Dead Ringers

 This year Tayler's Robotics team built one heck of a robot.  It really was amazing and they did such a great job.  We went to two state competitions and took the PTC design award at both.
Guidelines for the PTC Design Award

• Team must submit an Engineering Notebook with detailed robot design drawings
• Robot differentiates itself from others
• Design is both aesthetic and functional
• Well thought out basis for the design (why i.e. inspiration, function, etc.)

 I know Tayler was happy about this award, after all their hard work he told me this was one award he really wanted.  I guess if they can't take state then this is the next best thing for him :)  What a great year!  We came so so close to winning state.  It is a little frustrating but they went and did really well and showed skill and gracious professionalism :)

Olympic National Forest

 January 29th Hope, Emma and I went to the Olympic National Forest also known as the Olympic Peninsula.  We have lived in the Northwest for 10 years and haven't ever made it to this part of Washington.

 It was so beautiful, the drive along the Hood canal was relaxing. I could just imagine a pod of whales swimming in the canal.   We stopped for some breakfast and the lady in the restaurant said that Orca's do swim into the Hood canal.  It would have been fun to see.

 We stopped at Crescent lake, there was a Pier and a older looking lodge that was so quaint.  There was a couple getting old timey engagement photo's while we were there.  I'm sure they turned out beautiful.

Emma taking cool photo

Forks Washington was a must, I thought it was funny they have capitalized on the Twilight movies so much even though that is the only reason we went there hahaha.

It was a little cold, a little rainy but a fun quick trip.  I will add it to my "want to go back" list.

Dedication

 January 11th we went with Hope into Portland to the MEP's building. It is where Ryley was sworn in when he joined the Navy.  They dedicated the room where he was sworn in to him.  It will be called after him.  In the picture above is Ryley's purple heart and all his ribbons and some of the things he had earned.

 They did a wonderful job and it was an honor to be included in the day.

Christmas Break and New Year

 Spruce Goose in the background, B17 bomber closer.

 Over Christmas break we decided to go to the Evergreen Air and Space Museum, it was a fun day. The spruce goose and lot's of other fun things to see and we were all together. It was great.

Jacqueline and  Tyler

Tyler had never been to the Oregon Coast before, so we picked the warmest day we could and went to Canon Beach.  We were lucky it wasn't raining and really wasn't too cold. We missed the tide pools but had a good time anyway. We drove down the coast and stopped at Cape Meare's to see the lighthouse and the Octopus tree.

Jacqueline, Lora and Emma

Jackie also wanted to take Tyler into Portland, they took me along to help them find their way around.  I really should have just sent my phone with them, but I am glad I went.  Since we have lived here everyone has said that Voodoo doughnut was a place I needed to go. Usually people will stand in line for a long time here.  We waited for about 20 minutes and my verdict is it is not worth it for the taste of the doughnut.  They are nothing special. Just to say I did it was ok, I doubt I will do it again.

 I guess voodoo magic doesn't work on me :)  It was fun to say "been there done that"

 Jackie and Tyler in front of the Portland Oregon sign.  It used to say Made in Oregon but someone wanted to change it?  I don't know I have a tough time paying attention to some of the crazy stuff that happens in Portland.  It is a well known sign though.

We played games everyday for hours, one of the favorites was catchphrase, so much fun and so much food. I think I will have to diet for a whole year to feel like I am back to normal :)  We are so blessed to have such great kid's.

Christmas 2012

 We had a great Christmas!  We were all together, Hope came over and Jackie and Tyler drove to Oregon. This is some of the after math, all the gifts opened and everyone waiting for breakfast. I obviously didn't take great pics because Jackie and Tyler aren't in the pics, you will just have to believe me that they were there.

 George makes great omelets, lot's of veggies and ham, very yummy!

 Emma got a nail stamp kit for Christmas, this is her first try. Not bad. I thought it was really cute.

Before Christmas I got this genius idea to learn how to machine quilt. So all of December i was madly and stressfully learning and sewing these two cute picnic blankets to give Hope and Jackie and Tyler. With these quilts and cute picnic baskets, they should be able to picnic in style now :)

It was such a great day, playing games and eating and being together.  Love my family!

Halloween

Tayler Young, Preston Harris, Emma Young

Emma 2012

 Our ward had a Yw/Ym Halloween party last night.  It was fun for them to have a reason to dress up, or was that just me that thought it was fun?  Probably the latter :)  Oh well, Emma is going trick or treating tonight so it wasn't a bad idea to have a costume :)  Happy Halloween everyone!

Tayler 2012

Coast time

 I can't even remember what day we went to the coast, but it was a nice beautiful day.  George hasn't ever been to the Astoria Column on a nice day so it was good we went on this day, it was so beautiful.  We could see so far in every direction, it was amazing.

 Conference weekend George and I went to the Coast to celebrate our Anniversary.  It was another amazing  weekend.  Sunny and warm, hardly any wind on the beach.  I loved it.  We ate some really yummy food and just enjoyed no schedule.  It was a nice break.

Happy Anniversary to us :) 23 years and counting!