Our tree

I put on the holiday music and we decorated our tree on Sunday...

I love Hallmark ornaments...and have quite a few of them. We each get an ornament each year - something my Grandma Neena started many years ago. I've started a collection for Makena and Jamie...and try to continue with the series and add along the way. Sometimes we get more than one tho. : )

my ornament from 1986

My ornament from 1989 - #2 in the series

Makena liked mine, so I bought her this one in 2004 - #17 in the series

I bought this one for Jamie in 2005 - #18 in the series

another of my favorites - a glass blown pig

one of Makena's favorites - from Auntie Dylona in 1997

we bought this for Jamie in 2003 (for Duke)

for Jamie & I from Kylah in 2004 - Kylah laughing and Dylona talking (can't rotate the video)

I did a little research on the Hallmark ornaments (Mary's Angels specifically) and my #2 ornament is selling for over $90 w/damaged box. I would never get rid of mine, but wow! I'm glad that my step-mom saved these ornaments for me and that I've always been in the habit of carefully placing them back in their box.

Saturday

After bringing our tree home, Jamie had to head back up to the lake. He needed to secure the boat and wave runners better for the winter months. He also had a small stove to take up - it runs on our propane tank - and a neighbor was going to help him move it. Then he 'played with the boys' that were visiting.

Makena and I went to the Hillsboro Farmer's Market. There are only a couple of booths in the winter time, and we didn't see anything that we really needed. We then looked through a couple of other shops in downtown Hillsboro. Makena needed some new shoes, so we stopped by Famous Footwear for their 'buy one - get on 1/2' off sale. It doesn't seem like much of a sale when her shoes are $60+ a pair!! (yikes!) By then, we were starving, so I talked her into going to Lil' Cooperstown for lunch. She wasn't too excited...until her Oreo Milkshake came out...

Gram came over about 7pm and we were off to the Rose Garden to see Celtic Thunder. Beautiful music and singing! They searched all over Ireland for these 5 men (boys) - they were great all together as well as on their own.

Not a Charlie Brown tree

We got up early on Saturday to find our tree. I love that we live in a place where we can do that! I can't imagine not being able to find and cut down our own tree...and then enjoy the smell of the fresh tree all month long.


We tried a new tree farm this year - Hagg's out in Scholls. Very family friendly and helpful, and tons of great trees! It sometimes takes us quite a while to find and agree on the perfect tree, but it went quickly this year. I like the untrimmed Noble Firs, Makena likes the largest or the smallest one she can find, and Jamie likes the Douglas Firs (well, he used to anyways) - we usually end up with a 6 to 8ft trimmed Noble as our compromise. The tree always looks bigger and bushier when we put it up in the house! All the better for our assortment of ornaments tho.


It was only about 34 degrees, but the sun was shining so we were lucky. After we cut down the tree, we carried it to the road - where a truck came by and picked it up. It was then taken down (to where we were waiting in our nice, warm truck) to be shaken, wrapped and then loaded into our truck. Jamie loved that! Then we went to have some hot-chocolate and look at some holiday crafts, wreaths and farm animals down in a barn. We were too early to visit Santa...maybe next year.

Crochet 101

Makena and I took a crochet class on Friday night. We taught ourselves two of the stitches correctly, we just needed to learn a few more. Makena found it easier to use a larger hook, so we purchased a couple new ones. I think we may still have a while before we begin the little amigurumi animals...I'm working on a scarf right now. Maybe everyone will get one for Christmas! : ) (Lucky you huh?)

after 1 1/2 hours - mine is cream, Makena's purple

The teacher was very helpful, but the class was rather expensive ($35 each at Jo-Ann Fabrics) for a 'general' lesson. And...we had to buy all of the materials separate. We may or may not go to the 2nd class.

My thoughts exactly!

Couple 'a things

1. While at Fred Meyer last night, I was VERY excited to see that Hershey Kisses had new flavors! I bought a bag of each of the Cordial Cherry, Caramel and Peppermint. (I must like them...there aren't very many left.)
2. I put that spray snow stuff on my front windows...not sure if I like it.
3. Makena and I are taking a crochet 101 class on Friday...we need to make sure we taught ourselves to crochet correctly.
4. On Saturday, we're going to the Rose Garden with Gram to see Celtic Thunder - a Celtic dancing/singing group.
5. My damn foot is bothering me again...I think it's just the tendinitis tho.
6. The laminating machine that I ordered came in, but they were out of the actual laminating paper (of course). I placed another order online as the stores were all out too.
7. I put Christmas music on the radio in my truck, added some to my iPod and put a song on my cell phone.
8. I am a total procrastinator lately...when it comes to actual work related things that is.
9. Makena and I went shopping at Kohl's on Monday. She is much more fun to shop with now! (Her clothes are more expensive tho!)
10. A friend sent me an email with cute little pictures on it. Here is one of my favorites...I'll send more later.

"Why I smiled today" - Jamie gave me the last chocolate chip cookie.

Our Turkey Day

A little pack of pumpkins and gourds from our neighbors

Chef Richard

All the yummy food

the family

time for dessert!

taking silly pictures

Blogger has a mind of it's own sometimes...and it can drive a person with OCD crazy!!! The spacing does what it wants...not what I want...no matter how many times I change it. Oh well...one more thing for me to 'get over'. : )

The long weekend

On Saturday, we went back up to the lake just to finish 'winterizing' everything. It was the first time that Jaime had been up there. He was impressed, until Jamie put him to work.

Then we took Jaime, Rick and Gram to dinner at PF Changs. We gave Rick his laptop - birthday, Christmas and bonus gift. It was nice to spend some more time with Gram.

Jaime left on Sunday afternoon...he'll be back in a few weeks. After watching some football, Jamie put up the lights outside. He says the snowman is too much of a pain to put back up again next year...we'll see. I turned on the Christmas music and decorated the inside of the house. I still have a few more things to do, but I'm already enjoying the Holidays!

It's December!

I love the Holidays!! Jamie put the lights up outside and I decorated the inside. We will go get our tree this weekend...then I'll be ready to wrap presents! I received my first Christmas card yesterday (love those too!) - you are even more organized than I am Kathy! Seasons Greetings!

Crazy folk

Jamie decided on Wednesday that we would be going to Best Buy for Black Friday. I didn't want ANY part of it...but he said he would get me a laptop as they had a really good deal. Sooo...we decided to show up there at 2am to be ready for tickets to be handed out at 3am and the store to open at 5am. We figured we would get our tickets and then come back later. (The other Jaime got in to town, after driving 19 hours, at 1:30am and was dragged along too.) Welllll....they didn't start handing things out until almost 4am! We were pretty unprepared for standing in line that long...but we did it with hundreds of other people. The 'tickets' were actually vouchers for the item that you were wanting to purchase, and many things were gone by the time they got down to us in line. LUCKILY, not the items that we wanted. So...by the time we got our vouchers we just decided to wait in line for the store to open. By the time we got back home, it was almost 6am so I decided to run up to Fred Meyer for a few things as well. Then, back in bed by 7:30am and off to la-la land.

Jamie made Jaime and I breakfast this morning (must have been our 'thank you' for standing in line for hours at 35 degrees.) They have a few things to do for work and I am sitting on the couch blogging on MY new laptop. : )

We did have a wonderful Thanksgiving and I will get photos loaded once I get all my programs on my laptop to do so.

Happy Thanksgiving

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

We wish you all a safe and Happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy the turkey and the pumpkin pie!

Good lesson

I was reading through the Season of Sharing Wishbook last night and when I put it down I said: "I feel really bad for those people."
"Why?" Makena asked
"Because my daughter is healthy, I don't have a terminal illness and we have a house." I replied.
"But why would you feel 'bad' for them Mom? You should feel 'sad' for them."
"Yah" Jamie agreed "I don't feel bad for the things we have, we are lucky and I am proud of what we have."
"You're right" I smiled. And, they were. I shouldn't feel 'bad' for the things that we've worked hard for and are fortunate enough that have. I shouldn't feel 'bad' for us being healthy. I should feel lucky and appreciate every moment of it. I'm glad that they reminded me...a good lesson. We will still enjoy donating to the Season of Sharing Wishbook again this year. I'm just glad they reminded me why we do it.

Jamie and I decided to take the rest of today off and catch up on our TiVo shows. (He is the boss, so I guess I'll have to do it.) I'll get most of my part of the cooking done tomorrow and then we'll eat and eat and eat! And...we spend time together, being thankful and appreciative.

"My 25"

25 things that I am grateful for:

1. My beautiful and healthy daughter
2. My wonderful and supportive boyfriend
3. My family
4. My friends
5. Knowing my best friend for over 20 years
6. I have a house to call 'Home'
7. I have heat and electricity in my house
8. I can afford to buy food
9. I can usually afford to buy organic/local foods
10. I still have grandparents that I can enjoy spending time with
11. My health
12. My beautiful god-daughters
13. Our little 'shed' on Walden Island
14. My truck
15. I can now afford to put gas in my truck and drive it
16. My foot is better
17. Relay
18. Jamie has a job that allows me to work from home
19. Because of that job, I can volunteer for other things
20. Good beer
21. An open mind
22. My pets
23. Email/internet
24. I will be spending Thanksgiving with family
25. The enjoyment I get from blogging

25 years of Relay For Life

The year 2009 will mark the beginning of our celebration of 25 years of Relay For Life. Sign up or donate today and join us to mark this milestone and the successes we’ve achieved together during the last 25 years!

Relay For Life of Hillsboro (www.relayforlife.org/hillsboroor)

Tami's Full-House of Champions

Amber's Page

Jamie's Page

Makena's Page

Twilight....Again: Makena style!

So we went to see Twilight again, I noticed some new things. Like the author (Stephenie Meyer) was in it once! She ordered a veggie plate in the diner (THEY EVEN SAID HER NAME!) I feel kinda sad that I missed it before.

Good for me, Jasper wasn't as freaky looking this time. He still freaked me out a bit though....

Mom still wants Emmett's (Her favorite character) jeep. Maybe we can find one that comes with Emmett ;) (He's HUGE)

It's not gonna happen....

I still liked the movie the second time. I might go see it again. And I can't wait for New Moon to come out (We all know it's going to happen!) If anyone goes to see it make sure you read the book first! (Or I will track you down myself ;))

Twilight...again

Well...Makena liked the Twilight movie so much, we went to see it again today after school! Still just as good. I'm sure we'll get it the day it comes to dvd too. : )

The Holiday Season

Thanksgiving kicks off the holiday season in the United States, and with it begins six weeks of fun, feasts and festivities. With its emphasis on being grateful for all we have, Thanksgiving provides the perfect opportunity to make life greener — and a bit more frugal — in this time of economic turmoil.

Give back. While most Americans will have a more luxurious Thanksgiving than our forefathers celebrated when they arrived in the New World, some cannot afford to prepare a special Thanksgiving meal. Give to those less fortunate by donating to or volunteering with an organization that provides a Thanksgiving meal for others.

Go local. Celebrate gratitude for the local environment by exploring what local foods you can find. See if you can select a turkey from a local farm (try your local natural foods market or visit localharvest.org to locate farmers). Please support your local farms and families!

Go green with the drinks. Look into locally crafted wines and beers (yum!), or those made organically. Serve tap water instead of bottled water; make it more elegant with lemon or lime wedges.

Get out the good china. Or at least forego plastic and paper ware to reduce waste. By avoiding items that are particularly Thanksgiving-themed, you will be able to use them throughout the year.

A greener Thanksgiving is easily within reach, and by taking it easier on the planet, you might find it easier on your wallet at the same time. Enjoy your Holiday Season!!

Girls Scouts and archery = fun

We left the lake early today because my Girl Scout Troop was scheduled for archery lessons. No one got hurt, and the girls had fun!

"Why I smiled today" - the girls had some CRAZY shots!!

Walden Island - Day 37 & 38

We left Saturday morning to head back up to the lake. Our intentions were to get everything ready for Winter, but Jamie realized (when we were almost there) that he had forgotten the stuff he needed. We stopped at Sears to get some things, but they didn't have everything that he needed. We headed off to the lake to unload everything and then Jamie went back out. He was looking for environmentally friendly (he's so good) but after 7 places he still couldn't find it.

Makena and I read and played some games and then we pretty much just tried to keep warm under our electric blankets. Jamie watched a few movies while Makena played on her computer and I read some more.

Jamie did what he could on Sunday and I walked around the lake some more to take pictures. Makena, shockingly, stayed in bed and was on her computer. The rest of my pictures are at Amberz Pix - a lot of 'nature' shots around the island. It was cold (35 degrees) and foggy out.

OH - I forgot to mention that when I walked down to help Jamie with some things and I slipped and fell on the dock! Yep, the same dock that I slipped on in May and originally hurt my foot. I was laughing...and Jamie was yelling at me. Wouldn't you know it!?! Luckily, I didn't hurt anything but my butt (which I landed on). I'm so glad that that dock will be gone next year!

Twilight

We saw Twilight tonight and all enjoyed it! Makena was glad that she decided to go, even though she didn't like the actor of her favorite character (Jasper). I still don't think Jamie will read the books tho. I was impressed with Edward's; Robert Pattinson (and he's very pretty). I thought it followed the book pretty well, but the books are always better! I wish there would have been more time to see some of the other characters, as I'm an Emmett fan. Can't wait for the next one to come out...we all know New Moon is coming.

Oh...hehehe...Makena and I talked throughout the movie (quietly!). She kept telling me when the book was different...she's so funny.

By the way...the soundtrack is great too.