A Gabe-ism

The boys had to share a room in Oregon. One late night I was helping Gabe button up his jammies. It was dark because Finn was already asleep so we didn't button correctly.... and of course missed a hole. I realized this and WHISPERED,

"Gabe, we did it all wrong..."

Gabe looks at me and states louder than I would have liked, "I do NOT have a bra on!!"

Ha!! I didn't even know the little guy knew what a bra was. He is so funny!! Another fun memory documented courtesy of blogspot!!

Pumpkin pies and Steri-strips (aka Thanksgiving day!!)

Thanksgiving Day is a jewel, to set in the hearts of honest men; but be careful that you do not take the day, and leave out the gratitude! -E.P. Powell

Thanksgiving day was a little rainy. Grandpops and Grandma Gloria spent the day cooking up a storm. We went over to Granny and Gramp's house to clear the house of noisy children. The celebration began at 3:00. We had a house full of family and friends. The night began like this...

And ended like this.... A fall on a door hinge, a trip to the ER, a steri-strip to the noggin and home for dessert!!A disclaimer about the pumpkin pies.... Mary's good friend Jason made the pies. They looked amazing but upon first bite it was immediately noted that he had forgotten the sugar. He made the pies from sugar pumpkins which is a lot of work and needless to say we were all a little sad, especially Jason! Luckily Gloria had made a few other pie delights and we were able to enjoy the rest of the evening even with a visit to the ER squeezed in.

Here are my sweet boys after the ER visit... and as you can see, all is well. Like the quote says, I cannot just take the day and forget about my gratitude. So, in a nutshell.. I am grateful for

*my wonderful family and extended family
*good friends
*our country and the freedoms we enjoy
*my Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ
*the gospel and its many blessings
*good health care (and I am talking about being in and out of the hospital in an hour...)
*my beautiful home
*my loving husband
*the temple
*my good life, my trials and the opportunity to learn and grow

Thank you to our wonderful Oregon family for an amazing visit. We love you and hope to see you more. Thank you for EVERYTHING..., traveling back and forth from Portland to Mac, the heavenly dinners, the good company, the fun outings (including the Dirty D) and for loving us the way you do!!

XOXOXOXOXOXO

More Oregon fun.

Well, our Thanksgiving was very memorable!! The food was delicious and the night ended in somewhat of a adventure. I will post that later. Here are some pics of a family dinner, Mount Hood State Park and some random pics of kids doing what kids do!!

On Friday all the kids and the aunts and uncle went to Safari Sam's in Sherwood. I went shopping. It was a fun day for all, but the camera sat lonely in the car. Oh well... we will just have to go back!! Bring it on Fight Club!!

Finn and Mufasa. He is 1/8th bobcat, feral and is as sweet as can be!!

A view down the Gorge... all the way to Portland. Breathtaking!!

Mount St. Helens... with the top blown off!!

Mount Hood

Uncle Eric, sweet Jasmine and the beautiful Mount Hood

The gang

Finn is loving the snow but falls down in a sec.... He had to be held and was not happy about that!!

The crew at the trail head for Larch Mountain view. That is some serious snow!

The food carts in Portland. Tons of variety and all of it is DELICIOUS!!

Eric in front of the line of lunch carts. Yum!!

The cousins having fun. Jack and William made these weapons and they really are so cool. All the boys in the park were dying to play with them!!

The bendies are cool, but what about that red sauce smile?!?

Red Sauce with meatballs! Jealous? You should be!!!

Granny!!!

The Gramps and my darling Finnie

"She Flies With Her Own Wings"

That is the state motto of Oregon and boy is it true. Oregon is beautiful and so unique. The pace here is slower, "greener" and artsy artsy. I love the all wineries, galleries and cute shops, but mostly I love the house across from the park. Park Drive is almost home to me. This is Grandma Gloria and Grandpops home and we are truly happy here. The food is delicious, the quilts are soft and the company is simply the best. We are loved here and we know it.

So far the weather has been good and we have been able to explore the state more than usual. We got here on Saturday, hung out on Sunday and went on a fun day trip on Monday. We ventured down to Astoria which is on the coast. We went to Fort Clasop which was one of Lewis and Clarks' forts in the West. The boys know a lot about these explorers so it is always great to see and learn more. We went on a hike and had a very nice time together.

Tuesday we went to a children's museum and Carousel in Salem.

Wednesday we went to Portland and had lunch at the lunch boxes. The food was awesome!! We then headed up to Mount Hood State Park and hiked Larch Mountain. At the top you can see 4 and sometimes 5 mountain ranges. The view is stunning and we even had to hike through snow to get there. It ended up to be a long day in the car, but was so worth it.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and we will be having dinner here, in the house across from the park. There is going to be a whole house full of people and I am sure it will be another fun, yummy and memorable Thanksgiving. I am so glad that we are here and can spend this holiday with so many wonderful family members.

The pics are in random day order.... Blogspot is misbehaving so..... This will do!!

Coleman with Grandpops and Grandma Gloria at Fort Clasop

Coleman at the Children's Museum in Salem

Can you see Daddy and Finn?

Finn with cousin Jack at the Discovery Park in McMinnville

Indiana Gabe at the Temple of Doom (Children's Museum) Hee hee!!

Finn with Cousin William

Look at that bubble!! Wow!!

Gabe on the king of the hill mound at the park. I love this place!!

Everyone at the Carousel in Salem

Gabe and Daddy on a horse

Coleman on a bucking bronco

Finn is so violent!! That poor, beat up Panda!! LOL!!

Sir Gabe

In the Erector set house

Pops, Granny, Finn and Me!!

Darling!!

Hanging with Dr. D. (Uncle Eddie)

Tate has a big mouth... oops!! IN a big mouth!! (O:

A huge rocking chair. I have taken a pic of Coleman in this chair when he was just a wee lad. It is fun to have another one as a BIG BOY!!

Tate Scissorshands (or bamboo fingers!!)

Astoria

A nice bronze of Sacagawea and her baby

Can you make us all out? I am taking the pic....

I love my boys. Tate is such a good big brother!!

My darling!!

Finn adores his Grandpops!! A favorite pose!!

Tate in the early am..... Look at that beautiful kitchen!!

Gabe at 4 am. West coast time comes very early!! Thanks to Grandpops for all the early mornings!! We love you!!