Christmas with the Davises and the Harros!

This Christmas we had many things to look forward to! The Harros came down from Alaska to celebrate with us and we all met up in Olympia for a combined Davii/Harro extravaganza. It was also my niece's 1st Christmas!!! The only thing missing was that my brother Jason and Sister-in-law Sasha couldn't make it due to I84 being closed :-( (Though they did end up being able to make the drive to Portland on the 29th and it was so great to see them!)

My Mother with her amazing blueberry pie!

Disclaimer: Now I will be one of those people who posts way too many photos of babies...but she's just too darn cute and perfect not to! Think of it as a break from Reuben!

I want some of Grandma's cinnamon roll! Mmm sugar!

Anastasia Jae

"What's this?"

All things are edible...

Ana and Laura...she's so close to walking (Ana that is)!

Our baby and his loot! Those shreds of tissue wrapping are his handiwork. He then hoarded all of his gifts so that the other dogs couldn't steal them.

Then off to enjoy the winter wonderland!

The entire Harro family all together for the first time in over two years!

John, Denise, Laura, Mark, Daniel, and Elisif

SNOW!

About a week ago it started to snow in Portland...Steadily shutting down the city in the "Arctic Blast" of 2008 per the stupid news anchors of our local news, who choose to report on each flake and its impending doom rather than giving us news that matters.

Reuben loving it

  

And being goofy

Walks in the snow

Then it really snowed!

Reuben experiencing "death crust" for the first time. "Mom, why am I falling through the ground and getting stuck?"....

..."And why are your making me wear these booties?" Almost got it!

Throughout all of this madness I managed to pass my CCRN certification test for work that I have been spending the majority of my free time studying for! I had to drive all the way to Salem because the night before my test I got a phone call saying the Portland testing center was closed due to inclement weather and my test was cancelled. But after an early morning drive to Salem with no issues it is finally done! It was took quite an effort to study after being out of practice for two years. Some have you may have notice that this fall/winter our blog has been empty of outdoor alpine/ice adventures typically seen in previous years (I sure have!), but now that our Peru trip is done, and my test is over with we should be back on track to doing the things we love!

The "arctic blast" continues today. Daniel's parents were supposed to fly in today but got stuck in SeaTac. My parents are awesome and went and picked them up and took them to their home in Olympia. Laura, Daniel, and I will meet up with them on the 23rd as previously planned! It all works out except they will miss our Christmas Party tonight :-( Though we aren't getting as big of a turnout tonight quite a few close friends are getting hardcore and coming over! Off to make my spiked cider!

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Fun in Hood River

Hood River R and R

Elisif has been studying for her CCRN test (a critical care certification test for work) for the past few weeks and with my working three shifts in a row we have not had much quality one on one time. Elisif surprised me with a wonderful hike in the Columbia River Gorge, Mitchell Point, and also an amazing night at a B&B in Parkdale, OR (just outside of Hood River) all to ourself.  We had a hot tub with views of Mt. hood on a clear night, and we also ate some amazing tacos at Parkdale's local pub, the Elliot Glacier Public House.  Remember that Monday night is taco night!!  In the morning we woke up to spectacular sourdough pancakes with local blueberries and Vermont maple syrup.  I have one amazing wife!!

Hood River B&B

Our Room

Views...

Reuben and I on the trail

l

Team Harro and The Man

Elisif and Reuben on top of the ridge

Crazy Reuben

Love:

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