January - Trips

January was a big month!  I got to get away for a scrapbooking retreat and Greg took the kids to Reno to visit his family...

Maren snapped these as I was getting ready to go (Joel was already at school.)

Love this picture 

I drove to Portland and picked Emily up at the airport and then we drove into the gorge to a wonderful house that we had rented (from a family friend).

We spent pretty much three days and nights straight sitting at this table scrapbooking!  We took breaks for yummy food, a little bit of exercise and some sleep.  Other than that, we scrapped and talked and laughed and just had a WONDERFUL time.  

This was the view from the house...there is a river flowing and big hills on both sides...it was very quiet and PERFECT for a scrap retreat...no distractions!

 While I was doing this, Greg and the kids flew to Reno for the weekend! 

First flight without mom...I think they did just fine!

LOTS of silly pictures...

 

 Matt, Nikki and Olivia also came to visit! (This is Matt...)

Cousins... 

 They had lots of fun hiking - these hills are right out Greg's parents back door! 

They even got to go ice skating at an outdoor rink!

They both did great and can't wait to go again!

 

 This is Max, who everyone loves and has been a great dog and companion for Grandpa for many years...he passed away a couple of weeks ago and is missed!

On my drive home from Portland, it started snowing...this was the start of an exciting week!  More on that to come...