New Years Eve

Baby Aliyah's due date was 1/1/2012, so needless to say it was a quiet New Years for us. We were planning and hoping to celebrate it in the hospital, but when the time came and she wasn't here we (or I should say "I") just didn't have the energy to stay up until midnight. We did have the opportunity to see some friends while they were in town - wish you ALL lived here!!!!

Beau and Monika Bennett, Tom and Kate Henwood, Adrienne and Rob Wilson, and Scott and I after lunch at Monzana in Lake Oswergo.

Christmas Round Two

Nena and Bumpa came to celebrate a belated Christmas with us (and be here for the arrival of Baby Aliyah). Jalen is always excited to see them and was thrilled to get Christmas all over again. Here are a few shots of the our belated "Christmas Eve" and the following morning after Santa came to visit:

Christmas Eve

Christmas was a little different this year, as we stayed home for the first time in either of our lives. We started with an early church service, which was beautiful. Our neighbors were also home-bound without any family plans, so we had them over for dinner (wish I would have had my camera out while they were here). Scott made Prime Rib and we had a fabulous night hanging out with good friends (Kenjie and Karen and their kids Zoe and Ethan)!!! We then finished off the night by opening presents and preparing for Santa to come. Although not our typical Christmas Eve in Boise or McCall, it ended up being fantastic!

Jalen ready for church.

Dinner is set and ready.

A romantic dinner for two - Zoe and Jalen's table.

Scott preparing the drinks and hors d'oeuvres. Cheers!

Pre-Christmas Festivities

The holidays just keep getting more fun as Jalen gets older! It's so fun for us as parents to see him experience new things and participate in all the holiday festivities. His daycare did a fantastic job on their annual holiday program/party and we were so proud of Jalen for singing all the songs and doing well on stage! He showed a lot of interest in Santa this year - although he liked him more from afar or while holding our hand. Our most favorite activity was taking Jalen to the Polar Express, where we got to see Santa once again. He loved watching the chefs sing Christmas carols, read us the Polor Express story, and of course serve us our cookies and hot cocoa. He made some new buddies on the train as well.

POLAR EXPRESS:

Jalen and Daddy getting ready for the train to start.

Pure joy when the train blew it's whistle - we were off and running.

A visit from the Conductor - who checked Jalen's golden ticket and punched a "J" in it.

"How cool - a J for Jalen."

Jalen with some buddies he made on the train - who happened to have matching PJs.

Cookie break


SANTA VISIT at BRIDGEPORT VILLAGE:
As we waited in line for Santa, Jalen was SO excited - saying with arms wide open, "Give big hugs to Santa...I want to see Santa..." Once it was our turn, Jalen ran to him with open arms, yet when Santa did the same and said his "ho,ho,ho," Jalen nearly wet his pants and didn't want anything to do with him. Needless to say, we never got a photo on Santa's lap. We ended up with a humorous photo of all of us squeezing onto his lap. Maybe next year.

Nena and Bumpa

DAYCARE HOLIDAY PROGRAM:

Jalen after his performance, as he watches the older kids.

Jalen was jumping for joy when Santa came around the corner (although we never got a shot with Jalen on his lap...too many kids around).

Translation: "Way up high in the Christmas Tree, two little candy canes winked at me. I shook the tree as hard as I could and down come the candy canes, Mmm, Mmm good."

Translation: "Where is Santa, where is Santa? Here I am, Here I am. Merry Merry Christmas, Merry Merry Christmas. Ho, ho, ho, Ho, ho, ho."

Translation: "When Santa comes to my house, I would like to peek, but I know he'll never come until I'm fast asleep."

Soccer Tots

We signed Jalen up for Toddler Soccer and he absolutely loves it!

Halloween Festivities

Halloween was a ton of fun this year. Between my school, Jalen's school, and events with friends, we were busy with Halloween parties, trips to the pumpkin patch, and trick-or-treating. I just wish I had more pictures, but here are a few:

Jalen was a cowboy this year, but I couldn't get him to complete the outfit with his bandana...still pretty cute I would say.

Mommy and Jalen at Logan's house.

Logan and Jalen opening the door to their first trick-or-treaters...they weren't quite sure what to think or do.

With a little prompting, we got Jalen to share some candy.

Once he got the hang of it, Jalen was handing out candy left and right.


Halloween Party at Jalen's school: here is J with one of his favorites - Teresa

Ready for his first big-boy fieldtrip...brown bag lunch and all.

Jalen's first fieldtrip with his school. They went to Lee Farms and had so much fun running through the maze, petting the animals, learning how apple cider is made, picking out pumpkins, etc.

Peeking in to see the baby chicks.


Jalen really wanted the pumpkin with the long stem still attached - lovely.

Cousins in Town!

We always love to have visitors in town! Bumpa, Nena, Uncle Devin, Auntie Annie, and cousins Ellie and Abby were here for the weekend. The boys took the kids to Eugene for the Univ. of Oregon game (tailgating) while the ladies had an opportunity to go shopping. I think it was a win-win for everyone. We then picked up the kids before the game started, which made for a long day after tailgating for awhile and driving back home. Thanks for a great weekend Pierces!

Kory and Steph with Jalen and Abby. The kids LOVED the band and all the excitement of tailgating.

"Thank you Kory for my new UO football!!!!" - Jalen

Abby at breakfast.

Ellie and Jalen having fun sipping their apple juice with a spoon. All weekend long, they just copy what the other one is doing.

Harvest Century Ride

My dad came to Portland and did part of the Harvest Century Ride - Way To Go Dad!!! It's always nice to have him come visit. We had a great weekend just spending time together!

Papa and Jalen at the Montinore Vineyard rest stop. The whole route was beautiful and they really lucked out with gorgeous weather!

Jalen and Papa

While waiting for Papr, Jalen having a great time running around and playing in the car (he's all business with his bluetooth).



We spent the next day at the Portland Forestry Center, which has tons of hands on activities. We were pleasantly surprised at how much fun we had there!

Voo Doo Donuts

Portland is famous for Voo Doo donuts - extremely unique and VERY delicious donuts. Pregnant mommy was having a craving one Saturday, but I certainly wasn't the only one excited to be there... Jalen was in heaven as you can see.

Football in the Street

Football buddy

We often watch thelocal Tigard High sporting events, since it's just down the road and Jalen loves to watch. He found a buddy this time and had such a blast. Boys will be boys.