January, thanks for coming. Glad you're gone. See you next year.

"To pay attention, this is our endless and proper work." - Mary Oliver

What a month.  Cold.  Long.  Dark.  I'm glad we are past January, have a good start into February, and spring is right around the corner.  It feels like January was pretty dreary, very busy, and kind of dreadful in some ways.  But, as Mary Oliver says, the important part is to pay attention, and I tried to pay attention to the joyful moments and the little things.  Here's a recap:

University of Oregon played in the national championship game, and we had my sister and her family and Deena and her family over to watch.  I can't believe I hadn't met Baby Dax yet, so it was awesome to get my hands on the baby and also watch the little boys play.  I can't even remember who won the game, but I have a vague recollection that it wasn't the Ducks.

Grady, Trey, Coen, and Case eating their fruit pizzas

Logan (and Baby Dax), Randy, Deena and Julie watching the game

I just can't get over the sunrises on the way to work.  People keep asking me how the commute is and while it's long, I actually kind of like it.  I love the views, the quiet time in the car is kind of nice, and I love my audio books. Starbucks and I also have an unhealthy relationship right now.

One morning the sunrise was just gorgeous.  I had to pull over to take a picture...

About 10-15 minutes later, I had to pull over again because it was even more beautiful...

Then about another 10 minutes later I had to pull over again.  This is what I'm talking about, people.  Effing gorgeous.

I'm still a little traumatized about my Disney Live experience last year when we went to Disneyland, so when I saw that the show was coming to town, I hurried up and bought tickets.  Trey wasn't as excited as I thought he would be which is probably because he is kind of past his Disney phase.  Oh well.

We went to dinner at Ex Novo before the show and then walked to the Rose Garden.  If you know what you're looking for, you can see the Convention Center and the Rose Garden in the background.

Trey wanted a million dollar sno-cone, and, of course, I gave in.  Disney Live, everyone!!!  Trey would not eat a single bite of it, so it may have been the most expensive sno-cone Randy has ever had.

I liked the pirates part of the show way better than the princess part.  Sofia was a little funny looking (not very cute and sort of fat...does that make me a bad person to say that?).

I'd say the highlight of January was all of the friends that I saw.  We had some great playdates and I had some fun happy hours/get togethers.  I spent a fair amount of time getting free career counseling from friends/mentors/colleagues (no photos - I do have some tact), and I have made some decisions about what to do next (more on that in a later post).   When Mary Oliver says to pay attention, I feel like I try really hard to pay attention to my relationships.  I don't do as good of a job as I'd like, but I try.

Meeting my old college friend Scott out for sushi...

this sushi restaurant happens to be a great midway point for us on our commutes home.

Mmmmmmmm...sushi...

Jackson, Trey, and Vivi at Oregon Public House

Who would have ever guessed that Kellie, one of my best friends from college, and Marika, Trey's beloved daycare provider, would cross paths and become friends?  Just as we left NE Portland and our favorite daycare, Kellie and Marika became connected through scouts.  I'm so jealous that they get to see each other regularly, but I love that they are friends and that we can all get together!

After our lunch date with Marika, Vivi, Kellie, and Jackson, Trey and I headed to our next spot to meet up with Curt and Ana.  Who knew that Aztec Willie's had a great play area?  Thanks to Kellie for the rec!  The kids had a great time while Curt, Randy, and I caught up.

My two silly boys

The next day we went over to Nyree's to visit with her and the girls.  I'm ashamed to say that I hadn't seen Madi since a visit to the hospital in November, so I was very very overdue for a visit.  The kids had a great time playing together, and it was nice to catch up with Nyree.  Madi is about to start her fourth and final round of chemo, and if you're interested in reading about her journey, check out Nyree's blog.  Nyree is also staying home with Madi while she is going through treatment and is out of sick leave.  There is a go fund me account set up to help the family during this difficult time.

This past weekend, Trey and I headed to the zoo to meet with with Kristina, Aiden, and Isi.  We stopped by the Children's Museum first and waited to get the word that Kristina and the kids had arrived at the zoo (hey, McMinnville is far away...trust me!).  We checked out the new circus exhibit which I thought was pretty lame and then wandered around a little before the zoo.

Strong Trey

The lions had new babies, so there are three new cubs in the exhibit.  

I couldn't figure out why I was getting such a glare with my photos, and it wasn't until much later that I realized the zoo must have put up a window.  I know it hasn't been there before.

Me and my boy...

with a bunch of lions in the background

 that you can't really see because of that damn new window.

Isi, Aiden, and Trey on the jeep

That night we went to the Hobbs' house for dinner with Kris and John.  

Trey was SO EXCITED to see Silas that he talked about it ALL DAY LONG.

Ted, John, and Randy playing some car race game...

There were also other social events where I got away with zero photos.  For example, how is it possible that I did not get one picture from Randy's birthday party with several of our great friends?  I went to happy hour last week in Woodburn with friends I've known for 16 years, and not one photo?  I'm clearly losing my touch.  Or maybe I'm just trying to pay attention...