Party in Portland

This weekend we made a whirlwind trip to Portland to kick off the start of the holiday season. We joined our friends the Barrettes, who have made this an annual tradition. We started at OMSI, which we had never been to before. That place is WAY cool! We could have spent the whole day there, but had to get on to all the other fun the Barrettes had in store for us, like a visit to Voodoo doughnuts, a swim at the hotel, dinner out, riding the MAX light rail, strolling through downtown with the holiday lights, caroling in the hotel lobby, a PJ party in the room, etc... Unfortunately I was having too much fun to take many pictures, but I did get a few.

Happy Thanksgiving

This year we hosted Thanksgiving at our house. Unfortunately Greg, Rose, Molly, and Andrew, and Addie had to stay home at the last minute so as not to contaminate us all with the flu bug that hit their house the night before. Without them, we were a much smaller and quieter group, but we had a very nice afternoon anyway. Jeff's parents, my Mom, and her cousins Heather and John, all joined us for the day. Caroline helped me bake an apple pie. Jeff smoked the turkey on the BBQ for something different--it turned out very moist and tasty. Margaret shared her Thanksgiving grace and an original Thanksgiving poem. Caroline designated herself the official photographer.

Catching up with the Cruickshanks

It's been no easy task, but we FINALLY found a weekend to get together with our busy friends John & Kay, and their girls, who we haven't seen since we ran into them over spring break in Disneyland 2 1/2 years ago. It didn't take long for all the kids to get reacquainted and have a ball. Margaret and Caroline were especially taken by the video games that they could use to text one another throughout the house. Caroline learned some basketball moves from Laura, and Jeff and I enjoyed the chance to catch up with a good visit--we could have talked for a week! We've renewed our pledge to try and get together more often. We'll have to be sure to keep it too since Jessie will be all grown up and out of the house before we know it!
Erin, Jessie, and Laura with Caroline & Margaret

Erin and Caroline texting one another in Erin's room

Jeff and John--still smilin' despite enduring the Husky's dismal loss to the Cougars at the Apple Cup.

Abracadabra!

Margaret and Caroline went to a birthday party up the street at their friend Maggie's house, where they learned magic tricks and each got to bring home a magic bag, wand, and top hat. Caroline had the good luck to find the entire hidden treasure on the treasure hunt! It was quite a hit of a party, and we've been entertained with magic tricks ever since.

Weekend at Grammy & Grampy's

The girls got to experience their first Husky game on Saturday. Grampy took them to the pre-game and first half while Jeff and I were at a credit union conference. Looks like they had a good time, despite the Husky's less-than-stellar game/season.

The post-game letdown.

Sunday morning the girls got to play with Grammy & cousin Jameson

Baking for Grammy & Grampy

This afternoon the kids helped me bake pumpkin pies for dessert. I rarely take the time to bake from scratch, although I'm trying to do more of it. And it's even more rare that I take the time to let the girls help me. But I am always so glad when I do because they really seem to enjoy it.

Busy night!

Last night Jeff and I attended the school's 20th anniversary gala auction. We didn't go last year so weren't sure exactly what to expect other than we knew it would be fancy ("black tie optional") and that it raises a TON of $$$ for the school every year. It was definitely a ritzy affair--they even took our "prom pictures" as we entered. We couldn't afford to bid on much, especially in the live auction portion, although we did get a great baby shower gift basket at the silent auction for Daphne's upcoming baby shower.

Caroline was part of a small choir that performed as a highlight of the auction entertainment. There were 2 kids from each grade, and they sang two inspirational songs--one about "lighting your candle to light the world" and "All You Need Is Love" by the Beatles. Unfortunately the lights were very low, so the pictures and video didn't turn out well, but trust me that it was very sweet & touching.

Also as part of the live auction, each class prepares a class-made item to auction off to the parents who are willing to spend ridiculous amounts of money for these keepsakes. Margaret's class made a nativity set out of clay, with each student making & painting one piece, and preparing a little explanation about that person/item's role in the nativity story. We don't have the set to show you (it sold for several hundred dollars...), but Jeff took a quick picture of Margaret's explanation of her piece: James, one of the shepherds. Hopefully you can read it--the last line is the best!

Busy day!

Today was Caroline's first piano recital! She says: "It was really fun, and I was like, wow, this is my first time and I was pretty scared. But it all turned out to be fine."



While Caroline was at her recital, Margaret was with her Brownie troop at a science workshop. It was called "Slime Explorers" and they made 4 different kinds of slime. Check it out!




The day is not over... Tonight is the school auction, and Caroline is singing in a choir performance. stay tuned...