Secret Santa and Games!

12.22.07
Every year, the Bledsoe's do a "Secret Santa" for someone in their community. Every other year, it is always a sweet adventure buying the items for the family members, wrapping them and then eventually delivering the gifts! Today, it was off to Ross (Aberdeen has very little options for shopping in this little town! Side note, in the parking lot of Ross, a large SUV with a beautiful wreath on the front of the grill drove by, and what would you know; their license plates said 1A, indicating the SUV was from the Boise area. STRANGE!) to purchase the gifts. We had a one year old and a 7 year old, and $30 to spend! We made out like bandits; purchasing a coat, a wheel launcher (Justin swears it was the coolest gift in there! I believe it!), a bead runner for the baby and some PJ's!

After our shopping adventure, it was game time! This family LOVES games! I usually feel inadequate, but always feel included none the less! Trey loved playing with his cousins Cyrus and Canyon, and Nora was the best babysitter EVER!

The "letter game" is what the boys called this game. It is actually supposed to be "Go Fish" but with letters. The boys had a great time spelling words out!

Arrival in Aberdeen, Washington

12.21.07
We were greeted by a HUGE party in Aberdeen, Washington. Justin's mother had said we would be making "just in time for the party." Justin took that as a joke, that they were having a party just for our arrival. NOPE, it was a full on party with food and presents galore!
Grandpa Larry and Grandma Marie belong to a "running club" in Aberdeen and there is always a Christmas party. It just so happened to be the night of the Christmas party and it was being held in their home!
We walked away with a great game called BANG! and a fun "tailgating cookbook" from the "white elephant present exchange." We had a wonderful time!

A Day with Grandpa Bend!

12.21.07
My Father works in Portland, Oregon for the week and then travels home to Bend, Oregon for the weekend! He has a wonderful apartment on riverfront in downtown Portland, it is always a treat to go to Portland and visit him! He is in the heart of "P-town!!!"
My Father met us outside the terminals, along with about 300 other families and friends, and greeted us with a red-heart, smiley face balloon which Trey carried around everywhere!
After gathering our house and home (we had 5 items we checked in. We are only going to Washington for 7 days, but it looks as if we are moving there. After today's rainy weather, we have decided we will probably NEVER live here! At least, that is JUSTIN'S comment!) from the baggage claim (which by the way amazed Trey!) and used the restroom (TREY!!!), we headed off to IKEA which is SOOOOOOOO close to the airport! Justin had only been to one in Washington, about 6 years ago, and since we had the afternoon, we thought, why not?

Trey in the IKEA's cute little shopping cart! The only shopping cart he will sit in!!!
We have decided they have the BEST cinnamon rolls EVER! For a tray of 6 for $4, you can't beat it! Unfortunately, we lost our friend, the balloon somewhere in the kitchen/dining section of the store, but Trey was happy to find his sucker from Auntie Sommers he could STILL suck on!

After IKEA, it was back to Grandpa Bend's apartment for Trey's nap and Pizza Schmitza for lunch. DELICIOUS! Pizza and cinnamon rolls. We were able to chat and relax before the Trey-Man awoke, and then it was Caillou for the next 2 hours. We don't get to watch Caillou at our home, although Trey has been asking for it for weeks now! My sweet Dad has hours worth on his TV, TREY was in heaven!
The afternoon with Grandpa Bend came to a close when Megan's work day was done. Justin's sister Megan, also lives in Portland, but works at a beautiful middle school in Vancouver, WA. Our plan was to go to Megan's home off of Alberta Street in downtown "P-town," get her spare car, and drive it to Vancouver. There, we would meet up with Megan and follow her to Aberdeen, Washington.
Well, our plans shifted a bit when Megan's car broke down on the freeway. Luckily, it broke down about 2 minutes into our trip and the car came to a halt in the most ideal place off an exit. Next, we did something I have NEVER done or seen before in my life. With us in the working car, we pushed Megan with our car, Megan was able to steer herself into a WINCO parking lot, and that is where her car still sits!!! We all hope it is still there, all in one piece.
Thankfully, Megan packed light, because remember, we packed for an eternal stay, and she hopped into our car and off we drove to Aberdeen!

Flight from Boise to Portland

12.21.07
Our flight departure was 9:15 am from Boise, and Trey really enjoyed his experience. It was his 2nd flight of his life, the first one taking place when he was 7 months old. He was a bit confused with the security check, removing the coat and shoes, but he emerged as a pro!




Justin must have told him he could get some candy while waiting at the airport, because he left our home with a quarter in his pocket, and ended up finding the arcade AND candy machines! I swear, he has a candy radar, just as Derek has a soda radar! They can smell OR see it from miles away!

He got the seat next to the window which was an excellent decision of Justin's. He loved to look out the window at the clouds, the streets and the mountains!

He enjoyed coloring, sucking on his sucker from Auntie Sommers, and sipping on his apple juice! (Before our flight I told him that a lady would be asking him if he wanted a drink. He told me he would ask for Orange Juice. When the time came and drinks were handed out, he changed his mind and asked for Apple Juice!)


The flight only was an hour, and towards the end he was wanting out of his seat belt. Thankfully, we landed just as he was getting anxious! He did great!!!
With the time change, we landed in Portland, Oregon at 9:15 am!!!