We've Got Spirit
Yes We Do
We've Got Spirit
How'bout You?

It's Spirit Week at Carson's school. Today? Crazy Hair Day. His own creation.

The day after Christmas we headed through The Gorge to spend a week in Hood River. We got an exceptional deal on a two bedroom loft atop Doppio Coffee Lounge and looked forward to some R&R: leisurely hikes along the CRH State Trail, wandering aimlessly along the downtown streets popping into boutiques and galleries, meeting up with friends on Mt. Hood for a few days of skiing, enjoying great restaurants and bonding as a family.

But the majority of that never happened. We got rained out. The mountain shut down mid-week due to lack of snow.

So instead of playing in parks, running down trails and experiencing the great outdoors the kids watched a lot of movies, played games, rode the elevator, and fought with one another. By the third day we were all going batty.

A welcome break came with trips to the coffeehouse for hot chocolate and coffee {and after being cooped up all day, the site of A Legendary Tantrum}

Then one morning there was a break in the rain. We headed down to Hood River Waterfront Park to burn off some energy and play. Climbing to the top of the rock wall:


Skipping rocks into the Columbia:




Unfortunately the break was brief and by Noon the rain returned. And when I say rain I mean pouring, nonstop downpour. By midweek we had tapped out trips to the book and toy store. Fortunately we discovered the local library, featuring an art station, a play area, and an OMSI exhibit. And our pdx library cards were valid for checking out books and DVDs!

But the best indoor discovery was WAAAM, two hangers full of the largest collections of still-flying antique aeroplanes and still-driving antique automobiles in the country. Carson was excited to stumble upon the Fabulous Hudson Hornet. Things started looking up.


By the weekend, the snow began falling! We raced up to the mountain bright and early and spent the day sledding down hills dodging small trees and avoiding the melting pond at the bottom. But it wasn't raining and the kids weren't whining.

Presenting Hadley's Tiny Snowman Family:


Walking down a trail in search of the hill less traveled:


On Sunday we put the kids in ski school and spent the entire day on a nearly vacant mountain under bright blue skies, ending the week {and the start of the New Year} on a very good note:


Followed by aprés ski drinks at our favorite Hood River watering hole:



Happy New Year Friends!

Favorite Christmas present this year. Jason converted an old cabinet door into a jewelry holder for my earrings, necklaces and numerous hair pins. It was a collaboration – Carson served as his apprentice and chose the colors. Much more functional and attractive than my previous system of Ziplock bags in the bathroom drawer. Special thanks to my friend Amy who had the original idea.

Signing off until next year to enjoy a little r + r. See you in the New Year.

xoxo

We have folders overflowing with the kids' artwork. With grandparents on the other side of the country {and locally} asking for their little masterpieces an art calendar made the perfect Christmas gift this year.

I ordered blank calendars on Vistaprint, including important family dates {like their birthdays!}, then simply adhered their artwork with spray glue. Many of the pieces were already 8.5"x11" and for those that weren't I simply trimmed them down. I tried my best to match up the artwork with the seasons {there was no shortage of Halloween, Thanksgiving and Valentine art), and for a few months the kids were happy to break out their art supplies and create a custom piece.

Signed, sealed and ready for delivery!

Tree is chopped and trimmed, halls are decked, family elfster exchanges set and Carson can't stop belting out Feliz Navidad. Excited for the hustle and bustle to come:

Epson salt snow candles light up the mantle:

It was our first Thanksgiving hosting both indoors and in our new home. Following years of Harvestfests, we've claimed this holiday in our family.

The kids helped make place cards, Hadley decorating the backside, Carson carefully spelling out each name:

Both kids helped decorate the table, filling the centerpieces with pine cones, apples, filberts and other fall items:

Jason ran a tight ship, writing out the play-by-play on the blackboard. Which worked out well {as much as everyone gave him grief :}.

Lily and Penny taste testing:

Prepping:


Neighbors stopped by for pre-dinner vino:

Papa reading stories to Kate:

Chin-ups at the park with cousin Calvin {gotta burn off those calories}:


The weekend was extra special with all five cousins together and Julie and Aaron flying up from LA. I didn't manage to get a group shot of everyone at the table, which I guess was a sign we were too busy enjoying good food and company, lots of laughter and making memories.

On this rainy Monday morning, I'm appreciating the decal we hung above Hadley's bed earlier this month. A song we sing before lights out each night. It was originally square and more compact but Jason spread it out to fill the space and I love the effect. Purchased from 3rd Ave Shore and available in multiple colors.

Our basement is largely unfinished aside from a good sized bonus room. The previous owners left a ginormous play structure behind in it and when we bought the house I envisioned the kids spending endless hours romping around and playing in their own space. But that didn't happen. They rarely went down there unless friends were over and it soon became a dumping ground for discarded and outgrown toys. Poor lighting, a washing machine mishap that seeped water into the carpet, a few Madi-girl accidents and a year later the room was anything but a welcoming space. And smelly.

I wanted a light and bright space where the kids could spread out projects, dance around and spend hours getting lost in imaginative play during the rainy winter months.

So a couple Saturdays ago I started ripping up the carpet, gathering paint swatches and somehow convinced Jason to install a new floor and commit a weekend to Home Depot runs. And since I've watched one too many HGTV shows I was determined to complete the room in 48 hours.

I wanted the space to allow for activities the kids enjoy most:
– A table to spread out art projects, build with Legos or play board games
– A big open space to dance, build forts or just run around
– A place to relax and read books
– Race cars, build train tracks and block cities
– Play "house" and dolls
– Dress up and creative play

Before:
After:
Both Hadley and Carson gave their input to the design. Carson has always wanted to paint a room orange, so he chose the pumpkin walls, and Hadley of course wanted pink, so I painted an accent wall a bright magenta.

We set up our old kitchen table with easily accessible art supplies.


A wire strung with clips makes it easy to display and dry artwork:

A cozy corner is dedicated to snuggling and reading books {or jumping around and pillow fights, as the case may be}:


Costumes and dress up clothes line a wall awaiting imaginations:

Large framed photos give a personal touch and sense of ownership to their space:
Lighting:
Lighting made a huge difference. Thanks to IKEA a "cloud" pendant light over the table, a fun ceiling light and modern floor lamp by the reading nook make the space bright and welcoming.

Mirrors:
Large mirrors hung horizontally on one end of the room make the space feel larger {and the kids love practicing their dance moves in front of it}

Floors:
Jason installed an inexpensive wood laminate from Lumber Liquidators. With the pre-attached underlayment and snap-together installation it took him one afternoon. Colorful and moveable rugs make the space flexible for whatever the kids dream up.

I love how the space turned out  – and now it's the first place the kids want to go when they come home.