We Elf-ed ourselves, and you can too!

Follow link: click here http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/Jeydok9wKmrv8XBd

Thanksgiving 2009

Thanksgiving with family....isn't that the way it should be?

Originally, Lori was scheduled to work on the holiday. She received good news in the middle of her shift on Wednesday that she could have Thanksgiving off. Bad news is Daniel changed his mind about spending the day with us, not a surprise these days.

Uncle Rob and Aunt Kriss hosted Thanksgiving this year. We had 12 around the festive table this year, and 3 puppies awaiting in the room next door.

In attendance: Mr. Johnson (Rob's dad), Rob, Kriss and their children Lizzy, Robbie and Alex. Auntie Barb, Uncle Jeff, and us--Matt, Lori, Nicole and Abi.

The menu: Smoked Turkey, Baked Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, Candied Yams, Mashed Yam & Banana bake with crumbled brown sugar-pecan topping, Sauteed Brussel sprouts with bacon, European Bakery Butter Rolls, Green Bean Casserole, Homemade Cranberry Sauce, Canned Jellied Cranberry Sauce, Stuffing, Homemade Pumpkin Pie, Homemade Apple Pie, and Bakery Pecan Pie.

Jeff peelin' potatoes
Zoey, Auntie Barb's puppy

Bailey and Ashley

Kriss making brown sugar topping for the sweet potatoes

Lizzy and Nicole surfing the net before dinner

Candle arrangement

Barbie working on the green bean casserole

Alex, Abi, and Robbie playing video games

Matt's new signature dish, brussel sprouts sauteed with bacon

Rob's turkey smoked to perfection!

Annual Turkey picture, Jeff baked a turkey

It was a pleasant day to just observe the preparations

The Thanksgiving Table (Matt's taking the picture)

Barbie and Zoey

Hunting Season 2009

Matt and his best friend, Randy

Mt. Emily Unit

View from Indian Head Rock

Picture taken up near Indian Head Rock

Troy, Dad, and Lori at Indian Head Rock (Mt. Emily)

Uncle Matt and Wyatt (Troy and Michelle's)

Lori and Wyatt

Lori and Dad looking at unit map

Buck tracks, unfortunately Deer not Elk

Dad and his new Jeep

Debi's brother Loy, Matt, Dad, and Loy's friend Andrew

Homecoming Dance 2009

Following a winning Homecoming Game on Friday against Tigard, the Homecoming Dance was Saturday. The theme was Premier Night. We followed the theme with our decorations, movie theme with popcorn, mock-cocktails, and other finger foods. The girls gathered for Nintendo games and movies before the boys arrived.

Gettin' Ready

Abi and her best friend Bethy

Abi and Matt

The gang

Abi

Seniors-only picture

Abi and Lori

50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration

Sunday we celebrated Lori's Uncle Richard and Aunt Carol's 50th Wedding Anniversary. Their actual date was September 15, since they were in town for their granddaughter's wedding--a surprise party was planned.

Not many make it to 50 years, this was a joyous occasion, with recent health issues coming to resolve for Richard. Proud of them!

The party was also an opportunity to see cousins that Lori hasn't seen in 20+ years.

Pulled the old bike out of the dust, and cleaned it up...

Yesterday, with a challenge from the Kashi cereal website, I pulled out my 15 year old bike from under the deck, and washed off the dust and dirt.

I didn't realize what bad shape it was in. The fabric seat was toast, both tires were cracked and flat, and rust and scratches everywhere.

Soon after Matt and I met, before we were married, we purchased matching bikes. Matt taught the girls to ride their bikes without training wheels, and we frequently went for bike rides in the Sellwood neighborhood we lived in. A few times we rode down into Milwaukie where his dad was living.

Our bikes and the kids bikes went with us on all camping trips, strapping bikes to the back and top of our car. When we moved to Newberg, we took the bikes to Champoeg State Park and enjoyed the long trails. I remember taking our bikes to Forest Park once, and camping in Boardman along the Gorge with our friends Lynn and Randy.

Yesterday I dropped the wheels and seat mount off at our local bike shop. Today I put it all back together and sprayed silicone on the moving parts. There is still a bit of rust here and there, and I will take care of it as time goes on. I bought a big-butt seat, new bell and a mirror and the bike looks ready to go down the road~

I am looking forward to riding, and hoping Matt will have time to join me often.

Before the clean-up
Our "downtown" bike shop--helpful and efficient

Cleaned up, new tires and tubes, seat, and bell

My new shiny bell :)

Oktoberfest 2009, Mt. Angel, Oregon

German Sausage on a Stick

Buying more food

Matt's fav, the fondue with veggies and bread

Hand-dipped ice cream bars with chopped hazelnut coating

Ice cream bar

Sausage with kraut and onions

Apple Streudel

A couple dressed up

Ice cream bar

Not pictured: corn on the cob, foot long hot dogs. What we didn't have room for: funnel cakes, fried twinkies, elephant ears, dough boys, fried mushrooms, apple cake, BBQ chicken. It was all good, we needed more time.