Tubing!

It has been SO COLD here lately, but due to some weird weather happenings, we simply aren't getting any precipitation, and therefore have had NO SNOW!  With the MLK day holiday attached to our weekend, we decided to use our extra day, and go head up the mountain in search of some snow to play in!  Boy, did we find it!

The skies on Mt. Hood were clear and gorgeous, and our multiple layers were seemingly unnecessary, as the temps hovered around 50º, and the sun shined down on us.  We spent most of our time on the tubing hill, which was AWESOME!  They had one, two, and four-person tubes, and we tried them all!  Every time our slide down was ending, Aubrey would shout out, "I want to do it again!" as she giggled and laughed.  So, on the "people-mover" we went, back up the hill, to get in line, and slide down again.  It was seriously fun.  :)

After awhile, we took a break to just dig and throw and play in the snow, and bask in the sunshine.  Then up the hill we went for a little snack break (no hot cocoa on this day...it was too warm!  We opted for Gatorade instead.)  Then, back down the hill, again, and again, until it was time to go home.  This was definitely a fun family adventure we plan to revisit!

Beth's Baby Shower!!!!

The day was finally here!  Saturday was a day to celebrate Baby ("Angus Mangus") Aguilar!  Nearly everyone from both sides of the family were able to attend, and we were SO excited to shower Beth with gifts and love!

We all simply CAN'T WAIT to meet our new cousin/niece, and to finally know her real name too!  ;)  Congratulations, Bethie and Tomas!!!

Oregon Food Bank

Last weekend, Julie and I had the chance to take our Brownie troop to the Oregon Food Bank to volunteer.  It turned out to be a great experience!  The girls choose the event as their community service project.  During the month of December, they each collected canned foods, and when we arrived on Saturday, we ended up donating an overflowing cart full of foods.  Not bad for six spunky second graders!

Once we got inside, we started our shift by labeling bags with contents and directions.  It appeared as though we would be bagging oats...

And...we were!  Two scoops per bag = 2 pounds.  Get the air out, attach a twist tie, and box 14 bags per box.  Seal up, and stack onto pallets.  Repeat.

Mid-shift, we got to take a tour of the facility, and hear more about how the OFB helps those in need.

By the end of our shift, they crunched the numbers, and found that we bagged 5,017 pounds of oats, which will provide 3859 meals, at an average of 139 meals per volunteer packaged that morning.  Not too shabby!  Well done girls!

Family Day

First stop:  A.C. Gilbert Discovery Village!
This place is awesome!  Like a great mix of the Children's Museum and a history lesson.  We can't wait to return this summer and take advantage of the enormous outdoor area too!  (At 38 degrees, it was a big too chilly to climb and play outside today.)

Second stop:  Salem Carousel!
Another historical gem, and lots of fun at a mere $1.50 a ride!

Third (and unexpected) stop:  Salem Hospital
We got a text while we were in town, that my grandfather was admitted for heart problems.  We were only minutes away, so we stopped in to visit Great- Grand Papa.  We are hoping he is feeling better soon!!!


Fourth stop:  Los Baez Mexican Restaurant
This little hole in the wall would have never jumped out and made me think to stop, but a friend swore by their homemade, authentic, Mexican food, so we had to give it a try, and it did not disappoint!  We were stuffed full of yummy food by the time we left!


Final stop:  Movie afternoon at home!
After a food and highway travel-induced nap (for Aubrey and I, anyway), we got home and snuggled up on the couch to watch "The Smurfs."  Ahhhhhhh.  I love Winter Break!  :)


 

Too cute

The girls got CUTE outfits from their grandparents and aunties this Christmas, and they LOVE to wear them and show them off!  These are two of their favorites...

Stocking stuffer

Who knew one simple stocking stuffer could be SO entertaining...?

Twinkle

One of the things the girls enjoyed most about the holidays this year was our house elf, "Twinkle."  He arrived shortly after Thanksgiving, and stayed until Christmas Eve.  He was Santa's personal helper, keeping an eye on the girls, and occasionally being naughty and playing tricks.  Every morning, the girls jumped out of bed to see where he was.  Here is a sampling of his most famous "hiding" places this year: