First Birthday Party for the Little Man

Brandon had a huge shelf exam on Halloween, so we celebrated Oliver's Birthday two days late on November 1st instead. We wanted to share Oliver's first cake experience with people, and since we don't live near any immediate family (they're in Utah, mostly), we decided to put together a birthday party for him.

My mom (Nona) was really sad she was going to miss Oliver's first birthday (he's the first grandchild on my side of the family), but she didn't think she would be able to make it. I was disappointed, but I hadn't really expected her to come out from Utah. Apparently, a couple days before the party, she decided she couldn't stand it, and that she was going to be there. My dad (Papi) said he would drive with her if she waited until Friday (I NEVER thought I would be able to get him to come to Portland, and my Mom didn't think so either), so she said: "Ok. Let's do this thing."

They left around 5 p.m. Halloween night and drove all night to surprise us that morning. We had been up for about an hour and were getting things ready for the party, when there was a knock at the door. Brandon went to answer it, and I heard my Mom's voice, and then my Dad's. Shock. Complete shock.

I basically cried. A lot. I'm tearing up now just thinking about it.

We like Portland. We really do. I think we'd be okay ending up in Oregon, but there's nothing quite like family, and being a 12-15 hour drive away is hard. It made my entire year to have my mom and dad there with us to help celebrate Oliver's birthday. They were only there for the one day, and left on Sunday, but we loved having them with us for every minute they were able to be there!

#best{grand}parentsinallthegalaxies.

I was horrible about taking photos because we were running late getting everything ready, and I never fully recovered. Luckily, I got a few from my parents and friends.

When it came time to break into the cake, Oliver was fastidious. He ate it crumb by crumb and didn't really get his hands dirty. He nibbled at it for a few minutes and then was done. 

 He liked the Gingermen though, mustaches and all.

Happy Birthday Oliver! Thanks to everyone who came and made it a great day and a great party! 

Pictural update and Christmas!!

Okey dokey. I have less than two weeks of classes before Christmas break. It is crunch time. Ick. Here is just a quick update through pictures of what I have been up to in the last couple of months.

First of all, Halloween.

This was for the Institute Halloween Social. Amy went as Belle and Kate and I dressed up wierd just because we could. We weren't anyone or anything specifically.


These were taken on Halloween. Kate was a widow.



Dacia as Snow White.


Goofing off...


We went Trick or Treating and got quite a bit of candy. It was kind of funny going around, being college kids and everything. To justify our "childish" behavior, we claimed we were just introducing ourselves to our neighbors; people didn't look at us as wierd once we said that.



The fall leaves were amazing!




How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying.


This was the set to the play. That arrow is pointing to the hole where the conductor sticks his head out so he can cue everyone.


There he is, standing on his platform and hugging friends. You can see the stage level behind him. We were below ground level. Our heads were level with the audiences feet.


And this is the view from down inside the pit.


Here is the entrance to the pit. When we were playing we shut that door so that our sound would go into the hall and not back below stage.

More of the pit...


Ha ha...




This was the gingerbread house that Kate and I made over Thanksgiving for a contest. It was huge. One triangle took up an entire cookie sheet.


We had a Sphinx and everything. Note the ginger-mummy as well. It was awesome.


CHRISTMAS TIME IS HERE!


Tis the season! We just decorated our apartment and it is amazing! It's so much fun having the apartment decorated and filled with Christmas spirit. I love it!

Well, that is all from me for now; I have some serious homework to do. Love you all!