Learning to expect the unexpected.

This pregnancy has been quite an experience for both Dan and I.  While it has not been what we thought it would be in many regards, we have felt and seen the hand of the Lord throughout this experience.  I think it has shown us that we are not the ones in charge and has also reassured us that things will happen according to the timing and the will of the Lord.  I know He is aware of us and of these little boys. One thing I keep coming back to in this experience is how my specialist responded at our first visit when he found out we were LDS.  He knew we would be taken care of, and we have been; due in part to our knowledge about families and that they can be eternal as well as the temporal 'relief and watchcare' of family and our ward family here. What a blessing the gospel is in our lives! 

Our 2nd annual Christmas 'P' tradition 2011

We realized upon arrival to the Pittock Mansion, in 2010 we went to Peacock Lane (a popular street in downtown where many homes have Christmas lights) with our friends the Bushchicken's aka the Hedgecock's.  Afterword (last year as well as this year) we stopped at Starbucks for their infamous spiced carmel apple cider = fatty goodness.  We thought it might be fun to start doing an annual December 'P' outing/activity every year . . . we'll see what we come up with this year. 

The Pittock Mansion is a mansion with an incredible view of Portland.  Each year the place is decked out in Christmas decor from all over so we thought it would be fun to check it out. Here are some pictures taken by Peter - our unofficial outing photographer. 

 
Here we decided to do our own version of the 'Kardashian Christmas Card'.  How'd we do?

And us actually smiling . . . 

Both families in front of the mansion and enjoying the view of the city. Hedgecock's oldest son, Jordan, took this picture and did a great job!

Christmas traditions

We are experimenting each year with new ideas of things we'd like to start as family traditions.  This year, Dan cut down our first Christmas tree.  They grow here like you wouldn't believe and you can get a good sized tree for about $20.  Love it!

We also decided to bake a ham (my first) and enjoyed eating it, picking at it etc. this week.  We have managed to maintain a tasty spread of treats and healthy snacks, make gingerbread houses (Dan's first in quite a few years) and visit the Pittock Mansion with friends.  I also thought it would be fun to start getting a Christmas book, a new ornament, and for good measure, a game as traditions too. We were successful on all counts this year. . . we'll see how well we do next year :)

My gingerbread house had quite a few roof cave-ins but luckily still managed to turn out okay.  Dan's was done with precision, structural soundness and a steady hand.  Both turned out great, and we had a lot of fun doing them together. 

The baby bump

A few friends have requested pictures of the baby bump.  It's funny, the other day we saw some pictures of another friend at twenty weeks and could hardly tell she had a bump.  I may not look big, but I feel rather large.  Such is life when you are having twins, I guess.

Here's the picture, taken on Christmas Day. . . and we just found out today, we are having two boys!

Lincoln City

And yet, another unfinished post.  Man!  

Over Labor Day weekend, we had our first visitors to Portland (hooray)!  It was a lot of fun to have my parents here, to see where we live, and just spend some time together.  While we got a lot done (painting, canning and a few other projects) we also took some time to enjoy Portland beauty which included going to the beach . . . a family favorite. 

Upon arrival, Dan found a stick and immediately started writing a message. Before I get to what he wrote though, let me just say, none of these photos are photoshop enhanced.  We really do have blue skies. . . . I wouldn't have believed it, but have seen many a gorgeous day the last few months while living here. 

Anyhow, back to the message. 

which says. . . 'Hi, my wifey'.  Cute!

We enjoyed a few hours, just walking around,

seeing how long we could stand keeping our feet in the cold sand,

digging ourselves in holes

and frolicking in the water (sorry, couldn't find those pictures).

It was a fun day.

And great to have family with us visiting!