27 days til Christmas!

Friday night I got off early-just in time for the tree lighting! BUT-it was SO crowded and kind of a joke. After we got through traffic and parked, we finally squirmed our way up to where we could actually see the tree, but it was way uncomfortable. I'm not one to be all snug and cozy up against strangers in downtown Portland. :) We booked out of there as soon as the tree was lit and headed to eat dinner at Peyton's fav-"A Robin," AKA Red Robin. I didn't get any good pictures at the tree lighting, as I could barely move to take a picture.

Then this morning we headed out to Oregon City to Allen's tree farm to cut down our Christmas tree! We were so indecisive, but found a great big one! B's dragging it in the house as I type, but I'm sad that I have to work in a couple hours, so the decorating will be saved until Monday when I have a day off. I'm excited to decorate our house!

Right by our tree B somehow spotted this little salamander! He was so cute and had a bright orange belly.

Our tree!

There's our tree going into the baler to be shook and baled. It's very loud and Peyton was pretty scared of it.

More pictures to come once the final decorated product is finished!

Thanksgiving week

We haven't been up to much lately with the rain and B and I have both been working a lot. This week we stayed inside and tried to keep occupied. Lots of turkey crafts, a little baking, cleaning, potty training, and movie watching (including 2 trips to see New Moon! I won't even go into how obsessed I am). For Thanksgiving, my parents were out of town in Joseph, OR spending the holiday with my grandma, so my family didn't have dinner. We went to B's parents for a delicious spread of food, wine, and family. I have tons to be thankful for! Happy Thanksgiving!

The dogs have been loving laying in their beds by the fireplace. Pancho was very relaxed as you can see.

I would love to be a dog and get to sleep all day.

Peyton playing a little dress up. :)

My sweet boy.

Watching the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving movie.

Helping mommy make vanilla pound cake.

Getting ready to go to Grammy and Papa's for Thanksgiving dinner.

Love this pic of my boys.

Peyton's getting pretty good at using my camera. Here's attempt #1.

Attempt #2.

Watching football with Papa.

Eating some pumpkin pie.

Sitting with Uncle A.

Family pic, though Peyt was pretty insistent on not smiling. It was bedtime. :)

Short but sweet..

Becky flew in to surprise Jill for her shower! She was in town for something like 30 hours, but it was 30 hours of bliss! The morning after she flew in, we drove down to Salem-which was a perfect drive for Bec and I to catch up. Jill was pretty surprised and it was so great for us 3 to be together again! It was a beautiful baby shower brunch, hosted by her sister-in-law. After the shower we headed to downtown Salem and did a little shopping, ate Thai food, and tried to make the most of the rest of the day together. These girls mean the world to me and I love how no matter how long it's been since we last saw each other, we pick right up where we left off-talking about everything and anything. We definitely have a one-of-a-kind friendship-they're like family to me. Love you Cookies and I can't wait until we are together again!

Jill is so stinking cute pregnant. She'd due in January- a babygirl.

GFU girls-Marisa, Beth, Jill, me, Becky, and Melissa.

My BFF's!

Perfect, crisp Fall morning.

I woke up this morning and it was beautiful. Sunny and dry. As I made my coffee, I checked the weather for the rest of the week on my Crackberry and it looks like the rain will be back with a vengeance tomorrow, so I decided to quickly get ready and head to the zoo with Peyt. It turned out to be a good idea to get out of the house because B had called in sick--fever, chills, etc. UGH, I hope it's not you-know-what. Working directly with patients at OHSU, he's already gotten the seasonal flu shot and the H1N1 shot, so I'm hoping he's ok and it's just some other bug.
We got to the zoo early and there was barely anyone there. It was awesome. It was so quiet and peaceful. We took our time and saw everything. It was nice to spend some one-on-one time with my boy.

Checking out some fish.

The sea lion was swimming up close. Peyt kept his distance. "He scares me Mama."

Lots of Fall leaves on the ground.

I love the new predators exhibit, the lions and cheetah are gorgeous.

He kept sitting on the rocks and statues and saying to me "Take a picture Mama."

The giraffe was eating inside, it was so close and HUGE.

I finally got a clear shot of the cougar.

Now bring on the rain.

Trick-or-Treat!

We had a great Halloween. Peyton loved wearing his costume and did awesome trick-or-treating! Some people's decorations scared him, but overall he did great. He did really well saying thank you, and at some houses decided to say thank you, and then turn around again and say "Thank you for dinner!!!" Silly kid.

Tigger

A little hesitant going up to Grammy and Papa's (B's parents) -they had some scary decorations!

Then we met my brother Randy, sis-in-law Amy, and Austin at my parents to get some candy. Austin was a soldier.

Off to trick-or-treat around my parent's neighborhood.

It was a perfect night, warm and dry. Peyton was sweating by the time we were done. He couldn't wait to get back to Grandma's house so he could have the sucker I promised.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!