First Snow and Birthdays

November 18th we headed to St. Peter for the ACDA (American Choral Directors Association) conference concert. We were the one volunteer choir to sing alongside Minnesota State University and Gustavus Adolphus College. The concert was very nice although very long. The children's choirs and an honor choir sang before the rest of us, so the concert ended up being about 2 hrs. 15 min. long. In addition to the mass choir pieces, we sang two selections from a Bach motet and a selection from Lauridsen's Lux Aeterna. 

Bethlehem Lutheran Church Senior Choir - I circled us so you could easily find us.

Saturday was my dad's birthday, and Thursday was Ryan's birthday, so Harper and I stuck around to celebrate with a yummy lunch of blackened steak and butternut squash pasta. After finishing up with a delicious almond cake, Harper and I hit the road. The first snow fall had already started in the Twin Cities and was making its way to Mankato.

Harper and his "Gam-pa"

The birthday boys getting a little help from Harper when blowing out the candles.

We made it 1/3 of the way home when the roads turned to ice and visibility was questionable. There were snow plows out, but with the temperatures and already iced roads their effectiveness was little to none. I started to think we should turn around and stay in Mankato one more night. Two consecutive accidents in a 1/4 mile stretch confirmed my thoughts, and we turned around and headed back to my parents' house. We spent 1 1/2 hrs. in the car and got no where. Better safe than sorry, and at least Harper got a good nap out of it.

Uncle Ryan showing Harper is remote controlled Mini Cooper. He was in awe.

So we stayed in, played, rented a movie, and went to church with my family the next morning. Then we hit the road once again, this time to dry roads for a smooth drive home.

Picture Portland - Part III

I'm finally getting around to the last post covering our Portland trip. It's only been you know...3 weeks. How did I get so busy all of a sudden?

As much time as we spent around downtown, we spent an equal or greater amount of time at my cousin Brad's house with his family and more family that gathered with us. Brad has a big shed where he works on cars, and you can bet Harper loved seeing all his cars and the "tractors."

Brad brought in the toy hot rod. Harper pretty much was in and out of it non-stop.

Aunt Debbie and I took Harper for a ride around the house on the golf cart turned buggy.

Courtney brought out her saxophones. It was hilarious watching Harper discover where the sound came from. Courtney's pretty much busting a gut.

Harper gave it a try but has a lot to learn.

Here we are waiting in our hotel lobby to be picked up. Harper fell asleep on our morning walk around downtown, so I was able to soak up some quiet time in front of the big fireplace.

We stayed our last night in my Aunt Dona and Uncle Bob's mobile home. Harper was a lucky boy and slept with me in the big bed. I love Harper's crazy bed head in this picture and his silly grin. I love it when he wakes up in a great mood.

Family photo before heading back to the airport. From left to right: Cousin Brad, his wife Lori, Courtney, Alyssa, Caitlin, Jordin, and Harper.

Heading home. Harper couldn't have done better on the way home. He slept the whole flight from Portland to Denver and then played and was happy the flight from Denver to Minneapolis...the empty seat next to us helped too.

We can't wait to plan our next trip out West!

Picture Portland - Part II

Trip to the Pumpkin Patch

Harper with his Aunt Dona

Playing in the corn box

Riding the horsey merry-go-round

Racing the little tykes

Aunt Dona, Harper and Aunt Debbie

Hey! Hay!

Harper LOVED all the pumpkins and went around trying to pick up the biggest ones. He finally found one a little more his size.

Trying his skills at the wheelbarrow 

Tractor!

My cutie-pie on the hay ride

Picture Portland - Part I

I haven't had much of any time to sit down since our trip to Portland a couple weeks ago, so I thought I would share with you a bunch of photos to document our trip to keep me from getting too far behind in my posts.

"Ai-pane!" Harper was excited to say bye-bye to the airplane after landing in Portland.

Our swanky hotel room in downtown Portland. Yes, Harper is sporting a diaper in the window.

Taking a walk along the Willamette River.

Visiting with my Grandpa. Harper looks so grown up!

Even though we are smiling, saying goodbye is never easy.

Joshua playing peek-a-boo with Harper wearing an Elvis mask. There are many more pictures to come from our times with family.

The morning sun at Washington Park and checking out the "choo-choo."

Check out those huge tree logs!

Gorgeous! I miss the evergreens. 

My little train conductor at the Portland Children's Museum.

This room was Harper's favorite: The Dig Pit

Harper conked out riding the MAX on the way back to downtown, just in time for Josh and I to enjoy a nice lunch at the Urban Farmer. Harper woke up just as we were finishing our meal. Afternoon perfection.

November Challenge: No Sugar Added

I love sweets. I can't resist them. This month, I'm challenging myself to avoid all sweet treats and added sugar. This includes all candies, chocolates, cookies, pies, cakes, etc. It doesn't include food items that contain sugar, as long as sugar isn't the main ingredient. Joshua said he would join me in the challenge until I reminded him that Thanksgiving, and therefore pie, falls in November.

I'm just letting you all know to help hold myself accountable. It's not a weight loss thing, just an "eat less sugar" thing. If I can cut all sweet treats from my diet for a month, I can certainly be better at managing my everyday sugar intake...just in time for Christmas.