Oh Tennenbaum...

So...turns out the crate idea we had to prop our small tree on to add more height wasn't the brightest idea. Guess short it is this season. I wasn't home when this all happened but I have a nice water stain on my rug that will remind me to never try and add height to my tree again.

 

Oh Christmas Tree...

Covid restrictions have lifted a little bit for outdoor gatherings, so when Plumper Pumpkin Patch announced they would be open for the Christmas season we jumped on it. The air was a bit chillier than our usual fall weather we are used to experiencing at Plumper, but they did a good job with all their activity offerings. The kids enjoyed the water duck racing, slides and observation of the farm animals. It felt nice to get out and do something festive.

We ended up finding our tree down the street from Plumper, at a random tree farm. All the trees were small. The hot summers have taken quite the toll on the trees here. We settled on one and took it home. It was a bit shorter than we thought it would be so we propped it up on a crate to give it some height. The kids had a great time decorating it. It's always a chore to get all the Christmas decor out but once its up its so nice. Kate was extra helpful and is starting to like the interior design aspects of setting up decorations.

 

Thanksgiving 2020...

Aunt Marnae and Uncle Brian and their two boys stayed at our house for Thanksgiving this year. Uncle Casey and his boys also came to town. We continued our tradition of our Turkey Bowl in the park but added a new tradition...PUZZLES! Puzzles are so relaxing and I love how they gather people together and get everyone talking and laughing about the most random things. Our food assignment this year was rolls. We ate dinner over at Grandma and Grandpa Thompson's house. We love this chill holiday.

 

The Gym Finally Opened during COVID

It has been months now that the gym has been shut down due to Covid. The amount of zoom High Fitness classes and Youtube classes I have attempted to workout to can finally come to an end. There is something about being able to workout with real people surrounding you. I discovered how much I really crave it and was very happy to return to Villasport for my first Athletic Conditioning class in months, even if we had to do it outside in the cold pouring rain! For the record, turf fields are a different beast. Its going to take my body a while to get used to it.

 

Family Pictures Fall 2020...

Aunt Mari helped us out with our family photos this year. We met her on the trail behind Sato Elementary. It was a little chilly out but we all survived. Preston was his usual non cooperative self, but in the best way possible, making some great memories with his newfound trick of "cross eyes". At the time it wasn't very funny because you just want one picture where everyone is smiling and acting like a normal human being. Now that I look back I am grateful for the personalities captured in these photos...Preston and his goofiness, Ryan with his infectious giggle, Kate poised, and Zach easily amused.

Amy Orr Comes to Town...

I was so surprised when Amy called to ask if she could come visit me here in Portland. I of course said yes! Amy is one of my very best friends from our Dental School days. She and her husband Daegan are originally from Idaho. They are both so down to earth and we became fast friends the moment we moved into the Colony apartments in Valley Forge. Her and my good friend, and then neighbor, Crystal, were the first girls to invite me out to go shopping in effort to get to know me, and I am forever grateful for them both for being so welcoming. Amy's daughter Camden and Zach were the best of friends. And we ended up pregnant and having my Kate and her Eli close together. I was devastated when they moved after graduating. Daegan graduated a year earlier than Justin.

Anyway, she visited the PNW as the leaves were turning color and starting to fall to the ground. The temps were starting to get really chilly, and fog and rain were the start to most of our days. I told her to bring her rain boots and a warm jacket, so I could show her all the great stops around Portland. 

Our first stop was Sugarpine Drive-In. After I had discovered it this summer I knew she needed to experience her first Portlandia type restaurant. After our yummy lunch we went to Multnomah Falls. The trail to walk all the way to the top was still closed due to covid, but the walk to the bridge still did this amazing waterfall justice. Then we headed out to the coast. We did the full circle, starting at the Tillamook Cheese Factory, hitting Short Sand Beach and Haystock Rock at Cannon Beach and then headed home.

The weekend went by way too quickly! I love anytime I can get with this girl.