Happy 16th, Austin!

Austin had a very full 16th Birthday doing tons of stuff he loves.  His birthday was on Saturday so it allowed us to pack a lot in.  Austin started his day playing basketball for our ward young men's team.  Following that he, Tanner and two friends played some tennis.  They finished just in time to come home to a birthday breakfast spread of German pancakes with blackberry compote and maple syrup, bacon, and orange juice.  Then Austin was off to another basketball game for a young men's team in the Vancouver North Stake.  After a quick shower Austin took a few friends to Big Al's to bowl a few games, hang out in the game center and fill their tummies with munchies.  When Austin got home from bowling Eric and I took him out to log some more drive time so he can get his driver's license SOON.  We stopped at Red Robin's for his birthday burger.  I don't know if I have ever heard the words "I am not hungry" ever escape Austin's lips, but they did during that dinner.  He still found room to polish off the ice cream sundae they brought him though.

On Sunday Austin was ordained a Priest by Eric.  Grandpa Tippetts came to our ward for the ordination.  Grandma Tippetts joined us after church for Austin's birthday dinner of chipotle burritos.  Following dinner Grandma G, Uncle Steve and Aunt Cathy came for brownies, caramel of course, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.  16 doesn't get much sweeter than that.  We sure love you, Austin.  Happy Birthday!

Welcome to Band!

I am so glad I kept my old flute.  I can’t tell you how many times I got it out thinking I should consign it at the local music store.  I am glad it was so far down on my list of “things to do” that I didn’t get to it and ended up putting it back in the closet.   McKenna has decided to pick it up and try it out in the 5^th grade band program.  She has several friends in band and seems to be enjoying it.  This is her at her very first concert.

Congrats, Carson!

After much fretting and worrying (much of it very un-needed) Carson pulled off his 4.0!

During winter break Carson was constantly checking the computer for his grades.  There was a glitch in the grading system software that said Carson had a C in his science class - boy, did we have to talk him down from that one.  Unfortunately, he had to wait until he got back to school two weeks later to get it cleared up.  It weighed heavily upon him the whole vacation.

But by the time everything was published and official and awards were handed out, Carson was at the top of his class as always.  Even being at the top of the class he has time to learn new talents.  Over break I taught him how to crochet.   Look at this cozy hat he whipped up!

Happy New Year!

We didn't have any huge plans for New Year's Eve this year (besides the kids going to the youth dance), but Eric and I knew we wanted to do something together as a family that would be memorable and fun.  That got me to thinking about what I did as a teenager.  I grew up going into downtown Portland with my friends and exploring the city.  We would eat at different restaurants, people watch, go to Saturday's Market, listen to street performers and enjoy the waterfront.  There is no way I would let my kids go do today what I used to do (I often wonder if my Mom and Dad knew what I was doing.  I promise I wasn't trying to hide anything.), but I still wanted them to have fun memories of growing up near a great city like Portland.  That led us to the Stray Boots Company and our urban adventure.

Ankeny Square and the Skidmore Fountain near Saturday's Market

This company puts together interactive walking tours of major cities in the United States.  Portland happens to be one of those cities.  You purchase an adventure option then call a given phone number.  They give you a location and clue to start you on your tour.  Codes and messages are sent to your cell phones.  You then have to send certain information back to the phone number to get the next clue or message.

Tanner and Austin and the entrance to Porland's China Town

McKenna in one of Portland's Historic Hotels that has hosted many of our countries, and others, dignitaries

We were able to learn a lot about the history of Portland and see some grand architecture.  We met a lot of nice people, watched a lot of weird people, ate some great food, saw a street performer or two, went into a few shops that had some really cool stuff and some shops we never would have happened into otherwise.

Austin in his favorite western wear at the Portland Outdoor Store .
I wanted the cute cowgirl boots.

Who needs a saddle when you can ride bare back?

We found some neat books at a used bookstore that still wished Wilson was President.  We learned where to go to find old vinyl records and anything you could want to know about the old music greats, especially the rockers.

Did you know Portland had a chapel of Elvis? Tanner was excited about that.

We found a little sandwich shop called The Peoples' Sandwich that makes its own dic"tater"chips and fries and they are ooh, so good.  The sandwiches looked great too, but we had to leave room for Voodoo Doughnuts...

We had an all out good time.  This was a great way to bring in the new year.   Welcome, 2012!