Halftime Play Time

      Austin plays on a boys 5/6 grade basketball team this year, and Spencer is their coach.  Their team was invited to play during halftime at a High School Varsity game this season.  The boys were excited, but I don't think they played quite like they would have liked.  The kids were kind of thrown out there and told, "Go", so it took them a while to get their bearings.  It was fun to watch them play in front of a larger crowd then normal, and I think it was a good experience for them. 

Portland Pilots vs. Gonzaga Bulldogs

      Spencer tends to root more for individual players when it comes to sports as opposed to teams, with the exception of Gonzaga University.  Why?  Because Spencer grew up in Colville, WA and lived in Spokane as well, and Spokane is home to Gonzaga University.  Not to mention, they run a good program and play well year after year.  So each year when Gonzaga comes to Portland to play against the Pilots he likes to go, and I enjoy going with him.  We ate dinner at the stadium this year and shared a table with some die hard Portland fans.  Spencer of course showed up all decked out in his Gonzaga gear so some friendly banter went on between the two of them. 

      Part of the fun of going is who you go with.  The Crouse's who have a VIP membership got us into their halftime club where they served unlimited drinks and desserts.  They certainly know how to live it up!  The stadium was packed, the game was great, and ultimately the Bulldogs crushed the Pilots.  It was money well spent.        

I Love You, Too!

I stumbled upon this cuteness one night.  They sure are adorable! 

Made from Jenga Blocks.

Birthday Wishes

      About a week and a half ago I turned 34.  And aside from my 28th birthday (the year Spencer threw a surprise party for me) this has been one of the best birthdays ever!!!  So many people went out of their way to make me feel special and I appreciate each and every one of them! 

     I am thankful for the birthday breakfast that my dear friends put on for me!  Creme brulee french toast with blueberry compote, along with sausage and a breakfast casserole.  Not to mention the 2 dozen donuts brought by Sheila.  It was so delicious and I just LOVE Jenn's table settings and Facetime with Shannon.  Thank you ladies!  Click, click, click ....

      I was scheduled to work on my actual birthday which didn't bother me at all because I get off at 2:00 p.m. anyway.  That morning as I was getting ready for work, Spencer says to me, you might want to look outside before the boys leave for school.  Okay.  What I found was some love from my visiting teachers, Jenny & Sarah.  The decorations made me feel so special and loved. 

      After lunch while I was sitting in my little cubicle working away, the whole office came over with a red velvet cake and flowers and sang Happy Birthday to me.  I love the people I work with, it's one of the main reasons I keep going back and I appreciate them going out of their way for me!  Another reason to feel special.

      Later in the evening Spencer invited several friends over for an ice cream cake, my favorite.  Calories don't count on your birthday, right?  Regardless, I enjoyed every minute of the day.  It's amazing how special other people can make you feel by simply just saying Happy Birthday.  Thanks for all of the love, everyone!!!   

My Goal for 2013

     I like to choose one word to summarize my hopes for the new year.  One word I can think about and strive towards.  And so for several months I have pondered what it was I felt like I was missing, and the word that kept popping into my mind was, Contentment.  To be satisfied with things as they are.  But, ironically, I wasn't content with Contentment, the word just didn't feel right, and I wasn't sure why until I read this quote:

"If God gave you contentment then you would never pursue your life purpose. 

It is your restlessness that pushes you to take action, change your life

and seek more of what you could possibly be."

Shannon L. Alder

 

      I knew after reading that quote that Contentment was not the right word for me because I am continually striving to be a little better each day.  So in its place I have found my new word for the year that describes what I'm yearning for, it's Peace.  I love this word because it doesn't imply that life is going to be perfect, or that I can be perfect.  It's simply a reminder that even through the highs and lows of life I can be free of distraction & anxiety if I continually work on the things that bring me peace.  That is what I am striving for this year!     

 

"Peace.  It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. 

It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart."

(unknown)

Welcome 2013!

      It hit me the other day when I was watching Back to the Future Part 2, that we are now only 2 years away from the "Future".  How can that be?  It feels like just yesterday I was watching that movie as a child and thinking the year 2015 sounded so futuristic.  And yet, we're another year closer, crazy!

      A lot happened around the world during the year 2012.  Here are a few highlights: 

• The Summer Olympics were held in London, England. 
• President Obama was re-elected to office.  Obviously my vote didn't count! 
• Hurricane Sandy tore it's way through the East Coast. 
• The new iPhone5 was introduced. 
• Gangnam Style became the most-watched video in YouTube history.  
• The Hunger Games movie was released. 
• And the most popular reality TV show was "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo". 

      On more of a personal side, 2012 was also a great year for personal & spiritual growth and hard work.  I really feel like I learned a lot this past year about what's important, and what's not.  We were able to spend quality time with extended family members and work towards strengthening those relationships as well.  

      So to ring in the New Year we invited some friends over for the evening.  We ate a nice dinner and played games all night long.  Spending time with family and good friends is a great way to start out a new year!     

Goodbye, Mack

      Well our Christmas Elf has left us, but we have a few pictures to remember him by.  Till next year, Mack!

Upcoming Family Vacation

      We are a spontaneous family, and if you know us that probably doesn't come as a big shock.  But even for us, this is a little more spontaneous than normal.  A couple of days ago I booked a Caribbean cruise for our family.  Sail date, January 28th.  Spencer and I really wanted to vacation with our boys this year, but we came to the realization that we couldn't because flights are so out-rageously priced.  But we lucked out!  The cruise package I found was un-believable, but most importantly, the flights to Ft. Lauderdale were almost all covered with points!  We just happened to find the perfect window of opportunity that allowed this to happen.  We are both excited to take the boys on this vacation.  The duration of the cruise is 4 nights, and it offers some awesome kid friendly fun.  I can't wait!!

 

The Great Wolf Lodge

      Spencer and I like the idea of using the money we recieve from our parents for Christmas to pay for a fun family outing.  Last year we went to the Great Wolf Lodge before Christmas, and this year we went the day after.   When we sent the kids on a scavenger hunt to find their last present, a night at The Lodge, I was disappointed with their reaction!   I wondered if maybe we'd been there one too many times?  Now looking back, I think the kids were just so overwhelmed with all their gifts that they were on excitement overload.  Not surprisingly though, we had a great time there.  We were fortunate again to meet up with several friends of ours from Seattle, and their families.  There were 9 total families in our group, only 4 of which I personally knew.  Some of the highlights include:

• Holding Amanda's 3 month old Conner!  I actually looked at Spencer with a question in my eye, you think?  He said No!
• Spencer arranged for a Mexican restaraunt in Tenino to stay open just for our group.
• Watching the kids run around and go down slides wearing the GoPro!
• Riding down the Tornado with 3 adult Men.  I seriously thought we were going to lose Sam!
• Mike adjusting my back on a small wooden coffee table in our room.
• Needing another adjustment after riding down the Tornado with 3 adult Men!
• Spencer and the guys sneaking out late in the night to see what was happening at the Lucky Eagle.

      I love this little tradition that we've started.  The kids have buddies to play with, and we have friends to talk with.  It's the perfect family outing in my opinion!

Christmas 2012

      Christmas this year was a real treat!  My Mom & Bill from Washington came down to spend the holiday with us, which meant we got to have Christmas Eve in our home, a first for us.  I wouldn't trade being close to family for anything, but one of the drawbacks is we usually go elsewhere for dinner and such.  If only I had the perfect house for entertaining (sigh).  Anyway, with my parents coming I was thrilled to be able to be home on Christmas Eve.  For dinner we went with the meal that was tradition in my house growing up which was Mandarin Chicken.  Oh it's delicious!  After dinner we went on a drive around town in search of Christmas lights.  After the kids went to bed, I had several loose ends to tie up (aka. presents to wrap) and so we put on National Lampoons Christmas Vacation for some laughs.  In the morning the boys were happy to have found that Santa came and brought them what they wanted.  Austin:  Skylanders Giants game & Nerf gun.  Cameron & Andrew:  New bikes & Nerf guns.  They also were sent on a scavenger hunt to find their last present from Spencer and I; A night at The Great Wolf Lodge the following day. 

      We invited the rest of our family over for brunch and served a breakfast casserole and homemade cinnamon rolls, then we went back to bed!  Christmas dinner was held at Mom & Dad's house and we had the most delicious Prime Rib, prepared by Marie, and homemade chocolate & key lime pies by Mom.  Seriously, the food was just amazing this year!!  To top the night off we pulled out the chimes and played some Christmas carols.  I don't know what it is about the chimes, but there is just something joyful about playing them during Christmas. 

      Looking back I feel like this was a perfect Christmas.  We spent a lot of time with family and friends, but we also talked a lot about our Savior.  As a family we wrote down something that we can each give him during this next year.  I feel extremely blessed to know what the Spirit of Christmas feels like and I only hope that I can keep that feeling strong all year too!