C++++

If you have ever seen the classic movie A Christmas Story you'll remember the part where Ralphy finds out that he got a C+ on his theme, "What I want for Christmas."  Tonight I got roped into helping a poor math teacher grade his kids' sorry fraction homework.  Instead of marking off the papers yelling, "Margins, margins, margins!" I found myself saying, "Reduce, reduce, reduce."  

Special thanks to Marc Anthony, Michael Buble, Moby, and Coldplay for getting me through that insane task of grading middle school papers.  There is a reason I am a P.E. teacher and not a classroom teacher.  We grade once a year, not once a day.

Thanksgiving Party

Man, what a great vacation.  We drove up to Seattle to be with my mom, Susie, Annette, and their families, Katy, Reid and Jody and my cousin Eric.  What a party.  Food folks and fun.  That's what I'm talking about.  I will let the pictures do the talking.  The one picture I wish I had was the crew at the movies after Twilight.  That was one movie that I loved watching with my Twilight obsessed family.  In the picture we were all acting like vampires, it was midnight and we were being a little silly.

Polishing silverware with my niece (Annette's little one)

Mom and Susie guarding the turkey.  Ernesto and Mom made the BEST turkey!!

Nephew, Jody (with food in her mouth, really, some people have no class) Eric, Reid, Nephew, My Son, Jillian

Annette and Katy (Aren't they so cute, I want to be like them when I grow up.)

Mom and my youngest

Reid and Richard (after the movie)  Reid was converted and Richard needed to finish what he had started a year ago.

The girls performing their dance.

Obsessions

Right now Richard is having racing and standing long jump contests, yes, in the house.  We are not excited to have little athletes or anything.  

Our oldest has joined a basketball team and they won their first game on Monday. Wednesday's game was a little disappointing for him (they lost) and it sparked a desire in him to train better.  In his mind, getting better not only involved physical practice, but a trip to the library to check out books on basketball.  He had the first one read within an hour of coming home.
Our second son has a thing for basketball too.  He refuses to wear anything but basketball shorts (his own or his brother's.)  He plays ball any time he has a chance.  Even when he is in the midst of gymnastics class, he will see a hoop and beg to play.

The girls, on the other hand are a bit more into the graceful things.  Our first daughter convinced her dad  on Wednesday to buy her some leg warmers to wear at ballet.  Um, Dad, you are spoiling her.  Little lady number two is amazing at her cartwheels, bar work and vault stunts.

Yes, we are eager for them to develop physically.  Ok, we are obsessed.  It could be worse.  We could be obsessed about monster truck rallies.

My Big Sister Michelle

 Last night I was reminiscing with Richard and started telling him all of the ways my big sister Michelle impacted my life.  She was born with the fearless personality.  Nothing scared her.  She had the confidence that she could do anything that she set her mind to do.  I, on the other hand, was more cautious and was confident that I could do anything that Michelle could do.  She had the courage to take the Honors classes in high school and so I did too.  She went through lifeguard and WSI training and so I did too.  She jumped off dangerous cliffs, I did too (well the smaller, "safer" ones.)

She also had a lot more fashion sense.  She taught me how to dress better and how to do hair (This picture is not an example of that.)  I'll never forget the time that we didn't have enough money to buy the cool jeans so she taught me how to peg my pants so that I wouldn't lose face at school.  

She got a paper route to earn money, so did I.  I remember one lean Christmas she and I bought presents for all of our younger siblings with our paper route money so that it would be a better day for them.

She is all heart and generosity.  She and I would go out and she would always offer to pay for things, she still does.  She would buy a new shirt and let me wear it first.  I don't

 remember being excluded from any activities.  She loved me like a big sister should.  

I am confident that I owe a lot of who I am to Michelle.  Thanks big sis for having the courage to pave the way for me.  I love you.

Weather Watch

Since moving to Oregon everyone has asked about the weather here.  First of all, Roseburg is not Portland.  From July until mid September we only had rain a handful of times.  The temp. was up in the 80's and 90's.  Since fall started we have had foggy mornings and about half of the days it has rained.  Sometimes it is raining hard but a lot of the time it is a light drizzle.  I like the weather so far.  I'll take this over snow any time.  The snow can stay in the mountains where I can visit on occasion and go skiing.

The rain keeps the scenery green.

However, sometimes it can make the babies cranky.  Don't feel too sorry for her.  I think she was faking it when I took this picture.

Election Party

Last night we planned a party centered on watching the election results.  We ate pizza, salad, bread sticks and ice cream.  The conversation was centered around the electoral college (which was a difficult concept for some), who we were hoping would win, and the amazing historical event that we were witnessing.  

When Obama was declared president (a lot sooner than we had expected due to the last presidential race) both Richard and I were so shocked and got a little emotional.  He actually did it!  Both he and McCain gave great, inspiring, sincere speeches.  It was an amazing night listening to all of the guests on NBC talking about what this breakthrough meant to them and their reaction to the result.  I was glad we set aside the time to be a part of the election last night!

Haunting

We had a great time Halloween night.  We carved pumpkins, ate our traditional pumpkin shaped pizza, and went out trick or treating.  Richard spent the whole time raving about how great the candy was in our neighborhood and how there were a few homes in his neighborhood as a child that were great places to get good candy.  That's a guy for you.  He wasn't excited to eat any of the kids' loot or anything.  

After the candy gathering, we went to the high school to watch Roseburg's last home game, to see if they would go to the playoffs.  They ended up winning.  Go Indians.

So, all in all it was a fun evening followed by an even better morning.  Breakfast was found in little pumpkin shaped bags.  Mmm.