Treats

Sam was so excited to make a cake for Brian today. He loves to help measure, mix and crack the eggs... but the sprinkles were the most fun.

He even decorated and signed his own card and was all smiles when Brian walked through the door. Oh yes, and he declared today that cake is now his favorite food!

Grumpy toddler

Hmmm... looks like someone wasn't quite ready to wake up from his nap!

At last!

Finally... the news we have been waiting for! Brian found out this morning that he received tenure at UP. I was thinking today about how much has gone into this moment... After finishing his masters degree, Brian completed a five year PhD program at ASU and then he accepted a job at University of Portland. Six years of teaching, research, working on various community projects and hours of time given to students have led us to this point in time. I don't think it has really hit him yet... although we are both so happy and very grateful. Thank you to all of our friends and family for your love and support over the last 10+ years. It has been a long road.

Winter continues

We woke up this morning to the biggest snowflakes I have ever seen! It only lasted a few hours but it was beautiful.

We had issues getting my car up the hill on the way to t-ball, but finally made it out of our neighborhood and off to the rec center. Brian had trouble getting to work as Germantown was closed and there were traffic issues all around town. Funny how just an inch or two of snow can slow down our city!

We were spoiled with the amount of snow we had in December... not enough today for sledding or playing outside. But still fun to wake up to the white stuff.

About Sam

This kid LOVES music. He also thinks Barack Obama lives in Seattle. I think we have a slight confusion between Washington State and DC. He has recently declared that when he grows up and gets really tall he is going to drink coffee. Something must have changed because last year he was NOT going to grow up, and wanted to stay little. Just a few random things about Sam...

See this monkey?

He hasn't been feeling well... and his 2 year molars are giving him trouble. No fun! Makes for a lot of clinging, whining and not much in the way of sleeping. Oh well... soon he will be dating, driving and keeping me up all night worrying.

January 20, 2009

Yesterday was an amazing day in our history. The boys and I watched as 2 million people gathered in Washington to celebrate the swearing in of our first African-American President...people full of emotion, hope, and excitement.

Sam kept asking "Where is he? Is he on yet? Are we going to go visit him in his big, white house?" Ben ran around yelling "Where's MY Barack Obama?" Of course - only a 2 year old - everthing is "mine"...

We have friends and family that don't always share the same political views... but no matter how you voted in this election, you cannot deny what a powerful moment it was. There are great things in store for America.

Trip to UP

Sam's preschool was closed for MLK day, so this morning he went into work with Brian. He loves tagging along, playing on the computer, going to the bookstore, and meeting Brian's co-workers and students. Of course he also loves that the staff has all kinds of fun things to play with like tinker toys... and they send him home with treats! Ben and I picked him up before classes started. They both had a great time riding the elevator and running around campus.

Another year...

The boys had a great time singing to me tonight. They were both very interested in the cake... Ben mostly wanted to poke at it and blow out the candles.

For the first time in a LONG time, Brian listened to my wishes and didn't do anything crazy for my birthday. No surprises, no one hiding out at my house for a big party... I am so happy!

Night out

This is Brian trying to look "hip"... Every once in a while we enjoy going out on the town and pretending we remember what life was like before kids.

Last night we went to Caffe Mingo to celebrate my birthday. It is a little Italian place on NW 21st with great food and wine. We started at the adjoining bar next door with martinis, wine and appetizers... and moved on to caprese salad, homemade ravioli, and my favorite penne pasta with beef braised in Chianti and espresso.... hmmm. Then my sweet husband took me out for dessert and shoe shopping. I found this darling pair of shoes that I just adore. It was a great night!

Winter Program

Sam's preschool Christmas program was canceled in December because of all the snow. It was rescheduled for Friday night...lots of cute songs about snowmen, snowflakes, jingle bells and a couple of other Christmas tunes. Sam loved it. Here he is with his buddy Kaitlynn.

Zoo

We bundled up this morning and met some friends at the zoo. The animals were out and the kids had a ball running around.

The baby elephant was out with his mama... he is hiding behind the wall below.

There were all kinds of animals to play on... Ben can get up... can't get down.

Checking out animal sounds in the Great Northwest exhibit.

It was 28 degrees when we got up this morning but quickly warmed up and was really nice in the sun.
Just amazing weather we are having here in the west while the rest of the country is freeezzzing... It's hard to believe a few weeks ago we had over a foot of snow on the ground and were unable to get out for almost 2 weeks.

Here comes the sun

Portland is getting some crazy, awesome weather! The skies are sunny, clear and just gorgeous.
The boys are all smiles!

I had to drag them in last night after the sun went down... they rode their bikes for a LONG time and then explored the back yard.

They finally agreed once dinner was ready...

There is no rain in the forecast for the next several days... so you know where to find us.

Who needs the real thing?

The boys spent a lot of time this morning making "chocolate cookies" out of play-doh.

And making sure they looked just right... and putting them in the "oven"...

And passing them out to all interested parties... which includes their mother who has been working hard at working out... and has a major sweet tooth... and has been trying to stay away from chocolate, cookies, ice cream (my downfall)...except for the occasional treat...

I guess these are better than nothing, right?

Jammin'

The warm up...

More warming up...

Add a little bed dancing (jumping)...

Rockin' out to Laurie Berkner! What a ham.

McDreamy

Woohoo!!

I have my popcorn ready! Gotta go... new episodes start tonight!

Snowflakes

Sunday night we looked outside and it was snowing again. It was so quiet and peaceful. We had to run out and enjoy it... just in case it was the last time for the winter.

10 Years!

Ten years ago last Friday night, Brian and I were married downtown at First Christian Church. We had snowy weather over Christmas but our wedding day was clear, sunny and just beautiful. Our wedding was perfect...friends and family, twinkle lights, Christmas trees, dark red roses... Our honeymoon was just as perfect. We stayed at this little bed and breakfast in Sonoma and had a great time exploring the wine country, eating delicious food and relaxing.

Friday night we went out to celebrate our anniversary. We ate at Oba in the Pearl district and ordered tapas, salad and dessert (super rich chocolate/cinnamon lava cake!) So hard to believe ten years has gone by already. We moved to Arizona and back. I finished my degree, Brian received his PhD. We acquired two wild puppies. We moved back to Oregon. Bought our first home, had our first baby. Sold that home and moved to our second home and had our second baby. And have made many, many memories in the process. Here are a few...

~ our wedding day ~ heathman ~ sonoma ~ moving to the desert ~ thanksgiving day hikes in AZ ~ picking out puppies ~ hours and hours of studying ~ 115 degree days ~ graduation ~ job offers ~ road trips ~ getting the keys to our first home ~ holding our babies for the first time ~ baby smiles and belly laughs ~ first steps ~ long walks in our cedar hills neighborhood ~ hood to coast ~ date nights ~ sunriver ~ softball games ~ camping ~ snuggling on the couch ~ pho van ~ cutting down Christmas trees ~ getting our lights up ~ taking the kids to see santa ~ zoolights ~ peacock lane ~ christmas eve candlelight services ~ kauai ~ snorkeling and sunsets at ke’e beach ~ coffee runs ~ margarita nights ~ surviving knee surgery ~ BBQs ~ annual pumpkin carving ~ dollar scoop night ~ foot rubs ~ bike rides ~ maui ~ scrumble ~ snowstorms ~ sledding ~ snowmen ~ fort making ~ oregon coast ~ sandcastles ~ big (cold) waves ~ stormy nights ~ chocolate fondue ~ fuzzy socks ~ vista spring café ~ cozy fires ~ birthdays ~ new adventures ~ hope ~ joy ~ love ~ laughter ~

New Years Eve

We had a great time celebrating with good friends last night.

We ate a ton of good and not so healthy food, drank wine, played games... and laughed a lot!

The kids rang in the New Year at 9pm... lots of excitement, noise...

and even a toast! We got home around 10:30 and Brian and I made it until 12:01... yippee! Happy New Year!

Belated

We finally got a chance to celebrate Grandma Char's birthday. Most of the Adams clan came over tonight for a BBQ... the kids played, the adults ate and drank and were merry. Back to Vegas she goes this weekend. Happy Birthday a few weeks late... We will miss you!