Me and the Moose

I don't know why I wanted to share this. I found this little fellow when we were at the Mariner's game. I thought he was cute, but I didn't buy him. Maybe I should have and he could hang out with my Tigard Tiger buddy. Guess I'll have to get my butt up to a game or two next year (we had a BLAST) and next time buy me a moose.

When I was at a retreat with the youth group of my church, probably around freshman year, we did a ice breaker of saying your name and choosing an animal to go along with it. I decided on "Mary Moose" and it stuck for several years. In fact I was on our church's women's softball team and I had my name put as Moose on the back of my shirt. I actually enjoyed the nickname, and my sister still buys me a moose here and there. You know, life is too short not to have a silly animal name at some time or another.

Gotta get me a moose.

Doug and the dreaded "Senior Picture"

Doug did not want to go in and have his Senior picture taken, so we gave it a try at home. And as I should have know, we ended up with some really good "prison shots".

Some cool poses did came our way.

And of course a few goofy ones came into being. Nothing came out that we liked (duh), so Brianna and I talked him into going to one of those hour processing portrait places and we ended up with a nice picture (I'll post it soon). Doug was okay with the whole process and I can sent out his senior pictures with pride. A win/win for all.

Of course, it would be kinda fun to send out the one above......

Got me thinking of classic pictures from years past. The year he bleached his hair the night before football picture. Yes, the scan came out blurry, but you get the idea.

The picture from baseball with the determined look on his face. Our baseball days are way behind us. Basketball is king now in our house and that's fine with me. I'm a great football mom, an okay basketball mom, and a lousy baseball mom. I admit it. There, it's out. I suck at watching little league games.

Rec Basketball is FUN!!!!

Tonight Doug and Mark had a basketball game at Fowler. Steven had to go to work. I'm "sure" if he didn't have to go to work he would have gone to the game to cheer for his little brother. Yeah, right. Here he is, ready to go to work. There we were, getting ready to go to the game.

Curt and Mark get the boys together for a pep talk before the game. Heck, I should say young men. They're all growing up so quickly. And darn nice and funny and witty young men at that! Several of their friends were sitting by us and they were cracking me up with what they were saying and it was easy to talk to them. How lucky are we to live in Tigard?

The game starts and Doug's team has just enough guys to play: no subs for them! OUCH! These young men hung in there and played with a lot of heart and determination. I sat behind Mark and Curt, the mighty coaches, and they were amazed and extremely proud at how well their players played. It's tough to not have the opportunity to sit out a bit here and there. I got a bit winded just taking pictures. Wow, that's sad.

Doug had a great game, and I'm beginning to believe he's the rebound king of the world! He played hard, gave the other players a lot of crap (Cari, can you believe that?), and he had a good time as well.

Curt gets them together to encourage them to give it all they got. Go #5! Mom wants a basket!

Wow, Mark even got on his knees to beg them to play hard! Heck, does he look like he's 53 years old? Man, I'm robbing the cradle!

Doug and Greg have been friends for a long time. I'm so glad they're still hanging out and get the chance to be with friends like this. They won the game, but the best part about this evening was being with folks you like. Nothing better than that folks: nothing better than that.

Mark and....

Mark has an interesting life. Here he is with one of his best friends. THE "Vander Wagon". Ah, the adventures these two have had. The excitement, the joys, the wins, the losses. Mark used to ferry several of his football players to practices and games. Andy Hansen called it the "clown car" because Mark would pull up and several of the guys would pour out of the van. The poor old Vander Wagon has seen better days now, but it's been a good friend to Mark.

Here he is with his dog. Yes, Mark didn't want a dog. He kept one at bay for several years until Doug and I came across Deacon in a pet shop and we all talked him into it. Of course, the first night Deacon is at our house I've got his new bed all set up in the kitchen. Mark was the one to bring him to bed so he wouldn't be lonely, and the next day Mark's greeting as he walked in the door was, "Where's my puppy???" And of course his puppy came running and ever since then Mark is Deacon's favorite person. Any time spent with Mark is his all time favorite.

And here he is with Cari. Mark wasn't quite ready for fatherhood, but Cari broke him in just right and they have a special relationship and Mark ADORES her. She is a daddy's girl and that's just fine with me.

Had to throw this in there. Mark and his brother Matt when they were little. Too darn cute!! And if you have to ask which one is Mark, you don't know him very well do you???

OMSI

Today I went to OMSI with my friend Kysenia and her kids Gabe, Larissa, and Jon. I haven't been there for quite a while and we had a great time! We went to the big ole movie theater (Sea Monster...Jon really liked those sea monsters) and that was a hit. Then we went to the room with thousands of small blue balls that fit into several activities. The kids had fun with all the options there.

Another fun option was the chemistry room. You had to wear goggles: a real fashion statement!
Larissa and I did one of the experiment and I have to admit it was fun and I think we both found it interesting, and Larissa followed the directions very well. Good thing I had her there to help me!

Jon just liked the goggles. Isn't he adorable??


Heck, Kseniya is rather adorable herself! I'm so glad she's back, and I'm looking forward to more "field trips" and hanging out. We used to hang out a lot when she lived here before and it's wonderful she's back. We'll have to drag Jennifer and the kids along as well: all these great kids I get to spoil! Wow, now this is living!!!!!

Ice and Penguins

Been pretty friggin COLD lately. We woke up the other day and there was ice everywhere! Mark and I went in to work late that morning. Just got the car out of the shop and didn't want to chance dinging up the car. Nuff done for now. Doesn't my stained glass window look beautiful? Thanks Mary Jo and Caroline. I love it and think of you both whenever I look at it.

Cold. Ice. Ouch!

So the ice got me thinking about the gift Cari made me for Christmas. Ice. Snowy weather. Penguins. Really, it's a natural. I swear.

Last year she drew me the story of the adventures in a day of "Mary and Ned". I LOVE IT. I had asked her to do something like this and what she came up with more than met my expectations. And this year she made me a Ned softie and packaged it herself. I was blown away! At first I wondered where she was able to buy a Ned....I'm real swift sometimes. But I have to tell you she did an amazing job.

I love Ned and I love our adventures.

Let's Take Cancer Out Of The Game!!!

Today was our Kick-Off Rally for the Hillsboro Relay For Life. We had a great turnout and it went really well. Don't these two look great? I especially thought his costume for our Monopoly theme was excellent and they did a great job addressing the crowd. I believe they will be an asset to our Relay and I'm looking forward to the ideas they come up with.

Now if we can only get the Hillsboro police to do a 'jail' at the Relay, that would be a blast!

One of my favorite people in the world. Capi is just too darn cute (she gives me a run for my money!). She's on sabbatical and I've missed seeing her at work, but I'm glad she's having some well deserved time off.

And the centerpieces on the tables looked good. In fact the entire room looked festive and the display tables were well done.

This is my table. We all enjoyed the food, coffee, and treats at the table, ESPECIALLY the Godiva chocolate!!! Oh yes!!

In fact everyone at our table enjoyed the Godiva coffee and chocolate.

And our planning committee inspired us all to "Take Cancer Out Of The Game!!!"

Enough said. We do. Mom and Dad, I love you. You are the reason I Relay.

Here I come 2008

Okay, I'm going to plan out my day for tomorrow. Let's see how I do.

(Go Beavs!...had to add that....not sure why....)

I have high fiber cereal and flax seed (suppose to be good for hot flashes...I have to admit it seems to be working!).

I have some of the yoplait yogurt that is 2 points (and it has 4 grams of fiber AND I like it.

I have a lean cuisine meal that I'm going to try. I think to get back "into the groove" I need to have one of these for one of my daily meals for the next few days. I've stayed close to my goal weight, but I have gotten to be rather a slacker and I want to get back on track.

And some vegetables. I have some vegetable soup I'll eat with lunch ( points) and some carrot sticks.

I'm taking Doug to get his senior pictures tomorrow evening, so I'll take him and Mark to dinner. I'll eat very mellow: not sure where we'll go, but I'll be sure to make it a small dinner.

And I enjoy the Fiber 1 cereal that is the sweetened flakes: I actually like it better dry as a nibble. Lots of fiber, lots of flavor, and you can't beat that.

And at least 6 glasses of water. I've been doing great on drinking water.

I'm working on a plan for this year. I need to put together a 3 week plan for now: my 28th wedding anniversary is coming up. Mark and I want to go out and party like it's 1999 and I want to feel healthy and wealthy and wise! And more food than I need is NOT going to make me feel good.

At this time I'm looking at giving up my weekly cake for the next three weeks and going with a daily ice cream treat (I bought some of the skinny cow treats...one of those a day should do the trick and more than stay in my points range).

We're doing a 12 pounds in 12 weeks challenge at work (us DMIS gals) and I think my choice (one of the challenges is a self made challenge) is going to be to go low sugar. Maybe I can break the habit, replace sugar with protein and veggies (I'm great on the fruit), and feel better. Who knows? But I think I'll come up with a new life style change monthly and monitor how I do. I really want to learn to cook some meals that are good and tasty and healthy. Won't hurt anyone at my house!

Go ask Alice....

I read Jennifer's and Kathy's blogs about their children, and all the fun and joy they're having raising toddlers. I remember it all, I had a wonderful experience with my children, and I love seeing who they've become.

This blog is about Cari. Steven and Doug can wait their turns.

Cari just blows me away with her talent and her beauty and her wit and her unique way of living. She is true to herself (while she may not always realize that) and she has something about her that draws people to her. She's had that gift since she was a child and it continues to this day. I miss having her in my life day to day, but as that old saying goes, you raise children to have wings (or something like that), and she is out there in the world finding her way.

Above is a set of paintings she did on "Alice in Wonderland". I have admired these paintings since she did them, have begged for them for YEARS, and I finally have gotten my grimy hands on them and I dare anyone to pry them out of my grasp.

How does she come up with these ideas? I LOVE the colors in this.

Alice is so trusting. What a gal.

And the Mock Turtle has his say.

Cari is a brunette, but this Alice in particular always reminds me of Cari when she was small.

I have wanted to be a mom since I was old enough to have my first doll. I admit it: I was so glad my first baby was a girl. And I have to say she has been everything I could have ever asked for, and I am one of the luckiest moms in this world. I love her with all my heart, and these paintings are proudly hung in my room, reminding Mark and I of the joy she's brought into our lives.

Doug

I didn't have this really cute picture of Doug and Brianna available...thought I was missing a picture! And hey, how many times am I going to be able to get a pic of Doug in a pink Santa's hat? Nuff said.

New Years is FUN!!!

Mark, Doug, Brianna (Doug's girlfriend) and I went up to Port Orchard for my in-law's New Years Day party (and if you ever want to go to a fun party get yourself an invite to my mother-in-law's party: she is an amazing hostess and knows how to make folks that come over feel special). We had a great time. Lots of eating and visiting and hanging out.

And of course a football pool for the Rose Bowl (hey, with how the game was at least the thought of winning some money made it a bit more entaining!). Doug, Bampa, and Mary Jo (looking GOOD MJ!) go over the spots they want to pick for the pool.

Brianna had to get in on the fun. We must have done something right, because Mark and I won three of the quarters! Guess Reno is our next stop....yeah, right.....

And as I said, lots of good food. Mark was happy.

Randy was happy.

Hey, even Duke was happy!

By the way, he heard that Deacon got to give his Christmas greeting on the blog so he wanted his turn. So to one and all, Duke says, "Happy New Year! May 2008 bring you lots of joy and love. And some tuna would be nice....."

Happy New Years!!

2008: it's finally here. Can't believe it. Looking back on this holiday, I realize how lucky we are. All the kids are doing great, David and Gavin are now members of our family (lucky girl you are Rachel), my mom is doing well (and I'm thankful for this EVERYDAY and I think about her and how much I love her), my dad is ornery as ever, mom and dad V are happy and busy and adorable as ever, our families are hanging in there and growing in experience and joy, and we had a great holiday. I mean, look at the JOY on Doug's face at his gift...I mean, can't you see the glow? You can't? Me either, but heck, Christmas only comes once a year! Ho, ho, ho Doug.

And one of the best things about this season is pulling out the Xmas ornaments from throughout the years. This is one I was so happy to buy, for a son and a daughter. I'm sure you're suppose to give these to your son or daughter, but I was so thrilled to have both that I bought them for ME! I love my children and this reminds me.

So as Deacon has been known to say, "Merry Christmas, and God bless us, everyone!"

(okay, so he stole that last line, but for gosh sakes people, he's a dog!)