February 26th weekend

We actually has a snow day on Thursday!  Most of the snow was gone by that afternoon, then more came down, but quickly melted away, but this means that there is lots of fresh snow up in the mountains!

This Saturday we had to split into two groups.  Tim, Miranda and Gabe went back to Mt Hood Meadows, and Larissa, Jon and I spent the day in town.
Larissa had a fitting for an upcoming fundraiser fashion show for American Girl line.  They had to make sure she is the right size.  Larissa got to try a few sets on, and pick the one she liked the most.  Perhaps, she will be able to model it.  If not, no big deal.  It's all for a good cause, to raise money for Gales Creek Camp, camp for kids with Type 1 diabetes.  She went to that camp last three Summers, but will not be going this year.  We have other vacation plans, unfortunately...

On the way back, we stopped at the mall, had lunch, did some shopping.  Jon finally got the Build a Bear's bear he wanted, the Star Wars bear.  He named him Anakin...  Go figure!
Quick stop by LEGO store.  Jon made out with a sword and a shield from the Atlantis movie.
Back home to make hot dinner from the frozen folks coming home from the ski trip!

Sunday was slow.  Had lunch at Paneras Bread's.  Yummy, as always!

February 19th weekend

This Saturday Gabe and I went to the Mt Hood Meadows for another snowboarding session (for him).  Although, I didn't work up the courage to get on skis or a snowboard this time.  Its' been so long, I don't know if I still have the skill to keep my balance on two wooden planks, let alone one!  I used this trip to keep Gabe company and to asses things in general.

Aside from forgetting my pre-packed lunch in the fridge at home, we had a great time.  I packed plenty of snacks and drinks to eat in place of my lunch, and Gabe was more than happy with an all beef hot dog and fries.
One bad news, my Digital SLR camera broke.  Nothing obvious, it just stopped working.  Of course, that happened right after I took two photos on arrival, so no great pix from this trip...  I though that cold temperatures had something to do with it, but even after we were back, it wouldn't work.  I am guessing it's time for a new camera!

On Sunday we went back to Big Al's to bowl.  I think kids are loosing their excitement of bowling.  They all got tired rather fast.  So, now we know, two games max.  They have no patience for more than that.

 

 After bowling, we went to Salvador Molly's restaurant for late lunch.  We have seen it featured on one of our favorite shows Men Vs. Food and wanted to try out their Great Balls of Fire (habanera fritters with habanera salsa).
When we arrived, we found that a whole place was contaminated with peanuts (LOL), they were offered to each table in a bowl, to snack on.  As you know, Gabe is deadly allergic to peanuts, so we stayed, but took extra precautions. No nuts at the table, we wiped it clean, and made sure waiter checked on other foods for nuts...  Gabe was a little worried, but all turned out ok.
I didn't want to do their 5-ball challenge, but was really curious, so we ordered two, just to taste.  That was a good decision!  I ended up eating most of it, and I KNOW I could do the challenge, but what that did to my stomach was SO not worth it!  I had to take medicine just to feel better later.  Plus, I couldn't really taste the food served...
All in all, Food quality was OK, waiter staff was not great, place is small, parking is horrible.  Probably wont's be going back.
After the restaurant we stopped at the Uwajimaya store, just to find out that my wallet was missing!!  Lucky for me, apparently, it was left behind at the Salvador Molly's, so we made another trip to that place...  and I was thrilled it was found!

February 12th weekend.

I built kids a play house in the downstairs coat closet out of the giant LEGO Castle pieces. It is in the sloped part of the closet, which is just the right size for them, it doesn't take away from the space currently used by coats, and there is an electrical outlet, so they can play a portable DVD player or plug in a light.  They just loved it!

On Monday we had dinner at the Old Spaghetti Factory with some old friends from Colorado Springs (who are now residing in Arizona).  It sure is nice to have friends.  I just with we didn't all live so far away from all of them.

Found out that Gabe has a cavity and took him to the dentist on Tuesday. Instead they cleaned his teeth and scheduled another appointment to get a cavity taken care of...  What we thought was a baby tooth turned out to be a permanent molar! Sigh...

On Saturday, another ski trip for Tim and Gabe.  Feel more prepared this time!  They, again, both had lots of fun.  Next week Gabe is allowed to go any slope...  that will be interesting!

While boys were out, the rest of the kids went to see a Yogi Bear movie while I run some errands.  Then we cooked up a hearty meal for the "snowboarders" to come home to.  And I made some fruit kebabs.

On Sunday we made another trip to Big Al's for some bowling and arcades.  Tim sat out because his wrists were sore from Saturday.

When home we all got ready for the Valentine's Day (Monday).  I even made what I thought was a boy-ish version of a design for Jon to wear to school, but he flat out refused.  He is just not into holiday dress-ups.  Larissa on the other hand, went all out with a dress, and a curled up hair, and red nails!

On Monday kids found small presents on a kitchen table. Larissa got an earrings and necklace set.  Miranda got a home made ring, silly bands and a bar of chocolate.  Gabe got an add-on pack for the Spores game and a user guide.  Jon got an X-Box soccer game he wanted.  Tim got a card and some heart shaped (fat free) gummy candies.

Febriary 5th weekend

The week started off with a day off from school on Monday for all the kids and continued with a Tuesday off for the Middle and High school students.  Naturally, I didn't have a day off from work, as it is not always a paid holiday, so I had to come up with something to keep kids busy.  Afternoon at the Skate World it is!

Kids had a great time playing games, spending money on junk food and on a claw machine.  I think Gabe is slightly obsessed with getting a prize and almost always ends up spending all of his allowances on it...
After renting their roller blades for Larissa (the only one who doesn't have her own skates that fit anymore), and her getting some serious blisters from the rentals, I ordered her own pair that same night.

Later on Monday I tried a new recipe for the candied orange peel.  It came out great!  I will try to perfect it even more the next time with all the "lessons learned".

On Tuesday morning Larissa finally gave up on trying to grow out her banks...

I think she looks better with them short, but she disagrees, and tried changing her mind in the middle of a hair cut...  Too late!

Wednesday was my birthday.  We did a low key birthday lunch with Tim and a couple of my great friends from work.  They took me to a great sushi place, and, as expected, I ordered too much, but ate it all!  Final touch = birthday ice cream tempura!

On Saturday Tim and Gabe went on their very first ski trip together!  They scheduled a ride, rental, and classes through the Hillsboro Ski Club, and both tried snowboarding for the first time.

Needless to say, we ended up buying a number of "essential" items before the trip.  All the things you never need, unless you go skiing...
Bus took off at 6:00am and brought them back at 5:30pm.  A long day for sure, but they are both looking forward to the next three weekends already.

Meanwhile, Larissa and I attended a weeding reception on a Saturday night.  Started off rough.  We somehow left her glucose meter behind and had to turn around and go back to get it...  Since we car-pooled, we made our friends late to the ceremony :-(  However, reception was great!

On Sunday I took a wire-ring making class and created quite a collection of inexpensive rings for Larissa.  Knowing how easy she looses things, I won't feel bad if she lost on of these.
Rest of the day spent watching a Super Bowl game and eating finger foods.  Good times for sure!