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.