Home Depot Saturday-December

Our favorite Saturday of the Month!!

As much as we love the building and projects, the photo back-drops they roll out each month are just as fun. They are hand-painted, by an employee, I would imagine. So cool!

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Making Memories...

Alternate Post Title: Making Memories to Last a Lifetime!!

Hubby's Brother and his family had a few of these Findit Games/Toys....

They are nothing new to many, but we had never actually had the opportunity to sit and play with one.

Did you know that each one has a penny hidden inside? It's true. A penny which is rather difficult to find. So difficult in fact, that if you can find the penny and can read the year, you can enter the data on the Findit website and actually print yourself a certificate, authenticating the fact that YOU found THE penny.

Determined to find the penny, after his younger brother had found it.....

  

Needless to say, we were {SUPER} excited when we got a surprise package in the mail, which contained our very own Findit! And Yes, we have already found the penny!

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Washington or Bust

We decided to get out of town for the Thanksgiving Holiday. Our destination of choice? Washington, to spend the holiday with family (hubby's younger brother and his family, to be exact).

In addition to an AMAZING home-cooked Thanksgiving day meal (compliments of my SIL), we opted to visit some of the local tourist attractions.

We started at the Portland Japanese Gardens:

 It was a {much} colder in Washington/Oregon than we had expected it to be. Brrrr!

The gardens were beautiful, despite the time of year. One can only imagine how amazing they are in the spring, with everything in bloom.

We moved to the Portland Riverwalk, where we saw some gnarley bridges. Having never been to the area, and living in an area where the only bridges we see are overpasses, the bridges are quite the sight. 

We actually stood under this bridge, as it has an open-grate like construction. We could see the under carriages of the cars as they drove overhead.

Before the setting of the sun, we stopped to see the Portland Temple. So beautiful!

The visitor center provides a fun activity sheet for the kids, that points things out to them and asks them questions- directing them around the grounds. It was fun to see the kids so intrigued and in awe. The building itself is quite awe-inspiring. {I have pictures of the kids, but they are on my other camera}

And NO Thanksgiving would be complete without our traditional making of the turkey hats. Each year they differ, but the tradition remains the same.

 

 These 'Turkeys' are the only ones that would sit still long enough for me to get their photo. 

It was a high energy week!

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The Raingutter Regatta

With each milestone I get the joy of experiencing things with my kids for the first time. This being our first Raingutter Regatta.

My boy, beaming with pride and showing off his vessel. This was also his uniforms debut (don't look or judge, it's missing a few of his badges. It's been a rough few weeks).

His vessel, up close. He did such a good job and worked hard painting it and decorating it all by himself. We are very proud of him!

Not only did he look good, but he raced well! Boy came in fourth place (and because I'm biased, I think he would have ranked higher, if the boys that won 1st, 2nd, and 3rd hadn't 'modified' their boats). He was a good sport about it all as well.

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2 Costumes. Part 2

Halloween was always enjoyable as a child, but it's even better as a parent. It's so fun to make your kids visions come to life and then send them off to have fun!

Behold, my very own Hero's in a half-Shell! TURTLE POWER!

For the record, we weren't short 2 characters. Hubby and I both dressed up as well..While I have a picture of the boys and I, hubby's photo is missing in action.

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2 Costumes. Part 1

This year, at work, we decided it would be fun to pick a theme and dress as a group for Halloween.

The theme? Pirates. Argh Matey!

Due to my current status of having only one good leg, they have dubbed me Sal "One-Legged" Curnow.

And we can't be without our ship, so we transformed the office into our very own pirate ship....

 

Everything was a huge hit, and we are already looking towards next year.......one word..Hogwarts!

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A Set-Back and Some New Wheels

No sooner had I hit publish on my last post that things changed. The doctor assures me that this change of events is a blessing in disguise, which I believe, but these first few days of adjusting have been difficult.

My foot was healing well and the doctor had even given me the green light to spend a few hours a day OUT of my walking boot. Monday morning, however, I stepped down on my bootless/shoe clad foot and felt a 'Pop' {it felt like a water balloon exploding beneath my arch] followed by excruciating pain {a hot searing pain like nothing I've ever experience before, short of child labor}.

A call to the doctor and a quick diagnosis over the phone (until he can see me in person tomorrow), the doctor is almost certain I ruptured the my plantar fascia (the ligament that just underwent surgery).

What this all means? I'm back to the walking boot, with an added element of fun...in the form of crutches until it doesn't hurt to put weight on the booted foot.

 

A  very sweet, very kind, and dear friend, however, could hear my cries of pain behind the brave face I was showing the world, and outfitted me with a sweet new ride.

....at no small expense either. My new ride made it's way from over an hour away- via a third-party transport/ride and was hand delivered by this sweet friend of mine. (Just in the knick of time too. My hands were already beginning to callous and bruise).

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Hottest Fashion of the Season

Because nothing says fashionista like pre-op apparel.

I had surgery on my foot this past weekend. A long over-due surgery. I've experienced years of pain in both my feet. 5 doctors later, and more failed therapies than I can count...I Finally, FINALLY found the right doctor. The doctor that could see my desperate need and performed a much needed surgery. So far I am healing well and already have plans to have my other foot fixed as well.

I don't love the boot. It's a real pain some days, but I've grown to be comfortable in it. I also try to be grateful for it. As I came out of my surgery completely and totally pain free. The first time either of my feet have been pain free in 3 years. That's a long time, and the inconvenience of the boot is nothing in comparison.

*The surgery is what they call the Tenex FAST procedure. They made a small incision on the heal of my foot, and used ultra-sound guidance to laser out damaged plantar fasciitis tissue. Sounds painful, but I came out feeling good and completely pain free.

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My Little Photographer

Mo-Tay has asked for help entering the PTA's annual Reflections Exhibit. His art of choice? Photography! So proud of my best boy. We had a lesson on cameras, and he's been diligently studying some books about cameras and photography that we borrowed from the library. Here sampling of the pictures he has taken.

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Home Depot Saturday-October

 

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October is here!

In true me fashion, I've got our Halloween costumes started!

I found these cool 'Ghost Pumpkins' while at the supermarket. I had never seen such a thing. Not new, just new to me! {Now if I can keep them from getting stolen, all will be well}

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Lagoon!

We surprised the kids with their first trip to a local amusement park! They are already asking when we can go back {deep sigh}! We had lots of fun, but it may be a few more years before we return. Poor Mr. Mr. Gettie wasn't quite big enough to ride most things.

 

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Mr. Mr. Turns 7!

 

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A Special Day

Today is a very special day in our home. My sweet and inquisitive baby is quickly turning into an intelligent and perceptive young boy. I couldn't be more proud of him and who he is becoming. He brings a special spirit to our home. I pray that spirit will continue to grow, and bring us many more of these special days. Love you, my best boy!

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Back 2 School

Motay is a big 3rd Grader and Mr. Gettie a 1st Grader!

Where does the time go?

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