{Teeny Bopper}

A more trendy cut for Maise!

{Christmas Part 1- Eugene}

A few days before Christmas we went to Eugene to visit my family. We celebrated the usual Clark tradition on Christmas Eve and then drove home and arrived about midnight- just in the "Nick" of time!

Ryley "I would like a garbage truck."
Maisey's decorated cookies at Great Grandma Clark's. Traditional Christmas decorations at my Grandma's.2/3 of her villages.To keep the kids entertained we made a trip to the arcade.

Maisey hitting the Jackpot at Chuck E Cheese's. My siblings Erin (17 1/2) and Chase (19 1/2).

We had a great, and relaxing time! We got VERY spoiled and I still feel guilty 3 days later!!!

{Christmas Part 3- Hood River}

On Christmas day we went to Hood River to celebrate with Chad's family. We had a great time (as we always do), and I regret the fact I didn't get hardly any pics because I was too occupied.
Ruby (13), Maisey (7 1/2), and Peyton (9 1/2)Playing dress up.

Uncle Adam and Ryley trying to catch up on sleep.

{"Wii" Kids Christmas Party}

At the last Halloween party the girls didn't get nearly enough dancing time in (it was my filler and I booked everything so well we only had about 10 minutes to use the Wii). So, we decided to have a Wii dance party. All the girls had so much fun dancing off the sugar from the night. Here were to super cute centerpieces Maisey and I made (before they were eaten of course)! We took the big leftover one to church the next morning so the kids could have a seasonal treat when they raided the Bishop's office for Jolly Ranchers. What do kids like best to eat aside from Pizza (which was too traditional)? Pb&J of course. I also made 13 cute green Ramekins of Mac & Cheese but I didn't get a pic. I very well could have since there was tons untouched. What is it with kids and "real" food? My kids would seriously rather have the kind from a box. I even used a new recipe for Maise and I think I got her approval. The other adorable sweeties, well, I told them, "Eat what'cha like, the belly aches on you- :) !" So after cocoa, marshmellow overload, and new mango cider, the girls were a bit full of liquid and less interested in eating. My little sidekick colored these stamps in for the reindeer food. Ornamental party favors (thanks Lisa for making these at craft group so I could copy you)! Craft warehouse still had all the supplies and I'm making lots more next year- and cuter too. I had a limited amount of time to whip 13 of these out!
Cupcakes- And believe it or not, I did not "whip" these out! Thanks Fred Meyer, I was too busy since I decided to make sugar cookies for the party. 130 of them. A new recipe to me and it was a great one. You can find it here. Bake them less for chewy, or longer for frosting durability.
Let the decorating begin!Lots of finger licking...And of course I had to make some too.Their masterpieces. Dancing off some energy. For this night each girl was given a glittery gingerbread man with a number. This was the PERFECT way to randomly select dancing teams.
We had a great night and thank all the mommy's and daddy's who were able to get their kidlets their in spite of other holiday obligations. In the end 10 made for a nice crowd and it was actually relaxing momentarily!

{Saturday}

On Saturday Maisey sang Christmas carols with the Girl Scouts at a nearby retirement home.

Afterwards we walked door to door in the pouring rain to collect food for the homeless.

We didn't have much luck... Only about 30 cans!!! The girls looked so miserable in the rain, but they were true Girls Scouts.

We went to Roses- my favorite bakery!

Chad's monster doughnut. He LOVES doughnuts!

Then we went to look at Christmas lights in the area- West Linn.

Our favorite house. This is only a teeny angle of the house due to the privacy wall.

{Thanks}

I made these hair clips for Maisey's Girl Scout troop for Christmas and to say thanks for all their hard work.Thin Mint Cookie Fabric. They definitely aren't made from the cutest fabric, but the girls will love them, and they are perfect for cookie selling.

WHICH, by the way, is coming! Hold out for us, it will be worth it. Our cookie meeting is next week. I haven't asked Maisey what her goal is yet, but I am expecting at least 200+.

P.S. Kristy, thank you for cutting. I figured you cut 72 cirlces, all while entertaining 3 kids and holding one of them!

{Zoo Lights}

Every year we visit the Zoo for "Zoo Lights." We usually go 2 or 3 times but this was our first trip of the season. It always looks the same, and it's always so pretty. We went at the perfect time! Wednesday night, at 5 PM and it was 59 degrees out (wet, but no rain). When we left at 7PM, it was getting SO crowded. Maisey brought a friend. The girls toasting with their hot chocolate.The train ride.Ryley refuses to pose for pictures (one reason he has been pretty absent from my posts)! In this family picture Maisey seems to be the only one having a good time. Which, is not the case, but I have to get into character to take a good picture (seriously, every picture you probably see of me yields at least four retakes! If it was up to me, I wouldn't take pictures at all but my family wants me in the albums too).
I realized afterwards I didn't take many pictures of the lights, but you will have to check them out for yourselves!

{the trick}

For the last several months (at least 2), I've been looking for a "prayer rock." Just when I thought I was going to have to be inventive, or ghetto as I see it, and paint one myself, I found this token.

It stays next to the bathroom sink since I'm really bad at remembering my own personal morning prayer (although I manage not to forget family prayers). I will admit, I am reminded to pray every time I see it and I'm starting to feel schizophrenic (no offense- because I am good at remembering all the others throughout the day)!

It doesn't say "Pray" rather, "Live Simply." It reminds me of the basics every time I see it.

{sew easy}

I love these fabrics. The bottom one is a gift Maisey is giving to someone with matching earrings.

(I like the inner fabric better on that one and I'm not sure why I didn't put it on the outside).

{Pittock's Northwest Christmas}

It wouldn't be the Christmas season if I didn't get to take my annual stroll around Pittock Mansion. I love to see what the tasteful designers do each year. This year's theme was "A Northwest Christmas." Above: The back and entrance.

I won't bore you with tons of pictures (which you may have seen here or in other posts in previous years) but at least look Multnomah Falls. This year Maisey counted pillow like stars in every room. She (We) came up with 186. At the end of our visit she got a certificate, despite the fact there were 224 hidden stars.
A view of the front which overlooks the city. Obviously, not the original view from 1909 when the grounds were broken. the house was first inhabited in 1914. A side view. This was the first year we've ever toured the groundskeepers home. It's hard to tell, but it was 4 stories. Originally, the chauffeur lived there before the ground keeper and his family joined the family. This home had such an interesting layout, but neat nonetheless.I love traditions- and dates! Wrapping up the date with Baskin Robins.