Let's Celebrate! 2009 on Whidbey Island

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Let out the old and in the new . . . I think we are all ready for some mental and physical cleansing, and what better way than to change ourselves with the times.

From Rhododendron Hill Farm, We wish you a

Healthy
Happy
Abundant
Joyful
Thoughtful
Eco-Friendly
Family-focused
Local
Loving
Friendly
Fun
2009!

Mermaid in the Pool: Swim Class at Island Athletic Club with Debbie

Marina began swim classes when she was 8 months old, as a baby in the group (3 month old to 3 year old) class. She loved the water and swimming from the very start and by her second class we were blowing in her face and going under the water with her! Babies know inherently to close their mouths and hold their breath when you blow in their face. As a part of this class we did just that and created a routine where we would tell baby, "We're going under the water, ready? 1...2...3.... (then you blow in their face and immerse yourself and your baby in the water, briefly. As you come back up out of the water you smile at baby and wipe the water off her face, saying, "Great job!" Here are some pictures of my little 3 year old mermaid, Marina, with her swim instructor, Debbie:

Marina being coached by Debbie at Island Athletic Club

Learning how to be a mermaid with Debbie: Float like a boat exercise

More "Float Like a Boat" and keep your head tucked down...

Up for air

Swimming

Diving for rings. Marina still needs help getting down to the bottom of the pool to reach the rings. Below she gets a little push from Debbie

Got them!! Marina grabs 2 rings

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Stella Loves her Great Grandpa Vernon

There is an unusual bond between little Stella and her great grandpa Vernon. Vernon comes over to dinner once a week and so Stella sees him regularly. They share many things in common, and Vernon would be the first to tell you: they both lack hair, are a bit shaky at walking, and their grins light up a room. I thought it was cute the first couple of times Stella began greeting her great grandpa with enormous grins and arms outstretched--as though they have known each other for a long time. And when Stella continued to show the same exuberant enthusiasm for Vernon, time after time, I realized it wasn't just cute, it was connection. Below are some pictures of the duo.

Although it is difficult for Vernon to pick Stella up, he manages. Here Stella rests her head on his leg for a minute and gets a little head rub too.

Vernon hands Stella a brown bear with a party hat for a Christmas present during our xmas celebration at Vicky's. Stella is holding the flower bear and stuffed cat that she always plays with at Vicky's house.

Stella greets Vernon with a full size grin on Christmas eve. She promptly asks him to pick her up, arms extended.

Thanks great grandpa!

Sitting on Vernon's lap

Snow is a Melting

The snow is melting. the temperatures have been steadily above 32 F. It is wet and slushy out on the roads and off. Be careful driving, it is still very slippery!

Merry Christmas to youuuu!

Merry Christmas!
!




Merry Christmas!

Above Marina and Stella pictured with their new pony saddle (on me!) and new tunnel. Also, Stella hugging Yo Bear the dog. She really loves him! Well, she really loves everyone!

Pictures from Monday Morning Snow on Whidbey Island

Even MORE snow! This is really unusual and FUN!

This has to be record breaking snow for Whidbey Island!?

An incredible picture perfect Sunday morning on Whidbey Island. This is the most snow I remember having in 20 some years . . .



What a beautiful day at the farm. The above pictures are from Sunday morning, after we had a fairly mellow storm here on Whidbey Island. Considering the dramatic weather forecasts we had warning Washington state about the extreme winds and snowfall we would get, it was nothing! there was a little more wind than usual and we received several inches (up to 6 inches) of snow. The wind created snow drifts against buildings, fences, and plants.

Below are some before and after pictures. The lesser snow is what we had Sunday morning upon waking. The other one is the snowfall we had upon waking on Monday morning. It seemed like a lot! In some areas it reached my knees, definately above the usual boot level.

Second Big Snow on Whidbey Island: December 17-18th PICTURES FROM LANGLEY

The ponies grazing in the snow

Marina hitched a ride on my back when the going got cold

Here she is where she likes to perch on the front of the stroller

Langley Village all snowy

The Village Bakery was one of the few stores open for espresso at 3 pm

2nd street treachery: notice the delivery truck (pictured on the left on the side of the road) that slid off the road and became stuck. I definitely wouldn't try to drive this hill without proper tires!

Picture perfect holiday house

Look at that road! Ice-y

The beautiful black walnut tree, looks like a snowflake

Looking in to the lower field. That's a pond down there.

Me holding Stella and taking my own picture via the window

Our front yard

Heading home after a nice cold stroll around Langley

It snows on Whidbey and it sticks!! Day 1 and 2 and counting.... Whidbey's first snow

December 14th and 15th: First Snow of the year for Whidbey Island

We are so excited to have snow! Last year it was one small day worth of snow, so this seems like a lot. We woke up to a winter wonderland! It was (and currently is) lots of fun!

Whoa there! Not that much fun!!

Marina enjoys the snow with all her snow gear

Stella's first snow, ever, at least in this lifetime.

We woke up to this magnificence. A snowy, sunny day

The barn, all snowed in

The fence line of the chicken area. I love looking at those tall douglas fir

View from in front of the Langley library out at the water, if you look really closely, you'll see snow on those mountains!