Impossible Not to Love Portland

We went for a hike today in the arboretum and it was bliss. Days like today make it impossible not to love Portland. Henry hiked the whole 3 miles and Pistol walked about half...go kids go! We are trying hard to keep the blog posts updated as it is Papa's link home (he can check email and the Internet) and he sounds homesick....we love and miss you Papa!

How Francie Rolls....

Yesterday we went to the parade and then to the park.....never a quite a moment. Mark got some really great pictures of Francie...love that new camera. We felt like she wasn't on the pictures as much as Henry....so we here go...ode to Pistol Francie.

Gobble Gobble

We had a great Thanksgiving....although I am so full right now I can barely sit up to write this post....pathetic.

We started the day off with the Turkey Trot. Mark and I ran the first part with Francie in the stroller --- not the most beautiful of days (rain!)....but it was really fun.

Then, Auntie KK dropped off Henry and Henry and Francie did the Toddler Trot. Hysterical. Henry was very serious about the race. He even got ribbons!

We got home to Auntie KK kicking it into full gear with the dinner....LOVE!!! having a person who loves to cook and went to cooking school in the house for Thanksgiving. Heaven. Joanie , Auntie V, and the family had a great dinner - so thankful for friends, family and good dinner. Check out the picture with 4 generations of Harrington women! BTW- my grandma turns 92 this month....foxy lady huh?

Dinner for Papa

We had a special dinner for Papa tonight as he leaves for Nigeria tomorrow morning....for two months...ack! We made him beef stew and got a pie for dessert...which ended up mostly on Francie's face. The kids are really going to miss playing with Papa. Before dinner, when we were going around the table and saying what we were thankful for, Henry said "I am thankful for all the fun stories that Papa will tell when he gets home".

Movie Night and Mental Note

As a special treat for going to Vancouver to wait in line and get a H1N1 shot, Henry got movie night with Auntie KK and Grandpa Gordon. As you can see, Miss Francie tried to "sneak" in too. I came downstairs to get her and she said "NO!" and buried herself in Auntie KK with a big hug. Too cute.

On another note, this morning I was making Francie's breakfast and it got WAY too quiet. With Francie the Pistol....never safe. I walked around the corner and found this.......mental note.....fruit bowls not an option with my fruit-obsessed children....

Lantern Walk

Henry's school has this lovely tradition of the Lantern Walk in late Fall. The kids make "lanterns" out of glass jars and we go on a special hike through the Arboretum in the night. The purpose of the "ceremony" is to celebrate the inner light we have inside of ourselves during the dark winter days...so sweet. This year we hiked with Henry's favorite friend from school, Lizzie, and her brother Trevin. Afterwards we went to Ben and Jerry's for an ice cream and entertainment. As you can see, I am really strict about my child being VERY proper in public places.

Happy Birthday Gordon

Gordon celebrated his 68th birthday today. As you can imagine, this birthday is a special one considering the incredible gift he received from his heart donor. Henry was very excited to get ice cream, one of Gordon's favorites, for his birthday. As you can see from his chocolate mustache, he enjoyed the celebration!

Art Appreciation

We had a wet weekend here in the great NW. Katie is here! so Katie and dad went to his apartment today and Colleen and I took the kids to the art museum. Yesterday.... Henry was wearing his tiger mask and his pants backwards.