Tis the season to be WAY too busy

Well, here it is, the middle of December and not only is our calendar completely full, we seem to be coming and going non stop and having very little down time....to blog for example!!

On Wednesday of last week, the dance studio's ballet classes, went to perform for the local assisted living center.  Above is Sarah in her "dragonfly costume".....which will then become her "Tinkerbell" costume for the summer dance studio recital.

Sarah at the Assisted Living Center waiting to perform

On Thursday last week, Tori and her friends spent some time choreographing their dance moves for their upcoming "Battle of the Bands" school fundraiser.  Their band's name is "Insert Name Here" and they will be performing to the Weird Al song..."Like a Surgeon".    The girls are looking to borrow a gurney for their performance this spring.  If anyone knows of a place we can borrow one, please let us know!!!

On Friday Ryley was one of 4 students recognized at the school assembly for showing outstanding cooperation and given a certificate of Excellence and a miniature school mascot!!!  We are so proud of him!!!

On Saturday, Matt's mom arrived, to spend the weekend and celebrate Christmas with us!!!  We were busy from the get go.....baking some OLD German and Scandinavian cookie recipes from her grandmas collection!  We had reservations that evening at The Old Spaghetti Factory on the waterfront in downtown Portland.  What a great time we had, and the food was excellent!!!

Sarah and I at dinner.  You can see all the decorations around the windows that overlook the waterfront!!!

After dinner we went to Portland International Raceway's Winter Wonderland display.  For a fee, you can drive along the 2+ mile race track, with your lights turned off and a Christmas music CD they provide and look at all of the light displays.

One of our favorite light displays

Another favorite display!!!

On the way home from Portland, Sarah got sleepy....Tori is such a wonderful big sister.

We did a gift exchange.....Matt's mom is opening her first gift...

Which ended up being a "gag gift".  You see....she broke her foot about a month ago and Matt thought she would appreciate having some "walking sticks" that came with an "instructional DVD on walking".  You can never be too prepared, or too safe. 

Sarah with one of her presents.  She has been asking for a Barbie horse and is thrilled with this Mulan and Royal Horse playset.

.....and, being as Matt's mom is a pediatric RN, it is only fitting that Sarah have a pediatrician Barbie in her collection.

Tori's AWESOME friendship bracelet making kit.  Tori and Sarah and bracelets now, and so does Matt in "Oregon Duck" colors!!!

Tyler is in Lego heaven.....

I received a basket of favorites....chocolates, and sipping cocoa, and candles and a gift card, and a cook book (basically, what I'm saying is she spoiled me rotten).  My all time favorite surprise is the pasta above!!  It is called "Mother in Law Tongues" and is super long and multi-colored because it is made from multiple flavored pastas!!!  I can't wait to try it...I'm thinking a pesto sauce will be used because I don't want to cover up the fancy pasta with a marinara sauce.

Matt gets REALLY excited around Christmas time!!!

I wonder where my boys get their sense of humor??????

On Sunday we headed back into downtown Portland for Ryan's basketball game, and then headed to lunch at one of my favorite restaurants....Jakes Grill...which is at The Governor hotel.  What a great weekend we have had!!!