For Clyde

We bought a gift from the giving tree at Lamb's Thiftway for a teenagers.

I needed to buy a gift for someone, didn't know what to buy for him,

and decided he would appreciate me buying a gift for someone in need.

I know that teenagers are usually passed over since folks usually like to buy toys and such, so I hope Clyde has a Very Merry Christmas.

I know we will.  I hope you do as well!!!! 

Merry Christmas!!

Need to figure out my blog status: have to begin paying for pictures, so once I get that in place I'll be back.

Until then, Merry Christmas!!!!!

A rainy day in Oregon

Mark and I took off for some adventures Sunday morning.

Our first stop was to Helvetia Tavern in Hillsboro.  It's right next door to the entrance to the Rolof's farm, from 'Little People, Big World'.  For some reason I hadn't realized that before.  Geez.  I gotta get with the program!

Love the rural setting.  Dad, you remember going here, right??

Gotta love all the baseball hats (and a couple of Santa hats) on the ceiling.

We were the only folks there when we started, and by the time we left the place was jumping. 

We took a drive in the country: loved it.

We then stopped off at the 'Every Husband's Nightmare' bazzar at the Washington County Fairgrounds.  Of course I found a penguin. 

You knew it was gonna happen. 

Fun day!!!

A place where kids find their worth

Last night I helped serve a 'Friendsgiving Dinner' for the group Friends of the Children.  They provide support for kids in need in Portland.  I've donated gifts there for the last couple of years, and this was another way I could show my support for what they do.

The gym was very festive, with decorations and balloons.

I talked with some of the kids, and from what I saw the sign above says it all.

They had a 'Thanksgiving Tree' for everyone to write something they are thankful for.  I wrote my family.

Interesting information on this sign.

I loved the tree: I'm going to make one for Relay.

Oh yes, I'm thankful for Justin too. 

It was a wonderful evening.  I loved the feeling in the room, and the care and attention the adults in the program were showing the kids.  The kids were so well behaved, and you could see the mutal respect and affection between the kids and the staff.  I want to increase my time with this group: well worth it!!

Mark does love his football!

Last weekend Mark and I went to watch the playoff for Tigard Youth Football.

One of the players was the younger brother of a boy Mark coached, Scott Grady, and we decided to go and cheer him on.

Tigard lost, but it was fun to see Scott, his brother John and his family, and Scott's Mom.  Go Tigard!!!

Relay Summit

A couple of weeks ago I attended Relay Summit.  This is where the Relayers in the area get together to get pumped up for Relay,

and get some good ideas.

And get greeted by wonderful friends like my friend Karie. 

Is she not adorable?? 

And friends like Kathy.

This is Kathy, the whirlwind! Go, Go, Go Kathy my friend!

And MJ, who gives her all to Relay,

is one of the nicest people you'll ever want to meet,

and she makes Relay work!

I got to sit at a table with some of my favorite people.

How can you go wrong there?

And watch other people play games.

And take pictures of them.

Our theme this year for Hillsboro Relay is

'Saving the World, One Cure at a Time'

It's a Super Hero theme, and I created my own shirt to wear to Summit.

When I looked at the picture I noticed it looks like there's something on the shirt, but there wasn't, and so I'm guessing it's a shadow.

SO, what IS your super power???

Happy Birthday Erik

Cari put together a fun birthday gift for Erik.

She asked us to send her pictures of us holding a sign wishing Erik a Happy Birthday.  We decided to have some fun with it, and in Dutch at that!

Deacon's sign was very sweet, and he loved all the attention he got getting his picture taken.  Of course, he didn't sit very still.....

We had some fun with Lire's sign.

It says 'whatever'.....

Ha!  We're so funny!!

Mark's had a football on it.

And he didn't sit very still either.

See?

He did settle down a bit.

Still looks like a mug shot, don't it?

I went with rainbows and unicorns.

I think Erik deserves rainbows and unicorns.

We were more than happy to wish him a very Happy Birthday,

and we hope he has a wonderful new year,

filled with wonderul things. 

Winery tour

Weekend before last Mark and I went to a winery outside of Newberg.

Beautiful day to be out and about.

See?

What a nice way to explore Oregon.

We picked up a newspaper filled with other wineries to visit.

Love living in Oregon!!!

Art and a walk.

One of the things I love about McMenamins pubs is the artwork.  I thought I'd share some of the paintings on the walls at the Hotel Oregon.

Each room is named for someone.  We got a kick out of this door: not many others were listed as amazing.  I've been researching his name online and it's very interesting.

This is the elevator door.

Every year the Hotel Oregon holds an event to celebrate UFOs.  They have a parade and everything.  I told Mark we'll make it there one of these years!

We walked downtown McMinvile, and it was wonderful weather for walking, and the smell of the damp leaves was actually wonderful (such a Fall scent), and we even found a penguin.  I'd not seen this before: loved it!

Lots of fun Halloween records.

Liked the bike rack.  How clever is this?

Lazy Sunday afternoon

Mark and I drove to McMinnvile (spelling??? ) to go to Hotel Oregon so we could sit in their roof top bar and enjoy the view.

We didn't sit outside, but we could have as the weather was very mild.

While we were waiting for our food Cari called.  Mark always gets a special smile when he's talking to his girl.  I love seeing that.  She sounds like life is going gang busters and that's what you want to hear, isn't it?

I had a rubinator (a combination of Ruby and Terminator), a sandwhich, and lots of fun.  A great Sunday.

Mark! What if your Mom hears you??

I was looking at pictures from our Amsterdam trip, came across this video, and it make me laugh at the end.  Love this park!!  And I caught Mark using some 'bad' language.  Sorry Mom!!  I've tried to work on this with him......

Monday on it's way....

The weekend raced on by.  On Saturday I worked on my craft area. 

Gave myself a lot more room to work.

I love the view outside my window. 

Sunday Mark and I went to lunch, then we went to a new train musuem in Portland, over by OMSI.

It's small, but the trains they do have there are amazing!

And they don't charge admission: they have a donation box you can drop some money into.  They're pretty much at the start up stage.

Mark was loving, loving, loving it.

His Grandmother used to take him to see the trains,

and he likes when he thinks about thse times.

Big ole honking wheels!

I think this train was my favorite.

After the musuem we went to Lippmans, a party place. 

They were decked out for Halloween.

Jen, this is for you......

We found a 'chicken dance' hat for next Octoberfest.

No, I didn't buy it.  But I should have.

Mark leaned towards the shiney look.

Oh Portland, we love you even when you're dreary.