Horsey Update

Things are looking up for the horsey situation on HammyT. Thanks to my sis, LL, we have a new horsey under the tree...just waiting for Bry to install him. Stay tuned for updates on HammyT-Horsey2.0

East Coast Snow

This week's East Coast storm makes me remember the fun we had when we lived in Boston during a big blizzard. We built an urban jib park and had a blast...

RG, grab a shovel and rip it up in Bean Town...xoxo

Kringle and Gingerbread House Season

The Kringles have arrived. Let the holiday season begin! Merci GG!

If anyone in PDX is still in town, get over here and meet MissP and have some holiday Kringle!

We also received a beautiful package containing all the essentials for making a Gingerbread House. This will be our activity after WKFs nap this afternoon. Merci AnnieB. We'll be sure to take some pix, he is gonna love it!

Coming Home

Five days in the hospital was more than enough for the F ladies, we were ready to get home!

We were expecting her to be a boy...but I had packed some fab girly clothes "just in case". Good thing, because SHE looked fabulous for her ride home.

O got her dressed...

and he buckled her into her car seat...

And a quick drive later she was home meeting her big bro!

What a day!

SHE is here

More to come, but I wanted to get a quick post up to let everyone know that we had a baby girl, PGF (on 12/13/09) and she is perfect! We just got home from the hospital and we'll get our blog going again soon.

WKF is a great big brother. He has showered PGF with loving kisses.

Photos du Jour

Happy Friday!

National Championships

Bend, Oregon is hosting the national championships of cyclocross this weekend. I had never even heard of this sport until recently...and now it seems to be everywhere. It certainly seems to have caught on quickly (at least in this state).

We went to our first race a few weeks ago, and WOW! It was insane. We went to check it out and to cheer on a buddy (you may recognize him underneath the mud and spandex as FYC's papa).

If you haven't ever been to a race, go. It is quite a scene. And, best of luck at the national championships in Bend JC - we know you'll do great!

Bday Party

Mine wasn't the only Birthday yesterday. WKFs buddy FYC turned 1. And what a party! It was a cold night, but the drinks were warm and the crowd was great. Everyone had a great time, because 1 is fun. FYC is front and center with his gorgeous proud parents...

The fete was at the hippest new coffee shop in town, check it out if you haven't yet. The hot chocolate was beautiful and delicious.

RIP Horsey

It is a sad day on HammyT. Our sweet horsey...

...is no longer with us. There has been an incident. It appears to be suspicious. I'm thinking foul play, although it could be weather related.

Warning, the following 2 pictures are kind of graphic...

The neighborhood is taking the news pretty hard. Nobody knows how or when it happened. There is an ongoing investigation...

We all know how horsey loved the holiday season.

Here is a shot of Horsey from a happier day, this was taken just after he was installed...

Bry, I think we have added one more task to your portland to do list...Operation Horsey 2.0

Photos du Jour

WKF got pretty fired up when he opened up a package today...his very own advent calendar. It is darling. Tiny silver buckets...each one to be filled with a treat. He loved it empty...I know he'll LOVE it when I get some goodies into those buckets. Sent with love from his future wife, Merci!

WKF is very curious about the tree. He likes to "drive" right up to it and stare. So far he hasn't gone after the ornaments.

Today!

Today is my birthday!

Tree

OK, lights are all on. Here she is.

A Capella

One (of many) things I miss from college is good a capella. O and I both loved it, we never missed a topcats show.

I am loving this performance by a group from the U of California. If you don't smile at this performance, there is something wrong with you. Even if you aren't familiar with Lady GaGa...

Tree Talk and Christmas Decorations

There is lots of blog talk out there about alternative and green xmas tree options. Mimi had a great post on this topic last week. Here's a recent post on the topic from AT (re-nest).

O and I just finished a little tree project of our own. I think I love how it turned out! We need another strand of lights for the bottom...but I couldn't wait to take a picture of it.

We started with last year''s tree...which we saved all year, with this project in mind. Here is a photo of the tree from last year.

While we are thinking about last xmas, please take a moment to admire my sweet baby a year ago. Those eyes? I think he has grown into them a bit over the year...but they still amaze me.

Ok, back to tree talk. So we stored the old tree all year. We dried it out as best we could. We trimmed off some extra branches, we shook off the needles and plucked/burned off the needles that wouldn't shake off. Then we spray painted her bright red. (Doesn't everything look better in red??) From there, we treated her like a normal tree...we brought her in, added lights, ornaments and lots of love...et voila.

To be clear, when I say "we" in the paragraph above, I mean O. I wasn't very helpful...

Different? Yes. Charlie Brown-ish? Sorta. But I think I love her! She looks so happy and I love the bright red! Once all the lights are on, I'll try to get a better photo.

Side note, my hubby has been THE BEST through my crazy nesting urges. This project (much like WKFs new door), took him a lot longer to create than it took for me to determine we needed. But he whistled while he worked for both projects and exceeded my expectations. That O is the best.

Final thought for this looong post. We are keeping our xmas decor pretty basic...but I did deck out the chandelier with some jingle bells. So fun.

Fa la la la la. I hope the new bebe likes the decor...

Photo du Jour

Do these shoes make my feet look big? Be honest.

Peacock Lane

If you are in Portland between December 15 and 31, go to Peacock Lane one evening. This is a popular PDX tradition. I think it is so sweet and it gets you in the holiday spirit. They advise that you park a few blocks away and then walk, unless you really want to do it right and take a horse drawn carriage...so fun. Fa la la la la....

Birdie and Bry, lets add this to our to do list while you are here...along with having a baby and getting our new family-of-four life pulled together. Can't wait!

Buh Bye Evite

Evite seems so 5 years ago once you learn about paperless post. Same concept, only better, classier...

I just learned about paperless post here. Now someone, please invite me to something...or perhaps I'll invite you...

Anthro Love

Anthro's bday card program is genius. Yesterday (12/1) was the first day of my bday month, and Anthro sent me my card! 15% off a single item when I come into the store this month. The card is adorable, it has a candle on a cupcake, and a sweet note. The candle is also a necklace for me to wear, on my bday...it has a darling leather chord and sweet silver clasp.

15% off is really not that much...and yet the personal touch makes me want to run in and BUY SOMETHING. I'm sure that was the point...well, it worked. Merci Antrho, je t'aime.

PS, last year's bday card was darling too - here is a picture of it...

If Anthro isn't sending you bday cards, get your bootie into the store and sign up...

Kindle Christmas

According to my always accurate source, Amazon has sold 48 Kindles for every 100 books sold this holiday season. Wow. After receiving one as a gift back in August, I can confirm that these little devices will change the way you read and they make a fab (although pricey) giftie.

I can't get over that stat, 48 kindles for every 100 books sold, the world is changing! Perhaps this is all due to this adorable ad that I keep seeing on TV for kindle - it is so sweet and so well done!

Rain Gutter Shelves

I'm interested in having O build some front facing bookshelves in the new playroom, so the kiddos (PLURAL - almost!) can choose their own books. I am sure O will be full of creative ways to make this happen, but this post (on this blog which I am loving lately) sure was good and timely.

Full project tutorial is available here.

BryGuy, maybe this is something you want to take on while on Grandpa duty?

Petanque

The family is still here, and the boys had a blast playing some Petanque down at Jamison Square. There is a very active Petanque community here in Portland, we were lucky to get the courts to ourselves yesterday.

I really doubt they are called courts...

The boys played until dusk...so fun to be down there with the twinkle lights. WKF is loving his grandpere.

Apres Petanque, we grubbed some sushi...it was a great night.

Photos du Jour

Parlez Vous Bro?

This guide (part I and part II), which was published in the December issue of Portland Monthly, would have been really handy about 13 years ago when I first met O.

85% of these words are part of the everyday lingo of O and his friends.

If I'd had this guide 6 years ago I would have printed it out for my wedding...it would have helped translate for my Ohio friends...who still giggle when quoting Tahoe lingo.

Sweet Apple Pie Girls

These sweet twins belong to my highschool bf, AB. They are brilliant and adorable, just like their mom and dad. And, they baked their own apple pie for tomorrow.

K&B, I wish I could have a slice! Good work sweet little ladies, good work!

Thanksgiving Week

O's family arrived Monday and will be here until Monday. Blogging will be light because enjoying their visit will be the priority around here.

Unrelated...

I think these rugs are too cool.

I can't stop looking at this 100x100 Michael Wolf photo series that was posted on AT. 100sq ft flats in Hong Kong. Wow. Amazing photos and don't we all have so much to be thankful for...

Gobble gobble. Enjoy the holiday week!