Christmas 2012- Lovin' it!

 Over the years we have developed some nice family traditions.  Christmas eve generally means new jammies and a book.  This year we went with robes instead of pj's and they were excited about being so snuggly.

 The time honored tradition of gag gifts continued.  This year Fuller was the luckiest recipient- getting a book on Taylor Swift (who he HATES).  Loved his reaction!  He later tried to sneak this priceless gift into a pile of recycling.

Buster didn't get much this year, just a bone, but he was content to just be a part of things.  He even managed to make it through the entire holiday season without destroying any ornaments.

 On Christmas morning the boys decided to make the walk downstairs as slow as possible- payback for all the years we've made them wait up there I guess.  If only they had decided to sleep in!

 The boys were genuinely pleased with all of their gifts, but I think Grayson's unicycle was the biggest hit.  He had never mentioned wanting one and didn't ask for one,but when he said he wanted "a surprise" for Christmas this was the first thing that came to mind.

 This year it struck me how calm Christmas is getting around here.  They boys are still happy and excited, but as they have gotten older it was all seemed to quiet down and go at a slower pace.

 Paul enjoyed his new weaponry.  Now the boys won't out gun him!

 Everyone liked the bearded-beanies I made!

 And it was a GREAT DAY!

 Plus I got an awesome new Santa for my collection!

Best Traditon

Christmas in Portland is my very favorite!  Even with cold, rainy weather, and food cart vendors who get your order terribly wrong- there's just something magical about it.

The best tree ever

In our family we try to alternate who gets to pick that years tree.  Sometimes we don't remember who's turn it is, and we suspect that Grayson may have had more than his fair share of turns.  This year Rowan spoke up that it was definitely HIS turn.  He found a tree that was just what he wanted in the first 5 minutes that we were at the tree farm.  His brothers were not sold on his selection.  They thought it was too small and skinny, so they talked him into looking around more, even though it was getting darker, wetter and colder.  While looking they stumbled upon a nearly complete animal skeleton, making this easily the most exciting tree hunt ever.

In the end Rowan could not be swayed to make another choice.  His brothers were forced to stop their criticizing of he tree, and it was cut down and brought home.

It was a lovely tree, and the fact that it was a little smaller than we usually get just meant that there was more room for presents!

Thanksgiving 2012

 

This year for Thanksgiving we had planned on going to Missoula to visit the cousins, but my back problems and their sudden loss of a family member  necessitated a last minute change.  I am so thankful that my parents are close by and that they always seem to have enough room and food for five more people to invite themselves over!  We spent a delicious and relaxing day with my folks and my brother Jim.

Adds were perused, even though we aren't really Black Friday shoppers.  The boys like to get ideas for what to ask for for Christmas.

We spent the rest of the eating, playing cards and enjoying being together. (Except for Jim who was apparently sad about not winning at poker.)

Cross Country- Sophomore Season

 

As Fuller gets older it seems like cross country season never truly ends.  After a summer full of running the cross country team had their first event, competing against other  high school teams in the Portland to Coast team challenge.  It was a great experience for Fuller and SO much fun!  He loved driving in a van all night with these guys, sleeping in a field and being part of such a huge event.  What a great team building experience!

The official Fall season started on a very hot, humid day.  Everyone seemed miserable, and a number of runners seemed sick from the heat.  This year was a big change for Fuller.  A lot of last year's varsity team graduated, so Fuller was bumped up to varsity.  They are a great group of guys, and he enjoyed running with them.

But it was apparent that varsity was going to be a much bigger challenge.  The races are faster and more competitive.  There were races where Fuller's only goal was to not be last, and thankfully he never was.

One of the things we really love about cross country is the camaraderie that the runner's share.  This has been a great group for Fuller to know and has set a positive tone for his high school experience.  The way that they push, encourage and cheer each other on is unknown in so many other sports.

They love to have a good time!  And occasionally feel the need to channel their inner Tim Tebow.

There were some tough races, where I could see how hard he was working.  We were so proud of his perseverance.  It was great when there were those moments of pure enjoyment.  One of his favorite runs is that McCormick Park run.  He LOVES getting to run through the creek.

 

    

He ended up having a great run at districts, setting his best time for the season.  As a team the Lions all performed at districts.  They went from being number 5 in the league to finishing second and earning themselves a trip to State!

Going to state meant dressing "interestingly" for school one day- a show of team unity, and a trip to Eugene.

What a season!  I am so thankful to the great coaches who put so much time and effort into this team!

Soccer 2012

Pitiful.....just pitiful

 2011 & 2012 reading list

• 1- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo- Stieg Larsson
• 2- The Girl who Played with Fire- Stieg Larsson
• 3- The Idiot Girl and the Flaming Tantrum of Death- Laurie Notaro
• 4- There's a (slight) Chance I Might Be Going to Hell- Laurie Notaro
• 5- The New York Regional Mormon SIngles Halloween Dance- Elna Baker
• 6- Crossing the Heart of Africa- Julian Smith
• 7- Blind Your Ponies- Stanley Gordon West
• 8- The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest- Stieg Larsson
• 9- Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet- Jamie Ford
• 10- Little Bee- Chris Cleave
• 11- Awakened- PC Cast & Kristin Cast
• 12- We Thought You Would Be Prettier- Laurie Notaro
• 13- The Idiot Girls' Action-Adventure Club- Laurie Notaro
• 14- Between Shades of Gray- Ruta Sepetys
• 15- The Daughter's Walk- Jane Kirkpatrick
• 16- City of Fallen Angels- Cassandra Clare
• 17- The Help- Kathryn Stockett
• 18- The Shack- Wm. Paul Young
• 19- Hippie Boy: A Girl's Story- Ingrid Ricks
• 20- It Looked Different on the Model- Laurie Notaro
• 21- Miss Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children- Ransom Riggs
• 22- The Glass Castle- Jeannette Walls
• 23- If Jack's in Love- Stephen Wetta
• 24- The Secrets of Mary Bowser- Lois Leveen
• 25- The City of Lost Souls- Cassandra Clare

I do hereby vow to read more books in 2013!

Goodness me

I am very behind in blogging.  Thanksgiving, Christmas, cross country season, and so many more posts that I NEED to write.  Life is busy!  And as evidenced by today it can take some unexpected turns.

Today's surprises included:
- Being really tired from being up with Rowan a lot of last night
- Rowan barfing in the high school parking lot after we dropped Fuller off for school
- Taking a day off work to be home with sick boy
- A lost tooth (Rowan)
- A tuxedo for Winter Ball that didn't fit (Fuller)
- A sixth grade math assignment on ratios that the substitute handed out with no instruction provided
- The realization I didn't buy all the ingredients I needed for dinner
- AND the big discovery, via the loan person helping us refinance our home, that there have been 3 attempts in the last month of some unauthorized person trying to open a credit card in Paul's name.

So, my plan to get back blogging today didn't quite happen.  Maybe tomorrow.