Christmas in Portland

This year, on Dec. 23, we celebrated Christmas in Portland with Jeff's family, since we weren't going to be here on the actual Christmas Day.  We went over to Jeff's parent's house early Saturday morning and had breakfast.  Then we relaxed and played.  Soon the rest of the family showed up.  We had a nice lunch, and then we opened presents.  It was fun to see everyone and spend time with them.

Daniel

Uncle Todd and Aunt Debbie

Sam and Simon

Grandpa and Aunt Cheryl

Christmas Chapel

The day the boys got out of school, our school had a special Christmas Chapel.  Students are able to audition and play Christmas songs throughout the chapel.   All three boys auditioned and were able to play this year.  Daniel played Little Drummer Boy on the piano.  Sam played Carol of the Bells on the piano.  And Simon played Jingle Bells on the guitar.  They all did very well.

Simon

Daniel

Sam

Ship Lights

Last Sunday night we went down to the river to see the ship lights.  It's a tradition here in Portland for some of the local ship owners to decorate their ships and sail up and down the river.  We've been going down to see them the past several years, so it is a fun tradition for us.  This year did not let us down, and the weather was decent too, so that helped.  Here's a little look at what we saw.  

Church Christmas Music Concert

Last Friday night, our church had their Christmas Music Concert.  The first part was from the Children's Choir, which the boys sung in.  It was neat to hear them singing, and I enjoyed the music.  Here's a look at the boys.

Zoo Lights 2017

This year, we went to see the Zoo Lights at the Oregon Zoo.  This is something we like to do every year.  It's a fun tradition.  The zoo puts up lots of beautiful lights all over the zoo.  They also have a train ride that takes you through the zoo so you can see the lights.  We enjoyed doing it again this year.

The boys waiting for the train

Lights

Wizard of Oz

Boys Posing

Christmas Tree

 This year we went back to our favorite Christmas Tree Farm, Quail Creek Tree Farm, just a little north of here.  We go and pick out our own tree and cut it down.  They have a bonfire where we can sit and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate or apple cider.  This year did not disappoint, and we are very happy with our tree.

Pumpkin Patch

In October we went to our favorite pumpkin patch, Kruger Farms.  We like to go there to pick out our pumpkins.  They have a hayride, a corn maze, and lots of yummy food.  The boys did the corn maze first.  Then we took the hayride out to the pumpkin patch to pick out our pumpkins.  After that we had some yummy snacks of apple pie and caramel apples.  

The Corn Maze

The Hayride

Us With Our Pumpkins

Salishan Weekend

One weekend in September, Jeff and I left boys with the grandparents and drove to Lincoln City where we stayed at the Salishan Resort.  We got down there early Friday afternoon and ate lunch in town.  Then we stopped at the Outlets before checking in to the resort.  That night we went out to dinner at a local restaurant.  

The next morning we went for a run on the beach.  Then we had breakfast at a great little bakery close by.  Later that day we drove to Newport.  We visited this lighthouse and actually saw some whales.  That was cool.  We had lunch in town and walked around a bit.  Later we had dinner back in Lincoln City.

Sunday morning we got up for another run.  Then it was time to head back home and pick up the boys.  It was a nice weekend.

September Stuff

Back in September, one thing the boys did was go backpacking.  Jeff took them on an over night backpacking trip up by Mt. Hood.  I drove them up to Timberline Lodge and dropped them off.  Then they backpacked/hiked a one way route and drove themselves home.  They had a good time.

Then we also had a birthday party for Simon and Daniel.  Since they have summer birthdays, we decided to celebrate with their friends once school had resumed.  So Simon got a bowling party on a Friday afternoon after school.  And Daniel had a sleep over.  They had fun.

Back to School

Sorry it has taken me so long to blog again.  I had some issues getting my photos to upload, but I think I have it figured out now, so I should be able to do more updates.

Yes I know Thanksgiving is days away, and I am posting about something that happened about 3 months ago!  But here are our pics from the first day of school.  Simon is in 2nd grade this year, Sam is in 4th and Daniel is in 6th.  I am teaching Kindergarten again.  The last couple of months have flown by.  We are already done with the first quarter and have moved well into the second quarter.  But here's a look back.

All 3 on the Front Porch

Simon at his desk

Sam at his desk

Daniel at his desk

Hood to Coast 2017

This year, we and some of our friends, ran the Hood to Coast Relay again.  This was our third year in a row.  I love doing this relay.  There is just something about riding in a van with friends for 36 hours, getting no sleep, and running anywhere from about 13-20 miles per person.  I know it sounds crazy, but it's a lot of fun.  This year was no different.  Here's a look back.

Our Van at the top

Jeff and I at the start

Hard to see, but this is all of us

Solar Eclipse

I'm sure if someone were to ask you where you were when the solar eclipse happened, you'd be ready with a quick reply.  We were at school.  I was actually on contract to start getting my room ready.  My parents were visiting from out of town.  They drove the boys over to the school.  We went out to the playground and watched it take place.  There were other kids and adults there too.  It was interesting.

At the Start

Simon

Sam

Getting There

All of the Kids

An Attempt at a Photo of the Sun

Simon's Birthday

Back on August 20, Simon had his 7th birthday.  We celebrated it at Aunt Debbie and Uncle Todd's house.  My parents were visiting, so it was them, Jeff's parents, and his sisters.  We had a nice dinner. The boys played a little.  Then we had cake and opened presents.  Later the following month, he had a party with his class from school.  More on that later.

Camp Meeting

After we got back from Hawaii, we had one day to unpack, do laundry and get ready to go to Camp Meeting.  This year we purchased an area if we wanted to stay the night.  Jeff's parents brought out their VW Wagon and parked it for us.  However, I didn't have enough time to pack and stay out their the whole time, so we only stayed a couple of nights.  For the most part, we still drove back and forth each day.  We were out there with our friends Ruth and Renee again along with their kids.  It was a fun week.

Simon Enjoying the Afternoon Play

Simon & Brianna going to their meeting

Getting ready to do the 5K Fun Run

Sam helping lead Song Service

All the Kids

Buddies Hanging Out

Good Friends!