One Year Older

Tyler celebrated his seventh birthday last week. Other than being busy with sports, it was a great one! He got to play his first basketball game on his actual birthday which he didn't seem to mind, then we celebrated with friends over the weekend. I let him have a late night with 8 other boys for three hours, which after the invitations were sent out I started to worry about too much time to kill. Thanks to the help of the whole family, we all had assignments and divided and conquered the entertainment of 10 boys for 3 hours! Whew!! Because it was so crazy, I didn't realize until after the boys left that I didn't take any pictures! The agenda was pizza, outdoor games, haunted house where they fish or treated for their goody bags, campfire with marshmallows, donuts on a string, and watching Scooby Doo until the parents came. Glad it's over and glad Tyler had a great birthday!

Portland

Kris and I at the Pittock Mansion

The Heathman Hotel (which I am told is haunted, after I stayed there!)

Kris enjoying the king size bed without children in the room

The concierge or bell boy (I am not sure what a concierge is, but I know this hotel had one)

Last week, Kris and I went to Portland, Oregon for the weekend. Kris had a convention for work up there, and I went along for the ride to visit my sister. For his convention, they put us up in a hotel way fancier than we are used to, complete with a concierge, robe & slippers, bed turn down service, and a stocked refrigerator and goody basket that I found out, were not complimentary, but very expensive! The first day we had a free day to spend with my sister and her three kids. We explored the grounds of the Pittock mansion, then went to Sauvie Island which my nephew corrected me by saying it is "Sauvie" not "Suavie" as in the shampoo. Thanks Chad! There, we visited a pumpkin patch had some lunch and then ventured to the beach of Sauvie Island. Afterwards, our gracious host and taxi cab driver, Missie, dropped us off at the hotel where we got ready for dinner with the other attendees of the convention, and afterwards were treated to a comedy club in downtown Portland. Had a good time, just glad we went to the milder 8 pm show rather than the 10 pm or midnight showing which can get raunchy. Most of the other people from the group, kept the drinking going and went to a bar from there, while Kris and I opted for the quiet hotel room for some rest after our really early morning flight. The next day, Kris had a workshop to attend all day, so I went shopping with Missie, hung out at their house for a while, then we picked Kris up so that we could go out to dinner with just us adults. Had a great time at a lovely Italian restaurant, said our goodbyes to Missie and James and enjoyed one last night away from the children who were being well cared for by parents. Thanks to Mom, Dad, and Missie to whom this great weekend wouldn't have been possible!

I Should Be a Camera Man (Woman)

Okay, so my oldest child had his first official touchdown today. He has had several in practices, a few in scrimmage games, come close to several in real games, but today he scored his first (almost had two), and I was fortunate enough to catch it on film. I will preface this by saying that I was holding the camera, the snap went off and I thought "I should try catching this play on film, just in case..." So I did, and Zach always mentions my skills, because I always catch the good plays...

I get excited, can you tell?! Anyways, luckily a guy on the team video tapes all the games, so I should have this play in video come next week. Great job Zach! Also, check out this cool picture the coaches' wife took of Zach in action. (He's #88 in black and yellow)