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!!!

Trey is 2 and a half!

12.20.07
I am posting this a day early, but Happy 2 and a half Birthday big boy! We sure are proud of you!!!

We Depart for Christmas

12.20.07
We are departing in less than 8 hours for our Christmas travels, and I can't wait! The packages are wrapped, we are packed and the boys are sleeping. What am I doing up? Getting all caught up before the big departure!
We fly into Portland, Oregon where my dad will pick us up at the airport!

Trey is estatic and can't wait to not only fly on a plane, but see Grandpa Bend! We will sight see and browse IKEA! Now that Trey is just about potty trained (that will be a later post!!!) he can venture into their kiddie playground! We plan on eating lunch, and then departing to Aberdeen, Washington!

The home of not only the late Kurt Cobain, but the Bledsoe's!!!

We look forward to spending time with Megan, the Mimb's family, Jordan and his girlfriend Becky, Christina and Nora, and who could forget Grandma, Grandpa and the dog Samson!

***Merry Christmas to all!***

Miss Michelle is the BEST!

11.20.07
This morning, Trey and I went over to play at Miss Michelle's while she got a hot new 'do!


We also got the opportunity to pick of Jerron and CJ from the bus stop! What an exciting thing for Trey to see, he LOVES School Buses and counts them as they drive by!

Lastly, Miss Michelle stays open until 9:00 pm one evening in December, yearly, for a Christmas Party. She orders Pizza, plays Christmas movies and makes Christmas cookies! The kids are having a blast while their parents are hurrying around the house or store, getting ready for the big Christmas celebration. Michelle invited Trey over for dinner and cookies. What a blessing she is! We had 2 hours to wrap, pack and get organized for our big outing to Portland, Or and Aberdeen, Wa. We love her and are so blessed to have her in our lives! As Trey told me this morning, "I love Michelle." I said, "Do you love Mommy too?" And his response, "I love two Mommies. Mommy and Michelle!"

Friends at Carl's Jr.

11.19.07
At dinner on Sunday evening with the Blad's and the Gerratt's, we decided to meet for a play date at Carl's Jr. at 10:00 on Wednesday morning. BEST plan ever! When I arrived, Trey and I were the ONLY one's in Carl's Jr. (might I add, their french toast dippers are to die for?! LOVED THEM!)

When everyone arrived, we had the playground all to ourselves. Did you know that the Carl's Jr. playground opens at 7:00 AM? Who would have ever guessed to take their kids so early?!


I hope this is another fun tradition of our families because Trey and Jackson LOVED it! Shaydon also loved to watch the boys run around! When it was time to leave, Trey and Jackson hugged each other good-bye! So sweet!


GQ watch out! Your future cover boy is right here! Give him a little time and he will be ready for his first photo shoot before you know it!!!

Letter Time!

11.18.07
After a night of serenading the ladies at Enrichment Night, Trey decided he wanted to learn how to write the letters "T" and "O." He was able to concentrate just long enough to accomplish about two "T's" on his own, but then it was over and done with. On to drawing "guns!" Oh, for the love of boys!

Enrichment Christmas Dinner 2007

12.18.07
Miss Michelle was in charge of the Christmas Enrichment Dinner, and the Bishopric was helping set up, serve food and clean up. SO, I decided to go with Justin early, to help him AND Miss Michelle. The food was excellent, the entertainment was uplifting and thoughtful, Miss Michelle did an outstanding job.

After the dinner and dessert, Trey decided he wanted to serenade the crowd. (Yes, there was a nursery provided, and after letting him "cry it out" for several minutes, and listening to him gag himself, I decided I wasn't going to be cleaning up barf and took him into the dinner.)

Miss Michelle was so sweet, she was having Trey sing the days of the week song, Jesus Wants Me For a Sunbeam, and Jingle Bells. I should mention, the volume was down in the gym but NOT in the foyer. When Michelle found out I could hear her in the foyer, she about died. She has a wonderful voice, but I think she thought she wasn't being heard.

So, here is a picture of Trey "serenading" the remainder of the crowd. Mind you, no one could hear!!!!

BTW Sommers, recognize the shirt?