Cancelled!

On Sunday we got ready for church and right before we left we got the word. Church had been cancelled. Yes it had snowed about 1/4 of an inch. I had to laugh being from Utah and knowing we went to church with 18 inches of snowfall. But after seeing how bad the drivers are up here it was probably a good call. School was cancelled today and Monday even though there was no snow on the ground, but I guess it was a little icy. I swear I am in a different world. Anyway here are some pictures of life in Portland when the town shuts down.

Savannah's 8th Birthday

We celebrated Savannah's 8th birthday last week. On her birthday she opened gifts from the famiy. She got a lot of gifts she really loved including a bike (from Abby and Pappy), an Indian Doll and jewelry (Nana and Papa), clothes (us and Aunt Julie), make-up and petshops(cousin Kate), the Kit Movie(Aunt Julie), and hair glitter. Thank you everyone!

This was her response to Jonah giving her the Hannah Montana hair glitter that he picked out and paid for with his own money. Too Cute!

She invited 9 of her closest friends over for a pajama party (Caralyn, Lily, Alanha, Sam, Karah, Angelica, Emma, Alissa, and Alexa) and got a lot more toys (A Webkin, Pixos, a robe, stuffed animals, clothes, petshops, coloring stuff, and a jewelry box). I think it was Christmas.

On a different note, I was thinking this party would be nice and calm like Savannah usually is. I was wrong. I got a HUGE eye opening to the world of girls. I have never seen such a thing. The screaming was so loud for so long that Jonah asked if he could leave. I have to admit it was quite comical.

Thank goodness for movie time (Kit Kitteridge), even though it didn't keep all of their attention.

Overall Savannah said it was her best Birthday ever and she had a blast. Really that is all that matters.

Just in case you wanted to hear some of the noise. (Obviously they didn't love so much noise because they all covered their own ears.) :)

Zoo Lights

A favorite Christmas outing our kids love to do here in Portland is to go to Zoo Lights. The Zoo has a ton of lights up and it is just fun to walk around, drink hot chocolate, and eat elephant ears. This year Matt and Whitni Smith, (Whitni Skousen - A friend of mine since elementary school), came with us. The kids had a great time hanging out with friends the same age. Thanks Smith Family! We are glad you now live in the area.

Thank You Santa!

For the 24 days before Christmas the elves have been coming as a request Savannah made to the North Pole. She didn't want an advent calender, rather she asked for the elves to hide her slippers each day with a surprise inside. The surprises for the kids have been stickers, a candy cane, microwave popcorn (I think the elves forgot this day and had to think fast), anyway yesterday they brought Christmas Pajamas and a letter from Santa.

Savannah found the gifts first, but had to wait one hour before her brothers woke up and they could open them together. Savannah and Jonah loved their pjs. Savannah said "my three favorite things, Christmas, kitties, and pink." And she said she feels like she is wearing her favorite blanket. Jonah couldn't put his on fast enough and thought they were so cool.

Jacob was another story. He got his out and threw them across the room. "I don't like them! They are for grils! I want dog ones!" Alright he was kind of a stink, but we got lucky and Target happened to have the sameones but with dogs on them. Now he never wants to take them off. He has even worn them each time he takes a nap. The funny thing was that the first pjs had monkeys on them and he has been, and still is, obsessed with monkeys. Go figure. The blue ones he got I guess are gril ones. Merry Christmas!

A Penny Saved

Lately, I have been a little coo coo about saving money and one way I thought we could do this was by turning down the heat a couple of degrees. Well after being upset at Dustin one day for not putting on a sweater (Dad are you proud of me? :)) instead of turning up the heat he proved his point.
I have to admit I was laughing hysterically and let him turn on the fireplace.

Where is Megan?

I don't know if it is Oregon that is growing on me or if I am just becoming more relaxed, but this year we just used our porch trees for our main Christmas Tree and then I turned the decorating over to the kids. Yes, I left all of my decorations in the storage and pulled out every ornament the kids have ever made and let them go to town. Dustin didn't think I would be able to turn the control over to them, but I did. I am so proud of myself. And you know what? I think they are the best trees EVER! The kids did such a good job and I truly love looking at them.

Savannah put up all of the gold beads and then they each got there own tree to decorate themselves. I don't know if you can see, but Jacob put all of his ornaments on one branch at the bottom of his small tree. Good thing I think it is the cutest thing ever, because the OCD in me is really triing hard not to distribute them evenly on his tree. :)

There they go!

The boys (mostly Jonah) have been making different marble run structures over the past couple of years, but they found a new one this past week and had to have a picture. It may not be their most elaborate one but it definitely was a good one. Way to go guys! And it worked perfectly.

Jonah is really detail orientated when it comes to these things. He loves to "make things work." I guess that is why he is obsessed with the Discovery Channel, he is always "discovering" new things. :)

New Recipe Site

I have been wasting my day away (Jacob is home sick) looking at a site I found on my Sister-in-laws blog "The Sisters' Cafe." Anyway there are all kinds of "real" recipes that I can't wait to try out and pictures to go with them. They look so easy, even for me. I think today I will start with the Banana Bread, because I have some bananas I need to use. I will let you know how it goes. Now it's your turn to check it out. Thanks Michelle. http://sisterscafe.blogspot.com/

Done First!

Jonah has been the king of "I will get it done first" lately. He gets dressed, makes his bed and says his morning prayers before ever leaving his room. He is the first to brush his teeth, say his night prayers and pick out a book at night. This has been a HUGE change from our normal complaining son. Well as you can see that on Sunday he needed a little help. He came stumbling down the stairs a little sleepy but ready for breakfast and church. Well we had to tell him the vest goes on the outside of the shirt, but other than that he did pretty good. At least his pants were over his underwear. :)

Now I am ready for church!

OK We Went Private

On request of my mom, who watched some creapy thing about blog stalkers this week on the news, we have decided to go private. If you know anyone who I didn't contact that want to read our blog just tell them to email me and I would be happy to set them up with a "Special Invitation." Yes I am sure you all feel blessed to be invited on this list and you should be :) Just kidding. Hope all is going well with you fellow bloggers. Keep on posting!

Free Labor

If anyone is looking for some really nice people to come gut your yard, clean it up and haul it off, or to clean your house and watch your kids. . . I know the perfect people. Yes Nana and Papa came to visit last week and we had so much fun, and not to mention a newly revived house.

While they were here Nana and Papa took us all on the MAX train to the Zoo, something Jonah has wanted to do forever. We had a great time, but I think all of the animals go into hiding around 4 pm so we didn't get to see many in action.

While they were here we also got a date night, an early birthday shopping trip, lots of babysitting, lots of clean-up help and some competition in Rock Band. We had a great time Nana and Papa can't wait to see you again.

End of the Sports Season

Each of our kids were involved in some type of sport this fall and it is time to say good by to our endless running around of getting them to practices and games.

Jacob just finished his T-Ball class over at the Recreation Department. This was so much fun to go watch. He was so excited to be apart of something and never stopped smiling during the class.


He didn't have the best cordination, but he definitely had the best attitude.
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Next is Jonah: Man what an athlete. He ended his soccer season like a champ. I was amazed to see the growth and improvement in his game.

This is a picture where I asked if I could take a "head shot." He was happy to do that for me, but I am sure he was wondering why I would want that for a picture. What a great head.
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Savannah: She has done incredibly well this year. Her coach thinks that if she really loves the game she is good enough to put on a higher level of play.

We have a lot of video of her playing soccer, but here are some pictures from the end of the year party at Costa Vida.
Savannah "worked" that night as you can see she is in Costa Vida Uniform. Here she is with Coach Mychal and Coach Joe. She was a little goofy trying to win her friends over while she was getting her trophy.

Trick Or Treat

We're home!


Savannah Montana. Costume #3

Spiderman with a mouth full of chocolate, so he gave his closed mouth "cheese."

Jonah the Football player.

Getting ready to go. And yes we lost the mask to Spidie before we left, but found it when we got home :)

Halloween Parties

Jonah had a Halloween party in his class.. He had so much fun making crafts and eating treats, but not costumes were allowed. Man, I can really get sick of the politics in schools these days. Let's teach anything immoral, or whatever, but lets forget fun. And at Christmas time don't even think about bringing up Christianity.

Savannah was invited to a Halloween party at the neighbors so she put on her second costume. Belle was her first costume for the Trunk or Treat.

Trunk or Treat

The week before Halloween we had a Trunk or Treat party at our church. The kids had a blast dressing up, playing games and getting lots of candy.


These were their spooky pictures from inside our car for the Trunk or Treat.

Jonah was a little worried to try this out.

BOO

We were "Booed" this past week and it was our turn to carry on the fun. The kids picked out all the goodies and prizes to give to the next lucky family. Then they disguised themselves so they would not get caught while secretly delivering their "boo buckets." Dustin and I thought they were pretty cute and funny to think of dressing up to deliver the buckets, so we had to get a picture.

They Figured It Out

After weeks of making plenty of "jumping forts" Taylor finally asked if he and Jacob could make one that you "go in," AKA a "real fort." The boys had a blast with their flashlights and snacks inside the fort. When they started to get a little tired we made "bed forts" that they could lay in while watching Tom and Jerry. They both love this cartoon (it's a favorite in our household).

On your mark . . .

Get set. Go!
Jonah and Savannah had their "Rock the Laps" school fundraiser yesterday. They did great and had a lot of fun. I only got pictures of Jonah because he reminded me to bring the camera when he ran (so that dad could see him). Dustin couldn't make it to watch Jonah. Jonah got in this stance every time he made a lap, so that he could start the race again. Jonah finished with 9 laps (1 1/2 miles) and Savannah with 8 laps (1 1/3 miles) in 20 minutes. Way to go Savannah and Jonah! And thank you, thank you, thank you to family who sponsored them in this event.

Potty Training. Check.

So it finally happened. After a week of wanting to pull out my hair and give up, Jacob initiated going to the bathroom on his own. He now has his "special" Diego underwear, and "can run and jump and play." These are quotes Jacob tells us from his Potty Book for Boys. Yea! We are so proud of you Jacob.

Can you say broken neck?

So Jacob has a favorite "thing" to do when friends, well Taylor, comes over. They start out in the playroom for a few minute and then decide to make a "fort." Well, fort = throwing all the cushions off the couch into a pile to jump onto. They do this every time they play. I sometimes get worried, but they truly love this and it entertains them for up to an hour. Sorry Andrea, hopefully we won't call to tell you about a broken neck.

Take That!

So this morning Jonah was kind of upset that he couldn't do Step aerobics with me and wanted to do a "boy" exercise. I found the Billy Blanks Basic Training Tae Bo video. He was a little disappointed that there were girls in the video, but he still enjoyed doing it. Watch out world, Jonah is getting in shape!