Christmas 2008

[Cousin K's friend V, Cousin K, Cousin M, me, and Brother S]

Christmas 2008 was fun and interesting! Poor Brother S got stranded in Denver overnight due to the region's snow cover (he was flying in from Chicago). Luckily, I found him a flight to Seattle the next day, so he didn't have to stay there through Christmas Day like his fellow passengers. He and Mom came down to Portland a couple of days later, through the snow and all! They slip slided down I-5 just in time for Christmas.

[Mom with her hand stamped gift]

[L: The infamous "Sham-Wow" R: Me and Saleh]
Christmas Eve was spent having a delicious dinner with KM's side of the family, and then we did some gifting at Dad's house. Christmas morning and day took place at my house, where we had a cute little tree with lights, and a fabulous holiday feast!

[L: Dad gathering beers R: Brother C, me, Brother S, and Dad]

[L: Cousin M and Cousin N R: Cousin E and Dad clowning]

[Cute litte teapot]
This year I crafted a lot of gifts for people. Dad and KM received a set of 8 reversable napkins with little gnomes embroidered on them - each one unique! KM's family members each got little felt bird ornaments with their first initial sewn into the wing. Mom got a quilted farm pillow embellished with little garden tool charms. Brother S was gifted a set of dark blue pillow cases embroidered with a series of 8 evolving Chicago Cubs logos. Brother C was given a pair of fingerless gloves for running (he is a cross country runner). Baby MC received a set of moody softie foods for his "kitchen."

Arctic Blast

Just before Christmas the entire Pacific NW was hit with a pretty yucky snow covering. As always, Portland freaked out and before you knew it there were cars stuck everywhere!

This all happened about the time that I was starting my knew job, so it was a little stressful trying to get up the hill on time. One day I rode the bus, but ended up waiting at the bus stop for about an hour! I was an ice cube!! Another day I drove up to Portland State and took the bus from there. Unfortunately, once I was at work they cancelled all buses going up to the hill AND closed the tram! I was stranded. They were offering all employees beds in private patient rooms, but I was determined not to stay in the hospital as a healthy, functioning person. Eventually I hitched a ride down to PSU with a coworker and made it home.

Saleh was happy to go out and play in the snow as usual!

She even has her own little snow jacket!

My Miniature Birthday Feast

On my 31st birthday Cousin J had prepared the most fabulous dinner activity - we made our own miniature pizzas!

Even Baby MC was able to participate! After our delish pizzas we ate the cutest little cake!

The best part of the night was what Cousin J had crafted me - a precious necklace with my favorite baby boys little faces on each side of it! I love it, and will always cherish it!

Duck Hunting

[Me, Buck, and the duck who ran out of luck...]

On a VERY cold day in early December, PR and I went out past Tillamook to do some duck hunting! I had never been before, so I wasn't sure what to expect.

[Setting up decoys in the dark]

We got there very early, before sunrise, to set up the decoys and take our positions near the shore of the bay. I was undecided at that point whether I would be shooting that day or not, so I just observed and cheered for PR during the first part of the morning.

[PR and the first catch of the day]

After a little lunch break I decided I would go for it. We found a new spot and waited.... Sooner than I expected, a flock flew by, approaching from the left. I fired and immediately took one down. In my adrenaline rush to shoot, I forgot about holding the shotgun against my shoulder. OUCH!!! The kickback hammered me! But you all know I am tough, so it didn't slow me down. : )

Buck, the newly initiated hunting lab, swam out and retreived my duck proudly. I ate it for dinner the next day! Awesome!! Like fishing, but more fun because you can actually see what you are going for.

Chez Machin

Late on a December day Cousin J, Baby MC, Cousin M and I all walked down the street to Chez Machin - a delicious french creperie.

We all tried different crepes, and even lucked out with an extra crepe on the house!

On the walk home we saw the most pathetically cute little snowman!

But not as cute as this little guy!