Getting Ready for Christmas

Grandma's Visit
Grandma came to visit the first week of December. We had a great time. We went to Breakfast with Santa, grandma also took the girls ice skating and shopping.

Our Christmas Tree
This year we went up to Mt. Hood to cut our own tree. It was so much fun! However, it is hard to tell what your tree will look like away from the forest. Our tree looked so full in the forest...However, once we got it home, it did not look so full. :)

The girls did a great job filling in the empty spots with decorations.

The Polar Express
We went on the Polar Express train to the North Pole. We saw Santa and he joined us for our ride back. Santa took the time to talk to all of the children and also gave everyone a bell.

The girls had their tickets punched, just like in the movie.

Ellis was so excited to meet Santa. Kiley was a little shy at first. However, once she saw how nice he was, she joined her sister on his lap. (It did not help that Kiley forgot her blankie!)

Halloween

We had beautiful weather for Halloween night. Kiley went out for a while, but had more fun handing out candy with me. However, Ellis stayed out for a long time and met up with some of her new friends from her new school. The girls had a blast!

A Trip To The Pumpkin Patch

We had great weather for the pumpkin patch. We went out to Sauvie Island.
The girls had fun on the cow tractor pull ride.We took a hay ride out to the patch.

The girls had the most fun on this hay pyramid.

This was the first year it was nice enough to carve our pumpkins outside.

Scary Soccer!!

This week was our last week for soccer. The team got to practice in their costumes and play a game against the parents, who also were decked out in costume.

This picture is for Auntie Resa. :)

Ellis was so cute. Brock was a bit on the scary side!!

Ellis and her buddy Maya.

Coach Larry.

The Rose City Park Soccer Team.

The clown had a hard time controlling the ball with his huge feet.

Ok - it has been too long since my last post. The start of the school year was a bit crazy. I have updated the blog with three new posts. Enjoy! :)

The Beach

Last weekend we went to the beach. That was our first time there in a long time. The weather was beautiful! We spent a lot of time on the beach. Brock and I even got to surf! :)




We found a very cool hike. There was a beautiful stream and falls.



We ate our picnic lunch under the falls.


Then hit Tillamook, on our way home, for an ice cream cone.

Astoria

We went to Astoria to visit Nana & Papa. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express. It was so much fun! It felt like a mini vacation. We spent most of our time in the pool.


This was our view from our room. Nice!

Ellis is a Brownie

Ellis joined Brownies this fall and went on her first camp out last month. Ellis was very proud to get her first patch on her new vest!


I drove four crazy, LOUD girls to the camp.


They did crafts..


Played at the lake...


Told bedtime stories...


And hiked (in the rain)...


They were not so loud on the way home. I actually did not hear a word. :)

Hood to Coast 2007

What a fun time!!! Resa, Tim and I did Hood to Coast with a bunch of friends from Nationwide Insurance. We reunited our old Nationwide team, The Asphalt Warriors. This was my first time running the race since before Ellis was born. Many members of our team have been running this race since 1989. Brock was one of the original members of the team in '89. Check out the web site I have linked on the right of the blog for more info about the race. I ran leg #3, 15, and 27. Resa ran #4, 16, and 28. Tim ran #2, 14, and 26.
Here is Tim, John and Ken getting into the groove at the starting line at Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood.



Resa, Tim and I before the race (when we could walk without pain).

Ken getting ready to lead the Asphalt Warriors as our first runner. He had a very tough leg straight down Mt. Hood. (Killer on the legs!)

I had the pleasure of handing off to my sis. I ran leg #3 and Resa ran leg #4. Here she is doing her long, 7 miler in the heat (but with a smile:).

This wonderful gang put together a fabulous Pasta feed the night before the race and took care of van 1 after our first legs. THANKS!!!!!

Resa handing off to Tim Dooley.

Resa taking care of her hubby, before his leg. Tim handed off to me. There were 3 Tims on our team. Tim Tyvand thought we should change our name to Three Tims and 9 other people. We vetoed that idea!

Many of the teams had funny names and entertainingly decorated vans, like this one...

Our van however, lacked some creativity, aside from the foot decorating the side mirror.

Ken did not have much time to sleep, because he was busy running and driving. However, we were able to catch his cat nap on film.

Here is our team supporting Tim Dooley as he crested the hardest hill on the course. Way to go TIM!!

Our reward at the end of the race. Van 1 enjoying pizza and beer at the coast.

More beer at the beach with the entire team, after Scott crossed the finish line.

These crazy guys, Don, Scott, and Tim went into the ocean to soak their tired legs.

We had such a great time we are already talking about Hood to Coast 2008.......