We paid two visits to Santa this year. We first saw him at our usual spot, the Belmont Fire Station. This is a great spot especially for kids who love all things fire fighting. Santa is always dressed up in his firehat, pants, and boots. Sam eats this one up. Next, we went for a ride on the X4449 Daylighter, the most amazing steam train I've ever seen. Last year we just watched it chug by 10 feet from us on the bike path. This year, time for a ride! Santa himself was on board giving out candy canes. The ride was fun, but you really can't hear the engine or the whistle from the inside. Next year, it's back to the bike path! Here's a clip that I shot last year.

We had a great time up on Mt. Hood last weekend with Rick, Ashley, Renner, Mike, Angie, and Aubrey. Joe's Donuts was a prerequisite for sledding, and Joe's hooked us up. The snow was good, and kids had fun sledding down the little hill we found at the Trillium Lake Sno-park. After a bunch of runs it was time to head back to Sandy for some beers and lunch. Good times.

After much anticipation, here it is: Wii Boxing. This is pretty funny. Uncle Brian brought his Wii with him when he, Kathleen, and Ellen flew up for Thanksgiving. Sam (and Pappy) had a great time playing all the games.

Today we got our first glimpse of snow. It might snow some more tomorrow morning. It wasn't much, but it did get me in the mood to create a little holiday montage with pictures from Christmas 2006. It was hard to maintain, though, with the kids cranky from not taking their naps. And to seal the deal the Ducks went down in flames in the Civil War, a game they should have won. Oh well, nothing a homemade pie and pint can't cure.

We had Gigi, Pappy, Kathleen, Brian, and Ellen all up here for Thanksgiving this year. We didn't get out of the house much, thanks to the weather and kiddy schedules. However, we managed to have a great time nonetheless. We prepped in the kitchen for days and the effort was worth it (except for the cornbread stuffing, which was my fault, but oh well). And Dennie, Linda, Kari, and Joe all came over for dessert from dinner at Becky's house, pumpkin pie in hand. Good times.