Our Last Day With the Boys

Wednesday was our last day with the boys. Meaghan went into her office to finish getting the new children's building ready for Sunday, so NanaJo & Grampa took the boys to play at the play area at the Frisco Mall. Of course, that also involved going to the Disney Store where Jackson made a long list of things he wants for his birthday in April. After lunch and naps, Grampa installed the baby-proof gate on the stairs because Grayson seems determined to crawl up them.

Jackson is supposed to stay in his room resting until his clock's green number turns to 4. He told his Mommy and me later that it was taking forever, and he was saying "Come on, Dude. Turn 4!" It finally did so he came and "helped" Grampa with the gate.

North Park Mall Train Display

This morning we took the boys to North Park Mall to see the train display which was a benefit for the Ronald MacDonald House. There were lots and lots of trains in settings of the old West, Mt. Rushmore, Washington D.C., NYC, Dallas, etc. Both boys enjoyed seeing all the trains, but it was really crowded.

The Grinch Who Stole Christmas Ice Town

Today we went to the Gaylord Hotel for their annual 30-ton ice exhibit. This year it was carved to be Who-Ville and the Grinch Who Stole Christmas. It was totally amazing, in spite of the 9 degree temperature. At one point Jackson just couldn't resist & licked the ice. We're lucky he's not stuck to a wall at the Gaylord. Since everything was ice, the pictures are a little reflective, so you don't get quite the feeling of being there, but here are a few pictures.

Christmas with Jackson and Grayson

We left Portland at noon on Christmas Day, and after flying all afternoon, we arrived in Dallas at 7:00. After a quick dinner, we watched Jackson and Grayson open the presents we sent them.

The next morning we went outside to play in the snow that was still on the ground. Jackson showed me the snowman he built. He also had a snow fight with his Daddy. Then after the sun warmed up a bit, we went out front to watch Jackson ride his new bicycle.

Opening Presents with Emily

We decided to open Christmas presents last night so we would have all day today to play with Emily and her new toys since we will leave for Dallas tomorrow (Christmas Day) after breakfast. I took lots and lots of pictures, but here are the highlights beginning with the new mattress and Tinkerbell sheeets to go with the big girl IKEA bed Mama and Daddy bought for Emily. It was neat the way everyone's gifts came together since Aunt Meaghan sent Tinkerbell PJ's which Emily had to wear last night.

Her Grandma Nancy in Clovis sent her a really great package with lots of pots, pans, utensils, an apron and a "rolling stick." Emily decided she would just stop and play with it all, so we had to talk her into opening more presents since we knew she also had lots of play food from her Mama and Daddy.

Nana Jo and Grampa brought her some clothes for her babies (Baby Girlfriend and Penny), as well as a microphone so she can keep everyone entertained. No problem there!

Of course, one of the hits of the night was the pink computer from Aunt Meaghan. Emily & her mama will have a lot of fun learning lots of things with the computer.

Then the night ended in Tinkerbell PJ's, teeth brushed with a Veggie Tales toothbrush, and a quick look in a new mirror from the new purple purse! What a great Christmas!

Emily Sees Santa

While we were downtown we took Emily to see Macy's Christmas Wonderland and then to see Santa. She got so excited when she saw Santa (from a distance), and she didn't have any problem with sitting on his lap, but she would not talk to him at all. That's ok; at least she wasn't scared.

Out and About in Downtown Portland

Since Ken didn't have to go in yesterday, we decided to go downtown. We rode the train into Portland and took the streetcar downtown. Of course, we had to go to Powell's Bookstore which is 4 stories and covers an entire city block square. It was very crowded with the check out line snaking through the store, so we were careful not to buy anything! We looked around a few more stores, ate at Deschutes Brew Pub because I had to eat the Sweet 'N Spicy Mac & Cheese with Salmon that I had last summer to see if it was as good as I remembered. It was! Ed loved it as well and we even got the recipe. Yea! Here are a few pictures:

Since we had all seen a Food Network special on the best donuts ever eaten (Voodoo Doughnuts in Portland), we had to go have a Voodoo doughnut. We had to walk about 7 blocks in the cold from the train station and then wait in line for awhile, but we all got one. It wasn't the best doughnut we'd ever eaten, but at least we went there.

Steph & Emily snuggled up to stay warm as we waited on the train to go home.

We also went to Targe to get wrapping paper for all the gifts we brought with us. It was a 2-story Target, and I thought the cart return lane on the escalater was really cool. Stephanie thought it was sad that I came to Portland and took a picture at Target! Oh well, that's what little town folks do.

At Home with Emily

We arrived in Portland late Sunday night, so Emily was already asleep. Steph had an early morning dental appointment, so Grampa and Nanajo just waited for Emily to wake up and discover us. She came out of her bedroom, looked at us without moving, and then when I spoke to her she literally ran into my arms. She kept saying (and is still saying), "I'm so glad to see you, Nana Jo!" Here are a few pictures of what we've done at Emily's house.

Making cookies with Mama (Emily is wearing her Home Depot apron)

Stephanie's tree was really pretty but had no presents. One afternoon while Emily slept, I wrapped what we brought with us plus some that Stephanie had. She said that since Emily was used to the tree being there, she might not notice the presents...WRONG. Emily walked up to the tree and said, "Wow! Presents" and then sat down and rearranged everything. She never seemed interested in opening anything, just playing with them.

Slip Sliding Away

No pictures--too busy hanging on to be able to find my camera. Because this weekend is the annual State School Board Conference in Albuquerque, Ed & I drove over yesterday afternoon after my last class at 3:00. By that time it was already snowing again in Capitan. but folks about 30 minutes ahead of us saide the roads weren't too bad yet. Boy, were they wrong! We got just the other side of Carrizozo (about 35 miles from home or so) & almost found ourselves in the middle of a 15-car pile up. There is a really steep hill there after quite a few curves, and the cars coming toward us were not able to get up the hill very well and started sliding all over the road. Then a car that zoomed around us (because we were going less than the posted 65 mph) came upon the crowd, couldn't stop, and crashed head first into the side of the mountain. By the time we got there and managed to get our car back into control after sliding all over the place, mostly sideways, there were plenty of people out helping, so we just maneuvered through the jam & kept going. The roads were like that all the way to I-25 until we were just out of Albuquerque. Whew! We were certainly glad to get here safe and sound. By the time we leave Sat. afternoon, this state-wide storm is supposed to have moved on.

Trick-or-Treaters and HOPE

Our church, along with 3 others, have just opened H.O.P.E. (House of Prayer for Everyone) in mid-town Ruidoso. It is going to be a really great facility fashioned after the International House of Prayer in Kansas City. Today the merchants in midtown Ruidoso sponsored trick-or-treating for all the local kids, so HOPE set up the mobile cooking station and gave away free hot dogs and hot chocolate, along with the obligatory candy. I have a few pictures, but when things got really, really busy, no one had time to take pictures. Approximately 750 hot dogs and cups of chocolate were given away, and I can't tell you how much candy! The temperature was in the 30s with a fairly strong wind, so the warm food was very welcomed by the cold families. Here are the few pictures we did manage to get. The last one is Linda and I freezing our behinds off handing out candy!