Prince Phoo

Prince Phoo finally is given the royal treatment he has longed for... a dedicated bed and ladies to carry him everywhere.

Easter 2012

A chilly Easter in Central Oregon did not slow down our egg-hunters!  We also shared in an Easter service with friends at the Compass Church and a great meal afterwards.

 Hayden and Matt on the hunt...

 Abby at Compass Park...

 Matt takes a break...

 On the run...

The treasures of the hunt..

 Neighborhood egg hunt at Compass Park

Happy Easter Egg Hunting!

Ski Buddies

In January the kids started a ski lesson program called Mountain Masters.  Every Sunday for 10 weeks they are in a group lesson from 9am-3pm.  After a few shuffles, Hayden settled into his class with Coach Matt and is quickly mastering the runs off Sunrise and Rainbow chairs.


Abby and her friend Klare quickly because best ski buds, are mastering parallel turns and have ventured as far as the Skyliner chair with "Team Ondine" (an all-girl group of intermediate skiers led by Coach Ondine).


As tax season is now headed into full swing, Jeff won't be joining us anymore, but we were able to spend a few days skiing together while the kids were occupied in lessons - a real treat for any ski-loving parent!

 Abby and Klare

"Team Ondine" heads off on another adventure!

Earning a Camelback

For about a year, the kids have asked for Camelbacks: Abby - because she saw one in pink and thought it looked cool; Hayden - because he wanted a place to store snacks.


The promised Camelbacks were finally earned with a ride on Phil's to the Flaming Chicken and back (about 2 mi?).  The Chicken had been freshly painted by some fellow riders, adding a new base coat and some festive snowflakes.  Even "tagging" in Bend is nice.

American Girl Store

A long-awaited trip to the AG store in Alderwood finally occurred over Christmas break!

 Sushi at Blue C Sushi before shopping

 Abby finds a cute outfit!

 The spoils of the trip!

Those bags are bigger than the girls!!

Kindergarten Christmas Program

The kindergarten classes at High Lakes - all nearly 100 5- and 6-year olds - put on an adorable Christmas program.  Hayden was front and center, smiling and singing with more enthusiasm than we've ever seen!  So proud!

 Hayden and Tommy working the shirt/tie look - Hayden declared Tommy the most handsome, since he also was wearing a sweater vest.  Jeff (who wore a sweater vest on our first date) burst open with pride.

 Mrs. Wiggins' Kindergarten class (Hayden 2nd row from top)

 "Silver and Gold" ornaments hanging around their necks as they sweetly sang!

Random pic of Hayden and Samantha from Thanksgiving program.  Hayden is from the Seahawk/Oregon Duck Indian Tribe.

Huntin' (a tree)

Living in Washington, we always prided ourselves on either getting a local Christmas tree from a friend's tree farm - even cutting it ourselves at times.  But yesterday we were schooled in how to bring home a tree, Oregon style.  Boy, had we been lazy before.


Step 1:  Tree permit - $5.  They aren't sold at Dick's.  They are sold at the US Forest Service office which isn't located on 3rd Street anymore, but rather at their new offices off Butler Market Road... which appear to close at some time prior to 4:48pm.  They are also sold at BiMart, which is just off 3rd St behind Starz Cabaret.  It's sad that I knew where Starz was and not BiMart, despite not ever been inside either.


Step 2:  Drive into the Forest near Sisters.  Set up bonfire, food tables, camp stoves, chairs.

Step 3:  Eat, drink and sled!

 Step 4:  Venture into forest to find perfect Christmas tree.

Step 5:  Find perfect Christmas tree.

Step 6: Cut down tree.

Step 7:  Bring back the spoils of the hunt! (you big stud, Jeff)

 Step 8:  Warm up by fire.

Thanksgiving

So many thing to be thankful for this past year, but the one thing that kept getting repeated was thankfulness to have our family together, especially in our new home.  Nana, Papa, and Grandma joined us for dinner and a fierce game of Creationary.


I'm just thankful for mashed potatoes.  yum...

We also created a new holiday for our family: White Friday.  White Friday is the day after Thanksgiving upon which we go skiing and avoid the shopping rush.  I know, after the all-nighter pulled by Abby, Heidi and I last year, this is quite a turn-around, but a welcome change!

 Where's Holly?  Just look for the bright orange pants.

Almost a bluebird day.  We'll take it.