New Year's and Family

We were blessed this year with a visit from Jeff and Chikako (my brother and sister-in-law) from Japan.  My mom and dancing partner, Bob also came to town over New Year's.  They all arrived on Dec 29th and stayed through the 5th.  We had a great time with them, ate lots of good food, did tons of shopping (a bit much for Jeff) and hung out at home. 

On Jeff's request we booked an appointment for a pedicure for Chikako. I couldn't let her get one by herself so I joined her.  It was Chikako's first pedicure and she chose clear polish.  I think she really enjoyed being pampered, I know I did.

The Wisconsin Badgers played in the Rosebowl on Saturday and we had a big bash at the house.  Jeff's friends, Eric and Christina, from Seattle came down to spend some time and for the game, New Year's Eve through Sunday.  It was a great game even though Wisconsin lost.  We all wore red and had brautwurst, Taco Bell (for Chikako), nachos and beer.

I took Jeff, Chikako, Eric and Christina to Kennedy School Saturday night for a tour and some beer/coffee.  The soaking pool was packed and people kept waving Chikako in to soak.  We went to the Boiler Room and had poor service but excellent quality time with friends.

Jeff, Chikako, Cooper and I took a trip up to the snow on Sunday.  We went to Carson, WA and found an access road that didn't require snowshoes.  We brought a sled for Cooper but he mainly liked to eat the snow, and sit on Uncle Jeff's shoulders. At the end he did ride in the sled with Chikako while Jeff pulled.  Riley came with us and was bounding in the snow.  It was a gorgeous day and we all had a great time.

We spent Sunday night at Grandma Lindsay's house and she cooked us a great casserole.  Chikako was unsure what a casserole was but she liked it and ate three helpings.

We only ate two breakfasts out, Petit Provence and Cadillac Cafe.  We had pizza from Hot Lips and Thai from Sivali.  Jeff and I got our morning, afternoon and evening coffee brew on daily.  Chikako left us on Monday and the rest of the family stayed until Wednesday.  It was great to all be together for the New Year and can't wait for Jeff and Chikako to live with us!!!!

Love

Cooper love





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Hiking

I took the kids to the Vancouver Land Bridge this week for a nice walk.  I brought Cooper's bike and he had  fun chasing Larkin and I around.  The bridge is awesome, it goes right by the railroad tracks and the Fort Vancouver Airport. We saw lots of large planes heading to PDX Airport, two small planes that landed at Fort Vancouver, right over our heads, and three trains.  Cooper was in heaven, Larkin was happy to be
running and Riley was happy to be with us.

 

Cooper, Riley and I went to Lattourell Falls in the Gorge this week too.  The Out and About with Kids book said this trail is great for younger kids. 

We were sprayed with freezing cold water as we crossed this bridge.  Cooper and Riley had a great time running and it was nice to be outside.  I am looking forward to many more hiking adventures now that  Cooper can walk for longer bouts of time.

Holiday Stuff

We put up our tree this year super early for us, two days after Thanksgiving.  Cooper has been talking about our tree since November 1st, thank you store displays.  We have lights on the house too and they look great this year.

Today we took the Holiday Express along the Willamette River with Aunt Janet, Erin, Maria, Teo and Ciaran.  The boys had a great time, they loved sitting with Aunt Janet.  Santa visited us on the train and gave out candy canes.  We went on this train last year at night so this year we wanted to check it out during the day so Cooper could see out the windows.  He loved it and it's a great holiday tradition!

After the train ride we visited the Belmont Firehouse Museum where another Santa was visiting.  Cooper loves this museum, we drive by it all the time and he always wants to go in and check it out.  The museum is only open one Saturday a month and for groups with appointments so he was super excited we were going there. 

Santa was there for a photo op and Cooper asked him for a fire station and fire truck (although on asking Cooper later, he said that isn't what he asked for).  He was pretty shy but enjoyed sitting on the firefighter Santa.

We walked across the street and treated Janet to India Oven for lunch.  It was a great day, although pouring down rain weatherwise.  Thanks Janet for the fun train ride and joining us on other Santa adventures.

Fresno 2010

We took our annual trip to Fresno last week.  The visit was great except Cooper and I got sick.  We visited with Sharon's dad, saw his friends Dick and Betty, Cooper played with his two older cousins, Chloe 12, Noah 7, he also played with Alexander his cousin that is 2.  We all met our new nephew (Alexander's brother) Adam who was born in September.  We had fairly good weather, did some shopping but mostly hung out with the family.

We walked Christmas Tree Lane (with about a quarter of the Fresno population).  It was jammed with people, we felt like cattle, there was no way to stop without losing half your group.  We brought the wagon for the two older boys but Cooper mainly sat on Mama's shoulders and Alexander pushed the wagon from behind while Chloe pulled it from the front.

We also took the two older cousins, Chloe and Noah, bowling.  We had a great time and Auntie Sonya beat us all in her three strikes in a row on the last 2 frames.  Chloe and Noah had never bowled and they had a blast.

I

Hike

I took the kids to Lower Macleay Park in Forest Park.  I was trying to reach a stone house about .75 mile but the kids didn't like that plan.  They walked/ran the entire time, I didn't bring a stroller to see how they would do.  Cooper's hands were a little cold so he wore his mittens and he wore his jacket on the way up.  It was a cool trail because it follows a creek and has a few waterfalls.  I love Forest Park because it's so close and it feels like you are in the Gorge hiking.  We explored a bit, watched the water, threw rocks in the creek and ran a lot.  Riley was very happy to be outside and with us too.