Zoo Lights 2011

Posted by Trina Rae Saturday, December 31, 2011 0 comments

This Christmas season, I wanted to do a number of new things, which we did--and, they were all wonderful experiences.  But, there is something to be said for traditions, as well.  Tonight, we ended the year with one of the kids favorites--Zoo Lights.  There were a lot of new things to see--some presentations were expanded (The Wizard of Oz!!) and some things were just new (orangutans!).  And, there was also lots of old favorites--it amazes me how much Franny remembers of past years' displays.  I initially thought it would be nice to spend the evening at home, as we finished up the last of our Christmas celebrations this morning. But, I'm glad we got out for this family outing.  It was a great way to end 2011.  







Cole and Batman

Posted by Trina Rae Friday, December 30, 2011 0 comments

Just as much as this was the Franny's Christmas for American Girl, it was Cole's Christmas for Batman.  Santa, Franny, and Mom and Dad left no stone unturned to provide Cole with the means to unleash his incredible imagination with props.  Now, I can't wait to witness him play it all out!





Yesterday, Franny and Cole met their grandparents at church to see an incredible train exhibit.  The theme was A Tale of Two Cities, with one side depicting city life and the other side showing small town life.  The details were amazing, and Franny enjoyed going through a checklist of things to find, although it was so extensive she didn't finish it.  Cole just enjoyed taking in all the details--he pointed out things to me that I hadn't noticed.  He, of course, found the two Disney Cars characters, as well as Batman car, and a Mermaid train car.  The details were really amazing, from snow falling on Mt. Bachelor to humorous labels on all the buildings.  On the small town end, there was even a drive-in theatre, complete with a screen playing The Polar Express!  The kids had a really great time!






Christmas Day

Posted by Trina Rae Thursday, December 29, 2011 0 comments

Christmas Day was wonderful, filled with family, love, and lots of smiles! Smiles of love, smiles of excitement, and even a few smiles of silliness...

 Of all the pictures for my autofocus to fail...still worth posting, though

 That would be a 'Grandpa smile'...he seems to get some of the best ones!

 Cindelaney

Cars 2! 

 The family...each one special in their own way

Uncle Bill and his guitar...such a wonderful family tradition

Christmas Eve

Posted by Trina Rae Tuesday, December 27, 2011 0 comments

This year, all the cousins were able to get together for Christmas Eve.  It was a special evening with lots of fun and smiles, and the feeling of family and Christmas was abundant and wonderful.  Of course, there is no perfect picture when seven kids are involved.  But, these were two of my best.  They ended their evening with a quick check on the Santa tracker with Uncle Rick.  We loved having all these kids together in our house for Christmas Eve.  It made for very special memories for all of us.





Kanani has arrived!

Posted by Trina Rae Sunday, December 25, 2011 0 comments

I always enjoy giving the kids gifts that are special to them, but I don't think we ever have given a gift that has been more anticipated or more desired than Franny and the American Girl Kanani.  She has been pouring over American Girl catalogs for a full year and a half and over six months ago she decided that Kanani was the one she wanted.  I waited until as close to Christmas as I could, just in case she changed her mind, but she never did.  So, Santa brought Kanani this morning, along with matching pajamas for the two of them.  It was an absolute joy to unite Franny with her beloved doll.  I suspect they will be inseparable for a long time to come.




The season of giving

Posted by Trina Rae Thursday, December 22, 2011 0 comments

There are so many things to do during the Christmas season, sometimes it can get a bit overwhelming.  This week I really wanted to slow things down and have a slow--but fun--week for the kids.  I also told the kids that this week was about taking the focus off ourselves and the anticipation of Christmas morning, and thinking and giving to others.  We sent out our Christmas cards and the kids wrapped their gifts to each other.  We also shopped for and donated gifts to the Giving Tree--Franny for a girl age 6-8, Cole for a boy age 3-5, and Delaney for a girl age 2.  I was impressed with how thoughtful they were about their selections and what a child their age would like to have.  I love it when I can see in their face that they really understand what they are doing and why.  We also made a trip to the Oregon Humane Society with dog and cat treats and toys, which we placed under their giving tree.  It was quite a drive, so we spent some time looking at the pictures of all the animals that were adopted this month.  This was our first time making this trip, and the kids really liked taking our gifts to the animals.  It really has been a nice week and I think it was a great way to lead up to the Christmas weekend.  


Delaney and Franny making cards for each other


The giving tree at the Oregon Humane Society

And that's what Christmas is all about

Posted by Trina Rae Sunday, December 18, 2011 0 comments


After a weekend of fighting the crowds and finalizing gifts, watching A Charlie Brown Christmas was the perfect way to take a deep breath and be reminded of the Christmas spirit.  It's fun to give, but it's also important to remember what we were given.


"'And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and goodwill towards men.'"
"...And that's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."

Cole's sweet face

Posted by Trina Rae Saturday, December 17, 2011 0 comments


I love this picture of Cole.  I don't have a good story or anecdote to go with it, but it is just one of those pictures seems to capture him in a way that makes me stop and think about how much I love him.  This guy has completely stolen my heart, and he enhances my life in a way that I could never have anticipated. And, he's pretty darn handsome, too!

Christmas cards

Posted by Trina Rae Wednesday, December 14, 2011 1 comments

Since Franny was born, I have put a lot of effort into our Christmas cards.  I've always tried to do something a little different than the normal cards.  Because I've always made them myself, it does take a lot of work and that is after I have finally come up with an idea that I really like.  I would assume that most people have received our cards right around December 24th.  Some later, though, I am sure.

This year, I just couldn't do it.  I feel a little swamped and out of balance.  More than usual, that is.  I couldn't find the right picture, couldn't take a better picture, and didn't want to think about it anymore.  I got online, picked out a few pictures, and now they are scheduled to arrive on my doorstep tomorrow.  No running around from store to store to find the right color of card stock.  No going through multiple  glue sticks and stacking books on all the cards so they don't warp.  No shopping for envelopes, digging through my supplies for more envelopes, and no more cutting and trimming pictures to fit on the card stock that will then fit in the envelope.  I rationalized that no one really cares but me.  Unfortunately, I do care, and I hope that next year I can find the picture or idea that I am happy with and will do all of that again.  But, the up-side is that I can replace all that self-induced stress with holiday cheer, the Christmas spirit, and a little more patience with my wonderful, beautiful family.  And, that is a worthwhile up-side, because they deserve it!

My last attempt...I still love the matching pajamas...







Decorating

Posted by Trina Rae Sunday, December 11, 2011 0 comments

There was a time when I would never have let Delaney decorate the tree in a Cinderella gown or indulge all kids the opportunity to the star on the tree (twice!)  These are classic photo opportunities...or more like requirements...to be preserved forever, and everyone should be in coordinating outfits with a big smile representing the perfect spirit of the holidays.  Three kids later, I have come to realize all that doesn't matter.  No, the pictures aren't perfect, but they are real and they are us.  And, that doesn't diminish the Christmas spirit--if anything it amplifies it.  Unconditional love.  Acceptance.  Sharing.  Patience (okay, I need more of this...).  More love (lots of it!!!).  Maybe perfect should be redefined, because even if I could, I wouldn't change a thing!






The Christmas Tree

Posted by Trina Rae 0 comments

Every night when I say goodnight to Delaney, I ask her What did you like about today?  And, every day she says with the biggest smile Seeing Grandma and Grandpa!  The first day I asked her, she had actually seen them, and I thought how wonderful and sweet that is!  And, it really is.  But, now I think how wonderful it is that her last thoughts before her lights go out are how much she loves her Grandma and Grandpa.  This is true for all the kids--their relationships with their grandparents have been built over years and it shows.  The love and trust they feel is obvious, and they would spend every day with them if they could.  The time they spend together has decreased some, as the kids spend more time in school and schedules are more difficult to coordinate.  But--at least now--you wouldn't know it.  I love that they have these kinds of relationships--they are so special that words just don't adequately describe them.

This week, the kids took their annual trip to get our Christmas tree with their grandparents.  It was cold and I had a hard time finding the kind of tree I wanted.  But, they didn't care--the kids had a great time.  And, it wasn't because they rode in the truck with Dusty (well, maybe a little bit) or ran through the trees, making up their games.  It was because they were with Grandma and Grandpa.  They will forget 99% of this day.  What they will remember is that they were with them and they had fun.  And really, nothing else matters. 



The Polar Express

Posted by Trina Rae Tuesday, December 6, 2011 0 comments

This last weekend, we boarded Mt. Hood Railroad's Polar Express Train.  It was a fun kick-off to the Christmas season.  As we sipped on cocoa and ate cookies, the train made it's way to the North Pole and back.  Mid-way, Santa boarded the train and made his way around to all the tables to talk to all the kids and to give each of them a silver bell.  In the book and movie The Polar Express, a boy is given a sleigh bell off Santa's sleigh--a bell that can only be heard by those who believe in Santa.  We all really enjoyed this trip.  It wasn't just seeing Santa, noshing on treats, or singing carols--it was everything together that  created that wonderful feeling of the Christmas spirit.  I don't know at what age kids begin to doubt the existence of Santa Claus, but at least for now, these three truly believe they traveled to the North Pole and that is something magical.








Delaney's smile

Posted by Trina Rae Sunday, December 4, 2011 0 comments

I love Delaney's smile.  Fortunately for us, we get to see it every day.  



Deck the halls

Posted by Trina Rae 0 comments

This week, Auntie Noelle arrived for her visit with three Christmas trees, as well as boxes of ornaments and lights for each!  She spent time with each of kids decorating their little trees.  The kids love them!




Things that make me shake my head and smile...

Posted by Trina Rae Friday, December 2, 2011 0 comments

As heard by Delaney and I on our walk around the neighborhood yesterday...  Truly an example where just playing the game is more fun than strategy...


Cole:  I spy with my little eye something red...and white...that's an octagon...and says "Stop"...



And, later I was informed that 1f is an f-teen.  So silly.  But, when he writes them so nicely, I really can't argue...