I survived the Holidays.  I am back in humble, rainy Portland and I missed the snow storm of a century.  It will be a new year in a few short hours and the only resolution I have made for 2009 is to make little resolutions throughout the year.  Oh yeah, those are called goals, I don't believe in forcing a goal just because of our calendar. 

You won't believe me, but I had to be significantly choosy on which photos to post.  We took about a million mostly because children are so photogenic and we stayed with Brandon's nephews and niece.  See for yourself.

The boys "camped" outside in negative degree temperatures.  Of course, I watched from the window!

 

My parents took us to the bosque,  bird sanctuary designed and kept up specifically to attract migrating birds in the winter.  We saw a bald eagle, a golden eagle and countless geese, cranes and duck.  We even saw an elk!  It was beautiful, and very relaxing.  It made me miss Taco.

A short visit with my sweet Grandparents....

and a surprise visit from Santa!  Just for me and my mom.  I guess we were good girls this year.

Whew!  It was very fast, furious and fun.  I am very glad to be home even though I missed all the snow.  Happy 2009 everyone!  It is going to be an amazing year.

This is the product of being snowed in, getting high on hot chocholate and watching too much tv.

Tag, You're IT.

I am playing a blog chain-letter of sorts. I was tagged by http://www.everydaybitch.com and asked to list the six things that make me most happy. I don't want to bore you with "family", "friends" and "health" so after those three here goes in no particular order.

1. Sleeping in
2. Cheese and bread (together)
3. Dance parties
4. Taco the parrot
5. My bosses maternity leave
6. Going to Albuquerque for Christmas

That was fun! Now the part that is not so fun: tagging others.

Miss Anne at http://sassafrasanne.blogspot.com/

Abby at http://projectsforyournest.blogspot.com/

Liz at http://lovingthismomstuff.blogspot.com

Codi at http://deathbydenim.blogspot.com/

Tranquility at http://steintranquility.blogspot.com/

Okay that's all I got!

Frozen in!

I got my snow day people!  My boss texted me at 6 am with this message "The office will be closed today due to inclement weather".  I'm all for professionalism, but there are 3 people in our office (including her).  I don't care, NO WORK!  So, I bundled up to see what my yard looked like, and these were the only bits of color I could find.  I think that rose is pickled!

Our friend Scott came to visit on the bus.  He is the most talented musician I know and he has been playing his guitar all day.  I wish he would never go, his songs are so beautiful.  Taco is in love with him.  I've never seen him so attracted to a stranger.  He keep leaning over towards him and finally jumped from my hand to Scott's knee.  Naturally, Scott is terrified of him.

SNOW STORM 2008!

 I have no idea why everything is underlined.  Blogspot is hard to edit and I don't feel like dealing with it.  You can read it, right? It's been snowing all day.  Not very impressive accumulation to people in any other part of the country, but we are excited.  In fact, my boss just called and said maybe no work!  My fingers are crossed.  I hate driving in the snow, plus I can get cozy with Bee and watch scary movies. 

Despite the conditions, we went to Fred Meyer today to pick up some photos we ordered.  We got a bunch of other stuff and totally forgot the pictures!  Dah.  Well, at least we have bikini wax and Pad Thai!  

In other news, Taco is really coming around.  He has warmed up so much that I can give him "kisses"  and he even makes a pucker noise.  Pretty much makes my heart melt.  We were at a party last night, I was telling one person all about Taco and then I overheard Bee across the room telling a rendition of the same story.  That is when I realized that Brandon and I are becoming crazed pet owners.  I guess it beats obsessed parents.

RIP CITY

I am such a huge Trailblazers fan right now. I've never been into sports before, but Basketball is the only one I really understand and "everybody loves a winner" and we are doing so great. So I was ecstatic when we got free tickets! I even went out and bought a Brandon Roy girl's Jersey to show my spirit (I like Batum better but they didn't have his). We ate at home so we didn't have to spend $7 on a hot-dog, and our good friend Allison bought us a beer. Well, we lost by one point in the last three seconds. I felt like my heart was being ripped out and I would cry. Then I laughed inside about how it is just a game and how we actually did have the time of our lives.

Holiday Stress

Ugh, Holidays. I never thought I would be the type to get caught up in all of the Holiday BS. But there I was last night, in tears in the middle of IKEA, throwing toys, having the equivalent to an adult temper tantrum. It's just too much to work all day, rush to Christmas shop in utter chaos for that perfect gift that won't cost too much (because oh yeah, I don't have any money) knowing the gift won't even be appreciated but you are still obligated. I HAVE HAD IT. If I get you something, It's because I really wanted to and it's probably hand made.

It's not just the presents either. Do you know I have 5 Christmas parties I'm going to attend? Two of those are from friends and should be fun (even though they are on the same night across Portland). The other 3 are because of certain family members feelings, health issues, locations, ailments, deficiencies, conflicting personalities blah, blah, blah. I am going to 3 dinners in the period of 24 hours. I know you don't believe me, but this is a better option than getting everyone under the same roof.

SO! Merry Christmas everyone!