An American Holiday

It is COLD. Very cold. Very wet. And it isn't even winter officially yet (Dec 21).

Thomas, Alexis and Sophie met their grandparents, plus three of their five uncles and aunts (Andrew 13, Samantha 16, Jon 17) who are Ben's brothers and sisters. It is pretty exciting as they are all great kids and Jon even graduated high school early and is picking up his diploma later this month. Very proud of him for that accomplishment!!

We've been sticking to a schedule, however sometimes the weather has prevented us from actually doing the things. Since we have been so busy, it's been a bit hard to update the blog but that is no excuse as this home is has been setup as wireless and Ben can simply pop on the laptop anytime (Which he's been checking work e-mails and things like that). Still, when one wakes up at 9:00am and goes to bed at 1:30/2:00 am, priorities are focused on getting maximum time with the family. So here comes the update!!!

Wednesday, 5 Dec
We did laundry. Lots, and lots, and lots of laundry. Over four hours worth of laundry. This didn't rank very high in the fun factor with the kids. That's all we did on Wednesday is blasted laundry!

Thursday, 6 Dec
We went to the Salem Singing Christmas Tree located at the People's Church. A choir of seventy singers, plus a large orchestra, live drama, visual effects and a very interesting time with Beach Ball Blingo. The church sits over 1,000 individuals. Extremely large! The kids sat very well through it, and we enjoyed listening to the carols and songs of Christmas. We also drove through the Miracle of Christmas light display where a whole neighbourhood decorates and over 20,000 vehicles drive through in the month of December!

Friday, 7 Dec
We were supposed to go to Silverton for the lighting of the christmas tree. Silverton is a small Oregon town that has beautiful old buildings and is set in the high hills leading to the Rocky Mountains. As we headed up the road from Keizer to Silverton, only when we arrived in the little town did it start pouring down with rain. We waited around ten minutes to see what the weather might do but had to cancel as it was impossible to take the kids outside in what can only be described as weather Noah most likely saw from the safety of the ark. Turning back, we also wanted to go to the Salem Carousel however that was not opened until the next day. What a shame!!

Saturday, 8 Dec
Saturday was scheduled to be quite busy. We went to Mission Mill in the morning. This would be Karen's (Cara's mum) dream. Nothing but sheep shearing, and the whole process for wool into fabric and items. One of the spinning wheels was larger than Sophie! Mission Mill, which produced wool products from 1889 to 1962 and represents one of Oregon’s earliest and strongest industries. Mission Mill also interprets the history of Jason Lee's Methodist Mission to Oregon which settled in the Willamette Valley in 1834 before the major Oregon Trail migrations. The missionaries brought formal education, industry and large scale agriculture and advocated for U.S. government in the Oregon country. If you cannot tell, Oregon and specifically Salem, has an extremely strong protestant background and history in it's formation and incorporation. The kids made lots of scented Christmas ornaments made from applesauce, cinnamon and some glue using cookie cutters. Then we let them set out for 24 hours. We're going to come back to Mission Mill later in the month to do some great Christmas activities!!

From Mission Mill, we went to the Salem Holiday Farmer's Market. Over 140 vendors selling all sorts of crafts and other items from their farms (even a few butchers there!). We had these great things called cake balls dipped in thick chocolate and Ben is definately encouraging Cara to make these and sell them in Sydney.

Driving from there we headed back past Silverton (remember the rain?) to go to Camp Canyonview Equestrian Park for a huge evening. The kids did pony rides, made lots of nifty Christmas ornaments and goodies, ate lots of cookies, drank cocoa and hunted for sugar candy in bales of hay like horses. Thomas loved riding his horse! And so did Alexis and Sophie who seem to be joined at the saddle on their horses.

It was bitter cold though! After the kids went to sleep Cara and Ben went Christmas shopping and for midnight pie at Shari's. YUM.

Sunday, 9 Dec

The Keizer Fire Department hosted a Fireman's Christmas Breakfast. We went there and had all you can eat pancakes, ham, eggs, coffee, and juice in the actual fire department. Santa was there as well and the kids were able to get a photo with him. But then, something really neat happened. When hearing we're from Australia, the fire department opened up their huge engine and let the kids 'drive' and respond to fire calls, gave them honourary badges and helmets as well to take home. We are pretty amazed at how friendly and inviting all the community services (police, ambulance, fire) are towards the children...waving at them, talking and smiling. Ben says that this is due to public relations and trying to have children at a young age being aware of the community services available and not be afraid of them. Thomas was in heaven when he was able to get inside the engine though and he was beeping, honking and making the sirens go off with his sound effects!

From there, we headed up to Silver Falls. The drive took about an hour, and our ears popped as we ascended high into the mountains. The temperature dropped to below freezing (-3 Celsius) and ice was all in the fields. Our destination was the park, where it was decorated for Christmas. Log cabins, stone cabins in the forest. Lots of people as well! Free trees, the kids able to make wreaths, gingerbread houses, wood ornaments, christmas cards, bird houses. Santa was there, and we were able to update the park visitor map with a pin on Sydney! We noticed someone from Alice Springs and Perth who visited from Australia to the park as well! Go Aussies! This lasted the whole day and although it was cold, inside the cabins it was warm with fireplaces roaring, live music with bluegrass bands and great coffee, cocoa and cookies.

We finished the evening by doing some more Christmas Shopping during midnight to 1:00am. Really, more stores in Sydney need to be opened later for those who work to get what they need!