The tree...

Matt and I have been debating about whether to get a real or fake tree this year...Matt doesn't really like the idea of killing a tree even though he knows that is why they were planted. I don't like real trees because it makes a mess in the house and the needles can wreak havoc with your vacuum cleaner. We both enjoy the scent and look of a real tree though and want to support the local economy...So what do you think we decided on? Please disregard the ribbon at the top of the tree. We need a tree topper...
Olive's favorite place is in front of the fireplace. She will lay there for hours. Notice what is sitting on top of our mantel (yes, that's right, it's the white elephant gift from Friday night)

Friday...

Thank you for the words of advice from Andrea and Abby. This is my test email. Friday night we went to Rheinlander German Restaurant for my work Christmas Party. Rheinlander is a vonderful place to go for the holidays. It is very festive and the servers sing christmas carols with accordian players. I'm not crazy about all the sausage and meat but I LOVE the cheese fondue. We had a white elephant gift exchange. Matt thinks we scored. I think we got hosed. What do you think?

Blog Questions

Ok, Fellow Bloggers:
I need help with this whole blog thing...
How do I insert embedded links to web pages? Andrea, I know you told Abby how to do this but I can't remember.

How do I label my pictures? Like I my last blog I wanted to make comments right under of over the picture but couldn't figure it out.

How come the blog looks different when you preview then when you post it?
I would appreciate any helpful advice.

Thank you!

The Grand Finale...

...to wrap up the celebration of Matt we had a few strategy-game playing friends over last night. Matt's favorite things for the evening included: burritos from Taco del Mar, chips and salsa, Dots,Sweetarts, good friends, strategy games, and the infamous Chocolate Mousse Pie. Matt's mom has been making this for him on his birthday for as long as he can remember. In recent years, I have attempted to whip it up, but this year Delores was here in person to make it and it was WONDERFUL. Ian and Mindy taught us a few fun strategy games-thanks guys! We are so blessed to have such terrific friends in our lives.

Looks intense, huh?

The celebration continues...

We continued to celebrate with Matt's favorite things...

There was football. (The Bears lost-boo)

Matt painted some more and we enjoyed some of the Wonderful Royal Rivera Pears from Harry and David that Delores brought. I had never had them before but they were amazing! They are like a dessert so sweet and juicy.

For dinner, we went to the new Mexican Restaurant in Sherwood-Manzanillo. It was a much anticipated meal as their "Opening Soon" sign had been up for about a year. They sang for Matt and we got to share in his Fried Ice Cream-yum.

Then we went and checked out the Christmas lights at a neighborhood in Tualatin.

When we got home, we played Matt's 24 game (like the TV show). We failed our mission but then found out that Matt was the mole so I guess he won. Delores made a yummy Peanut Butter Pie dessert from my Cooking Light magazine (so it was somewhat good for you). It turned out very well.

Today is Matt's actual birthday so the celebration continues...

On another note...Oregon got hit with a massive storm with rain and wind. Our rain gauge on our back deck measured 2.67 inches of rain in the last 24 hours. There is alot of flooding, power outages and trees down. We are blessed to be safe and sound and we have electricity so I can write this:-)

The first day of Matt's birthday weekend...

The theme for this weekend is Matt's favorite things. We had waffles this morning for breakfast. Then, Matt had to go to work for a little bit (not his favorite thing, but necassary). Then we went to The Painted Plate to paint pottery. Delores is in town and joined us and thanks to her, we have wonderful new camera which I am still trying to figure out. My first pictures were of the "parade" in Sherwood welcoming Santa Claus. It occurred while we were painting...

I know I need a little practice with the camera...it gets better:-)

Then, Matt watched a little of Lord of the Rings and we went out to this yummy Indian place. It was well worth the drive...and the detour..

We'll see what tomorrow holds... somehow I have a feeling that there will be football involved.

What's Matt been up to??

Even though I don't entirely understand what my brilliant husband does for a living. I do appreciate his hard work. This past week he has been working on the Fremont Bridge here in Portland . They are installing some type of monitoring system to measure how the temperatures affect the bridge....or was it the wind?...anyway, they are going to monitor stuff. Don't worry though. The bridge is completely safe. This project has been keeping him very busy but at least it is in town so he gets to come home at night.