Catching up...December in Oregon

The first post of 2011.  There are so many things I want to do better this year.  Like always, I suppose.  Wish I wasn't as imperfect as I am.  But, I am excited for a new year and all the things that life will bring this .  The end of 2010 was a good one.  We spent 4 weeks in Oregon, bumming at each other's parent's houses.  I don't think we drove them too crazy.  Well, maybe just a little.  At times it was difficult not being at home.  I realize now how tough our little guy is to have around.  He gets into everything.  I think it was worse at Matthew's parents because they have so many beautiful Christmas decorations around the house.  If he wasn't grabbing the fine china, he was going after these glass pitchers and putting them up to his mouth.  I suppose he liked the echo they made.  By the last day that we were there I saw that someone had moved them out of this reach.  A very smart idea.  He has proven to be quite the boy.  He likes to get into everything.  I like what one of my friends posted on facebook when I mentioned that he was bringing in dirt inside the house, just so he could sweep it up. And what she said was that we can't have the sweet until we have the sour and I like that a lot.  All in all, it was great being in the same vicinity as all my brothers, even though we like to drive each other crazy.  In the past, I had my own home and for the sake of not bothering my mom too much since she works nights, we wouldn't see them too often.  But this time we were there 24/7 and it was fun.  We played lots of chicken foot and settlers of catan.  Some of us were a little more intense than others, right Alex and Matthew, but we all managed.  Then the weather was crazy cold in Oregon.  It was hardest for the kids to get used to.  Elijah, especially, kept wanting the back door opened so that he could play outside.  Something we take for granted living in Mexico.  But it was so cold.  The funny thing is, I think we let him go outside more in Sisters, than in Hillsboro, even though it was much colder in Central Oregon.  Sometimes even barefoot.  But that was because he would escape every so often.  Did I mention it was tough watching him all the time?

Christmas was great.  Santa brought us some neat things and the kids got way too many toys.  It was quite the adventure coming back to Mexico.  We left Mexico with 4 suitcases, and came back to Mexico with 6 and a dog.  And, to top it all off, US Airways (not sure we'll fly with them anymore) charged us for every single suitcase.  Is that normal now??  But, seeing the kids finally play with all their loot when we got back was worth every penny.  For me at least, you will have to ask Matthew.  I will just tell you that I promised to try to pack lighter the next time we fly.  We brought River back with us.  It was funny when people realized that with all the stuff we were hauling on the plane we also had a dog.  I am sure most thought we were crazy but we couldn't help it.  We had to bring River.  I feel like we are finally a family again.  I remember now why I like her.  She is so good with the kids and they love her so much.  It's nice to have her around to eat up Elijah's messes, finish off the empty can of tuna, and to feed her a piece of pepperoni when I am making pizza.  It makes me laugh because she has definitely become Elijah's buddy.  He will even ask for more food just so that he can feed it to River.  And while Eli doesn't speak much, he can say River beautifully.  And you know, even though River is a one eyed dog, she is still cute to me.  

I have been HORRIBLE at taking pictures.  But, you know, the kids are starting to mellow out more that I should take out the camera.  Before it seemed like I was constantly trying to keep the kids from beating each other up that I didn't feel like I could bust out the camera in fear that they would take it out as well.  But things seem better now.  We are back into our routines and life is calm.  Just the way I like it.

Pics:
1.  Kids at my parents.  There Christmas tree took quite the beating.  It didn't look so good after Eli was around.
2.  Erik's birthday.  His birthday is on the 26th and we never spend it with him.  This time around we celebrated it early and he actually had a celebration.  Cake, presents and all.
3.  Eva and Owen with Nana.
4.  Sledding day
5. Carla decided to bust out cowgirl outfits before we went to ride horse's where Shiara's mom works.  She did it as a joke, but we looked pretty cute, I thought.
6.  Family pic with the ponies.  Elijah was scared at first, but Shiara's mom told us to put him on there and move with the horse, and he loved it!!  Eva did too.