So Thankful... appointment and preparation

Doctor's appointment for Genevieve

 I had to pick Genevieve up from school to take her to an appointment the week of Thanksgiving. The student body had written down things they were thankful for and those were made into the feathers of a gigantic turkey. It's nice that the staff or PTA is so creative in their seasonal decorating. I'm sure the students love it.

Her appointment was over here on the east side of the river. As a precaution the kids' pediatrician wanted her to be seen by an pediatric orthopedist to check out her hips. When she was a little baby they thought there might be a future problem and it was time to  find out if it developed.

Genevieve is one kids that is happy coloring or drawing. She will sit and doodle for hours. The doctor's office had coloring sheets for little patients to work on.

They also had some snazzy shorts for her to put on to get her x-ray. I thought the art work in the room was "purr"-fect for this kitty loving granddaughter. 

We had a good view of the Fremont bridge from the exam room.

 After looking at the pictures the doctor pronounced that she was doing great! No indication that she has developed or will develop any sort of dysplasia. That was wonderful news.

The tribe was rounded up for our trip to Tri-cities

It looks like Garrett was planning to represent the Native Americans at our feast ;0)  He tends to like marking himself up whenever he has a chance. He's pretty good about not writing on his clothes though. 

We ran into chilly weather

Because we waited until Hayden was done with his Wednesday class we ended up leaving home around 4:30. The temperature kept dropping as we got into the gorge and by the time we arrived at Cherise and Kiel's it was well below freezing.

The kids got ready for bed and Cherise wrapped up her homemade pies.

Visions of Turkey danced in their heads

Everyone had a bed to settle into. Garrett slept in Anabelle's bed. I glanced over and the socks that had been on his feet were now mittens for the M&M guy.

The fun had begun!

Part two of our visitors from the east-part of Washington

 Pip's Trip

We finally got to Pip's for doughnuts and chai lattes with Hayden! Anabelle and Henry already know how fun it is there. That empty cup is a picture of a well liked cup of chai.

 Running errands with Joylynn and Garrett

Cherise and I went out to take Joylynn and Garrett to get some laundry and shopping done. I didn't plan to coordinate the color of my sweater with the color of Joylynn's hair. It just happened to match :0) How nice it was great for the cousins to get reacquainted!

 Chilly morning visit to a park

 We experienced a bridge lift on Friday morning on our way into the city.  It took quite a long time for them to open and close it. I think they periodically test the mechanisms to make sure that everything is working properly. There was no ship traffic moving in either direction. It was a beautiful sunshiny day to be stuck on the Broadway with a bunch of other people in cars and on bikes.

We took the kids to play up at the Children's Park at Washington Park. I've always loved this playground. I just realized that it is one of the parks funded by the Rotary Club. They make the most awesome play structures!

 It was cold and the boards on the deck were frost covered. I had both of my feet slip out from under me and I landed on my "bum"per :0) No harm done. I went on to slide down the curly slide and swung on the swings and enjoyed every minute of our time there.

This girl is so adventurous. She kept climbing up and sliding down, over and over again. She was getting a little cold playing so she spent some time out of the wind sitting in the van with her mom. 

 I took a few more pictures and we headed to warm up.

I didn't realize that this building was the last remaining structure from the original location of the zoo. I've got to do more exploring around this city. You learn something new every day.

 Saturday a.m. outing

I had something to do on Saturday and was just heading out as Courtney, Cherise and the kids were headed back to the house after going for a walk to our park. It was nice to have dry weather to enjoy the crunchy leaves that were still on the ground.

 At PDX picking up their dad

Saturday evening found us out at the airport to pick up Kiel. 

We got there early enough to let the kids play for awhile. 

The next morning they headed home to prepare for our Thanksgiving visit to their place.

Oh December - how I've missed you!

Sights of the coming season

This is going to be a strictly photo post to welcome the month. I will be looking back at a couple of things from the end of November e.g. Thanksgiving with Kiel and Cherise in the frozen frosty eastern region of Washington. Until then enjoy looking at the things my camera captured for this post.

The holly and the ivy,
When they are both full grown
Of all the trees that are in the wood
The holly bears the crown
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir

The holly bears a blossom
As white as lily flower
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To be our sweet Saviour
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir

The holly bears a berry
As red as any blood
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To do poor sinners good
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir

The holly bears a prickle
As sharp as any thorn;
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
On Christmas Day in the morn.
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir

The holly bears a bark
As bitter as any gall;
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
For to redeem us all.
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir

The holly and the ivy
Now both are full well grown,
Of all the trees that are in the wood,
The holly bears the crown.
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir