and serious other times. You can make him laugh so hard he cries by just saying something silly like... POOP. :)

Alyssa: (aTonihka) Oh my, what can I say about Lysa. Alyssa is hard headed, and beautiful, downright mean sometimes, extremely loving, suspicious, untrusting, and she is the type of person who would pack you a lunch and send a sweet note along. She has the biggest heart of all of us, but she would never want anyone to know.

Ashley: (a Casey) Ashley is hilarious, about once a month. LOL She is incredibly thoughtful. She loves people, without a second thought. Ash is sometimes the only kid who does her chores for a week. Ashley actually proposed to me.... Christmas eve 2006. (that's a story for another time)

Jontae: (a Tonihka) Without a doubt the sweetest person on the planet. She always has a smile on her face. Never holds back hugs and kisses, and is truly optimistic about her world around her.

Lyndon: (a Tonihka) Ohhhh.. this is our funny man. He keeps us entertained to say the least. He is a very sweet boy, who also has anger issues. :) He gets so mad at his sisters, there are times I can actually see smoke billowing out of his ears. His idol is Taylor. Most days if you are looking for Lyndon... just find Taylor, and he will be right beside him.

So, you are invited to check in from time to time and see how we are doing....