Snowed In

Well, it is Portland, OR so when it snows the town shuts down. School was shut down for the week...three weeks off and two before Santa came! We spent time playing in the snow and going wild in the house! The boys wore their snow pants for three days straight! Phillip went to work only a couple of days and was able to telecommute the rest. An added bonus for me. As you can guess this was not my ideal...not much of a homebody really. So Phillip would take us out every night after my begging. Here are picks that I got with my digital camera, I will be getting the nice photos printed and put onto a CD soon. Well, lets be honest, sometime before next Christmas!

Xmas

Here are the photos I was able to snap this year...as you can see, we splurged and got a Wii...it is for RJ & Phillip;) Jack is thrilled that he can do coloring whenever he wants now and not when I get the counter cleared off! Hope you had a happy holiday!

Santa

Well, we have been snowed in since Sunday...no school so far this week. The kids and I were fine until last night. Phillip took us all out for dinner and last minute shopping. Today the roads were clear, still no school? So we took Phillip to work and have been puttering around. We made it to the gym (finally) and then bowling, lunch of course and then our big visit to Santa! Jack asked for a horse, and RJ asked for a Wii...not sure how good they have to be for those;)

High Tea

Katie and I started a new tradition this year...there are some amazing things you can do with a girl! We went to High Tea at the Heathman...such fun eating small sandwiches and five different desserts while drinking tea and playing with the tea service. Lexi wore her "party shoes" and took her "party purse" and went to a party with Auntie Heather.

Zoo Lights

One of our favorite traditions is going to the zoo and seeing all the lights they put out for the holidays. It is a magical place. There are so many lights of so many things. Here are the pics that turned out this year.

Let's play catch up!

Happy Thanksgiving!

So the holidays are off with a bang and I am of a mixed bag at this juncture. I cannot wait for Christmas! Melancholy from time to time about last year. But excited about this year.

RJ has found a new love and Phillip is enjoying the hobby as well. I set up an outing for the boy scout group RJ is in to a Baseball card shop. They all had a great time there and got a starter kit. A book, cards and patch! The owner talked to the boys about collecting and things to look for and things to steer clear of. Now RJ is on a mission! He loves rookie cards and Phillip has an easy indulgence. Now the packs of cards are coming home faster then he can put them in his book and now they are planning an outing to get a new, bigger one! How did it go from action figures to baseball cards? I missed something I think. Soon he will be driving and dating!

We are having a quiet Thanksgiving and then the Xmas season begins! We will be getting a tree this weekend and going to the zoo for the holiday light event. I can't wait!!!!!!! I love Christmas! Already thinking of all the fun things we are going to do! Decorations will be pulled out Friday and the season is official! I don't do the crazy shopping thing though so no worries. It is all about having fun with the kids for us. My list is ever growing for activities with them. Ugh, I can't help myself!

Disney

We finally took a vacation! As usual we went to Disneyland and had an amazing time! RJ took us on his favorite ride, Buzz Blasters, 10 times! Jack was old enough to ride the Matterhorn and when he got off, he summed up the trip..."That was awesome!!"

It was a quiet week there so only one day where we had to wait in line (veterans day). We saw the fireworks, hit every parade, rode every ride we wanted and got to ride w/ the engineer at the front of the Monorail! Nothing can beat a fun time with the family. It was a great week!

Jack

Here are pics of Jack's first pony ride. Rather anxious...until he got started, then he didn't want to get off.

We're goin' to the Zoo, zoo, zoo...how about you?

Jack and his "girls"
The boys going for a ride

There was no school on Friday (or Thursday) and so I packed up the boys and we spent the morning at the zoo with some friends. We saw the new baby elephant, Sam. Amazing thing to watch. Couldn't find the setting without a flash in time to snap a pic so you are stuck looking at my babies instead!

Pickling

Because I have nothing else to do...I thought I would pickle.

It is an indulgence for Phillip.

They are so bold in color before I pour the brine. I love to see them clean and in the jars. There is a small pleasure I get when I am done and have something I made that others enjoy. Must be why I started making jam too. That or I have found my stride as a domestic. So long as no one wants clean socks!

A study of Hammie...by Jack

Hammie reading


Hammie resting

First day of School

Well it was a banner year for the family. Both boys are in school now and here are the pics from their first days!

I know, slow as usual.

Army of Women

If you are a woman and are reading my site, please click on Army of Women. This is an effort by Avon and Dr. Love to recruit as many women as possible to be available for research studies for Breast Cancer. Regardless of your "demographic" they are looking for you. This program will link researchers with women who are able to participate in studies on breast cancer. They need survivors, they need those that are cancer free. They need every age, geographic location and ethic group to participate. We are being called to join the ranks of those finding a cure, a vaccine and a treatment. Help me.

It is with a greater passion that I am asking this from you. This year has seen breast cancer take the life of my Aunt Connie.

This year, I found a lump. This year, at 32, I had my first mammogram. The lump they found required another mammogram. I then needed an ultrasound. I then needed an MRI.

My lump is benign.

I can only share with you the terror of looking at my children and thinking of them spending one day without me. I can only hope that the fear that I felt for the last month be something that skips you and those you hold dear. I can only express gratitude for those that walked with me during this time of my life. I am desperate to find a cure. We all need a life that is full of our loved ones and our children.

Please, I implore you, help me.

Soccer Tourney

RJ is # 21...notice you only really ever see pictures of him running

Before Game One

The Champions!

GO BLUE SHARKS!!!!!!!!!!

RJ was in his first soccer tournament this weekend. He played two games on his birthday. One at 10:30a and another at 4:30p. They won both games, playing really well. The final game was today at 4:30 and it was a hard game. The boys played well and were very aggressive with the ball. Their team won and took first place!

RJ played defender all weekend and loved it! He is now called the Brick Wall by the parents for not letting anything by him. He used his whole body and charged every ball that came his way. He has found his place on the team for his big kicks. He was awesome. I am so proud! He was really anxious for the game but settled down and played hard. He just wants to play his position well and knows that is what helps the team. He isn't about how many goals he scores, he doesn't care if he scores at all, he is cheering on his team as hard as the parents.

He is such a great kid! What an amazing thing to witness. I just love my guy!

Eskimos

Pop used to tell a story about 2 grizzled hunters who met in a bar in the arctic. After a few drinks theconversation turned to the existence of God. They started to argue. One man insisted that there was a God while the other was just as sure there was not.
“Yes there is!”
“No, there isn’t!”
“God exists!”
“No, He doesn’t, and I can prove it.” The non-believer said, “I was out hunting when a snow storm caught me. The snow came down hard and obliterated the trail. I was lost. I didn’t know what to do, so I got down on my knees and prayed.”
“That proves that God exists,” said the believer.
“No it doesn’t,” said his opponent. . . . “Some darn Eskimo came along and showed me the way back to town.”

We all have Eskimos who come into our lives and show us the way. A quick word, a chance meeting.
I have met with one of mine recently and wanted to help prepare your heart to meet one of yours.

Dog days of summer...

Ahh August! It has been a great summer. Here are some photos of one late afternoon...the boys enjoyed a sprinkler, squirt guns and popsicles. The days I most enjoy being a mom.