Zoolights 2007

Monkey Ryan and Aida

The Train all lite up.

Aida, Fiona and Cousin Lilly on the train.

Aida and Fiona. I love Aida espression. It is so sweet.

Elephant square

Of course my pictures don't do it justice, but it was pretty amazing at he zoo last night. It's a tradition to go see the lights at the zoo. We've done it since Fiona was a baby. Every year it varies in who comes, but sadly Sean was not with us this year, but we had lots of extra help from our uncle Rahul and Monkey Ryan.
Aida and Fiona were totally enthralled as were cousins Lilly and Haddie. The Elephants were even out enjoying the lights and the people. I wonder if they can see the lights and sense a difference in the Air?

Pictures at Nana's house

It get a glimpse of there personalities in this picture.

We had showing yesterday before church, so I decided to take the girls over their grandparents to get some pictues in there dresses in front of the big tree. They were totally goofing off and being silly, so I think I was lucky to get a few good pictures! Thanks Nana and Aunt Roopali for your help.

Christmas Tree Adventure

Aida helping me find the perfect tree

Yea, we found it. A tree mom likes!

What a man! Sean is so happy that I finally found a tree!


We were in search for the perfect tree or at least I was! Part of the fun for me in the looking.(I take after my mom in that respect!) We went too three places in West Linn before I conseded to a tree on Shannon Lane. Fiona was very happy, as this is where she wanted to go all along. Did you know that most tree farms in our little town are closed on Friday and only open on weekends. I think that the trees are expensive, too. Our little tree was $40.00, although Sean informed me in Georgia it would have cost us $120.00. Next year I want a bigger tree that is real, so I guess we'll have to budget for it!

I grew up going out in the forest. We'd get permit to go on BLM property(free or about five bucks) and hunt for our own Christmas tree. Always a Noble. No Douglas firs for us. Of course, I always wanted the tree that was way to big.... Even though we'd get them to touch our ceiling. My parents have a very high ceilings. My dad would have to anchor the tree to the wall. It was very complicated, but exciting. Just seemed to be more excitment in air with the tree up. At night when all the lights were off and the tree was decorated and lit, it was always so pretty.

Wrapping Paper

Aida and her wrapping paper

Fiona wrapping paper

Fiona adding a little something to her ginger bread men

Fiona doing faces on the ginger breadmen and Aida helping.

Fiona is all about the crafts and projects. She loves to paint. I thought it would be fun evening of entertainment to make our own Christmas paper. Fiona had to do the Gingerbread faces and more. She totally inspires me! I love that she is creative.

Visit to Santa

Aida and Santa.

Fiona, Santa and Aida

A week ago today(Dec.3rd) we went downtown to Macy's to see Santa. There was no line, which has never happened to me! I always had to wait in long lines. So my advice is go when it is raining and Windy and the news is talking about a big wind storms that are coming. Aida just jumped right on his lap and just was so happy, but Fiona just did not want too and seemed a little upset by him. Not sure why, she has always liked Santa, especially since she was teasing her sister and cousin on way there about there not being a Santa. Maybe the guilt was kicking in....

Another Birthday celebration

Elmo cake

Aida and Sean w\Elmo cake

Aida blowing out the candles

We go all out on our Birthday's at our house. Aida and Fiona have come to expect it.... We usually do a party with both sides of the family, sometimes we are able to coordinate and just do one, but it kinda fun stretching the big day out over time. I think cake and ice cream more fun to them then the presents. We started a tradition a couple of years ago that we do a cartoon cake, usually Sean does the decorations, but this I did it. (Sean wasn't feeling good) I have to say, it looks pretty good for having to improvise on some of the colors because of not having right color dye. Well, we were celebrating his birthday, too. (He spent his birthday in Atlanta the week before) Aida didn't mind, she loved having her daddy home.

I'd talked about doing a Tinker bell cake for month or so, but when it came time to get the cake mold- Aida was not wanting Tinker Bell but Elmo. So Elmo it was....

Aida's 4th Birthday

(November 21st, 2007)The day started out with Aida getting up and running around all excited saying today my Birthday. I'm four! She was so happy.

We headed down the coast to my parents, but stopped for picnic. Fiona and Aida love picnics.
Later in evening we had Boston Cream cake and ice cream at Grandpa Jim and Grandma Judy's.

Opened some presents and had re-light the candles many times as Aida was to quick for the Camera.

Mini Beach Vacation, Depot Bay

View from our back porch

Kite flying in Lincoln City. I think we were the only people on the beach. It was pretty chilly.

Another view from our back patio

Another of us flying a kite

Mo's the most famous place to get clam chowder at the Beach.

The girl's

Aida snuggling with Sean. She is so happy that he is home.

My gourmet dinner.

Fiona goof'in with mom

Another picture of the view

My parents used some of their bonus time too get us two nights at the beach in Depot Bay for our Anniversary and Sean's B-day. (During the Thanksgiving Break) It was a perfect gift. We had a great time. We got there on Monday evening and left Wednesday morning. We had great view and the weather was very chilly, but no rain. We swam in the indoor pool, went to the beach flew kites, hung out in our condo, went to the outlets, had clam chowder at mo's, and stopped briefly at the quilt shop. We had great time and were especially happy Daddy was home! The girl's hadn't seen Sean in two and half months.

What Have I been doing?

Fiona and her classmates on field trip to the pumpkin patch.

Fiona's Harvest party at school.

I've been asked,"What are you doing since you've stopped working?" One thing that I've been doing is helping out with Fiona's class a lot. I've been on several fieldtrips including one to the river where it just pored down rain.(My phone will never be the same!) We were soaked to the bone with coats on. To the pumpkin patch where they had pig races.(The kids loved it)
I've come to help out with some art projects. They did metal bugs using metal kitchen utensils, pans,etc with copper wire to go on the garden sign at school.( I take a picture and post it soon)
This week they did salt dough tide pool creatures. One day we made the creatures and the next we painted them. It is interesting to see how each kid does art. Some are quick and just do it, some are metaculous and slow, some are very colorful. It is inspiring me..... I have some fun things I want to do for Christmas floating in my head.

I've had a lot of fun helping and have to say I really respect Fiona's teacher. She is very calm and soft spoken with the kids. I've been to help a fair amount and I have yet to hear her raise her voice. They all seem to really love her and respond well to her. A day with 25 first graders and I'd be pulling out my hair by the end of the day! I think teaching is Ms. Shannon's true passion. I know that Fiona is in good hands and that is a comfort.

Beautiful day to be at the Beach

Fiona standing over the tidepools

closeup of the tidepool

Another close-up

Fiona standing near the cliffs in front where the tide pools start

Castle that Fion and Aida and Grandma Judy built

I love this pictue of Aida looking out at the water

Fiona playing in the sand

Aida collecting wet sand for the building of the castle

Grandma Judy, Aida and Fiona

Fiona posing

The First weekend in November(2,3rd,4th) we went to my parents house for the weekend, for a much needed break. It is about a 4 hour drive. I picked up Fiona from school and we were on our way. The girls did pretty good on the drive down. We only stopped once! We went to the beach and had picnic and then played on the beach. It was beautiful day at the beach, no wind and warm. Going to the Beach is one of Fiona and Aida's favorite things to do. They can spend hours there! Of Course, Grandma Judy feels the same way. I felt very relaxed for the first time in long time. My dad was with us, but after eating he went to take a nap in the car.(He used to do this when I was little, too)

Fiona and I took a walk down the beach. The tide was out which was cool because Fiona is doing a unit on tide pools at school. She kept saying to me," Come on mom, I need to study these tide pools." She was so excited about the tide pools. It was neat to see her interest in them and just see how much she likes school.

My mom and I also managed to get a little shopping in. I really enjoy going shopping with my mom we have such a great time. I got some new shoes and we found some Christmas China at macy's for a great deal. We can't wait to use it on Christmas Eve.

Halloween

"Nurse Fiona"

This pictue shows Fiona and Aida's personality. The love to goof off!

"Pirate Aida"
I know its a late posting, but better late then not at all. Fiona was a nurse just like her Aunt Heather. She admires her aunt a lot and always likes to spend time with her. I think Heather was pleased. Aida was a pirate, not quite sure where she got that idea... I would say to her,"What does Pirate Aida Say, and she would respond with "ARG"." (She'd grit her teethe and raise her sword) And then she would then laugh her head off! I got lots of complements on her costume, even with half it off. She kept taking off the eye patch, hat,etc.