Oregon travel mania

On a lighter note than the previous post, we have definitely made our mark on this state since we got here. We flew in Monday afternoon (an hour and a half late, thanks to a broken air conditioner in Atlanta), in the midst of snowy/icy conditions in Portland. Our lunch plans were foiled, and we headed straight for The Dalles, where Jon's parents live. Because of the winter weather, the trip took twice as long as usual (2 hours instead of 1), which wasn't necessarily fun since we'd been traveling since around 4am Central/2am Pacific. Tuesday morning we headed off to Ontario, OR, which is about 15 minutes from the Oregon-Idaho border. We stopped in Pendleton, where Jon's parents used to live, at our favorite Chinese restaurant, Kwong's. The trip was about 5-6 hours, and I chose this time to catch Jon's stomach flu that he'd had on Saturday--super. Anyway, we arrived at Jon's grandparents' house in time for dinner (it looked great). The next day we headed over to Boise, ID to have a Christmas gathering/dinner with Jon's Aunts & Uncles that live there. I was feeling better, and had a great time visiting. Thursday we headed back to The Dalles from Ontario, the trip going much quicker this time with better weather. Paul, Larisa, Karen, Curtis, and their 3 foster girls came to The Dalles later in the evening, and we had a great weekend with a full house. Kim's arrival on Saturday brought the house total to 12, including two babies less than a year old, with no sleeping space left. We took tons of pictures which we'll have to post later, when we either find a cord to connect our camera, or go home.

Christmas

This is our third Christmas as husband and wife, and yet it was full of firsts. The last two years we have stayed home, and done Christmas our own way--this was the first year we went to one of our parents' homes and specifically joined in on their traditions. And I have to admit, for me, it was weird. Those of you that know me may know my family's traditions--Christmas with my mom's side somewhere before Christmas (it used to be Christmas Eve until I quit coming), open stockings before church on Christmas day, attend Julotta (the wonderful 6am service), open presents with immediate family at home, and then go to the Hale side for dinner and presents there. And maybe it's the fact that we had such set traditions that makes it so strange to do something else. I mean, the last two years we were in the homes of our friends, so there weren't really traditions to think of. But this year I was in a setting where I noticed the differences. We went to the Christmas Eve service, then came home and had the big dinner. We opened all presents on Christmas Eve--and no waiting, everyone kind of opened them at once. The kids all had stockings to open this morning, but we didn't really do that. We went to church, came home, and had leftovers. Maybe I'm just thinking about traditions because we're going to have to come up with our own very soon. Maybe I'm pregnant and nostalgic/emotional. It just felt...different to me to do nothing today that was significantly Christmas after 27 years of having it be the "main" day. It'll also be strange to go home to the presents from my family--a very delayed Christmas, but enjoyable nonetheless. I guess I won't get all of my celebrating done at once.
It's important to note that I'm not trying to knock the Steele Christmas in any way--I'm just noticing the differences. I guess I've never known another Christmas "style," and didn't know how it would feel.

Baby Steele

We're going to have a baby! As of Friday, December 23rd, I was 11 weeks. So I'm due somewhere around July 14th. My parents got the big surprise yesterday, and we'd told Jon's parents earlier in the week. Church won't know until after the 1st when we get back. I'm pretty proud that we were able to keep it such a secret for so long. This ultrasound is from Nov. 30th, and we'll get another on January 4th. Sorry the picture looks so weird--it was scanned in, and I'm not very skilled at adjustments yet. Don't worry, it just looks like a grain of rice anyhow.

Hush Day

We had a hush day at school today. While I was skeptical about it, it turned out to be our very own Christmas miracle. We gave each of the students a name-tag sized sticker with their name and 7 mustangs (our mascot). They were to be completely silent in the halls, classes, and cafeteria unless they were given permission to talk. If they did talk, we'd mark out a Mustang. At the end of the day they announced how many they had to have to go to the patio for the last half hour of school. It ended up being 5, but they didn't know. This helped with the "I already blew it" trouble-makers. There were still a few, but they were sent to the office. Anyway, it worked insanely well. I only had one left in class that actually deserved it--the other two chose to stay and help me clean up.
Second Christmas miracle--I had three kids transfer today. Two of them made me want to do the happy dance, the third was kind of in the middle. This was the best Christmas ever!

Pet me, please

This isn't their most pathetic faces (Deeds looks kind of annoyed), but it's close.

Cheater

We're used to Kronk sitting on the couch, but yesterday he went a bit over the line. I was doing something in the kitchen, and glanced over to see him sitting on the TOP of the couch, like he normally does on the seat part. Then apparently that was too exhausting, so he laid down. I was hoping you could tell how stinking big he is from this picture.

Christmas Vacation

Sorry you haven't heard much from me recently. I've been enduring that lovely week that is known as "the last week before Christmas break". I'm also wondering why a good God would place a full moon on the last day of school. It has been a pretty busy and hectic week, and tonight is our last basketball game, so they're really pushing us until the end. I'll be there until 6ish selling either concessions or tickets and then head to yet another Christmas party. I don't think that family gifts actually make us broke, I'm pretty sure it's all of the "bring a $-- gift to exchange" parties that make us broke. You can't really budget or plan for them. No fair.

The few days before Christmas break I am reminded of why I teach sixth grade and not high school--the presents. Ha--you though I was going to mention something about their innocence or excitement, didn't you? No, sixth graders, still in their little elementary school minds, love to give their teachers presents. I think this year I actually came out better than last year, and it's not even Friday yet. I mean, I may have the same quantity, but a much higher level of quality. Hooray for smart moms.

Leaves

Our tree sneezed. This literally happened in one day. I can see no lawn. Good think I hate raking.

It's cold

After a pretty balmy Thanksgiving, and even a warm last Saturday, the weather has turned cold, and I can once again pull out my Oregon sweaters. I took this picture yesterday morning when I got to school. Tomorrow the high is supposed to be 39. We're supposed to get sleet tonight (much as I pray for a snow day...), and the snow will be north of us. Crazy.

Quote of the day

A few days ago, two teachers that I work with, Lisa and Toni, told some students that they were twins (they look nothing alike). The students have kind of been talking about it and asking them questions, etc.

Student A (finally dawning on him): How can you be twins if you don't have the same birthday?
Student B: Duh, they're not identical.

Wow. I think I'll say it again with you. Wow.