Ryan's Favorite Sport...Basketball!

To say Ryan loves basketball is quite the understatement! We signed him up to play through the YMCA with some of his pre school buddies this year. He truly is a legend in his own mind. But what really got him hooked was when we took him to watch Kate dance during the blazer game halftime. He was so influenced that he started making videos about the NBA. We started a little series on my Youtube channel called "Ryan's Closet Diaries". 

Snow Day...

A snow day in Portland is always exciting. Brooke and Christian were over at our house for a sleepover and the kids woke up to snow! Sledding in the park was on their agenda for the day and we even made two cute snowman in our backyard to make the snow last a little longer, knowing it would all melt after a few days. 

Valentine's Sugar Cookies...

Sugar Cookies on Valentine's Day are the best! Ryan agree's!

 

Kate's Halftime Performance...

For the second year in a row, Kate's Performing Company at Elite danced in the blazer game halftime show. Knowing this would probably be her last year on PC we bought tickets for the entire family, minus baby Preston, and enjoyed a night out to support our favorite dancer. She did an amazing job and made it on to the jumbo tron a few times so we could see her up close, even from seats. The boys had a great time of course and it's always nice to see the blazers win. 

Grandma's Birthday...

My mom turned 74 this year. We celebrated with lunch at one of her favorite restaurants, St. Honore Bakery, on 23rd street, in downtown Portland. It was fun to meet up with her and some of her close friends to celebrate another year. I feel lucky that I live so close to do things like this. 

E-A-G-L-E-S Eagles!

The Superbowl was so exciting this year. Preston wore his eagles sweatshirt to church to represent who are family was cheering for this year. We created the Wall of Shame featuring Tom Brady and hung our "Go Eagles Banner" and invited some friends over to watch the big game. Zach of course, as superstitious as he is, locked himself up in the playroom to watch the game alone, while the rest of us hung out in the family room and kitchen.The Eagles vs. The Patriots battled for the win and the Eagles came out on top! Needless to say tears were shed and the boys in our house were elated! Our good friends, the Mangums' were cheering for the Patriots, so naturally Justin took our balloon sign that said "Go Eagles" down to their house and hung it up across their garage doors just rub in the Eagles victory. Parker was a good sport, but immediately grabbed his car keys and took the balloon banner down and proceeded to run over it with his car! So funny!

Sewing Class for Kate...

Over the past several months Kate has been taking a sewing class with her cousin Brooke, from a lady named, Emmer Holbrook. They have learned to make all kinds of things from pillow cases, to pencil pouches, and pajama pants, all the way to dresses that they designed and sewed all by themselves.  I am so proud of what Kate has accomplished and am so glad she has found sewing to be really fun. 

Pat McGee Band...

Back when Justin and I were in college we listened to the Pat McGee Band a lot. But after we got married and had our 4 children we sort of lost touch. Sad but true. So when my brother, Andy offered us his two tickets to see them live here in Portland, we jumped on the chance. The tickets included a nice dinner before with an up close and personal concert with the three band members. It was so fun to reminisce of our days in college and the days when we were dating. It was a great pre-Valentine's Day date!