Verdict Is In.

Brooks definitely enjoyed the shaving gel more than I did!

The Best Week Ever!

So last week should go down in the history books for me. I had a great week. It started with my parents being in town. A great way to start off any week. But then after they left, the sadness had to wear off pretty quickly to let the games begin. A fabulous episode of the Bachelor, then book club with super yummy treats. You should have seen the spread. I wish I had a photo. Phoebe really outdid herself. And the book, I Capture the Castle, was great too.

Wednesday was fun. We got to watch Moses and go play at the church. That night was Young Women's in Excellence. It was a beautiful night. I have always been impressed by our Y.W. and I was not let down. They are so talented and so full of the spirit, I bawled my eyes out when I had to speak. I am such a woos bait. Then I hurried to a soccer game, completely forgetting about the caramel sauce sitting on the floor of my car. Of course, I was in a huge hurry and wasn't the most cautious driver, when I got to the game the caramel had spilt all over. But I had a game to get to, so clean up waited until later, and until Bryan was around to help! Then a beautiful birthday luncheon for dear, sweet Phoebe. I think I have benefited nearly as much for her 30 days of 30 as she has. Thanks Phoebe. A trip to Bridgeport and breakfast and my week could have been wonderful if left there. But no, alas a surprise was in store.

My friends had been talking about a GNO for a little while, the details were a little fuzzy, but I just thought I would show up and all would fall in to place. I had know idea what I was missing. Kristen picked me up to drive over to Kim's. We stopped to grab Jen and then Kristen told me she needed to drop some bread off for Teresa, for a family dinner she was having. Sounds odd now, but I bought it all. So we stopped at Teresa's, whose home looked pretty dark for a family dinner, I must say. But, Kristen reassured me it must be the following evening and the beautifully decorated table I saw through the window was just a testament to Teresa's incredible organization.

We knocked on the door and all the lights came on and people started yelling surprise! Only then did I realize what was happening. Teresa had invited all of my most favorite people over for lovely dinner in honor of me. I couldn't believe it. The tears came instantly. It was a beautiful evening. Teresa's home looked lovely, the food was fabulous and the company...just right. I felt so honored and came home feeling like I was floating on a cloud. Thanks for a wonderful evening. More importantly, thanks for the years of friendship.

I know I have said it before, I will say it again and again. I am so blessed. I really have the most incredible friends. I will look back on our time in Lake Oswego with the very fondest of memories. Thank you all for your incredible example. I will treasure you always.

Our Very Favorite Play Date!

We had some very special visitors last weekend. Omma and Papa came to play. We had such a wonderful time and Brooks can't stop talking about it. He is still greeting everyone he sees with "Omma, odoowa," and "Papa odoowa." For those who don't know...odoowa is Brooks for airplane. My sweet visiting teacher kept trying to tell me he was really saying agua. Unfortunately, I know my Brooks and he doesn't 'speaka the Spanish.' I wish he were bilingual, it was sweet.

Anyway, back to business. We had a wonderful time with my parents and what's best of all is that they require zero entertaining. I think we would all be content to watch Brooks and hang out and chat all day and night, which we did. We did need occasional sustenance so trips to the Pancake House and The Creamery were in order. Papa can't pass up the huckleberry and I can't blame him.

Brooks didn't stop running and skipping the entire weekend. He woke up asking for papa every morning and couldn't believe it when he was really there! The weather worked out great. We were able to go to the zoo. It was so much fun. Brooks is now obsessed with the "zeba's" and he shared some tender times with the orangutan. It was great. And I was so glad my mom and dad got to see it.

I can't believe how quickly time passes when you are having fun. And fun it was, so much so that I didn't even realize that our time was ending. I was sure we got to share another day. I was so sad to see them go. I always am. We look so forward to them coming and it just never seems long enough.

Thanks for a great weekend. We love you Omma and Papa.

A Fun Fall Treat

Here is a little treat to dip or drizzle...you decide.

Yummy Caramel Sauce

1 can sweetened condensed milk
1/4 C sugar
1 Tbls. brown sugar
1/4 C dark corn syrup
2 Tbls. butter
1/4 tsp. vanilla
1 C walnuts (optional)

Just cook and stir until sugar is dissolved. Don't over cook.

I usually cut up apples or bananas and have a little snack while enjoying The Bachelor or other such quality shows. For a fancier affair try over apple or pumpkin pie, or with peaches and ice cream. Try it with anything you wish, these are just a few of my faves.

After today however, I wouldn't recommend as a hair gel. Enjoy.

Remember the sun?

One might find it hard to believe, but not too long ago, we had sunshine! You wouldn't know it if you looked out the window today. It has been raining now for the last few days and I know it's just beginning. But, I actually love the rain. Long before I moved to Oregon, a rainy day was one of my most favorite things. You'll be glad to know it still it. I guess too much of a good thing can help you appreciate those days with sun, however.

While the sun was shining, we did so many great things. A couple of weeks ago we went to the beach. It was such a great day for our little family of three. Brooks couldn't have loved it more. He ran straight toward the water but then, he just kept running. Into the waves he went squealing along the entire way. It was freezing, but he didn't seem to notice. He was wet from head to toe in a matter of minutes. He loved it and would have stayed in the water all day. But, my legs were definitely numb and frostbite was beginning to set in. We had to introduce him to the fun to be had in the sand. We were eventually successful and finally, he realized all of the great fun the beach can bring. We had a blast running on the beach chasing a particular two-year-old, playing in the water, running on the beach, playing in the sand, running on the beach ... get the picture? Needless to say, Brooks was so sad when the day came to an end, many hours after arriving. He cried to the car and then, I think he had the best sleep of his life.

A wonderful day. One to remember always.