Holiday Bowl & Ryan's Birthday

What a game! Back and forth for the entire second half after the Ducks spent the entire 1st half on their heels. Thanks to our homies, the Plaskers, for making this season even better with all our get togethers. I think we should pencil in beer and bbq for all 12 dates next year since we were undefeated this year. GO DUCKS!

This year was also the first year I've celebrated a birthday with Mom & Dad since I was 17....we were well overdue. Big thanks to them for taking the time to spend with Christy, myself, and the kids. We had a great time swimming with Papa, playing a great new dice game (Farkle), inhaling Mom's Apple Pie, breaking in a new sewing machine, and just being together.

I'm going to China!!!

This is just one sample....Will spent the better part of our visit to the air museum running around telling people he was going to fly to China and asking people if they were going to China. So cute!

Oregon Coast Aquarium & Evergreen Aviation Museum

We decided to take our time going back home to Portland and stopped on the Oregon coast at Newport. We spent two nights hitting the aquarium, the beach, and Rogue Brewings Headquarters (of course)! Will had a great time at the aquarium. He was especially thrilled with touching the sting rays and seeing the huge Japanese Spider Crabs.

After leaving Newport, we made one more stop in McMinnville to visit the Evergreen Aviation Museum. The "Spruce Goose" has been housed in this museum in rural Oregon for the last 7 years. The museum itself is very modern and has an impressive collection of planes. Will has always been more of a train guy but the more time we spent in the museum, the more excited he seemed to get. He loved sitting in the old airplanes and helicopters. One mention by Dad of visiting Uncle Trent & Auntie Shawn in China and he was off looking for any and all planes to fly to China! Keep your eyes open for a visitor, Uncle & Auntie!

Christmas at Chez Donovan

We finally ventured out of our snowy mess of a street two days before Christmas, determined not to spend Christmas alone in Aloha. Hated to do it, but I chained up and we made it out of town slowly (took us 3 hrs to go 30 miles) and safely. We made it to Grants Pass that evening and had a great time (as usual) at Chez Donovan with Tim, Ann, Mom, & Dad. Food, beer, etc was exceptional as usual. Big ups to Timmy for sharing his "Bacon Waffle" breakfast creation. I'd get a patent on that ASAP! This was the first Christmas where Will really showed the anticipation we all remember as kids. It was so much fun to watch the excitement grow in him as the day got closer.

He peeled out!

Here's a little video of Will trying out his new remote controlled Thomas engine. Classic!

Who's coming tonight.....Didi & Santa?!?

We asked Will who was coming tonight (Christmas Eve) and guess what he said....

....and it continues....

We had another 4-6 inches of snow last night bringing the grand total to 14 inches in the last week. Yikes! Another 1-2 is forecast for tonight followed by another 3-5 inches on Wednesday. We're all chained up, planning to head down to Grants Pass (land of rain only) tomorrow. Wish us luck! Merry Christmas!

8 inches and counting in Aloha.....

Several more inches of snow dropped last night before turning to freezing rain. We're still well below freezing (currently 26 degrees). Today was a mix of freezing rain and heavy snow. Still no good idea from the weather "experts" on when we'll be out of this madness. Tomorrow afternoon it may get above freezing. We're hoping it will be sometime Monday or early Tuesday so we can get on the road and head to Grants Pass for Christmas.

Still snowing....

We've been at or below freezing all week. Snow has been falling off and on for 7 days. Today, however, its been snowing all day long. Literally, from the time we got up at 7:30 until now (8:15pm) its been a steady snowfall. The heaviest part of the storm is just now rolling through. We already have 6 inches on the ground. The pictures below are from early this afternoon. We have at least 3 more inches of snow on the ground now and its 21 degrees outside and still dumping! Never seen anything like this in our 12 years here. Good news is....no trouble keeping the beers cold! Go snow, go!

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

Woooo-hoooo! Nothing like a big snowstorm during the Christmas season! We had a steady downfall of snow all day starting at 8am this morning and ended up with about 3 inches so far. As I write this the temperature at our house is 23 degrees and dropping. Portland isn't supposed to get above 30 degrees for AT LEAST the next week! They're requiring chains on all Portland metro area highways. The forecase is for a little more snow for Wednesday and Thursday....and then a huge snowstorm is supposed to hit next Sunday. Anyway, we're buckling down at home. We ventured out with the Masons for a little snowball throwing, some sledding down the Thompson driveway, and snowcones on the porch. Will and Dakota had a blast. All Portland area schools have already been closed for at least Monday and Ryan is surely not going to work for at least tomorrow and likely the entire week if the temperature stays below freezing. Merry Christmas to you all!

Deckers & Thompsons Blow Up the 2008 Holiday Ale Festival

Good beer, great company! Too much (literally) fun was had at this year's festival. The Deckers & Thompsons definitely did their part at this years festival. Big thanks to Grandma Laurel and the best neighbors ever, the Masons, for watching the kids while the four of us cut loose downtown!

Will & Jessi Rock the Portland Children's Museum

We let the big guy run wild in the children's museum. It was our first trip to the museum and he really seemed to enjoy it. They certainly have plenty to do. Time will tell if the children's museum will overtake OMSI as his local fav. His favorite places in the museum seemed to be the theater stage (where he put on a little dance show for mom, dad, & jessi), the tractors in the Bob the Builder area, and the little grocery store where he could shop with his own cart and have a little buddy ring up his groceries at the register (over and over). We just loved playing with him and watching him run between the different activities. Jessi & Mom enjoyed a little time in the under 2's area but mostly tried to keep up with Will & Dad.

I also threw in some pics of Jessi and Will in the tub. This was the first time we've been brave enough to put them both in the tub together. Too cute!

Civil War Time

Our annual Civil War get together with the Plaskers (sans the Citranos :-( ) was on Saturday of Thanksgiving week. What can I say other than it was an absolute blast - Good holiday drinks, Gina's great lasagna, and a sound Beaver whipping applied by the Ducks. My arms still hurt from signaling touchdown every 3 minutes.

Thompson Tree Hunting & Portland Tree Lighting

After a day confined to the house for football and food, we ventured out on Friday in search of our family Christmas tree. We went to a new place this year, Parry's Tree Farm in Forest Grove, which had a more natural forest feel with lots of older, larger trees. After 20 minutes of stomping around the tree farm, the luster was lost on Will. Soooo....after a quick trip to the little Parry's store (which had a train set that Will loved!), we rambled back to Hillsboro and bought a $15 9-foot Doug fir (aka Griswoldus Firus) from a dude down the street. Problem solved!

After getting the tree in the stand, we headed downtown with good friends Aaron, Tiffany, and Griffin to take in the Portland Tree Lighting Ceremony and basque in some holiday decor at the old Meier & Frank (now Macy's).

Aloha Thanksgiving......Aloha, Oregon that is!

We had a great Thanksgiving, just the 4 of us. Will and Dad played everything from golf, bowling, baseball, football, frisbee, and basketball to Zingo. We played them all at least 2 or 3 times each but Mom & Dad loved getting to spend a whole day playing at home with the kids! We did not skimp on the Thanksgiving feast either....our spread included roast turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, stuffing, cranberry sauce, pickled veggies, olives, rolls, candied yams, and pumpkin pie (Christy is devouring as a I type this). Tomorrow we're off to get our Christmas tree and hit a little Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Pioneer Square downtown Portland. Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

Will Rocks the Dentist

Will took on his dentist for the first time today and ... exceeded all his parents expectations. He did SOOO great. The hygenist flossed his teeth, cleaned his teeth and the dentist counted his teeth without a single hick-up. He made his parents so proud! Way to go, Will!

Sunriver with Plaskers

This weekend we headed out to cousins "Dodger" Dave & Tina's house in Sunriver for some football, good eats, and good company with our great friends, the Plaskers. We spent most of the weekend stuffing our faces and watching football but we did get outside for a little time on the scooter (Andrew & Will) and a little stroll through the village. All in all, another fun & relaxing time in Sunriver. Weather was unbelievable for mid-November (low 60's and sunny). Huge thanks, again, to "Dodger" Dave & family for the use of their beautiful home!

Halloween Weekend

Great Halloween weekend! Candy, a little soccer class, and some sweet football with good friends. We started it off with a neighborhood Halloween party....new neighbors down the street hosted...very nice people. Will finally "got" Halloween this year. Dad couldn't keep up with the little dude once we started the trick or treating. We traveled in one huge group from door to door....must have been 15-20 kids attacking each house at once. I loved watching Will get such a kick out of each house and the parents loved his costume (big thanks too Aunt Didi). Too fun! We woke up Saturday morning, did the obligatory bagels, and tried an indoor soccer class for 3 year olds. Will had a great time and fit right in (although he kept migrating away from the class to kick a goal). We had to drag him away when class was over. Next stop was our good friends Tony, Gina, and Andrew's house for some college football, great food, drinks. Our good buddies the Knights (Bob, Renee, Ryan, & Sean) also made an appearance to keep the party rolling!

Kaia's 11th Birthday Party

Another grand celebration Bjarke style for Kaia's big 1-1. This year everyone mixed in a little swimming with the cake, food, and Guitar Hero. Needless to say the drums and swimming were a big hit with all the kids....even big Will got in the act. He got a kick out of playing hoops with Dad and his good friend Amber. Some quality cousin time for Will & Jessi. Thanks for sharing your birthday with us, Kaia!

More Pumpkins?!?

Nothing like hitting yet another pumpkin patch on another perfectly clear day in the Northwest! This time we hit Lakeview Farms. Will was digging on the train that takes you to and from the patch. He vetoed the boat ride back in favor of the train. Shocker, I know!

Pumpkins!!!

Freaking perfect day today in the Northwest. It could not have been any clearer in Portland today. We took advantage by trucking up to our favorite patch (The Pumpkin Patch on Sauvie Island) today and enjoyed some sausages, corn on the cob, a hay ride, and good company. Will, Griffin, Jessi (and parents) had a great time picking out their pumpkins. To top the whole experience off before heading home to consume more college football, we polished off a pitcher of Scarecrow ESB and some grub at the McMenamins Rock Creek Tavern. Great day!

Football Madness!!!!

This weekend was more college (and some NFL) football mayhem! Carrie came to visit us for a few days and brought her dude, Chris. Loved Chris....Thompsons give him two thumbs WAY up! Nice work, Carrie! The Plaskers and Deckers joined us for some Saturday night college football (mainly Oregon vs. USC) and some slow cooked, pulled pork sandwiches, cole slaw, and yummy salad. While the adults were hypnotized by football, babies Griffin and Jessi managed to throw down in a highly contested game of "who can suck their thumb longer". After a strong opening drive by the Ducks, we turned off the game knowing the Quackers had the game in hand. (Did anyone ever see a final score on that game? Must have been like 56-0 Oregon!) Anyway, the carnage just continued with Carrie and Chris arriving with beverage re-enforcements and Shawn & Trent making an appearance via skype on the computer. Lots of fun was had by all!

Showdown in Sunriver

This weekend we took advantage of some more great early-fall weather in the Northwest and headed to cousin Dave & Tina's house in Sunriver. Fortunately for us, the Donovans and Knights were available to escape with us. The weekend consisted mostly of throwing the pigskin around with Will & Sean, watching an abundance of college football (guys), soaking in sun on the patio (ladies), consuming about 2 weeks worth of great food, and Timmy fisky reminiscing about the good old days with long lost Aunt Craig.

Knight Time!!!

We spent this Saturday with some supreme weather and even better company at the Knight Estate in Newberg with our friends Tony, Gina, Andrew, Bob, Renee, Sean & Ryan. For the adults, the day consisted of football, beers, some swimming and bbq! The kids kept busy playing cars (Will), getting some exercise on the Knight trampoline, and swimming in the pool. Big thanks to the Knights for having us over....what a fantastic way to spend an afternoon!!! Hopefully, this is the first of many Thompson, Plasker, Knight extravaganzas!

Fun with Baby Food!

Jessi is beginning to tackle some solid food. So far she's just battling a little rice cereal. Hard to tell who's winning that fight right now. She seems to be loving every minute of it so far. She's especially fond of holding her own spoon and putting it in her mouth. We're well into the "grabbing everything near me" phase. Nummy!

More Pump It Up

Happy Birthday to Will's friends Haley & Holly who turned 3 and 1 respectively. We celebrated with another trip to Pump It Up, Jr. Nana and Papa even got to tag along before hitting the road on Monday. Needless to say it was a huge hit with all the kids!

Will Turns the big "03"

This weekend was the grand celebration for William's 3rd birthday complete with live snakes, baby elephants, trained killer whales, circus freaks, and tricked out cars. OK, maybe that's not quite accurate....but we did enjoy some grilled dogs, a monster truck jumping house, some college football, and great company. Thanks to all who made it such a success! We couldn't have pulled it off without all the help!

The slideshow below also includes some pictures from the day after: swimming at Nana & Papa's hotel pool and a 2nd round of cake & ice cream with the neighborhood buddies!

Batter up!

These were just too cute not to post. Will and I played some ball this evening (no surprise) and he was in rare form. I asked him what team he played for and he correctly answered, "The Giants.". I asked him what team Daddy played for and he said, "The Yankee Giants." Note to Aunt Didi - Notice the Thomas baseball hat is getting lots of love lately. :-)

Birthday party for Nate Baird!

Last activity on Sunday was a birthday party at Pump It Up! for our friends Todd & Becky's son Nate. Nate celebrated big number 4! Being the big loser I am, I didn't even snap a picture of the birthday boy. I was too busy following my own kid around.

Oregon Zoo with Deckers

Sunday we hit the Oregon Zoo with our great friends Aaron, Tiffany, and their 5 month old, Griffin. They've just relocated to Portland from Santa Barbara about 6 weeks ago and, needless to say, we're freakin thrilled that they are so close now!

Fountain Fun!

Although it wasn't our original intended downtown Portland destination, we ended up having a blast at a couple water fountains on Saturday. We had intended on checking out the Portland City Fest activities but we were 3 hours early. Whoops!

Sacramento Part II

Last but definitely not least, we headed north and made another stop in Sacramento. Fortunately for us, Ryan's family happened to be celebrating the summer birthdays in the family so we had the opporunity to visit with some of the family that we hadn't seen in several months or more. After a quick evening and a short night of rest, we headed home and arrived just after 6pm. Its great to go on vacation but always feels so great to get home!

Disneyland

After the Pads game was over (Pads win 3-2 over the Brew Crew), we headed north and made the obligatory stop to visit the mouse. We met up again with the Bjarkes, Elsie, and the "bird" for a two day pow-wow. Before leaving town, we had to say a tough farewell to Auntie Shawn who we dropped off at LAX for her flight to China. Thanks so much, Auntie, for taking this trip with us. I know I already said it, but we couldn't have survived without you!

San Diego - Padres Game

Our 2nd and last day was spent attending a day game at Petco Park for a Padres game. Will was extra excited since we took the trolley to the game from the hotel. Petco was perfect for our situation - young family. Just beyond the center field wall is a huge sand box for kids to play in, followed by some bleachers, and finally a huge grass burm similar to what you see in spring training parks. They also have a mini ball field next to the burm for kids to take turns batting/fielding for the duration of the big game. After taking the obligatory walk around the entire park, we spent nearly the entire game on the grass lawn. Petco park has several very cool features in my opinion. The sand box, grass seating, and the old building (converted into a bar) are fantastic. My only complaint with the park is that it doesn't have the same brick facade and old fashioned feel that you get with some of the other new parks like AT&T or Safeco. All in all though, I highly recommend taking in a game at Petco if you have the opportunity.

San Diego - Legoland

After another late night drive to San Diego, we woke up and took on Legoland in nearby Carlsbad. Will had a blast riding the train, getting soaked in the water areas, playing on the several play structures, and being mesmerized by Miniland (several cities built from thousands of Legos). Auntie Shawn, Mom, Dad, and sister had tons of fun just trying to keep up.

Carpinteria Craziness

Carpinteria was just what we were looking for... great food (Delgados, Palazzio, Rose Cafe, Cajun Kitchen, and the Palms) and a great time with family. We took in some time at the beach (world's safest!), the SB Zoo, and several pints at Island Brewing. Dawn, Chris, Kaia, Truman, and "bird" met us at Elsie's place to keep the Thompson/Citrano clan in line. We also had the good fortune to see a ton of uncles, aunts, and cousins during a meet n' greet evening for Jessi at Elsie's house. On a sad note, Mel's Bar (a somewhat out-of-place dive bar in the fancy Paseo Nuevo shopping mall) is shutting its doors for good. Christy and I shared more than a few pints in this place well before we were married.

California Summer Vacation 2008 - Sacramento Part I

This years annual summer adventure was to Southern California, more specifically Carpinteria, San Diego, and Disneyland. I'd like to give a shout out to a very special guest on this trip, Auntie Shawn. (Crowd noise.) Since this was our first trip with both kids, we were lucky to have her with us. We truly wouldn't have survived without her. Our first stop.....Sacramento! After 10 hours of driving and one car sick two year old, we persevered. I'll never look at a cheeto the same. I think Will has thrown up twice in his life and both were on the 10 hour odyssey from Portland to Sacramento. Poor dude fought through it though and we made it to Nana and Papa's around 8pm, just in time for Will to put in a swim before bed. The following morning we hit the California State Railroad Museum to get Will a train fix. He absolutely loved it! We walked through several trains and capped the afternoon off with a steam engine ride along the Sacramento River. After a quick ice cream fix, we hit the road again, heading for Carpinteria.

Aloha Thompsons are back on-line!

You're favorite Aloha, Oregon tribe is back by popular demand....ok, maybe not so popular. Anyway, I've decided to revive the Thompson blog to keep our out-of-state and international friends up to date on our activities. Here's to our peeps across the US and in China!