The Christmas Cherries

I have a serious sweet tooth, especially one for dark chocolate. I got it from my dad. You have no idea how huge his sweet tooth was. He could eat any cookie-lover or chocolate-lover under the table. His favorite holiday treat was those chocolate covered cherries that come out for Christmas. You know the kind with the liquid inside? So good!

Last Christmas I was at Walmart on Black Friday with Tony and saw the cherry display. Those red boxes just screamed TOM!! So I bought a box for Dad as one of his Christmas presents. The morning that we celebrated Christmas with my parents and brother (December 21st), he opened his cherries and I remember him giving a smile and a little chuckle. Sharing a sweet tooth between father and daughter is a pretty sweet thing. Pardon the pun... Anyway, he opened them right up and ate one or two. Because that is what you do at 9 in the morning when you love sweets as much as Dad did...

Here is Dad last Christmas opening his cherries. I didn't know this was the last box I would ever give him. Or that this was the last time I would ever see him.

I have seen the cherries this year in the stores a few times. I avoid them like the plague, practically running the other way as their bright red boxes taunt me. Too hard to look the dumb things. But the thought has crossed my mind that maybe I should buy a box, just for Dad. Not sure if I can bring myself to do that, though. We will see.

Miss you, Dad. Oh, and thanks for the Sweet Tooth. :)

Cannon Beach!!

Every year I look forward to spending a weekend in November with 8 friends who I met when I worked at my first nursing job at Mary Bridge Children's Hospital. This was our 9th year!! Every year we rent a house and spend the weekend eating, talking, laughing, reading, shopping, playing games, and of course more eating! These women are 8 of the most strong, supportive, smart, funny, caring and loyal women I have ever met. I have been absolutely blessed by having them each in my life and being a part of this amazing group!

The weather this year was awesome, rain on Saturday but otherwise great! The sunset Friday evening was beautiful, here is the view from our house.

Icel and I decided to get up on the roof for some better photos. Here is Nicole down below and Icel on the roof with me!

Friday night every year we go to the Wayfarer for a scrumptious fancy dinner!

Saturday we spent in town at Cannon Beach, shopping and having a blast. Then Sunday we went into Seaside and shopped the outlets. Just North of Seaside in Gearhart is a McMenamin's called the Sandtrap. We had a delicious lunch after shopping there.

Jenny, Jessica and Karen

Candice, Icel and Anna

Mariel, Nicole and Me!!

Icel, save some for the rest of us!!

Some of our Seaside outlet purchases!

Our last evening at the beach was dry and the sunset was amazing! Icel, Anna, Nicole and I headed onto the beach to take some pictures of the gorgeousness. :)

Self-portrait

Haystack Rock

I love when the mist is rolling in

Icel and Nicole

It's An Award!!

Zack and Sadie's school has "Town Hall" once a month, where the teachers have a chance to award their students for various things. Sometimes it's academic, sometimes it's for being a great friend, etc. It is always a surprise, so it's really fun to see how proud the kids are when Mr. Pede, the principal, reads the award and calls out their name! At the October Town Hall, Zack got an award from his first grade teacher!

Zack's award reads as follows: "For being a book maker extraordinaire! We love listening to your books when they are done."

Way to go, Zack!!

Halloween

Halloween was lots of fun this year. The weather was great and there were tons of kids out as we went trick or treating around the neighborhood with our neighbors/friends.

I think it is hilarious how Drew can't see but doesn't seem to mind, heehee!

Drew AKA Storm Shadow!

Sadie the beautiful pirate princess

Zack "Duke" Bastinelli

Sadie with our neighbors Phoebe and Jillian

Trick or Treat!!

So much fun!!

Wrappin' Up Soccer

Zack's soccer season recently came to a close. The 6 boys on the team had a great time and truly improved a LOT during the season! They played their last game with lots of energy and then we went to a park for a little end of season party!!

Half of the team

Go Zack!

Pizza time!

Gavin and Zack

Zack with Coach Jeni. Thanks for another great season!

Preschool Party!

Drew's preschool class had a Halloween party. SO FUN! I just love how adorable all the little kids are and how their personalities come out in their costumes!!

You don't have to tell Drew twice to get in character! Okay, you don't even have to tell him ONCE! :)

Trick-or-treating parade through the rest of the preschool!

Then it was time for food, stories and games

Fun With Knives