Thursday, December 31, 2009

In Remembrance of December 2009

Ok, it seems like this happens every year, I take hundreds of pictures during December, and only post once or twice. So suffer through all of the pictures in this post if you dare.
Dallon had his first School Christmas Program this year. The school fed us dinner, and then the whole school (k-12) preformed. Bands, classes, choirs the whole nine yards (although I think the way Chris heard the bands was not much different than the rest of us! Nothing like 6th grade band!).
Wait, stop on this one!!!! Look, both of them sitting down, smiling AND looking at the camera, priceless...

Jace trying to entertain Conner while we waited for the program to start. Conner looks more than a little concerned--I can't say I blame him.

So Dallon walked on stage, looking pretty confident. Sang a couple of lines, and then....

decided to transform into a small transformer and do all of the choreography in miniature on the floor...once again, priceless.

Song number 3 was combined with the older kids, he lasted a few lines before transforming again, at which point we could no longer see him behind the other kids.

Santa visited the program, and boy was Dallon stoked!!! Jace refused to go up, I think it was because he was tired and there were so many people.

Grandma and Grandpa Christensen came for a quick visit to bring the boys their Christmas presents a little early. The trucks, trailers, and 4-wheelers were a hit with Dallon and Jace.



And Conner's Winnie-the-Pooh plane was all he ever wanted apparently.

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa...it was a nice visit.

On Christmas Eve, we were invited to go sledding with our neighbors up by the Anthony Lake Ski Resort. It was soooo much fun for the boys, and Chris had a pretty good time, too. I mostly held Conner and took pictures (it was hard to pry a sled from the kids).

Getting ready.

He's on a little snowboard here, and he's not really moving...it just looked like a cool action shot!

Daddy and Jace coming down the hill.


Jace kept saying he went "fast" and wanted to "go fast" again. It reminded me of a movie...

Baby Conner all bundled up, but not well enough when you aren't moving around on your own. I ended up taking him to the car and warming him up before he fell asleep in his car seat.

Getting ready to go fast!


If you didn't want to lose your sled to another kid you had to stay with it even while on a break.

Mush! Mush!

Heading up the hill, looking professional.

And back down again....

Hot dog break before heading home.

This is the view on the way down the mountain on our way home...our place is on the other side of the hilltop in the middle.
Anticipation...getting ready to open their night-before-Christmas presents.

Transformer pajamas! They put them on, and went to bed so Santa would have to pass us by :)

Christmas morning in their new jammies, and I think they've spotted some toys!

Dallon is really into Bakugans. I still haven't caught onto what the hype is all about. Just little plastic balls that spring open into creatures I have no clue about...I must be getting old.

Jace and his Mater the Greater stunt set.

Ho, Ho, Ho! Yes he decided that stockings should actually go on your feet.

Our tree, looking pretty reflecting in the windows.

Conner got a Mickey, and a soft stuffed elephant. We'll see if he likes them.

And Dallon had a birthday! Grandma Sally and Grandpa Charlie came over from Forest Grove, and they brought the pinata with them. It was loads of fun. We invited a few neighbors over, and ate cake, ice cream, and candy.
If you made it to the bottom...CONGRATULATIONS!!! December was memorable for sure. And we're hoping that the New Year will bring great things.

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Happy Birthday Dallon!

Six years ago today, we welcomed Dallon into this world. He was the most beautiful baby I'd ever seen (and I'm sure that's because I'm so biased). He was a wonderful baby, and has grown to be a very sweet and loving boy. He has more challenges than the average boy, but he is so very special because of it. He is one of the greatest gifts I have ever received!


Dallon's Birthday! December 26, 2003

One year old, and loving that birthday cake.

Two, and not terrible at all.

Three.

Four.

December 2008 in Ohio, getting his service dog Bianca.

Five!

Fall 2009. Kindergarten.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

For those who missed our Christmas card and letter...


Dear Family and Friends,

Another year has come and gone, and for once we are sending out a Christmas card and letter!

Eastern Oregon has treated us well these past few years. Dallon will be 6 the day after Christmas, is in Kindergarten and is loving it. Bianca is his buddy at home, and she goes to school once a week to visit him and his class. He has grown so much and in so many ways. He’s making lots of friends at school, and they think he’s pretty cool because his dog gets to come to school with him.

Jace is 3-1/2, attending a preschool and is learning so much. He is almost as big as Dallon (they weigh almost the same and Jace is only 2 inches shorter than Dallon now). He is all about having fun and being a rough and tumble boy. He plays really well with Dallon now, and they are so fun to listen to.

Conner is our new addition, born on May 21st. He is a wonderful baby. He is laid back and happy almost all of the time. He puts up with our crazy lives without much protest, and seems to just enjoy being wherever we are. He’s nearly 7 months old and is rolling, sitting up, and growing like a weed!

We moved to Haines, OR (Baker Valley) in September. Chris transferred with Williams Natural Gas to his position here. It is beautiful here! We are loving the country life, and have made lots of great new friends, although we are really missing the ones we left in Hermiston.

Wishing you and yours a wonderful Holiday Season,
Merry Christmas
From The Arvidsons
Chris, Lacey, Dallon, Jace, Conner, and Bianca

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Better late than never

This is some video of Dallon at the Children's Rodeo this year at the Pendleton Round-up. His cowboy partner is a team roper named Randon Adams. I included little clips of him doing a bull ride, steer roping, barrel race (my personal favorite), and a horseback ride. It was a little difficult to get a clear view of him in the other events because of the large crowd. He was soooo proud of his trophy, and still is. I hope he'll get to do it each year (they are eligible until age 9). Enjoy!

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Annual Christmas Tree Excursion!

The wonderful thing about living in Eastern Oregon is that Christmas trees are cheap and easy to find! Every year we make a little trip to the mountains to pick out the perfect tree (preferably within 15 feet of the road!). This year was great because the ride to our destination was so short (because it was just up the mountain side from our house) and because we have Chris home and could go anytime we felt the urge. So on Friday afternoon, we took advantage of the sunny, but still chilly 12 degrees, day and packed up the boys and dog and headed out.

We didn't see another vehicle! The snow was powdery and soft, and the sun warmed us nicely.

Dallon and Jace admiring Daddy's work. Great job Chris!


Tasting that irresistable snow.

Trying to help pull the tree to the car, I'm sure Daddy appreciated the effort.

I tried to show Dallon my best snow angel, and he took advantage of my vulnerability and chucked a snowball at me! I'll be more prepared next time...

Baby Conner in his bear suit. Can't believe he's already 6 months old, rolling, sitting up a little on his own, and over 20lbs! He's so sweet, a wonderul baby who takes everything in stride--like being toted around in 12 degree weather!

Another taste of that irresistable snow!

I think the dog had the most fun. She ran around us, eating the snow, diving into the deepest snow, and looking like she could do it all day.