Santa came to Roger & Merla's

I even got to sit on Santa's lap. Ho Ho Ho!

Harris Christmas Party

We went to Roger & Merla's last night for their annual Christmas party. We had fondue, and sang christmas songs with bells and chimes. I must must give an honorable mention to Melissa at the piano. She plays without sheet music and can turn around and watch the kids sing and dance while she plays. Seriously, it's incredible and one of my most favorite parts of the night.

Soon-to-be Almond Roca

Recipe: Lay wax paper on a cookie sheet. Lay chocolate bars on wax paper. Bring 4 cubes butter, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup brown sugar to boil. Bring temperature of mixture above 300 degrees on a candy thermometer. Spread mixture over chocolate bars. Top with Almond flakes. Let sit over night. Break or cut into pieces.

U-Cut

One of the great things about Oregon is we have about 10 u-cut Christmas tree farms within a mile of us. Nate cut us down a tree and then we stopped at Lee Farms for apple cider, donuts, and a warm Marionberry-Peach Pie. I think that will be a Thomas tradition. Robyn and Audrey came with us and we had quite a time tromping through the lot finding the perfect tree in freezing weather. We ended up with a not tall-enough too tall tree and paid for an extra foot that we ended up cutting off to fit in our house. Doesn't make sense I know, but it makes for a good story.

Early Thanksgiving

We had an early Thanksgiving dinner since Ben was home from Iraq for a couple weeks. It was so delicious. We had such a great time seeing family and being together. Thanks Pat & Carl for hosting. Thanks Carrie for letting me steal your pic.

Turkey Cupcakes

My mom did the cutest turkey cupcakes with the boys while we were there. The boys loved helping her make them and eat them. Yummy!

Utah

Hiking Squaw Peak, visiting BYU and the Creamery.

Trophy or Trick or Treating

We are pretty sure Quinn played soccer this year just for the trophy. We had his soccer party on Halloween day and I asked him if he was more excited to get his trophy or more excited to go trick or treating that night......it was an even split.

Fall Colors

We left Miami at 80 degrees and came into Portland and 58 degrees. Kind of a shock, but beautiful fall colors.

SOUTHERN MOST POINT IN USA

After our Bahama cruise we drove from Miami down to Key West. That is a beautiful drive. The highway connects small islands all the way down to Key West Florida. We sampled Key Lime pie all the way there and back. We stood at the most southern point of the USA. SO FUN!
I also have to give a BIG SHOUT OUT to Audrey our sister that took care of the boys while we were gone. She was amazing with them and she's an amazing person. THANKS SO MUCH AUDREY!

Coco Cay Bahama Island

Coco Cay Island is a private cruise island in the Bahamas. We saw a couple sharks there. It was so beautiful and relaxing.

BAHAMAS

We left Miami on a 4 day Bahama cruise. We stopped at two Bahama islands and before we left, I told Nate I could become a Bahama Mama. It was warm and beautiful. We enjoyed swimming and see tons a fish. Nassau is a dirty run down island, but it has some interesting Brittish and pirate culture. We were sad to miss the Pirate museum. It wasn't open that day, but we did get some pictures on the cannons that were there.

Driving South from Miami to Key West

We stopped at several beaches and were awed by the shallow, pristine, blue waters.

Our Drive South

Ernest Hemingway Home - Key West

The one thing Nate had on his list to do in Key West was to visit Ernest Hemingway's home.

Berry Trifle with Homemade Lemon Pudd'n

We made a hit for Gabe's 35th birthday. It is layers of strawberries, raspberries, blueberris, whipping cream, cream cheese, homemade lemon pudding, and poundcake. Absolutely delicious. I love that I have a helper in the kitchen with me.....SO MUCH HELP!

Soccer

You can tell Quinn really does have fun while out on the field, much to the adults chagrin...a little too much fun. He told me after Saturdays game, "That sure was a fun game mom, I'm not sure who won but we ran like crazy!" It cracks me up to see the adults be more competitive than the kids.

Sneak Peak

Yes, Nate snuck the camera into Primary to take a picture of Quinn giving a talk. The other parents now know we are crazy!

This Week

Tomatoes, Pears, and a walk by the river.

Cabana Boys

Last 90 degree day we ventured to the pool. Cannon brought his duckies to float in the water. Quinn, Nate & I went down the water slide together.

Nate's Tomatoes

Nate planted all our tomatoes this year and they turned awesome.

Before & After

We started landscaping this spring. This is how things have shaped up so far. We still have more to do but it's a pretty good start.

World's Champion Jumping-ship!!

Quinn and Cannon set up a jumping obstacle course in the hallway, then spent 30 minutes sprinting up and down the hall as Quinn provided both the verbal commentary and his own soundtrack to the whole event.

Summertime

This needs no words.

Latest Thomas Pic- Soon 2 B Outdated

We took a pic of the entire Thomas group tonight but it will be outdated in a month when baby boy Morgan is born.

Nate's Safe In China

I have had several phone calls asking if Nate was safe considering all the severe weather in China. I talked to him on the phone and he did make it to his destination safely and it is raining heavily where he is at, but he is able to travel and do business. Thanks for all your concern, we appreciate the support.

The Girl Next Door

Molly is the "Girl Next Door". She is 9 and we love having her over cause she knows how to get the boys a drink and do art projects with them, clean up the mess, and build forts with out moms help. Today there are clouds in the sky so they pretended it is winter and went and found hats, mittens, and scarves to wear. She is so fun.

Cannon's 1st Time to the Dentist

He was fine sitting in the chair as long as Quinn was in the next chair over.

Nate's Flat Tire

Nate got a flat tire driving the van. The boys set up camp at a light post as dad put on the spare tire.

Hot Day

Cannon's Bday

Cannon and Quinn loved the pirate ship Nate picked out for his birthday. Cannon also loved his bad guy birthday cake with "Engine Turtles" on it. Oh, and by the way, I hit an all time low with this birthday cake, Cannon love the bad guys on it but it tasted horrible. That would make the upteenth horrible cake I've made. Any suggestions?

4th of July at Nate's Parents

Jumping Off the Dock

Quinn jumped off the dock for the first time when we visited Grandma and Grandpa Thomas.

Flathead Lake

Pat, Nate's dad took us out on Flathead Lake while we were there. The lake is 50 miles long and 250 feet deep. Carved by a glacier. It was fantastic. Here are our many findings. Check out the snag that has an Osprey nest at the top. Very large birds. We also found some ancient indian art painted on the side of a cliff.

Biking

Nate and I went on a few bike rides together while visiting Montana. One was on a Rails to Trails path and the other was on a series of lakes near Nate's parents house.

MOOSE COUNTRY

Church Sign

This sign hung in a church parking lot cracked me up.

Mambo Italiano

Wonderful evening in Whitefish, MT eating with Pat and DeAnn at their favorite italian restaurant.

Summertime in Montana (Flathead Valley)

OFFICER AWOL

This gives a whole new meaning to "Off Duty Officer". This patrol car was parked right up next to the highway in "radar stance". Upon approaching the car, you significantly reduce your speed only to realize that you've been duped. The officer has left this guy in charge. Only in small town Montana!

Swimming & Ice Cream

This pic of Kate cracks me up. That ice cream cone is about as big as her head.

Buffalo Herd

Hiking Lone Pine Mountain

We went for a hike near Grandma Thomas' house on Lone Pine Mountain. We jumped off rocks and logs, saw deer, and had a great view of the valley floor.

Willamette River

Dave put his boat in on the Willametter River in Portland and we took a tour of the Portland City Skyline and headed further south to see the Oregon City Falls. While at the falls we came upon a fisherman that reeled in a HUGE Sturgeon. It was incredible to watch. You can see it on the side of his boat.

Beauty Session

Aurora and Myah begged me to scrunch their hair yesterday so we got out the mouse, hairspray and blow dryer. They looked so cute when we were done. It is fun that they are getting old enough to do this with. Pre-teens here we come.

I MET BOB

Bob's Red Mill Products are headquartered here in Oregon so Laura, Audrey, DeAnn, Gabe and I took the kids there yesterday. We shopped, ate lunch and met Bob.
Their food is DELICIOUS!

Chillin'

On the way home from the waterpark I turned around to see Quinn chilling in the back seat. The hat is no joke, it really is his.....he likes it.

Ladies Lunch

Grandma Harris requested a ladies lunch when she visited Portland this last week and we of course were excited to make that happen. Merla, DeAnn, Amanda, Melissa, Robyn, Laura, Gabe, & all of our children had a fun time together. We had the kids each take a turn singing songs to Grandma. They were so cute.

Thanks Grandma for a Ladies Lunch!

Kindergarten Graduation

Quinn & His Kindergarten Teacher

Quinn really lucked out this year, Mrs Pelissier was truly an awesome lady. We will cross our fingers that his first grade teacher is wonderful.