Happy New Years.

New Years Quotes:

"Be at war with your vices; at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man. " -Benjamin Franklin

" Youth is when your allowed to stay up late on new years eve. Middle age is when your forced to. " - Bill Vaughn.

Christmas Pics

We had such a good time with everyone for christmas. I wish I could've been there longer! Here are a few pics we have from all the christmas fun. :)

Our Winter Wonderland

This is our driveway this morning! More rain is predicted and hopefully (?) it will wash away the ice that makes this soooo slippery! However we may get more snow, so be sure to bring your four wheel drives and snow chains! We are like little kids waiting on Santa, except we are waiting for you!
Colby , Bri, and Aiden worked on a snowman when the storm was beginning. Falling branches took down our cable line (thus we were without internet and TV for 3 days!) and our power was on and off, and then surging when on due to a broken power neutralizer (?) line. No mail for 2 days and late papers! We were out of touch!!!!
Yesterday at breakfast, I couldn't just sit there and eat, so I looked through our 2008 calendar. I laughed and cried as fond memories and fun events flooded back! You have no idea how precious these calendars are to us!!!!!
This is when the snow first began - so pristine and beautiful! Wish I had taken a picture after the 6 to 7 inches were on the ground. Of course by then, some of the not so great things about snow were crowding out the joys!

Winter wonderland comes to Portland

It's very hard to follow Jill and Thain's exciting news but somebody had to post after them...so here it goes...

It was a winter wonderland here in Portland today. It starting snowing about 9 am and didn't let up until 4 ish. Justin and I cancelled our plans to run downtown with our running buddies, the roads were not looking good. (We both got in our runs later though...Justin braved the snow and I ran on the treadmill.) I bet you Utahans laugh at our piddly 3-4 inch snow accumulations but for us it was big news. We spent the morning being rather lazy, watching a movie and cuddling with Zoey.

We did attempt to take her out for a walk mid-morning. She's never experienced snow before and it was quite the spectacle mostly b/c of her snow booties. Yesterday, we bought her snow booties. We bought them with the intention of using them in CA when we go snow shoeing with my Dad but decided today would be a good day to try a trial run. Here are a couple of videos of her with them on. (The first one is the funny one, this is right after we put them on her.)

Here are a few pictures from the day.

It's supposed to stay really cold this week, the weatherman said it's an "Arctic Blast." Why is it that this sunshine loving, warm weather, beach girl ends up living in a place that has "arctic blasts"? Hmmmmm food for thought.

I'm hoping the roads aren't too bad for me tomorrow morning. I'm actually not really looking forward to work this week. They are doing a big round of layoffs this week. I'm safe, which is a big relief, but a lot of people I know aren't, including one of my bosses =(. She's been with the institution for 22 years and they gave her the boot. I was shocked! She's like our mother hen. Things are going to look different at work after the New Year. Last week was rough. The atmosphere around work is ominous and gloomy. Lots of slamming doors and kleenex boxes. I am really looking forward to Christmas and spending time away from work with all of you. We are planning on leaving next weekend although if the weather is bad over the passes we might push it back a day or so.

Congrats again to Jill and Thain...what exciting news!

Can't wait to get big hugs from everyone in a couple of weeks.

lets play wheres waldo, no wheres the bambino :)

Well it's very early to get excited but we have some exciting news. You will hopefully have another nephew or niece, grandson or grandaughter or cousin :). We are 8 wks along and it's a lot of mild nauseu and tiredness so far but I had my ultrasound yesterday and it was so cool to see this little tiny human move and have a heartbeat. Yes the babys head is very large and half the size of the whole fetus but really..that is normal :). It's as healthy as any baby of what they can tell so far so that is great. The only bad news is that the due date will be July 18th - 24th mostly 24th so it's a few weeks after the trip to Maine...wich means we most likely won't be able to come... :(. but it will be worth it. Anyhow I wanted to let you all know! Can't wait to see everyone soon for Christmas.
Love you,
Jill and Thain too :)

Our Wish lists

Sorry this is so late.

Jeremy's Wish List:
Anything on my Amazon wish list (Lego Indiana Jones for XBOX 360, new Roomba, jigsaw)
Cash
Amazon gift card
iTunes gift card
Apple in ear headphones


Kathryn's Wish List:
Pillar candles
Candles of various sizes
Teaching Reading to Children with Down Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Teachers by Patricia Logan Oelwein
Gift Certificate to Lakeshore Learning
Pretty soaps

Thanksgiving in Utah.

Hope everyone had a really nice Thanksgiving. We missed seeing all the guys and families and loved getting the email from Cris on Costa Rica. We had a really good time visiting with Mom and Dad though. We miss them all ready and look forward to Christmas to see everyone :). Here's some pics I have from this week-end.

Nate doing really well in his Santa race and Thain and Heath racing in the go carts.

Mini Golfing champs. We all did well, The Blaine's where way ahead of us but Mom, Dad, Thain and I were all within a few points. Thain won with 52, then mom and Dad tied with 53 and I took up the rear with 54.

Amber and her friend 4 wheeling up at Jen and Nate's beutifull place. Cute moment with Emily and Deven.

Nate, Ben and Deven sledding up when we all went to get our trees, I love having a real tree. Thanks Jen and Nate :).

christmas lists

Ok well I have been recruited to add our christmas ideas and I've been meaning to do that for a few weeks now but haven't gotten around to it..now we are on our way to Ca too to help Thain's friend with a booth and hopefully go to the San Diego zoo and beach and I forgot what I had written down but I'll give ideas that I can remember to give all buying something to work with for now :). Sorry for the late response. Thanks to all of you for your beutifull letters for Amanda's book gift they are priceless to me and bring back great memories...I conveniently don't remember any attacks with a vacuum though ;)>. I loved what you each said for that, it was a great gift to get and means a lot to me so thank you!

Thain:
(He's a tough one to buy for :))
Shoes : Nike size 13 1/2 if they have or 13 should work, likes one's with red or blue in them.
Black Socks: (the gold toe one's at costco he has but they have been getting holes in the toe
so he doesn't want those again but thin black dress socks like that.
Gift Certificates: Home depot, Sears for tools, he likes Red Lobster and movies we go to
to the ones in layton Utah the most. Cinemark and AMC, I believe.

Jill (me):
Black Sweats: (or Navy blue or Burgandy ) Pants L or XL....depending on how they size.
and hooded zip up sweat shirts L or XL.
Tooth brush heads: Round head Oral B? just the heads for my electric tooth brush
Cute shirts or sweaters: size L or Xl burgandy is one of my fav colors to wear or light
blue.
Pjs: Size L or XL.
Nice snow boots: Size 8 1/2 wider if have or just not too narrow
Snow shoes: I wear size 8 1/2 in shoes or 9 works too if no half sizes available
A nice cd mix of good songs
Richard Paul evans newest christmas story on Audio Cd's not christmas box but one I
I think came out last year..I have all christmas box one's
just looked it up stories I don't have and would want by
him are: The Gift, The dance, Grace, christmas carol and
The Tower.
A pull out OVER desk drawer for computer : Good luck though I haven't had any luck
finding one for over desk for lap top as we don't have a
under desk area.

Amber:

Cute earrings
Cute shirts: She's about a size 13 in girls...?..
Bath and Body stuff
Tipinyakis resteraunt (sp?) gift certificate
Victoria secrets body spray: Romantic wish, she likes the same on I like and use :).

Heath :

Game stop certificates: A video game trading place here I think it's nationwide?
Video games: I'm not sure what ones though so a gift certificate for wherever... they go
to walmart a lot, so that would work
Sorry not much help with those.. but these are just ideas I know of right now to help..
whatever works and with amber and Heath don't spend much or go to great lengths it's just a thought and works with the numbers right now but as they aren't much involved or expect much it's just a thinking of you kind of thing....
Love to all and a VERY HAPPY THANKSGIVING :)
Love the Anderson's.

John Dunlaps Christmas lists

Howdy All! We are moving in still, but it was fun to have Mom and Dad as our first official dinner guests. Most of our friends are afraid of Chewy so they don't just drop by like normal people's friends do. There is still so much to do, so bring your paint brushes in December. We've moved so much even since Mom and Dad were here. I'm trying to decide colors and how to or if I should even recover the dining room chairs. Window covers, paint scheme blah, blah blah....It has seized to be fun. I am going to wait on some things until it is fun. I can't figure out the picture thing so I'll wait and get some stuff on when John and I both have more patience. Thanks Aunt Candy for the Europe treats! Can I bring anyone back a crocodile from Costa Rica? I guess they are officially caiman, but I'm not too excited to see any on our boat excursion or white water rafting....I'll check out all the great spots and pick out a house for Summer 2010. Anyone up for that? I really got on here to do Christmas stuff....so here it is...

Christmas lists:

Colby Fall Out 3 (a PS3 game), i-tunes gift card, clothes (he wears a 32x32 pants) or adult large, Shoes size 12 1/2. Fitted hats...size 7 5/8. He is a big fat head (okay, not so fat, but big....) GO CLEAN YOUR ROOM as I look up at him...He likes sports related clothing- Teams would be Cal, Ohio State, Penn State, 49ers, Saints...

Brianna- Clothes !!! We've arrived at that point. Her favorite colors are red and black. She wears a 12, child large or shoes size 4 1/2. Hair ribbons, socks, a hamster (she tried for a snake, but daddy said no) She is getting away from High School Musical, but she likes music too. She has an ipod shuffle. Movie passes (she shares my love of going to the movies) She also has a Nintendo DS if your up for games for that. She like the Sims series. Her room is pink, purple and yellow with a flower and butterfly theme. Anything for that would be great.

Aiden- He loves the Hulk right now. I rented the movie and am in trouble for not just buying it. He has some of the Galactic heroes and a Batcave. He likes "men" like Colby did, so anything to play with like that. Also loves to color-so crayons. Books...His room will be SpongeBob when all is said and done, anything for that... He wears a size 4T. Anything Disney as always...dinosaurs (we are looking forward to some museum in Boston with dinosaurs our friend showed us pictures of...)

Cris-Nothing. I just finished moving everything.....Clothes would be nice-skirts size XL ...a nice black sweater. Black photo frames (I'm going that route) I like movie passes, dinner out stuff like that...Joanne's gift card for material to decorate....

John- Lego star destroyer battleship at Target (its the only thing he's told me), books (third book in a series (something about coming home...at the church book store about WW2), soft socks, clothes-dockers 40x32 black pants, i pod gift cards, stock market to go back up, kids to listen to him....Best Buy gift certificates, Redding referees to die, winning lottery ticket, Target gift cards...he can't be serious for a minute.

I'm off to bed and will get on in Costa Rica and let you all know how things are going there. If there is a tutorial somewhere on how to post pics, let me know....Love to all....Cris

Justin's Wishlist and Fall Photos

Hey all, finally getting around to posting my Christmas wish-list (see below). For those who haven't yet, I know I really appreciate having some ideas and would love to see lists for everyone!

Alisa and I enjoyed working on the calendar months this weekend (we will be getting those to you soon Jen!), and I was motivated to post some pictures from a recent photo taking session. The fall colors up here are gorgeous and a photographer friend of mine loaned me his nice DSLR camera that I took advantage of to capture some fall shots. Of course I also took the opportunity to capture some photos of my favorite two models Alisa and Zoey!


Fall colors have been astounding this year, especially near "the ponds" about a mile from our house.

Just a pretty picture.

Contemplative models and expressive ears.

Zoey and Alisa tussling.

Zoey longlingly wishing for longer warmer summer days.

Zoey is going into hypernating mode until Spring.

And now the wishlist...

I have Alisa to thank for making most of this list for me (thus the third person voice), thanks honey! Anyway here it is:

He is in need of some new clothes...here are a few ideas from Old Navy(he is now a 32 W 34L in pants...he is skinny):

http://www.oldnavy.com/browse/product.do?cid=43646&pid=613549&scid=613549022 (Old Navy Sweaters size L, any color)

http://www.oldnavy.com/browse/product.do?cid=43658&pid=612342&scid=612342012 (Size L, any color)

http://www.oldnavy.com/browse/product.do?cid=6921&pid=599340&scid=599340022 (size M, any color)

http://www.oldnavy.com/browse/product.do?cid=15320&pid=613891&scid=613891002 (Size 32x34, anything but the patterned black ones)

Old navy Jeans, boot cut or straight leg, any wash, size 32x34)

Running stuff is always needed...

Shoes: http://www.rei.com/product/765509 **on sale now at REI. (size 12)

Shirts: http://www.sportsauthority.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1929225&cp=3077569.3079696.2806388.2806409&parentPage=family (any wicking material but under armour is great...size M, any color)

Shorts: http://www.sportsauthority.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2795931&cp=3077569.3079696.2806390.2806423&parentPage=family (size M or L, check for waist size, 32 or 34)

Additional items:

Helping out with hotel costs for our Arizona marathon (we have plane tickets but have not paid for the hotel)

Post marathon massage

Any PS3 games that sound fun.
A PSN (PlayStation network) gift card for PS3 online games
Itunes money for iPhone apps
Anything beer related
And as always, anything off my Amazon wishlist

John, Cris, & family living in their new addition!

John is showing Dad their new TV which is HD and beloved by the entire family!
John and Brianna welcome us into their new family room. The leaning bifold doors will be installed in front of the laundry machines out of sight to the right.
Looking from the sliding glass doors from the outside toward their kitchen and front room, I am told by Aiden to see where they sit to watch movies!
Their shower still needs the glass enclosure to be useful! Just beyond the shower to the right is their neat walk in closet! To the left is their master bedroom.
Cris is busy fixing us a delicious turkey feast! They are still awaiting the glass fronts to a few of their cabinets.
Do you recognize the sofa? It looks so nice in their front room, which now seems so spacious! The red chairs are from Anita and very comfortable! It was a cold evening but toasty with their wood stove going!
Brianna is showing off her new bed which she got from her maternal grandmother! She and Cris will be decorating her room with butterflies and flowers!
Chewy feels completely at home on Cris and John's bed. I understand so does all of the family!

I guess our visit wore out the two guys! (The little one is hamming it!) The entire family has been so very busy organizing and cleaning and decorating. I know they look forward to showing it to each of you when you visit Paradise!

Christmas Ideas for the Blaines

Thanks Alisa for starting the trend of ideas. I like ideas for what to get people! Maybe these suggestions will help you with some ideas.

Deven: Clothes (he wears a 4T)
He loved the remote control helicopters from his uncles. They died though, so that's a great idea.
He loves trains, cars, trucks.
Play dough
Books, pop up books
Bullets for his nerf guns
scooter

Ben: Clothes size 7 pants same for tops
skate board
scooter
ditto to the helicopters
v-tech cyber spy notebook as seen in Wal-Mart ad

Emily: clothes size 8 (some shirts or dresses need size 9 or 10)
Books
anything girly
easy bake mixes
scrapbook kit
ditto to the v-tech laptop

Nate: clothes size xl tops and lg bottoms
he likes those silky exercise tops and bottoms, he likes extra long bottoms (9 inch inseam)
really old cheese (oops, aged)
dockers size 33x34
ditto to the helicopters...
sled
lindt chocolates
weather station with rain gauge
set of steak knives

Jen: clothes size xl
books (list of want to reads on goodreads.com)
body and bath shower gels and lotions
pjs
pilates on the ball work out dvds or other good ones you have liked


I hope those ideas help. We sure get spoiled at Christmas time with gifts from the family. They are the favorite toys.

If anyone in the family could help me out with ideas for Bill.... I also need ideas for Brianna, Colby and Aiden, John and Jill, and Jeremy for Nate.

Love, Jen

Yes Justin, the kids and Nate all got cookies from that race! They also got t-shirts, candy and gatorade. I think they got more than the entrance fee was. You'll have to come to Utah next Halloween for the spooktakular run next year!

Catching the running bug and Happy Halloween

After the "kids k" as they were enjoying their drinks and treat bags, Ben said this to me: "Mom ask me why I ran the race." I did and he responded, "because I LOVE running!" I thought that was so cute. They really did great. We'll definitely have to sign up again next year.


Emily and Ben crossing the finish line.



The start of the kids k




Nate coming in from the 5K. He did great, 8th overall. There weren't too many, but I was still impressed. He did another one last Saturday and improved his already good time. I asked him if he was going to try for the marathons like Justin and Alisa. He said that was too time consuming and he enjoyed the 5ks, so he'll be doing that for now.

Pre trick or treating. It was perfect weather, and we all had a great time.

Nate and the kids at the school carnival.

The fort that Nate, Emily, Ben and Deven built yesterday.

I am not organized enough to make the wish lists right now, but I'll have to get on that! Love you all, Jen

Race Report and Xmas Lists

We can’t thank Mom and Dad (and my parents and Bob and Gary) enough for being race spectators last weekend at the Healdsburg Half Marathon. We’ve never had the luxury of having cheerleaders along route. It was definitely motivating…especially in the latter miles it was so motivating to know a loved one was just around the bend. Here are a couple of pictures from the weekend, I don’t have any new ones from the race since my parents haven’t sent me any photos. Personally, I always think I look retarded while running…I never know what to do with my arms, Justin calls them bunny arms. For any interested in trying out half marathon, I must say the Healdsburg course was probably one of the prettiest I’ve seen (and remember we did run in San Diego, my mecca). Next year it’s on Halloween Saturday! Thanks again Mom and Dad it was soooooo great to spend time with you last weekend, we felt very loved. Our crazy dog...looks like she had a bit too much wine, JK! =)
The whole gang!

Onto the next topic…Christmas Lists! In Hawaii there was mention of posting Christmas Wish lists on the blog. I’m not sure about everyone else but I’m certainly starting to think about the holidays and getting my shopping done. I think this year Justin and I are going to try to spend about 4-5 days with each of our families…yay! In an effort to start the trend, I’m going to post my list below. Hope all is well with the many Dunlap families! We are looking forward to seeing everyone at Christmas!

Alisa’s Wish List:

Gift Cards
Banana Republic
Ann Taylor Loft
J Crew
Itunes

Amazon Wish List (If you’re searching, I’m still Alisa Houghton, can’t figure out how to change the setting.)

Running Stuff
http://runningskirts.com/ (I love these! I have a pink/black one already. Any color of the running skirt is great, I don’t like the athletic style with the shorts underneath. I’m size 4, otherwise it’s too short!)

Nike PB Printed Women's Long Sport Top (any color, size medium)
http://store.nike.com/index.jsp?country=US&lang_locale=en_US&l=shop,women#l=shop,pdp,ctr-inline/cid-1/pid-173620/pgid-173768

Nike Tempo Track Women’s Running Shorts (any color, size medium)
http://store.nike.com/index.jsp?country=US&lang_locale=en_US&l=shop,women#l=shop,pdp,ctr-inline/cid-1/pid-187315/pgid-104064

Asics Women’s Hera Low Cut Sock (Size large, any color) http://www.sportsauthority.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1851428&cp=3077569.3079702.2806311&f=PAD%2FSport%2FRunning&lmdn=Sport&fbc=1&view=all&fbn=Sport%7CRunning&parentPage=family

Long sleeve dri-fit material running shirts (any color, size medium)

Colby Numba 54

Colby sacking the quarterback!!! He loves to play defense for this reason...

Justin & Alisa's Healdsburg half marathon!

This picture should be after Alisa's other one. Here she is only 3 miles out from the finish and still looks great! Many runners looked very fatigued! Guess who got her attention?

We got Zoey at 5:30 am on Saturday and she was a doll! She was busy and playful, but do you think that here she was wondering where her people had disappeared to?

Justin was definitely in the forefront - Vance estimated in the first 20 to 40 out of a couple of thousand! This was the first of six possible 'stops' for viewing, and Dad and I watched the sun come up at this spot not too long before this! The runners were spirited and upbeat and called out "Good Morning!"s. Zoey was a huge attraction and distraction - and she tried hard to join them running!

Alisa eyes were all for Zoey and vice versa! Dad and I also got to the next to last viewing area but not in time to see Justin whiz past. Most of the runners had lost their high spirits and looked intensely focused, tired, and hot!

After the marathon, showered and looking totally refreshed, Alisa and Justin and Zoey joined us for lunch and then most of us toured wineries in the beautiful Mendocino area!

Here Gary, Justin, Bob, Alisa, Zoey, Margy, Vance, Mary, and Chuck are departing from a winery - Dad stayed at the motel to take a nap, not being used to getting up at 5 am!

Hopefully Alisa and Justin will post their blog and pictures and experiences! I don't want to upstage them, but especially do want to share my pictures of them running! Thanks to them for a terrific weekend, and to Jeremy who rescued me this evening and found my pictures! I was certain they had been lost forever and am so relieved and grateful!