Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was spent picking up my parents from the airport. Since we were already in NE Portland, we decided to go on a hike I've wanted to go on since we moved here: Multnomah Falls.

It's over a mile hike all the way up to the top, and it's worth every. single. step.

Seriously - go - It's so worth it.

This was our view from just a little ways up. It was really foggy, so the visibility wasn't great. We couldn't see to the top at this point.

This was our view just as we hiked past the fog. The moss and greenery everywhere was breathtaking against the fog.

Again, our view from just above the fog. I believe the Columbia River Gorge is below those clouds.

Mom being brave, touching the moss. I believe she SAID it felt soft - but I'll just have to take her word for it.

When we got to the top of the hike, the trail first took us to the creek above the waterfall. Dad decided to give us all a heart-attack and walk out on a slippery log. Why he has a death wish, I'll never know.

There was a lookout ledge (with a rail) on top of the falls. Scariest thing I've ever done! This was our breathtaking view.

Our view, minus the waterfall.

One more shot of the top of the waterfall. Absolutely breathtaking, and as I said - totally worth the hike!

Selfie time!

We had some nice gentlemen take a pic of us with the creek in the background, since the fog created too much backlight. We were all sweaty, but definitely happy after that hike.

We were treated to beautiful views on our way down from the waterfall - Moss and greenery through the fog.

After we got home, we celebrated Christmas Eve at Billy's mom's house with some wonderful prime rib. Then, we headed back to our house to open presents and prepare for Santa's arrival.

Of all his gifts, Rudolph's light-up nose was his favorite! Typical…

Family pic in front of the fireplace, just before sending Ethan to bed. He fell asleep surprisingly fast, amidst all the excitement about presents in the morning.

We left Santa's footprints in magic dust, along with Ethan's stocking right by the fireplace. Ethan loved it!

Preschool Party

Ethan's preschool had a Christmas party, and Ethan was so excited! We had a countdown the past few weeks. Every morning he'd wake up, and ask "how many more sleeps" until the Christmas party.

First, they played a little duck duck goose.

Then, they chose a present (each student brought a present to share with classmates).

After they opened their gifts, they had snacks and juice, and then got to play a little bit more. Full disclosure - Ethan wasn't happy about his gift at first. All the other kids got super heroes, and he got a Jenga set. It wasn't until AFTER we got home that he realized how COOL his gift was! He's been building stuff with it ever since :)

I love that I get to volunteer in his class! It's really cool to see him in this kind of environment. He's so outgoing and social.

Ethan with two of his closest friends. Getting 2 out of 3 kids to look at the camera is a huge feat! 

This was the moment Ethan realized how cool his gift was! It's so adorable that he sticks out his tongue whenever he's concentrating.

That day was so fun - being able to volunteer at his classroom, and then going home and playing all day with his new game. Spending time with this little man is the best feeling in the whole world!

"Every child you encounter is a divine appointment."

~ Wess Stafford, President, Compassion International

Snow Day

If you're from Oregon, you know how weird it is to 

1. GET snow

2. For that snow to STAY on the ground

Well, last week, it haaaaaappened.

I was teaching a class at my gym when I saw it snowing. I figured, ehh it'll melt. No big deal. Well, when my class dismissed, I realized the snow wasn't going anywhere! 

I'd previously arranged a playdate for Ethan for after school. I let his friend's mom know that I'd be picking up the kids early from school so we could get home before the roads got too slick.

Well, I was definitely too late for that! After an HOUR of trying to get home, we finally had to pull over and walk. We live on a very hilly side of town, and I saw car after car get in an accident. Oregonians just don't know how to drive in the snow!

Here we are, walking up the hill…

When we got home, I thought the kids might want to make some snow angels. Ethan is impervious to the cold, so he loved it. His friend, however, was NOT having it!

Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather.
John Ruskin 

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was so fun this year. We packed up and drove to Mema's house (she only lives a few hours away).

Ethan was so excited because he has a little best friend that lives down in Medford. They are so cute together! They play tag and super heroes and watch movies together. This age is so fun.

We enjoyed great company and had some amazing food! But no joke - only took two pictures. 

I have a hard time taking pictures while having family time. I really just want to enjoy the moment, rather than spend the entire time snapping shots with my camera.

Sorry-not-sorry

On our way down to Medford. This is Ethan's "cheese" face - although I'm sure you already figured that out! 

He's such a great traveller, but probably because we've trained him since he was a baby :)

Taya and I making goofy faces. She's so much better at it than I am!

I love the holidays because I feel they bringer us so much closer to each other, and remind us how to be kind. I wish the holidays lasted all year - minus the colder weather (obvi).

“HAPPINESS [is] ONLY REAL WHEN SHARED” 
― Jon Krakauer, Into the Wild

Adoption Update

We get asked all the time about how the adoption is going, so I thought it would be best to write about it! 

**By the way, I love getting asked. It means so much to know other people are rooting for us.**

This process can be summed up in just two words:

ROLLER COASTER

(did anyone else think that was just one word? It's two, if everyone was wondering)

One thing I can safely say is that this process has put us in touch with some pretty amazing people. I've had family and friends show their support - and that has meant so much. I can't tell you what it's like to open my e-mail or Facebook and receive some encouraging words. It makes me realize that I need to do that more often! Every time we get one of these, I'm reduced to a ball of grateful tears. If you have done this, I hope you know it has meant the world to us.

We have also been in contact with a few women considering adoption who have really touched our hearts. Even though it has not *yet* worked out with these courageous mothers, I feel so blessed to have known them. We so look forward to having a child placed with us, but also look forward to having a positive relationship with the mother who will make this decision. 

So… no big news for now :)

We just wanted to give you an update, and tell you how much we appreciate your support!

Halloween 2013

So…. Now that it's almost Thanksgiving, I suppose I can post about Halloween, right?

Mmmmmk

For the two weeks leading up to Halloween, Ethan would wake up and cry about how he wanted that day to be Halloween. 

Let's just say I was as ready for Halloween to be here as he was!

A month before Halloween, he chose a Spiderman costume.

Yeah - I wasn't surprised.

Little boys are just super heroes in disguise :)

We met up with some friends for pizza. You know, just to make sure we'd have plenty of strength for our long trek around our beautiful neighborhood.

Then we made sure all the kids' costumes were pristine and ready to go!

Disclaimer: All these pictures are blurry. Getting kids to stand still on Halloween = impossible.

Ethan and his friends playing tag.

That smile when I told him it was time to trick-or-treat already!

There's nothing in this world that makes me feel more special than Ethan holding my hand. He was so proud that both Billy and I went trick-or-treating with him.

All the kids lined up. There were more - I just couldn't fit them all in the shot! 

Each one was just as precious as the other. It was a great night.

Can't wait until next year!

Nothing on Earth so beautiful as the final haul on Halloween night.  ~Steve Almond

Apple Picking

Okay okay - I know I always brag about how awesome Oregon is. But seriously! We get to go apple picking! 

I mean, come on.

And the apples - they're so amazing! I had no idea the difference between apples you get at the grocery store versus apples picked right off a tree. The taste and texture are night and day. 

If you get a chance, hop on up here and I'll take you apple picking :)

TRYING to get Ethan to pause for a photo op. If you look closely, you can see he's already eating an apple. He can't get enough of them!

Ohhh this kid. He melts my heart. Here is trying to run away from me and the camera. He was intent on picking eating apples, and got annoyed when I got in his way!

My favorite part of this orchard? It was so family-friendly. One of the workers takes the kids on a tiny tractor ride when we finished picking apples. The boys were in heaven.

And last but not least, the boys got to check out a gigantic tractor. There is something about boys and big trucks or tractors - they just can't get enough.

The best part about apple picking is that Ethan's friend Simon came along with us. It was so heart-warming to hear them giggling in the back seat together. Thank goodness for good friends.

"The only way to have a friend is to be one."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson