Millennium Lounge Redux

Soooo...on to the big New Year's Eve/Birthday bash! You aren't going to believe this, but Sister STORED the decoration items from the Great Millennium Bash of 2000. I KNOW! I couldn't believe it either! We used these fabulous items to begin preparing the abode for this year's festivities...

Including these fabulous glitter globes! Hung with care by the stair! ;)

We got our party recipes out... hee hee!

Of course we took a break for a knittin' class. We promote immersion in the textile arts.

Addison consulted with the new family dog, explaining how the evening's festivities would go, and asking whether they might make Bobo feel cramped or confined at all.

And lastly, safety precautions. This particular warning stems from one particular dominoes bash where my sunny sister, in her pale yellow sweater, couldn't locate a lovely scent, so took a (burning) red candle down from a shelf in the bathroom and promptly dumped hot red wax down her front. She's always claimed she didn't know it was burning. We laughed for easily 2 hours. We thought the then-pregnant Stacey was going to give birth right then and there if she didn't stop laughing! Luckily, this year sister heeded the warning.

Birthday Pre-party

Hahaaahhahahahahaahah! I bought this last year for my mother-in-law, on the occasion of her youngest crossing over into his forties. Alas, no more were to be found.

Next, off to brunch with my grandfather! When the bill came, Sister decided to steal Dad's glasses and do her best Jerry Seinfeld.

Dad seems in such despair without his spectacles.

The fam!

Later, the parents graciously took me out to a pre-birthday dinner! Here's us girls ready for a night on the town!

Stumptown!

Before heading off to Portland for a few days, we met up with Krista (left) (and her stepdaughter) and our Jenny for our "Once-Every-30-Years Alternating Blonde and Brunette Sisters Photo." We probably took the last one around 1981. Hope to see you girls before 2041!

I got to wander around Portland for a while, and one of the few stores we don't have here.

The last few times I was in PDX, this was still a hole (not unlike the Boise Hole, Idaho readers) but it looks like they finally made it into...uhh...this thingy...

When I returned from downtown I discovered sister mooning over her newly-bloated perfume collection. Santa is big on scents.
And sister's crazy cat actually allowed me to photograph her!!

Atlin!

The day after Santa's visit brought a visit by this little fellow!

Who apparently has no qualms about using his handsome charms to nab waffles from the unsuspecting. You know what they say about the apple...

I think there's nothing creepy at all about that animatronic santa. No sirree...

I don't know much about parenting, but I'm pretty sure we won't see this exchange of expressions again. I'm sure of it.

I asked my husband if we wasn't just a wee bit embarassed about having someone else show up at the event wearing essentially the same outfit!! The horror!

Longview Christmas!

More beautiful Christmas trees awaited at our third Christmas in Longview!

Thankfully the table seats eight comfortably! Through the miracle of photography placement, my father-in-law appears to be a vulcan.

My favorite kind of brothers: in matching Ducks gear!

Oliver opening the AWESOME spy watch I found for him. :)

Louie opening the AWESOME spy watch I found for him.:)

Through the miracle of photography placement, my husband appears to be holding a GIANT wine glass. Merry Longview Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas morning! Never gets old does it?

Santa brought a BOUNTY of gifts!

I just love Christmas lights.

We plowed through gifts like a present-opening tornado.

Thanks for the fun visit, parents!

Christmas Eve!

We mostly showed up empty handed. We're tacky that way. Mom made this beautiful pie!

Sister made this variety of cereal-themed treats, including my faves, Fruity Pebble Treats.

I'm not sure why she didn't use the BEST CANDY DISH EVER. Just look at that useful handle, the workmanship, the pentagram... best candy dish made by a...kindergartener...(?)EVER.

Heart-shaped tater. Awwww.....

There were rumors of a madwoman wander around homes on the coast, but we never saw her.

Merry Christmas Eve!

Off to Nehalem!

Then, off to the coast! The drive was GORGEOUS! Snowy and sunny.

Doesn't that totally look like a body of water ahead? Nope! It's a blanket of fog sitting atop Pendleton. Once under the blanket, visibility was about 10 feet. :o

But we made it safely to the coast, where we were welcomed by all the fauna... Oregon deers are so much browner than gray Idaho deers.

The gatos are still ruling with an iron fist!

The chickens are still in black and white.

And after the long drive, Miss G was pleased for a couch and a friend.

My New Winter Hat!

Hello, dear readers! So sorry for the hiatus. Sometimes you just have to step away from the laptop...and the camera...and the smartphone... ;) SO! Christmas has come and gone! As is usually the case, we had three of 'em, and all were lovely. My husband LOVES presents.

Clearly.

Cameras are amazing and mystical. How does a black shirt come out this strange royal blue color...that I WOULD NEVER WEAR. Makes my eyes look like mud.
See? Black shirt. And I love love love my new furry trapper hat! I can't wait to wear it winter camping!!