Sunday Sledding

Paper snowflakes

I went a little overboard with the paper snowflakes just before Christmas. Once I start making them, I can't stop...it's almost like it was when I was knitting ( for that one month back in 2002) You get in to a rhythm when cutting out the designs and it becomes a very relaxing process. Unfortunately Talus has shredded a few of them from pouncing on the window whenever the UPS man stops by to deliver a package. He obviously does not appreciate them in quite the same way as I do..

Happy 2010!

And a very special welcome to Colin Locke Davitt! A new year and a new nephew and cousin!

Not quite a white Christmas....

We at least had one fun snow day in Portland. It started at about 1:30pm and snowed for several hours. It was great snow for making snowmen and snow forts! The boys played for almost 2 hours before I had to drag them inside to eat dinner.

Christmas Tree 2009

It is always nice when the weather cooperates on the day we go to select a tree. Especially when it's a "U-cut" lot. (See Jim on the ground sawing the tree...can't imagine that on a rainy day!). Living in Oregon, we are spoiled by the amazing quality and variety of trees...we had our pick of Nobles, Grands, Douglas Firs and Redwoods. We brought home a Doug Fir that was almost too wide to make it through the front door. Now we are ready to get serious about the Christmas decorations.

Snow!!!

Last year at this time there was not any snow atop Mt. Hood. This year...lots of wonderful, fluffy white snow! The ski resorts are all up and running and we have already been up to ski one time. Hopefully this is a sign that we have a great ski season ahead of us. These pictures are from Timberline.

An afternoon at the Theater

We took the boys to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at the Oregon Children's Theater last weekend. They loved and especially enjoyed the Moon struck chocloate that was handed out to everyone after the show. The cast was in the lobby post performance to sign programs. The boys met Willy Wonka , Charlie asn a few of the Oompa Loompas.
The other photo is the Halloween candy count...and what it looks like when 2 boys have had too much sugar!

Pumpkins!

Recent events and photos

I took a really fun baking class with my friend, Mary. The photo is of the instructor, Julie, who was wonderful. I am ready to make some awesome cakes! Snow pictures are from Timberline Lodge which we visited last weekend. Sean was throwing snowballs at me, which he thought was hilarious. Also Jackson's self portrait and climbing the rocks at Foothills Park.

Weekend art project

Live from Schukart Lane.....

There is even more noise, I mean "music" , in the house now. We have a very old but very beautiful Steinway piano on long term loan from a friend of a friend. I still can't believe the woman let us take away her piano but she really wanted it to be in a house where it was being played. Her kids are grown and the piano has not been used for a long time. So, the goal is for the boys to take lessons and play lovely music while I make dinner and sip my glass of wine-HA!

A glimpse of the weekend and Sean's socks

It was a perfect early Fall weekend. Much better than last Saturday's rain soaked soccer. We ended the weekend with dinner and a fire outside...and we tried to persuade Sean that grilled vegetables were very delicious and something he should try to eat. He ate a few bites of grilled orange pepper...no luck with the other offerings. On a different topic, Sean continues to insist on wearing his socks pulled up to his knees. It has become his signature look. I keep looking for 70's style tube socks (with a stripe at the top) but so far have not found any. So he will continue to stretch his poor socks to the limit so they will give him the right look.

Saturday soccer part deux

Here are some pics of Jackson's game. The boys had a blast and were running and laughing as they kicked the ball around. I think his entire team has blond hair! We love the coaches, too. And we are happy that the rule for snakcs this year is healthy stuff only...no more Twinkies and Oreos as post game refreshments!!

Soccer Saturdays have begun

One game done, one to go...

Jackson , Sean and some of the bus stop gang!

Back to School!

Today was Sean's first day of kindergarten. He was very excited and kept asking, "How many more minutes till we leave for school" this morning. He was very excited to ride the bus with Jackson this year. Jackson handled the first day in stride. As a seasoned second grader, this is old hat for him. But he was excited to see all his friends and get out to recess.

Hood to Coast weekend

After the race, I rejoined all the boys for some fun at the beach. It was a bit chilly but we still had lots of fun. The boys especially loved the recumbent sand bikes!

Hood to Coast relay