holidays and beyond

Whew! It's been a while eh? Well Logan did indeed make it to Portland to rescue us from the ice and snow. Here's me with my knight in... khaki fleece. Maybe not the most romantic rescue in history but VERY appreciated nonetheless :D

After a few days at home we came BACK down for Christmas with the whole Hilman clan. That is my Dad and Mom, my brother Rylan, my sister Joylynn with her husband Jess and three children Wyatt, Genevieve, and Danika, my sister Cherise with her husband Kiel (pronounced like Kyle), my sister Krystle (recently promoted to Seaman Apprentice in the Navy :D), my sister Courtney, and my brothers Hayden and Cameron.

Santa didn't disappoint ;)

Rowan had a great time opening presents, hanging out with the cuzzies, and sporting his new sailor cap from aunty Krystle (which I've heard it's known as a "dixie cup")

Logan and I had a good time too

After Christmas we went to Sisters for a few days. It's always a special treat to get that far south on holiday. We treasured every moment :D

"hanging" around with Goddy

Enjoying yummy spaghetti and amazing Christmas pears.

Testing grandma Becky's stain fighting skills with a grand spill of Goddy's glass of red wine all over a very light carpet! (incase you're curious her skills are TOP NOTCH :D) After admiring his handiwork from afar (with dad) he grabbed a rag and pitched in.

He's a good boy.

He sampled and enjoyed a bit of Godmom Lindsey's gluten-free macaroni before calling it a night in his greenbear christmas jammies.

He also sampled and enjoyed a good helping of snow with a walk around Goddy and Gremmy's house with mama. It's kinda tough to see because I took this picture the next morning after a little rain but my footprints are flanking his little shuffley prints :)
I had to walk right behind him holding he hands or he'd trip every other step.

After fun filled days in central Oregon we headed back up north with a New Years stop again in Portland before heading back home. Rowan couldn't manage a toot out of his horn but he did "kazoo" it pretty good ;)
We partied the evening away watching the ball drop in New York at 9PM west coast time and then calling it a night secure in the knowledge that 2009 had come to the U.S.



Now we find ourselves in Portland once again. After going home on a Thursday just to bring Logan to the airport on that Saturday morning to fly out to Georgia for a three week class. I was originally planning to go back home this week but army life has been taking quite a toll on my emotions lately and I just needed to be around family. So we're hanging out in Portland for another little while before we get to go home and get ready for Logan to come back, again.

This is Rowan "dance dance"ing.

Uncle Hayden taught him this phrase which most often means he wants someone to turn on a YouTube video with silly music. And if you don't turn it on he will find a computer and bang on keys and click the mouse until you stop him at which time he'll look up at you and say, "Dandans?" (meaning of course, "dance dance")