The House Is Done

Al and I had fun designing the big basket of greens that we picked up off the ground after a big windstorm. Free is a very good price!



Santa greets you at the front door.



The niche in the entryway



Our bedroom



I don't have bookcases so I love decorating these shelves.



Do you get why there is a 2 and a 5 above the buffet? Al was confused.



The living room side of the mantle.



The kitchen side of the mantle.



I stole this idea from Al's Nursery in Woodburn



We bought our nativity set 30+ years ago.



Lots of sparkle on the tree this year



Al and I have been married for almost 39 years. In all those years, we have collected Christmas decor. We always buy something whenever we travel. I love craft shows and usually pick up some decorating ideas at them. I collect Christopher Radko blown glass ornaments and now have quite a few of them. I love fresh greenery and have wreaths and swags and cuttings in almost every room. I love candlelight, and have candles everywhere (even tho insurance guy Al hates them. He's seen too many house fires due to candles) Needless to say, our house looks like a Christmas bomb hit it. It takes several days to get everything put in place but the results are so worth it. Both Al and I love to sit and look at all the pretty. It gives us a good excuse to slow down and enjoy the season. Now it's on to several other projects I enjoy, baking Christmas goodies and wrapping presents. I love this time of year!

Tradition Has It

Approaching Autzen always raises the excitement level. It's so imposing and gorgeous.



Paula Newman and me cheering the Ducks to vistory.



Fox covered the game nationally and stopped play a million times for TV commercials.



Very cold (do you see red noses?) but havin' fun.



Cannons in all four corners of the field blasted the place with tons of confetti.



The final score and the Duck making snow angels.



The smoke around the stadium was from the confetti cannons and the fireworks.


Tradition has it that "IT NEVER RAINS IN AUTZEN STADIUM" and that may be true. But let me tell you, it can get darn cold!!! Last night at the Pac 12 championship game, spirits were high and the temperature was low. Not even the body to body contact necessitated by the miniscule area they give each fan to sit on could warm the place up. The only things that saved me from a misreable night were my Ugg boots and gloves, a very warm cashmere sweater, a wool hat and a ton of layers. But freezing temps and all, we had a great time. The game was far better than expected and pretty intresting right up to the end. The celebration after the win was very cool with fireworks and huge green and yellow balloons. Confetti cannons shot out so much paper that fans on the field were making snow angels. It was definately a party. And it will be a party on January 2 when the Ducks win the Rose Bowl. Go Ducks!

An Old Tradition Revived

Pioneer Square was crowded!



Pretty pretty tree



The lobby of the Benson Hotel



The beautiful Heathman Hotel Tea Room


Years ago, on the Friday after Thanksgiving, Al and the kids and I would go to Portland for the Christmas Tree Lighting in Pioneer Square. We would stay at a downtown hotel, shop during the day and then crowd into the Square for the big event. There would be great music, a Christmas carole sing-along and then the big moment when Santa would throw the switch and the huge tree would light up with thousands of twinkling lights. It was a really fun way to kick of the holiday season.

Fast forward to recent Thanksgiving weekends. Both kids and their families go to their spouses celebrations and often times, Al and I travel during that week. But this year we decided to stay home and host Thanksgiving dinner for my Dad, my brother and sister in law, and my nephew and his 2 girls. We started out the day with the traditional Lloyd family recipe cinnamon rolls at Dad's. It was relaxing and unhurried and a great time to laugh and catch up with each other. After breakfast we headed home and spent a quiet afternoon preparing for dinner. At 5:30 all 8 of us sat down to a yummy turkey dinner. Everyone lingered over homemade apple pie and coffee and we enjoyed a delightful time together. By 9:30 that evening the dishes were done the kitchen was cleaned up and all was right with the world :D

The next morning Al had an early breakfast with a friend, I headed out for some Black Friday madness and we met at home around 11:00. We threw some things in our overnight bags, jumped in the car and headed north on I-5. By 1:00 we had checked into The Nines Hotel (conveniently located above the downtown Macy's) and were out shopping our socks off. At 4:30 we pushed through the crowds at Pioneer Square and found a pretty good spot to watch the tree lighting festivities. Not much has changed over the years except this year, The Von Trapp Family singers (great grandkids of Maria and Gregor)joined in the fun. The Occupy Portland group was there but behaved very nicely. Pink Martini entertained, Santa showed up and the tree was lit. And it is gorgeous!

After the tree was lit, Al and I walked down to Mama Mia's restaurant and had a great Italian meal. After dinner we walked back to the Square and took pictures and looked at the tree again. Such a nice start to the holidays.

Next morning, we lounged around the hotel, then walked to some of the beautiful old hotels downtown and took in the lovely decorations. We headed home in time for the Civil War, refreshed and completely into the Christmas spirit. A good tradition rivived...at least for this year!

A Big Day for Lauran

This is it!



Papa, Lauran, sister Lyndan & Nan



Even Maggie was excited for Lauran



Go Red Raiders



On November 9th, my great niece Lauran, signed her National Letter of Intent to play softball for Texas Tech. Most of the family was there, Lauran's past and current coaches were there and a whole bunch of friends turned out to cheer her on. Nice speeches were given, lots of pictures were taken and Lauran signed on the dotted line. This summer she will head to Lubec Texas to become a Red Raider. We're all so proud of her, and not just because she's an awesome softball player. Lauran is a really exceptional young woman and we can't wait to watch her show those Texas girls what an Oregon girl is all about.

Las Vegas # 2

The whole crazy group



The Lloyds



The Lloyd boys




Dad & Marek checking out the garages on qualification day





Ashley Judd was at the track cheering on husband, Dario Franchitti



Dad's pal from the old days in Phoenix, Mario Andretti



Al took alot of pictures of Danica Patrick



The boys on race day



The sisters-in-law at the Bellagio



The Oregon Gang at the Dam



Dad & I standing on Hoover Dam


I'm going to blog fast. Our internet hasn't been working for 2 weeks abd it has been SO frustrating. Even my genius son-in-law was baffled. But right now, at 8:00pm, it's up and running. Whoop whoop!

5 days after we returned home from the State Farm Convention in Vegas, we headed back for a long weekend with my brothers and their spouses and my Dad. What started out to be a boys get-away dedicated to the last Indy Car race of the year, morphed into a family reunion of sorts. It was the first tme in 12+ years that we have all been together. We have all seen each other often but not all of us at the same time and in the same place. It was so fun. Suzie and I spent 8 hours on Friday sitting in the shade poolside talking our heads off. She had her Christmas cards to address and I had my Bible study to do and neither project ever left our bag. Then on Saturday we all hung out during the day and then had a Las Vegas buffet dinner. We found a quiet corner and spent almost 3 hours catching up, eating too much and laughing. On Sunday, it was breakfast & shopping with Robin and Kerry and then more pool time with Suzie.The boys headed out to the track for what was supposed to be a glorious day of racing. However on the 12th lap there was a terrible 15 car accident and 32 year old Dan Weldon was killed. It was awful to say the least.
The weekend ended with some sight seeing and a yummy dinner at a new resturant in the Paris Hotel. Farewells and hugs on Monday morning and we all went our seperate ways. Marek & Suzie and Dad and I had a late evening flight so we jumped in the car and explored the new bridge and Hoover Dam.
All in all it was a really fun time and I loved reconnecting with my brothers and sisters in law. I hope it's not another 12 years before we can do it again.

Las Vegas # 1

Hello Vegas!



Checkin' out Hoover Dam



Dinner with Don & Cheri at Toby Keith's BBQ joint



Outside New York New York



Caesar's has an awesome pool. This week the weather failed me.



The Conservatory at the Bellagio



The lobby of the gorgeous Bellagio



Last week, Al and I flew to Las Vegas for a State Farm Convention. As I have been to MANY such events, and Al is required to go, I had 3 glorious days all to my self. With the weather report predicting sun sun sun, I was looking forward to lots of pool time and some good shopping. Tuesday was wonderful! I spent many hours at the pool (in the shade) and then went to the sales showcase with Al late in the afternoon. Delish meal with friends that evening and a walk through the Forum Shops to cap off the evening. Wednesday I awoke to a familiar pitter patter on the window of our room. Knowing it was too early for Santa and his 8 tiny reindeer, I knew that the rain had come. How can this be? It's the desert! It never rains in the desert! But alas, rain it was. So, for the next 2 days I shopped. For me, for the kids and g-kids, for now and for Christmas. Lots of fun stuff and some pretty good deals.

After convention, Al and I stayed 2 additional days to hang out with our friends Don & Cheri. We went to the lovely conservatory at the Bellagio and then went to the "Bodies" exhibit at the Luxor. If you haven't seen this, look for it and go! It is a fantastic look at how wonderfully God made us. It will amaze you...I promise. The next day we rented a car and went out to see the new Memorial Bridge that has replaced the drive over the Hoover Dam. After 9/11 security closed the dam for car traffic and tours. Now you drive over a crazy high bridge to get into Arizona. Scary to look at from below, but driving across it is easy. You don't even know you're a million miles from the canyon pit.

So even though it rained for most of the week, all is not lost. This Thursday, Al and I, along with my Dad and my brother Marek and his wife Suzie, are headed back to Vegas to meet up with my 2 brothers and thier wives who will be coming in from Phoenix. Stay tuned for Las Vegas # 2.

Leftovers

My sweet grandbabies


Porter sang Happy Birthday to Nammie while playing the guitar. So so cute!



Shopping in Portland as part of my birthday celebration


I can't remember if this aircraft is a B-17 0r a B-24. So fun to crawl around these vintage WWII planes at the Salem Airport.


Can you imagine sitting in one of these during a dog fight? NO THANK YOU!



Porter & Maggie spent a morning in Corvallis decked out in their Beaver gear. The quizzical looks on their faces reflect the outlook for the OSU football season



Bubble Boys



Happy 82nd Dad.