November Events: Cade & Tucker's Birthday & Thanksgiving 2009

All the boys at the head table :),
including Cade & Tucker's cousins, Jake & Max.

the ealy family - caver, sean, tucker, cade

My previous statement stands: I have been horrible about updating the blog of late...so here I am playing catch up, again.

Cade & Tucker turned eight and six, respectively, in November. Cade - Nov 21 and Tuck - Nov 26. Caver had a hilarious location for the party: Sayler's Country Kitchen, in SE Portland. I have nothing against Sayler's at all!! It's just a more "traditional" location. The clientele, even when I was a kid (1975-1985, when I frequented there with my parents), is on the mature side. Caver always loved it. She loved salads and steaks (prime rib) as a kid, so she chose it. She told Cade and Tucker of her childhood love for the place...and her childhood birthday parties there...on a recent visit with them. They decided to have their birthday party there..in the banquet room. :)

cade & tucker's uncle randy and cousin claire.

granny, cade, and tucker

Great fun was had by all. It was banquet-like, :) complete with bowls of salad dressing on the tables to spoon over your salad...everyone could also choose an ice cream flavor. There were no 72-ounce steaks attempted in this crew...we aren't that daring. In case you don't know, if you eat the 72 ouncer, and the side dishes that come with it, it is free, and you live in infamy on the walls of Sayler's.

the banquet room at the country kitchen!

Also in November...we spent Thanksgiving at Elaine & Ole's with my sister's family. Caver often goes to Grants Pass to spend that holiday with Sean's family but this year they stayed home.

A Few of My Favorite Things.

We had a mellow, mellow Christmas. Everyone was out of town, so Christmas morning Granny (Elaine) came to our house, to watch the boys open stuff. We had Christmas dinner at Granny & Grandpa's...it was so nice that Grandpa came up for dinner.

I got a Flip video camera for Christmas. I've been wanting one, because I feel like the boys' life is passing me right by. I thought the Flip would be a wonderful way to capture little snatches of it.

I asked Ashe, Granny, and Finn what their favorite gifts were. Here they are (as filmed with my new camera):

1. Ashe's favorite thing:



2. Finn's favorite thing:



3. Granny's favorite thing:

Happy Holidays & Merry Christmas!!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS. Here's our 2009. (click to make bigger)

Sorry this scanned-in version isn't as clear. I had this done in October (except for my birthday photos) and I still haven't gotten it mailed to many of you. Soon. Very Soon.

Ashe and his Blog: A Boy's Life

How can you not love this kid?!?

So, I can't tell you how cute I think it is that Ashe wanted to start a blog. I feel like it can't do anything but help his writing skills and give him an outlet for his thoughts, likes/dislikes, ideas...I don't know if this online world is necessarily the best for kids (or anyone, for that matter), but if I monitor it, I think it'll be a good thing.

I know. It's just a little blog...but it's his. He can do what he would like with it. I told him I wouldn't touch it or tell him to change it (as long as it's appropriate)...even capitalization and spelling are up to him. :) Please take a look. Leave a comment. Tell him what you think. It's so sweet and I hope it's good for him.

http://aboyslife1999.blogspot.com/

Finn's Thoughts: My brother, Ashe.

From Finn:
I love my brother, Ashe. He makes me not feel scared when I'm scared.

The Cutest Blue Metallic (!) Shoes Ever.

Yes. I said blue metallic shoes. I got blue metallic heels. It seems very weird...o.k., they are a bit funky, but I am a bit funky. They are beautiful. Love them.

If you want a better look at the color, click here, but if you are interested in actually buying them - in a more reasonable :) color (it doesn't bother me if you think my color is ugly!! :), they have them on sale at zappos, click here.

Forty. Yes, I'm really 40.

I had a lovely 40th birthday. It's weird that I'm really 40. I don't feel 40. That's a good thing, but I REALLY don't feel 40. I feel about 20. Every year gets better for me. I'm happier every day. I'm luckier every day. I have friends and family who are way too good to me. I have the best kids. I have a good job. Life is really grand (knock on wood, right!).

I had a fabulous party. Dennis organized it all. He set up a dinner in the Wine Room at Jake's Grill. We had two nights at the Heathman Hotel in downtown Portland. A suite. The boys came for one of the nights. He is a thoughtful husband. As I said before, I am lucky. He was very modest about it all.

I only celebrated with a few friends and family. I didn't want a big celebration. I get too overwhelmed. (I can visit with each of my friends in time - it's nicer for me one-on-one.) My family was there: the boys and Dennis, my mom, dad (with me in the fifth picture from the bottom - it was really special he was able to come), and Caver's family. Lisa's family (third from last pic) was there. Sandy (bottom pic, with my mom) and Yvette (second to last picture with Lisa) also came. That was it.


Thank you everyone who sent birthday wishes. It felt so good to be appreciated.