4 Christmas's

Well, se are now back in Portland, safe and sound.  Utah was great.  It was nice to visit, and it is nice to be back home, and even nicer still that the Holidays are over.  But really Christmas was great.  what was especially unique for us this year is that we got to celebrate it FOUR times.  

Tom's family always does their Christmas on the December 23.  This is the day we get together, go sledding, make cookies, read Luke 2, and open presents.  This year we even threw a baby blessing into the mix.  

Tom and Owen sledding at Mack Park (Smithfield UT)

Owen opening his first Christmas present EVER!  

At Grammy's house in Smithfield.

We spent Christmas day at my parents.  It was fun to be there, but it was pretty low key, because only 2 out of 7 sibling were there.  Wow it was quite. My family did Christmas, after Christmas. My mom decided that she really missed having tons of kids around on Christmas morning, and decided to have a 24 hour party.  Yes, that is right, the night of the 26th, the majority of my siblings showed up to my parents, for 24 hours of Christmas partying. I think my mom envisioned us all staying up to all hours of the night partying, but I think we may have made it to 10:30. The next day, the rest of my sibling (and their families) showed up, and we had our Festivities.

Owen, Grandpa, and Cousin Kendell playing with Grandma's FisherPrice Nativity.

Tom and Owen opening their stocking on Christmas morning.

Because we suddenly flew to Utah, we had to leave ALL of our Christmas in Portland.  So we got celebrate Christmas for the forth time when we got home.  It was sounds like a lot, but actually it ended up being a lot of fun being able to relive the Christmas Spirit so many times in one Season.  It was nice to have so many reasons to reflect on the reason for the Season, and celebrate the birth of our Savior.

Owen on his very first bike.  Santa gave it to him!

The Weather Outside is Frightful

Wow, it has been a week of crazy weather. It has been snowing in Portland. Yes actual white fluffy stuff that stays on the ground. From what I hear, it has shut the city completely down. Luckily Tom and I made it out just before the big storm hit. Our plan was to drive to Utah, last Friday. Due to the snow flurries Tom's school was canceled on Thursday, so we thought we would try and leave a that afternoon. During our rush to pack and get out the door early, one of our friend who works for an air line called. WE got to chatting, and she said that se had some buddy pass that we could use to fly home with. 2 1/2 hours later we were on a flight to Utah. Wow was that a crazy day. Boy were we lucky, I know a couple of our friends did end up driving, and it took them two days to get to Salt Lake (it should only take 12 hours), and other friends who tried to fly out of Portland a couple of days lated are stuck. I guess all planes leaving Portland were grounded, and no one can get out until Christmas morning.

So Thanks a million Cody and Tennille, you were a total life savor.

O Christmas Tree

I have said it before, and I will say it again, my favorite thing about living in Oregon is all the great U-Pick farms.  The climate here is great for farming, and there is something that is ready to be harvested every season.  The farmers do the hard part, and we get to do the fun part.  It is great fun to be driving down the road and to see a sign that says U-Pick ______, and you pull over and pick what ever it is.  

Well, obviously, this is the Season of the Christmas Tree.  Something like 90% of all the Christmas Trees in the nation come from here, so as you can imagine, there are tree farms all over the place.  

It has become our tradition to go out a cut our own tree the day after Thanksgiving.  It is great fun to search for the perfect tree in a REAL forest.  I think Tom loves the search for the Perfect tree.  The primitive hunter in him comes out, and once the perfect 

tree is found, it becomes his prize.  It is actually a lot of fun.  And I think Our tree ended up looking pretty good.

We Tried a new Brand of Diapers

I would not suggest using White Cloud Diapers.  

We discovered why they are so much cheeper than the rest.

Nine Months!

Holy Cow, Owen is already 9 months old.  I cannot believe how fast he is growing.  He is crawling, and eating real food, and trying to talk and walk.  It is amazing how fast they learn.  Everyday he becomes more of a little boy, and less of a baby.  It just can't believe it.

Another Day at the Beach

Tom's parents came to visit us 

last weekend, so we went to the Tillimock Beach 

just for kicks and giggles. 

It was a bit cloudy, but surprisingly warm.

Every one had a great time playing on the beach.

  

In the big free open space of the beach, Tom decided to see if  his cheerleading skills were still as sharp as they use to be.  It turns out he can toss an 8 month old a lot higher than an 18 year old.

After the beach, we stopped and ate at this great little Cowboy Grill, and Owen had his first saddle ride.

Not sure, but I think it is Genetic

Here is a picture of Tom and me brushing out teeth when we were engaged (Spring 2006).

Take a good look at it.   Especially Tom.

Fast forward 2 1/2 years later, and we are teaching Owen how to brush his teeth...

Well, look for yourself.  

Can I just say that he is definitely his Daddy's boy?