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. :)