Saturday, November 14, 2020

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.








Monday, November 9, 2020

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.











 

Saturday, October 31, 2020

Halloween Fun

Kate's dance costumes that went unused last recital season got put to good use this Halloween. I taught my cute pre dance kiddos as Mary Poppins. I am not sure they knew exactly who I was dressed up as but the parents sure knew. Costume week at Elite is one of my favorite weeks. The kids get so excited to dance in their costume.

I am currently serving in the Young Women's Presidency in my ward, and we decided that we needed to bring the ward together for some fun! Our trunk or treat did just that. I dressed up as Dr. Anthony Fauci of course, because Covid has virtually taken over my life, so why not poke some fun at it?!

Preston and Ryan couldn't pick just one costume of course so for the trunk or treat Preston dressed up as Marshall, from Paw Patrol, and Ryan dressed up in the Blue Blow up costume that Zach used a few years back as his costume. It's so random but they sure love it! 










On Halloween Preston dressed up as Batman and Ryan dressed up as Kylo Ren. We had the least amount of Trick or Treaters this year. Friends and neighbors really decided to set up small side parties, like quarantine groups, rather than let their kids go trick or treating door to door, for fear of spreading Covid. It's so crazy how fearful people are of Covid. But we weren't the only ones letting our kids carry on tradition. My good friends Sara and Jill had their kids out running around too!














 

Thursday, October 29, 2020

Carving Pumpkins...

We are so very proud of our carvings this year! Preston asked for Spider-man and I tried my best. I think it turned out okay.