goodbyes are hard

Sometimes people pass away.

It happens all the time.

Christmas eve a friend lost her

husband to a long hard battle with cancer.

We spent part of yesterday at his memorial service.

It was really beautiful.

But also really sad.

Today everything looks different.

Rest in Peace SB.

winter sports begin

Today we skied. All of us. It was a little tricky but

a good start. I have decided that it is time to embrace the

winter snow activities. I mean we have been here nearly 

4 years! I also know that with Christmas behind 

us it is a very long time between now and summer.

This, if we can continue to afford it, will hopefully

give us a fun winter activity to look forward to.

I sadly did not get any pics of Ruby skiing but I must say

that both kids did amazing for their first try.

And, while I was talking to the boy renting me my skis,

I realized that it has been about 10 years since I was on

skis! I think I did okay too :)

And sweet Greg-Mr. double black diamond-

stayed on the bunny hill with us the whole time.

Krathong

Leaf boats are sent in the Krathong winter solstice ceremony in Thailand. Ruby learned about this at school, and wanted to make one at home. This is her interpretation.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loi_Krathong

Holly (Holee): The Book Cover

Goggles

Snow Park

We were supposed to get snow this week but

since it didn't really stick we decided to head

up to Timberline to sled a little.

It was SO much fun.

On the way back Wade kept asking if we

could go again tomorrow.

I think it is time to get him some skis

or maybe a tiny snowboard.

Oh and for us to get a car with 4 wheel drive.

The Turkey and the Turtle

For the holiday, a touching story of inter-species friendship.  Ruby made the Turkey Goggles/KKK mask at school, and they collaborated on the Turtle this morning.

Thanks to a nifty app called Splice, I was able to shoot and edit this entirely on my iPhone.  Thanks also to my friend Jack, for creative inspiration.

Special Visitors

 Me and Greg's Grandma Roz and Auntie Donna.

Roz celebrated her 93rd! birthday recently.

We all think that she is pretty amazing!

 I love this one.

 The first of the Great Grand Children.

 This one makes me laugh.

It looks like Wade and Roz are at the bar!

 Cute pregnant Auntie Missy.

It was so nice to have Roz and Donna

in Portland for a visit! We wish we

all lived in the same city.

Happy Halloween

They sure know how to pose don't they?

(In case you were wondering... ninja, 

Japanese princess/geisha and Batman)

Farm School

 Ruby's class put on a little show at school

today. Ruby was supposed to dress like

a farmer. Her class has been doing a lot 

of research on growing things.

 Wade got to skip school to see the show.

 I think that Ruby was really happy

to have us there.

sneak peek

This is what it is looking like as of now.

It has changed 2 times so far.

7!

 Ruby turned 7 on Friday.

We spent the whole weekend celebrating.

On Friday she went on a field trip with

her class and her Dad.

Saturday she had a bouncy house party.

 She did her hair herself.

I made her this very special cake from this 

recipe. It took a really long time but I think it

was so worth it! The kids (and adults) loved it!

Happy 7 Ruby!

Menashe and Rachel

This is Ruby's depiction of two blind children who live in an orphanage, but have a deep love for each other. They can see from the inside. It's from a short story for children by Isaac Bashevis Singer that she loves. And really a fitting, beautiful thing to draw on her seventh birthday.

Ruby's class bulletin board

Sleepover Characters

It's on tonight, featuring Princess India, Kiran Lightyear, and Ninja Wade, who looks a little more like Taliban Wade. Either way he is In Character!

A little Peter Pan....

Peter Pan from Big Show PDX on Vimeo.

Ruby

Friday Ruby fashioned this head band to wear
to school out of Holly's catnip Christmas tree
cat toy. She wore it well don't you think?

Birthday present #2

Ruby also made me this, on the back of a shoebox top.

Birthday present #1

Ruby made this Greg action figure for my birthday. Complete with monkey cape.

Lucky in exile

Lucky is the name of the female Stitch character that the Tooth Fairy (or fairies) brought in exchange for Ruby's latest missing tooth. It took them several days to bring it from China, where all toys come from, because they had to fly it across the Pacific Ocean to Portland.

Ruby broke my only set of cufflinks the other day, and as punishment, her beloved Lucky had to come to work for the day with me in my gym bag. Ruby wrapped her in a blanket and kissed her goodbye. Here she is peeking out of my bag at work:

Camping fun

Perfect weather, lovely friends, a river,
and lots of fun.

Camping road trip nap

Wadey had a sleepover last night. Perhaps he's making up for some lost z's.

The Meat God

Ruby and Wade and I were driving in the car the other day.
Ruby said to Wade "I just say God fly by right outside
my window Wade. She (notice the she) was flying really fast
and she kind of smelled like hot dogs or something.
I think she was the Meat God".

Summer...

Naughty Kitten

Life with a kitten can be trying. The kids have taken to shutting their doors to keep Holly from messing up their stuff. Ruby has even posted these regulations on her door: adult cats are still welcome, but kittens are verboten!

Sunbrella Girl

Summer time off is the best, especially when you can spend it with your family in 80 degree weather, leisurely eating Por que no? for lunch. Ruby, of course, is the one who first noticed the reflection of the sunbrellas off Monica's glasses.