Let it Snow, Let It Snow, Bah Humbug!

We are now on our seventh day of cold weather and snow on the ground. It started snowing lightly last night but this morning it started getting steady. It hasn't stopped since and it is really coming down now (about 4:30 PM on Saturday). So for your viewing pleasure here are some pictures: For those of you who have not heard Rowan Renee Aston arrived early Wednesday morning. You can see all the details and pictures on Laurel and Patrick's blog. Click on their link in the right column.

Some of our neighbors are getting together for an impromptu holiday party this evening. It gave Goni time to do some cooking instead of being bored sitting around watching TV and reading all day. Prime rib with potatoes and some kind of vegetable. We only have to crawl across the street if the weather gets too bad.

Our Christmas Tree

We put up our Christmas tree Wednesday night. It is not as big as past trees but it is a nice one that Goni picked up in Kalama from the Cub Scouts. The gifts under the tree are for the family that was adopted as a result of Jill's suggest to do so on Thanksgiving. They will be delivered on December 20th in Longview. Picture courtesy of Patrick Aston, official photographer of the family Christmas.

Today we are waiting for the big snow storm and the cold weather. Pictures will follow once things start happening which should be later today. We are also still patiently waiting for Rowan to arrive.

Weather Update:

We had snow flurries all morning but it started snowing and blowing after church. Temperatures at 3:00 PM was 27 degrees Farenheit and the wind is consistently blowing out of the NE at 10 mph. It's cold outside!

Pearl Harbor Day

Today is the 67th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor which caused the United States to enter World War II. President Franklin Roosevelt said that it was "a date that will live in infamy". Today is the first time our flag has flown at half mast on our new flag pole. It is the custom for the President to call for all flags to fly at half mast on the anniversary of Pearl Harbor.

Grover had the honor to meet one of the men who helped bring World War II to an end last night. His name is Army Sgt Don Malarkey and he was one of the "Band of Brothers" who served in Easy Company in the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division. Malarkey jumped into France the day before the D-day invasion and was fortunate to never have been seriously wounded.

Sgt. Malarkey was at a gathering at the Kalama Elementary School where he spoke about his experiences. There are not too many World War II vets left in this world and Sgt Malarkey is about 88 years old. He was born and raised in Astoria, Oregon and currently lives in Salem. If you are interested in more information on Don Malarkey go to:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Malarkey.

Grover's dad, Marvin Laseke Sr, and Goni's step father Don Payder, both served in the Navy during the war. As we enter the holiday season we should be thankful for many things. One of them is the veterans who have served, and those who continue to serve, our country.