2013 ends, 2014 begins

2013 ended in Portland with Jamie and Mathew being married on the 28 of Dec. They are soo sooo happy.  Jeremy will have to take the credit for their marriage as he helped Jamie know what to pray for when she was debating whether or not to marry Matthew. The Open House was very nice in Oregon and the reception in Colorado was awesome. We had it at the Calvary Church in Broomfield and it was magical.


We were joined in Portland by Tyler, odi, TUcker, Jeremy, Krystal, Carly, Talon, Kellie, Grandma Shirley, Darlene and her girls, Julie and Wayne, and their daughter, Alicia, who was our photographer. It was awesome having all of them there. Portland weather leaves a bit to be desired, but it didn't rain.  Misty and overcast were the order of the day. The temple there is gorgeous and it was a busy, beautiful, wonderful day. Alicia also took family pictures, which we are excited to see.

We were introduced to Voodoo donuts, a Portland specialty, which does have addictive qualities. The maple bacon and voodoo doll were a favorite. Powell's Books is a huge (think a city block and three stories tall) bookstore downtown where we spent an afternoon browsing and reading one day. Also they have two full blocks of food carts with all kinds of ethnic specialties. Jim was quite excited to try something he'd researched, but unfortunately it was closed. Regretfully, he choose something German-who are famous for literally shutting down their businesses for holiday. Americans could adopt that and be better for it.

I found a 15 passenger van, which worked out great and fit everyone, even with two car seats for Tucker and Carly.  It was wonderful being all together.  Everyone, but Jeremy's family could be home for Christmas this year, so we were looking forward to the wedding to officially all be together.We also went to the Oregon coast, Astoria (where Goonies was filmed), Multnomah Falls, and did a Tillamook cheese factory tour, which was YUMMY and had wonderful clam chowder at a trailer across the street, which looked like a dive, but was a find. 

Family is the best. Nothing can replace it. 

Pain wise, 2014 has started with a bang.  Justin blew out his knee in a snowboarding accident. We are trying to figure out his no insurance and his need to have knee surgery. He does not want Obamacare.  I fell through a cupboard and whacked the heck out my legs from my shins to my toes, as I was kneeling on the cupboard.  I have all kinds of lovely colors going on. Helene fell in her bus and whacked her shoulder and hip.  You would almost think we were getting older and not as agile and mobile as we used to be. 

Jim is in California seeing Amy play Water Polo her senior year. He comes home tonight.  Plans are for me to go to Iowa for Carly's birthday in February, and then Jim and I head to Hawaii to party with Dave and Sara Graff. Woot woot!  Can't wait to see Tyler and Jodi and sweet baby, Tucker, soon.  He is in his last semester of class work in med school and actually did an autopsy last week. Uggg, but interesting.