Instagram Christmas

I did use my real camera of course for Christmas, but for now, here's the instagram version from my phone while I work on downloading the other photos.

Christmas Eve at my Aunt Kathy's house "playing" with Katie through the glass

Christmas Eve at Church

Christmas morning at Grandma Pat's

Ready to head to Troutdale for the next stop Christmas Day

Playing with Baleigh

After Christmas night some of Sam's presents... she had more

Christmas with Jeff and Layla

 

Just some of my favorite ornaments

New one this year from Sleighbells

Another new one this year, Sleighbells

 

Trail Blazers

A week ago Josh and I had tickets for the Blazers - Nuggets game. For some reason it seems that whenever we go to Blazer games we end up seeing them play Denver. We did not expect the Blazers to win, especially with Aldridge out, but they managed to grab the lead and never let go. It didn't hurt that the Nuggets went 0-22 from the 3 point line. We had a great time, getting the tickets through one of Josh's co-workers, and then sitting with another of his co-workers and his son, in the club level with all the food we could eat. It was a great night. Not a lot of photos since the tickets said no cameras allowed with removable lenses... so rather than risk it I left it at home. 

 

Ducks Basketball

Last weekend Josh and I were fortunate enough to have tickets to the Duck's basketball game vs Nebraska. Sam spent the night at my dad and Kaye's house and Josh and I had the day to ourselves. We headed down and had some lunch and walked through the stadium. The original idea was the walk around campus while we were there, but it was freezing and wet, so we hoped back in the car and came home to watch a Chrismtas movie in the warmth of our home. Oregon won the game, the pit crew was sad, as it's winter break, but it was great to see the new arena finally!

 

 

 

Santa

Sunday evening we headed to Alpenrose Dairy to meet up with the Manson's to go see Santa. We knew Sam would scream after having seen him at the Holiday Food and Gift Festival last month, but I think every parent needs that photo. The whole set up was great, a whole little winter wonderland, and Santa was great. We'll definitely be going back next year. Hopefully we'll get the shot Ella has with Santa with Sam next year.

Josh was standing just arms reach away

 

Cool set up for family shots

Mr. Q

Watching a train

Lots of trains to go around

 

 

Up and Decorated

Of course the weekend we got the tree it had to be fully decorated. I got to work, took a while, but 6 light strings, ribbon, and many ornaments later it was good to go. Sam only plays with a few of the bottom hanging ornaments, otherwise she just likes to look at the lights.

Yep, still leaning a bit...

 

Oh Christmas Tree (x3)

Last week the Christmas tree hunt was really on. Since we moved last spring we needed to find a new place to go instead of making the drive to Hillsboro, which seemed crazy. Wednesday was a beautiful day and we decided to try our luck after work. We headed to Lee farms in Tualatin after hearing what a great farm it is. We were told where the nobles were and headed that direction. There were hardly any trees down there and we never once stopped to really look closely at a tree. We headed back up to the pre-cut trees and see if any of those would work, even though we enjoy the hunt and finding it in the farm. We finally asked about pricing... then we left. $8/foot and we didn't even like any of the trees. By then it was too late and dark to continue the search.

 

Thursday we headed to another lot I found online, in Sherwood. We got there only to find out they were only open on weekends, which it did not say online. Again, too dark to continue the search by the time we got back home.

 

Friday Josh decided to take off work an hour early and we headed to another farm in Sherwood. We got there and saw a huge lot, full of trees. We were excited. We headed down into the trees and hardly even touched the lot and found several trees we liked. Once we decided on our tree we waived down the workers and they cut it down and threw it on the back of their trailer and drove it back to our car. We were good to go! They told us that on Saturday and Sundays Santa is there and they have hot chocolate and food. We'll have to remember that for next year when Sam is a little more into all the little things. She did love putting her boots on and walking around in the mud each time however!

 

Then Saturday morning we headed out to Pat's house to help her get her tree. 4 days in a row going to tree lots. We definitely are in the spirit now!

 

 

Checking out the lot with dad

We found our tree

She had a good time

Found her own pint size tree