Grandpa/Grandma & Yossi Visit

We were honored to have Grandma Helen and Grandpa George visit last month.  While they were here, Uncle Yossi came to visit as well.  We were super excited to spend time with him too (even if it was only for a couple of days.)  While Uncle Yossi was here we played at the house and went to one of Elliot's favorite places, OMSI (museum of science and industry.)  Luckily Uncle Yossi loves that too.  We had a short visit, but we hope to see him again real soon.

Grandma Helen had never been to the Oregon coast before so we thought we would take a drive and show her the coasts beauty.  Lucky for us it was a sunny day.  

It was great having Grandma and Grandpa visit and play with the kids.  They are always a lot of fun.  We miss them very much and look forward to seeing them soon when we visit Florida.

Grandma and Granpa
Grandma playing with Miles
Smiley Miley
Elliot checking out a caterpillar on a path at the coast
Da Browns

Tickle termites with Grandpa George
Some Helds
Uncle Yossi & Miles in love
Elliot adoring the Star Wars lego display at OMSI - following in Uncle Yossi's footsteps
Flight commanders in action

It's been awhile....

It turns out that I am not a consistent blogger, but I do plan to make it more of a priority this year.  So, check the site periodically.  Lets see... what is new... 

A couple of weeks ago, we left a cold, grey, and rainy/snowy Portland to head to a cold, but SUNNY South Junction (Central Oregon).  Our friends have a house there and invited us for a much needed weekend get away.  The kids had a blast and so did we.

The boys are beautiful and wonderful.  Elliot and Miles are both awesome and I can't help but eat them up every day.  Miles started walking last week and seems to be less wobbly every day. All he wants to do is walk and it is definitely cute watching him do so (video of it coming soon.)  Elliot is very creative and loves to build with tiny legos, paint, and make up stories.  They are both just pretty cool - if I may say so myself.

Weather we left in Portland...
so we can vacation in this weather in Central Oregon.
What can you say about this?
Munchable little bug.
Elliot loves this Hannukah present so much he wore it to bed a couple nights in a row.

White Hannukah

The TV news calls it the "arctic blast." We call it white Hannukah.  

Portland hasn't seen this much snow, in December, in 40 years & the Browns are loving it!! Uncle Gadi is here visiting and came just in time.  It started snowing on Thursday, Gadi came in Friday morning and the snow just stopped this evening (Monday.)  Flights are being cancelled so we might have him a few extra days - yea!

So what have we been doing... making snow angels, celebrating Hannukah, playing games and sledding.  Xander made this sled from a laundry basket and cross country skis' and took Elliot and Gadi for an adventure.

The city of Portland was not prepared for snow of this magnitude and the city has shut down, but we are loving it.  This is what I miss most about not living in a city that snows.  

Arctic Blast - The Browns love you!

Elliot in his chariot 
Uncle Gadi pulling Elliot up the hill
A break from sledding
All smiles
First night of Hannukah
Da brothas
Cuddling and staying warm
Elliot & buddies taking a break from sledding
This is normally a busy street.  Not a car in sight today, though
Miles loves his Uncle Gadi
Happy boy
Watching the snow fall

Elliot had to wear his goggles to play outside
All geared up for the cold
Cutest toy in the box
My little angel

This video is of Xander & Elliot riding down a street, which was closed to cars b/c of the snow, and packed with kids & their sleds for some fun.  

Zoo in December

Last week we took a family trip to the zoo.  Every time we go, Elliot is more interested in the animals, what they eat, how they survive...  He is curious and asks some great questions.  It makes the trip to the zoo special.  Miles really enjoyed himself too (as much as a 1 year old can enjoy the zoo, I guess.)  He was scared to pet the goats and sheep, but really liked watching the fish and otters.  We lucked out with the weather, too.  It was a cold December day, but sunny.

 We are supposed to get snow in Portland tonight, which is rare here in the winter, so everyone is freaking out.  Not me, though!  Bring it on!!!  I miss the snow and the kids will love it.

Elliot feeding a Larakeet.
Almost as tall as little bear
Held's
Browntown
All bundled and ready to go

Whistlin' one year old

Miles recently taught himself to whistle.   He does it all the time.  Here he is whistling at the Zoo.  Elliot is still working on the whole whistling concept.  A whistling one year old is almost as entertaining as a singing dog.