December

We've definitely had a December to remember!  Two winter snow storms and a mini-vaca to Great Wolf Lodge in Washington.   Great Wolf Lodge is an all-inclusive, indoor water park resort.  We spent two nights there, and during the day we spent most of our time at the water park, which had a ton of water slides, a wave pool and hot tub. When we wanted to take breaks from the water, we played at the arcade.  There was even story time in the evening with Wiley the Wolf with fake snow falling in the lobby every hour.   So much fun!

With us staying in Oregon for Christmas, we were able to do an Advent calendar.  Our calendar features daily acts of kindness, and the girls wake up every morning, super excited, to find out what activity we will be doing to serve other people. 

The Great Wolf Lodge was decorated beautifully for Christmas.  In the lobby was a huge tree where children could make ornaments and then hang them on the tree.

Dadda helped Sophie and the girls build an awesome igloo.  

Apple cider to warm up.

Three Rivers

About a week after Halloween, in which we were the Wilder family minus Pa, Ahmma & Dumpa came up to visit us.  They joined us for our annual post-cross-country-season trip to Sun River, where we frequented the SHARC, rode Fat Bikes, and just relaxed.  We also watched the election coverage, hunkering down in our cozy, little rental house, which featured an apron sink, custom cabinet knobs, sexy, beaded chandeliers, an IKEA sectional, and a hot tub that we didn't use.  We left Sun River on Piper's birthday, and made a pit stop at Camp Sherman to check out the Metolius River and the accommodations.  I sense a future stay at one of their quaint cabins on the river.   Our last road trip with Ahmma & Dumpa, we visited the Tillamook Forestry Center.  We learned the history of the three, massive forrest fires in the Tillamook wilderness, and we got to see the Wilson River, which is supposed to have the best steelhead and king salmon fishing in Oregon.

I think Tessa was taking a dump.

We had some beautiful, cool & crisp mornings at our Sun River rental house.

Tessa, McKinley & the Birthday Girl in front of the Metolius River.

Taking a little walk beside the Wilson River at the Tillamook Forest Center.

Dadda, Dumpa and the girls in front of the Wilson River.

November Birthdays

Piper and Tessa both celebrated their birthdays this past month.   On November 11th, we were in Sun River with Ahmma & Dumpa.  Benji and I woke her up at the crack of dawn and took her to get some hot cocoa, just the three of us.  She opened a couple of presents before we headed back to Newberg.  When we got home, the Ridgeways and Sophie came over for a pizza party.  On November 26th, I took Tessa for a breakfast date to Fred Myer's for some donuts and let her pick out a balloon at the Dollar Tree.  In the afternoon, Dadda took her to pick up her birthday cake and then let her pick out a special treat from the bulk bins at New Seasons.  She opened her presents throughout the day, and after dinner Sophie came over for cake and ice cream.  Sophie gave her a cute, little stuffed moose that she named Lizzie Moosey and hasn't let go of.   Even though I wasn't able to write separate birthday posts for Piper & Tessa on their actual birthdays, I did take the time to do separate photo shoots.   They both look so much more grown up than last year's pictures.