Christmas Tree part II

Just in case you were wondering about that tree we ventured to find.

It's so big I couldn't get all of it in the shot.  The boys were beyond excited and Willard kept sighing and exclaiming "this is the best tree ever!"

Little Miss turns 1

I am not happy about this post.  Just typing the title makes me upset.  This year has gone way too fast and I don't like how fast my babies become not babies anymore.  I love my little girl.

On a sentimental note: the broach was my Grandma G's.  One string of pearls was given to me by Evus' Grandmother M and one was bought for a couple pesos on my mission in Argentina.

So...I bought Hannah a fancy little mini Tea Set for her birthday.  It was a few months back when we first came to Oregon.  When I found it in a big old box on a shelf at the second had store I began squealing and jumping up and down.  A lady passing by thought there was something alive inside...When I explained that I had finally found the perfect mini tea set, with which I hoped to spend many days playing dress up and chatting with my little girl, she nodded with understanding and we hugged and both got misty eyed.  All in the Goodwill store.  And my hubby was standing right there witnessing the sappy scene and had no choice but to let me buy it.  It may seem impractical but :P  I bought it as an investment.

And just for the record, it was my son who suggested we have a tea party to celebrated Little Miss' first birthday.  Which is no huge surprise, since I have tea parties with my boys all the time (with their very boyish tea party Tupperware set).  Having another female in the house has added a new dimension to our family though.  It has given my boys an excuse to tote purses around and play dolls and they have trained little sister to play with dinosaurs and trucks.  I love it.

So last night we had Hot Cocoa (in a teapot), cucumber sandwiches (which we had never had before and they were yummy), and meatballs.  We had rainbow cupcakes and Hannah had her cake...though mainly she just attacked the whipped cream frosting.

Thanksgiving...with reckless aBANDONment

We had our first visitors here in Oregon for Thanksgiving.  Mom and Dad G made the long drive west and spent a few JAM PACKED days with us.  The kiddos were super excited and could hardly wait for them to arrive.  Even little miss was excited...she didn't know why but she saw her brothers dancing around in anticipation so she joined in.

Our Turkey Day was pretty relaxed.  With only a hand full of us to feed, we made way too much food and ate too much in turn.  The boys and I spent WEEKS planning our table decorations and doing art projects for the big day.  It turned out great.  I was especially glad to use the silver gold-ware that Evus' grandparents gave us the first year we were married.  It was the first time we pulled them out of storage and it made me think of Grandma M and miss her.  I think she would have liked our table.

Black Friday we took off from "the land of mist" (that is where we live) and headed to the coast at Bandon (thus the title).  We picked the PERFECT day to go.  It was sunny and festive.  All the shops in town had live music, free samples, prizes ect.  So we sipped cider and enjoyed the music all morning.

We went down to the dock and ordered some "Little Mateys" (Fish 'n Chips with Clam Chowder).  The sun was shining and it felt so good it made the food taste delicious.  We also watched people crabbing...and we took notes so we can try it next time.  Chicken...or "nuked" turkey.  That's the trick, so they say.

The boys finally got their way and we headed to the beach with sand buckets.  We started at a rock beach and found some really pretty rocks to add to our collection.

Last we headed to Face Rock to find some tide pools.  And we found some great ones!!!  And some super cool pirate caves.  "Avast me hardies!!!" That is what Squashi said when he saw them--thank you Ryan, for teaching him proper Pirate talk.  I was so excited.  Any way--tide pools--we found star fish and annen..annemen...annenemies ;)  We were all worn out but it was a blast.

 Before we let Grandpa and Grandma go we (well, Squashi) talked them in to a visit at the Wildlife Safari and a swim in the hot tub.

Little Miss also got a test run for her birthday, in which she was thoroughly spoiled by her grandparents...did I mention that our little Diva had this strange and instant connection with her Grandpa G.  Within minutes of arrival she was resting her head on his shoulder--unheard of.  And she was more sweet than usual in general.  It was like they secretly planned it to shock and amaze us all; they were insta-buddies and it was great.

O Christmas Tree--our hunt for the elusive Noble Fir

We left bright and early from our frosted parking lot, snowsuits and mittens in hand.  We drove through the fog we are now accustomed to see each morning in our town.  Never would I have guessed I would be sunburned by the end of the day!  We met up with our new friends the Reynolds and followed them to the middle of nowhere.  We found ourselves on the top of the mountains with this amazing view of the Cascades.  Something about seeing composite cone volcanoes just gives me goosebumps!

We enjoyed some hot cocoa and cookies...with no need for snowsuits.

Then we began our hunt.

Say "Christmas Tree"!

Loading in our tree!

The Reynold's Tree!

Family Photo Op!

We came home exhausted!  It was AWESOME!