Ouch!

If you're going to cut your eyebrow wide open, the doctor's office is the place to do it.

We were at Broadway Medical Clinic this afternoon because I needed to follow up with my doctor about my pneumonia which had me knocked out for the past week (hence, my lack of posts on here!) As we were finishing that appointment, Nate slid off of the chair that he was waiting so patiently on and knocked himself good on the cabinet. It bled plenty and looked pretty wide open. They rushed us up to Dr. Vestergaard who took care of us immediately....decided to glue him back together and butterfly bandage it instead of stitches. We hope it heals well, and we know that this scar will make him look extra tough.

Our new president

"Mama, are you crying happy tears like you did on the first day of preschool?" Nate asked me as the inauguration of our 44th president got underway this morning. "Yes, I am" I told him with a few tears falling down my cheeks, and a smile on my face.

Who could watch the events of today and not feel at least a lump in the throat and a great sense of hope for this country?

I spent the majority of the day watching CNN and the coverage of this historical event. I kept the boys home from school today because I was worried about missing the swearing in, and I wanted to watch it with them. I'm glad we spent the morning together. They loved to watch the marching bands, and the soldiers saluting.

This picture was taken as Obama was being sworn into office...hand up and promising to be the best president he can be. Change is coming, America!

Tomorrow

Tomorrow is a big day for this country.

riding horses

Riding John Finn's horse back in the Summer of 2007......
...and riding Robin's horse in the Winter of 2009. We love the horses of Neil Kelly. Anyone else from NK have a horse that we can try out?

Deep thoughts at the Costco food court

Not the best picture--it was taken on my cell phone. But I just couldn't resist capturing Nate eating his big hot dog at Costco today. And yes, both Chris and Nate can actually eat the whole thing, in addition to 2 containers of sauerkraut and a drink. It's their special treat when we go there right after preschool.
Nate was cracking me up today as he sat in the obnoxious food court eating his dog. He was full of questions and observations. He wanted to know:
1. Why do 'they' say that it's a small world, when the world really isn't very small? He said that he heard about it in a song, and someone else said it to him too.
2. Since lemons are yellow, why is the lemonade drink at costco more of a silver color???
3. Why are there so many old people at Costco? (which he was right...average age was about 68, poofy hair, glasses, with a husband wearing a trucking baseball cap) I told him that they were getting a smokin' deal for lunch. ($1.50 for a big dog and a drink) These 'old' people always smile at the boys and make a comment about their eating sauerkraut. Kids don't eat sauerkraut.

She's not 1, she's........

We celebrated Grandma's birthday today with lunch at the Outback and cake over at Mark and Claudine's house. It was a big one..............65! She is now officially a senior citizen. But don't worry Grandma, there are many perks that come along with that number. Senior discounts of 10% off of just about everything, and medicare benefits just to name a few. Happy Birthday--we hope that this year is a good one for you!

superhero status

What lucky boys! A package arrived today from Commissioner Gordon, and he made Chris and Nate official Superheros. Nate is Dog Boy, with an incredible sense of smell--good for sniffing out trouble!

Chris is Bat Guy, and he makes gizmos and gadgets. Being a true Superhero is such an honor.

Watch out for them in your neighborhood.....you never know when they'll be called to action!

sneaking a peek

I was putting the recycling and garbage at the curb tonight and I looked back at our house and saw one of my favorite things---a house with lights on and window coverings open at night exposing a fleeting moment of what's going on inside. I have always loved walking or driving through neighborhoods in the early evening hours; taking a very slight peek into someone else's world as I pass by. What is cooking? What does it smell like? What is everyone doing? What's the mood? Do they know that someone is looking at their house and taking in a quick moment?
I wonder what the people walking past here this evening are thinking.?

Ice Hockey!

Portland got a surprise snow/ice storm last night. It made the perfect conditions for a game of Ice Hockey on the sidewalk. The crazy weather has been fun, but we're all getting ready to get back to school and have some sort of a routine around here.

Christmas 2008

Oh what a Christmas it was this year! I have to say it was not like any we'd had ever before. Crazy snow storm, one niece with an abscessed tooth, another one who went to the E.R. with a smashed finger, my car sliding within inches of a truck on an icy street, a surprise visit from G'ma and G'pa who braved the bad weather to be a part of it all, not having the girls for Christmas dinner to name a few. But it was good--and I was thankful that we could all be together once again.

Uncle Mark and Grace outside in the snow. We had Christmas Eve dinner at our house (my favorite mexican pork recipe. yum.) and the Perry boys joined us since their family was unable to get up to their house in the hills. It was fun to have them!

All the cousins in their new Christmas p.j.'s that g'ma and g'pa bought for them. So cozy!

All the action during the cousin gift exchange and receiving gifts from Aunt Susan and Uncle Greg. It was very exciting!G'ma and G'pa drove up from Salem to participate in all of the fun. They had literally been in their house due to the snowstorm and grandpa's recovery from open heart surgery for 2+ weeks! They spent the night here and we had a very full house!

Christmas dinner over at the Slater household. Claudine whipped up some amazing prime rib, spinach/bacon salad, and cheesy cauliflower. It was delish! Unfortunately Mark had to have a warmed plate, as he was at the E.R. taking care of Catie's finger.

Me, Susan, and Claudine. Oh yah, real snow bunnies.

best santa ever!

Santa Hat from Walgreens-----$2.99

Bag of cotton balls--------$1.29

Getting that photo with Santa when you can't make it to the mall due to the biggest snow storm in 40 years.....

PRICELESS.

crazy snow!

We are socked in with snow and ice! Portland has not seen this much snow since 1968. We are having lots of fun with it.
I hitched a ride to the store with our neighbor Dan. He was brave enough to drive so I went along as co-pilot. He did his good deed for the day, as we found another neighbor at the store with tons of groceries and no way home but to walk 2 trips. We all loaded in the car and headed down Ainsworth. We got pelted with snowballs upon our return. Thanks for the ride, Dan!

Christopher heading up the street.

Look at all that snow! This is looking into our backyard through the gate by the back door. Some of the snow drifts were almost 3 feet tall!

Nate and mama heading down the street to go and check on the McDonald's cat. We sure wish they were in town to see all of this snow.

snow storm 2008

It's been a crazy snowstorm day here in Portland. I wonder how much we will actually get!

skippin' school on a snowy day

Being a family that lives 'East of the river', we felt totally ripped off! Portland Public Schools has pretty much kept school in session for us lowly Eastsiders since this crazy weather started in Portland. The boys were getting ready to go to school today when some serious snow started to fall. (finally!) We opted to keep them home and take advantage of the fun and make a snowman.
Lots of snow! Dan in the background starting to roll one of the three body parts for our snowman.

Me and my guys. We are really hoping that more snow is on it's way!

December 14th was a great day!

What a great day! Portland got hit was a snowstorm and some very COLD weather, so it was a day of being lazy and cozy. Our neighbors across the street, the Lapours, invited us over to decorate some homemade gingerbread houses, as well as drink some red wine and homemade hot chocolate. mmmmmm It was a great way to spend a cold evening!

The houses had some issues with staying together, and Nate's had a collapse. We will try to assemble it today, but he was still able to do some great decorating.

Chris licks some frosting. Autumn made the gingerbread and frosting from scratch. She is way more domestic than I!

All bundled up and playing outside in the snow. I couldn't believe that their hands were actually warm when they came back inside! The weather forecast for the week shows nothing above 30 degrees....brrrr!