HO HO HO...We've got snow and a very white christmas

Well...it's official. the snow has hit here in Maple Valley. Some say they haven't seen snow like this here in 20 years. We are feeling a little relieved today that we made it through a major wind storm (blizzard) and never lost power. Evidently Maple Valley is known for major power outages. PHEW! We prepared for the worst but survived. The kids are enjoying the winter weather and are out sledding as we speak. The family should be packing but evidently that is a mom's job and partying down in the winter wonderland is the rest of the Ringhiser clans contribution. We are excited for Christmas and to see family soon. Merry Christmas one and all. We love and miss you.

I am thankful for...

1. Slivers of pumpkin pie, made from scratch, perfect pie crust.


2. Four healthy, talented, beautiful children.


3. Amazon.com (both for employment purposes as well shopping, Free super saver shipping.)


4. Parents who raised us well and continue to provide love, support, and a "home" to gather in for holiday festivities.


5. Friends who listen and listen and continue to listen.


6. Alexander Graham Bell who blessed us with the means to reach and and touch someone via the phone


7. good music, very subjective of course


8. THE United States of America


9. Diet Pepsi (the nectar of the Gods)


10. Ten tiny toes painted red

Rainy days are here again...

Well... I guess we all knew it would happen being that we live in the Northwest but I couldn't help but take notice when seeing Miss Addison perched in the window today longing to be outside. Although the transition has been a little hard we have been grateful (most of the time) for the cul-de-sac of kids we have come to know over the past several months. Whoa nellie, it's going to be a long winter.

Happy Halloween

A great time was had by all. As you can see from the pictures Liv and Carson were vampires and Addy mezmorized the neighborhood as Miss Tink. She was less than thrilled to get dressed up for a second time (Thursday was Trunk or Treat at the church) so Halloween was so old news to her. Alec has finally given up the art of collecting candy through trick or treating and instead stayed home to greet the masses. For the first time in many years the weather actually cooperated and the rains didn't come tumbling down till the following day. Not too much to report around here. Waiting for the economy to even out and interest rates to come down. Such a fabulous time to be building a home. Oh well. We are looking forward to the upcoming holidays and seeing family soon.

So much to say...little time to say it

Gees. It's been a while since I posted last and I think the longer you go the easier it is just to skip it all together. Life is good, relatively speaking, just so dang busy. Perhaps this is "divine intervention" to keep my mind from wandering and missing friends, family and Albany. We are moving along on the house and its hard to believe we may acutally make our closing date in the beginning of January. How often does a builder give you a date and stick to it???? The kids are adjusting as best they can to a new home, neighborhood and school. They have their days but all in all they are doing great! Addy and I are staying busy playing outside lots and running errands. Maple Valley is no longer a mystery to us and now we are settling in and waiting for it to seem like "home". There is no denying that this area of the country is beautiful. I know most think the rain is unbearable but with that comes a stunning, green, tree-filled landscape. We are looking forward to exploring the terrain a little. We went to see Lake Washington last weekend and it really is a little piece of heaven on earth. Wish I had more time to ponder but we are off to soccer for Carson this morning. Wishing all of our loved ones a great beginning to fall.

August busy August

Wow... we just returned from our first official family reunion in Montana and what a great time was had by all. So much to be celebrated in the last ten days its hard to know where to start.

Addy was sealed to us in the Billings temple and we were extremely blessed to have all of our immediate and some of our extended family there. Even though it's the fourth time we have done this words are never sufficient for what a special day it really is. As you can see sweet Addy looked beautiful and she was happy and laughing the entire ceremony. It was neat to see Alec, Olivia and Carson so excited for the event as well. We all know how lucky we are to have Addison and what a great dynamic she brings to the Ringhiser family.

Alec turned 14 and celebrated with lots of new "designer" clothes and even a name brand backpack. Ah, I remember the days of Guess jeans....and now the best jeans for me are the ones that fit no matter what the brand. :) Alec is turning into a young man whether we are ready or not and I continue to say I have no idea where the time has gone. Alec was such a beautiful baby in so many ways and now he's a very talented, smart, good looking teenager.

Ray and I celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary---HOLY COW! With our family and crazy- busy day to day "stuff" I know that Ray would give his right leg to just have 18 minutes as a couple alone at this point. I look back at where we were and where we are now and I am amazed at how much we have accomplished together. I think we both can honestly say we have had or ups and downs like every couple but we wouldn't change a thing. We "work" together and it seems as those that is something hard to find these days. Here's to another 18 years because who would ever want to start over again at this point---hee hee

So, the reunion of sorts. We had a fabulous time seeing everyone. The kids literally played together from sun up till sun down. It was amazing to see how much the babies have changed and grown since Christmas. It was great to see Cody and Chelsea have settled in to married life and Will is now Dr. Winterholler with a successful new office and new house on the way. Erika and Aaron still amaze us all as they remain "cool" under the pressure of two busy boys and living so far from home. Justin and Melissa blessed us all with some great produce from the Hodges Whole Foods market aka/their garden. Her belly continues to grow and we are anxiously awaiting th arrival of....well....thats yet to be determined (the name) Mom and Dad entertained us, fed us, blessed us and sent us on our way again hoping we would be back soon to cause more Winterholler memories and madness.

The 10 days with family was a great pick me up! Back to Maple Valley we go with the last week of summer looming....

There she goes...

There Miss Livvy goes.....having another birthday and turning more and more into a young lady. This blogging has been good for me in the sense that it causes a parent to reflect a little on the concept of time--- and how there really never is enough of it. I am realizing that my first little brown-eyed curly-haired baby is now a sassy, intelligent, warm hearted young woman. Olivia came to us by pure divine intervention and we know that our lives would not be the same without her in it. She is the "calm in between the storm" (two brothers). I tell her often that she is my "rock". At times I know I take her good nature for granted because I know I can count on her to help whenever I ask and many times she figures out how to help on her own. She is the twinke in her daddy's eye and the most intelligent person I know. Of course I am bias but those who know her love her...what a lucky day August 9, 1998 was for the Ringhiser family. Happy Birthday Olivia Jean Ringhiser!

Take me out to the ball game....

Well I guess there are a few advantages to living near a big city. Carson was able to experience his first REAL baseball game tonight. Ray says he was truly mesmerized and "in his element". Tonight was season ticket holder appreciation night and fans were invited early to watch batting practice for both teams and get a closer look at the field. We were sure Carson would poop out and want to come home early after 5 hours of baseball BUT no way----he was in baseball bliss. They had a great boys night out and a time to remember.

Happy Birthday and Sisters

Well hopefully my sister won't kill me for posting this picture but so many of mine are on a computer in storage so...I was left to the what is saved on the laptop. It actually reminds me of so many times when my sisters and I have just let loose and goofed around a little. I have such fond memories of force feeding Melissa pickles, making her be the ugly sister when playing Barbara Mandrell and the Madrell sisters, making her put my shoes by the door so my parents would "think" I was home by curfew. Ah, now that is love. It's amazing how at some point you grow up and start to have more and more in common and the "annoying" little sisters become two of your closest friends. Happy Birthday Melissa! Love you.

Now this is summer...

Well I finally feel like we had a little bit of summer last week. Meaning that we did a few fun things as a family and had a little adventure in Albany. Ray took the kids to the aquatic center and we went to the Seattle Zoo. The kids enjoyed the gorillas (the mommy had a baby who we were all smitten with). A few other favorites were the lions, flamingos and elephants. It was fun to see Addy experience it all for the first time and then compare that to Alec who is way "too cool" (as you can see from the hilarious sunglasses) for the zoo. I sincerely apologize to my parents for my teenage years as Ray and I enter this new stage. It seems like just yesterday when I too thought my parents knew ABSOLUTELY nothing and that I could outwit them at every turn. I am trying to be mindful of what it was like and not judge him too harshly but HOLY COW, sometimes its tough. As taxing as it may be its fun to see him growing up and trying to figure out who the heck he is---I think we may need to buckle in, hold on tight, and try to enjoy the crazy ride. :) On Sunday afternoon we headed back to our old stomping grounds for a quick visit with friends in Albany. The kids were really good on the drive and they genuinely had a great time for a few days. It was good to see them happy and "at home" with a few familiar faces. Nothing breaks my heart more than to hear Carson talk about his birthday (8 months away) and how he has one friend whom he will invite. I know he will make tons of friends between now and then but it still makes me stop and think how upside down there world really is. Even Livvy, my rock, jokingly asks for a friend for her birthday in a few weeks. I told her, for once I think we are all in the same boat as far as that goes. Thanks to the Morse's who hosted us for our mini-vacation. The kids loved their trip to the lake where Alec got a lesson on driving the boat and Livvy took a crazy ride on the biscuit. Carson loved his time jumping off the dock and collecting feathers. For anyone who is up this way, please let us know, we would love some company. Ray is still plugging along at Amazon and I think we recognize now more than ever that this is the experience and job he needed. Knowing that helps while we continue to transition. Life is good, well there's hope anyway. :)

A big beautiful hole......

A hole only a family could love. :) They are underway on our house. We signed on the dotted line a few short weeks ago and we are now headed into the fun yet overwhelming stage of starting from scratch. Here is a picture of our lot.......Lot 15. We were pleasantly surprised a few days ago when we drove by (for the umteenth time) to see that the bulldozer had started moving the dirt around in anticipation of our permits coming through. Yesterday after only 5 days with the city of Maple Valley our permit was dropped off and WHAH LA full steam ahead. (if only some of you knew how true that statement will be) HA HA! I guess someone loves me afterall considering we were told it would be a least 4 weeks before the permits would be ready. It's fun to have something to focus on other than our new surroundings. Building may be just what the doctor ordered. In the meantime, things are looking up for the week. The weather has cooled off a little and I am a little less miserable. Amazing what a few degrees can do to your mood. We are headed back to the mothership (Albany) this weekend for a few days with friends. The kids are counting down the days and looking forward to seeing a few familiar faces.

On a side note...

Addy is walking. She is so proud of herself and knows she has achieved "something" as we clap and cheer her on. She is doing the hilarious Frankenstein walk where her legs are straight and she literally sways from side to side, arms out for balance. She decided to do this last weekend in the 24 hours I was gone to see the American Idol concert. LITTLE STINKER. Still so fun to see another item on the list acheived. Pretty soon she will be off and running. Makes me a little sad as I'm sure all mama's must feel seeing their babies grow up. Ray and I are just enjoying her so much, another milestone acheived.

Home?????

Well....so this is it. Home. Hmmmm. Doesn't quite fit just yet. We have spent the week trying to unbury in this thing we call our rental. So many boxes. So many things still lost in the garage. We have ventured out a few times only to be turned around or headed to another city all together. Thank goodness for Carson's sense of direction as he guided me home the first night we were lost. Tons of trees here and easy to lose sight of the neighborhood we are staying in. The kids seem to be handling our new life better than me at the moment. They have been caught up in picking, and arranging "their" rooms and playing in the new "playroom". Oh and then there is the hot tub which is the "cool" tub at the moment. Meaning the temperature is set low like a pool and they are spending many a days sloshing around playing Marco Polo. I have spent a lot of my time here complaining. It has been hot and there is no air conditioning in this blasted place. BIG MISTAKE, HUGE! :) Well say a prayer for me. As of today I hate it here but am trying to keep that to myself and hope for the best.......Still searching for a good diet pepsi, my landline phone, our silverware and a desire to stay instead of run..........

I have been changed for good....

I've feel like I have been writing this post for months now in my head.... wondering how you possibly say goodbye to friends you truly don't know how you will live without...I've come to the conclusion that you simply DO NOT. Leaving Albany, Oregon is one of the hardest things we've ever had to do. I have dreaded it. I have cried more tears than I thought were humanly possible anticipating this day. I have devised ways in my head to stay. I have devised ways to enable my friends to come with me. But the point is... we cannot change things sometimes and I am trying to live by my own motto...."We do not want to do this but we need to do this". Seattle is going to be a huge change and in thinking about the time we have spent here I was reminded of a night on the town with friends. In one of our many adventures we dragged our husbands to see WICKED and what a time was had by all. I remember sitting through the performance and listening to a song that literally brought tears to my eyes and still does. It is a constant reminder of how blessed our family has been since we moved to Albany.

Here are the words....

I've heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason--bringing something we must learn-- and we are led to those who help us most to grow---- if we let them and we help them in return... I don't know if I believe that that's true--- but I know I'm who I am today because I knew you... like a comet pulled from orbit as it passes the sun, like a stream that meets a boulder halfway through the wood...who can say if I've been changed for the better? But because I knew you I have been changed for good------

I have thought and thought of the right words to say and the right gift to give but really when it comes down to it I suppose there isn't much you can give a friend other than your thanks, your admiration, your respect, and your love. I hope you all know that I am the person I am today because "I knew you" and I know that I HAVE been changed for the better having had you in my life. I hope to take a little of you all with me to Seattle. Your candor, your wit, your sensibility, your sense of humor, your listening ear and most of all your willingness to accept us just as we are. I hope to meet up with you all again soon. I know that good friends are friends for life but I will miss the day to day "stuff", the phone calls, the playdates, the holidays , the long talks, and the list could go on forever. Visit us soon. We miss you all already!

Love, Sheridan and the Ringhiser clan

Busy week here in Albany

We too have had a very busy week here in Albany, Oregon. Ray turned 38!!! Hard to believe he's getting close to the big 40! We hope we surpised him with his new "smartphone". He truly is like a kid in a candy store. I'm not sure how smart it was to buy that one. Such total joy but gees louise he won't put the dang thing down. He seems to be settling in a little more to Amazon.com although he admits it's definately a little HIGH stress. This is big business at it's best and I know he will rise to the challenge.

The kids have been busy with their activities and I have been busy cleaning non-stop for people to come see our house. Carson finished off his first soccer season. Ray and I were so sad to see it come to an end. He is our first to love organized sports and I have to admit we as parents have enjoyed seeing his competitive spirit. He is quite the little athlete and Ray has loved gloating a little (or a lot) at the games, calling Carson "Pele" and casually mentioning how many goals Carson has scored. This past game was 5 goals!!! He also had a field trip to the children's museum and Carousel this week in school. Mommy rode the bus with him and had a great day watching him have such a good time with friends.



Olivia had her school musical where she landed the part of Cinderella. She had a solo and did such a good job. She was extremely nervous and I could see her doing "breathing exercises" until her moment arrived. She has been dealing with stage fright over the years and it was cute to see her overcome it once and for all.



Alec is busy with the things "tweens" are busy doing. Is this what we were all really like as teenageers? If so, I apologize profusely to my parents. :) I didnt know it was humanly possible to send as many text messages as he does. His favorite Saturday activity now is to go to the mall with friends. The highlight of his week is when Ray comes home and lets him actually drive the Mitsubishi. He primarily pulls it in and out of the drive way but he has also mastered driving around the block and around the school parking lot. Gosh I hope no one turns us in after reading that.



Addy is learning new things everyday. As seen here in the pictures she had her first taste of cookie dough and couldn't get enough of it. Ray calls these pictures "Manna from heaven" :)

We are enjoying our family time more now as it is limited to the weekends. We are looking forward to being together again as a family and hope that time comes soon. Pray that our house sells and that we can have a smooth transition as we begin this new phase of life.

What a great day to be a MOM

I'm grateful to be a mom today. I loved my breakfast in bed prepared by 6 little hands. French toast not quite done in the middle with brown sugar on the top??????, ice cold eggs and 2 year old bluberries from the DEEP freeze. :) How do you not just scarf that down?? I have to admit I had to be a little creative on that one.

I loved my handmade cards. Olivia was quick to point out that she gave me a tiny waist and HIPS in order to flatter my figure. Carson's beautiful card seems to be missing a family member and when asked about this he explains, "Alec (who he fights with quite regularly) is in our family but not on a happy day like today." Hmmmmmm. Ray wrote in only a way he can (quite gifted with words) about mothers and heroes and how they are one in same.

I loved my gifts. Alec spent the day making one thing or another in my new Magic Bullet. I think he may have suggested that one for selfish reasons. :) I was able to get ready for church this morning in my new robe because evidently I spend far too much time wandering around in my underwear. Last but not least I loved the hand-painted box in the shape of a heart for me to store my tiny treasures. Once again, my kids think I lose things and this would be a good place for me to keep them safe. "As if..."

I have been blessed to know so many good mothers and have learned so much from each and every one of you. A little more patience, a little more dedication, a little more laughter and a little more love. Yes it was a great day to be a Mom. Here's to hoping all you great Moms out there had a fabulous day!

What a difference a year can make.........

This time last year, we here in Oregon were waiting............Waiting for our little girl to arrive. Little did we know that Miss Addy would make her grand entrance almost 8 weeks early. When the phone rang on Sunday morning at 6 a.m. I knew a baby had arrived. We had decided not to go with Addy's adoption agency and were planning on calling them Monday morning to let them know we were going to go with a different situation. I was suppose to have called the week before but for some reason I had procrastinated and really struggled with the decision. Saturday night I asked Heavenly Father (half-kidding) to make the decision for me---little did I know he would do exactly that. There are times when I look at Addy and it brings tears to my eyes to realize how unbelievably grateful I am I had waited to make that call. I remember seeing her for the first time and being so completely in love and so completely terrified at the same time. She was so tiny and seemed so fragile--- although the first time I was able to hold her she mustered the strength to lift her tiny head and look me directly in the eye as if to say "I'm yours if you'll have me" and I was hooked. Scared yes, and begging the tiny thing to EAT EAT EAT, but in love. After two weeks of being away and several nervous break downs on my part we were able to bring her home to a family that has loved her unconditionally ever since. Some people wonder why we would want to "start over" after not having had a baby for 5 years. You start over to smell that new baby smell. You start over to feel that warm tiny body fall asleep on your chest. You start over to hear your baby coo, then babble, and eventually say her first words, like "hhhhi" and "hhhhot" and "da da". You start over to touch her chubby little fingers and toes. You start over to see a baby once so small turn into a thriving, happy, healthy girl.

We love you Miss Addy! Happy 1st birthday.

Daddy, Mommy, Alec, Olivia and Carson

OUR BABY BOY ----IS A BABY NO MORE

.Carson turned 6 today and what a fun day it was. For those of you that have experienced life at the Chucky Cheese---what could be better??? The kids ate crappy pizza, licked the waxy frosting off Safeway cake, collected 250 tickets to purchase minature blow plops, junky race cars, plastic rings, etc. etc and danced the with the Man himself (Chucky) for an afternoon of complete bliss. A parent's worst nightmare but a child's dream come true
Carson got a new bike from grandma and grandpa and endless action figures. Ray and I really enjoyed watching him have so much fun with his "posse" of friends that have literally grown up together. It brings tears to my eyes to know that next year it will be a new set of friends in a new city, a new home altogether. The realization that we are leaving the world as we know it is beginning to set in and we are purposefully trying to enjoy the here and now--- "freeze time" as Ray would say. How many times do we catch ourselves saying, "how fast time flies" and there are not truer words for us today.







It's hard to believe that its has been six years now since Carson joined our family. We are forever grateful to a sweet girl who loved him enough to share him with us. He is the "life" of our party with an infectious laugh and a heart the size of a giant. He is daddy's little helper, mommy's best friend and snuggle bug, a great big brother to Addy, a playmate to Livvy and a fellow lego guru for Alec. We can honestly say he was so needed in this family to make us all take life a little less seriously. Happy Birthday baby boy----:) We love you Carson!!!

"We've only just begun"

Happy Easter, everyone!! Well on a day of new beginning's we too have entered the blogging world. Perhaps it will be a way to do the things I have needed to do for quite some time now---Take more pictures and keep a record of our life's events. We hope this will be a way for you all to keep up with our busy life and stay in touch with those we love and cherish most. Visit us often, we truly feel blessed and hope you are all well and enjoying the arrival of Spring.