{Dining} Portland: NoHo's Hawaiian Cafe

NoHo's is not a new find for us.

In fact, it is a favorite from when we used to live in Oregon (pre-Vegas).

For the number of times I've drooled at the thought of their macaroni salad and a "regular #8", it's hard to believe that it took us five months since moving here to get over to southeast side to enjoy some AWESOME Hawaiian food.

Yesterday was finally our day to get our NoHo fix!

Rich and I took Tanner to dinner to celebrate his (19th!) birthday and we were thrilled that Tanner was as enthused as we were over the idea of NoHo's as our destination.

Each of NoHo's menu items are offered in their "regular" size - or you can order "blalah" if you are really hungry or "menehune" if you aren't as hungry. I could probably get away with "menehune" every time, but when it comes time to order I can never bring myself to order LESS of my favorite #8 PHIL'S ONO CHICKEN.

I get it every time and it never disappoints.

Tanner also knew exactly what he wanted. Loco Moco was what Tanner was craving and he went for their Loco Moco "blalah".

As you can see, "blalah" means HUGE!

By the time we left, we all went away happy and full.

If you EVER come to Portland, you MUST take a trip to NoHo's.

Still as good as I remember.

Still craving their macaroni salad!

Cason turns EIGHT!

My Cason celebrated a milestone birthday today.

He turned EIGHT!

At his request, he and his best friend decorated his birthday cake.

I was given the task of baking the cake and frosting it with "turf" (green frosting). Then I turned it over to the boys...

Alabama Crimson Tide....looks pretty good!

Cason had a pretty impressive birthday crowd - grandma and grandpa Dougall, aunt Alison, uncle David from Utah and Tanner and Conner.

After devouring pizza, Cason opened his gifts. His Oregon State sweatshirt and new bicycle were the big hits of the night!

The rest of the night was spent playing games as we waited for 2011 to ring in. I always tell Cason that the fireworks are for his birthday. He has yet to stay awake long enough to see the world celebrate on his behalf :)

A busy week...

This has been a busy week - and my camera has over 100 photos to prove it...

This is what my week held:

Tuesday and Wednesday were spent at our ward Youth Retreat. I serve in the Young Women's program so I went as a leader. It was a fun, quick trip - made special in that Conner was able to attend and get to know the youth in our ward a bit better.

We awoke to this view - and NO power - I feel lucky to have gotten out alive!

Wednesday night was an Open House for my in-laws. This is the goody table which was my contribution to the evenings: Butter Pecan Cake, Pumpkin bread, Brownie Macaroons, Caramel Apple Bars, Holiday Layer Bars, Almond Glazed Sugar Cookies, Chewy Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies, Homemade Oreos, and Peppermint Oreo Bark.

One guess how I've spent my free time for the past two weeks :)

Thursday night Rich and I took Tanner to dinner for his birthday (which was on Monday).

Happy Birthday Tanner!

Today was Cason's birthday - post yet to come...

And tomorrow we will host a baptism for the newest 8 year-old in our family.

What a week to finish off 2010.

Christmas Day 2010

We had a great Christmas!

It was very unique in that we were able to spend it with Rich's parents before they leave on their mission, as well as we were lucky enough to have aunt Alison with us and aunt Sheri visiting from Seattle! With Tanner and Conner coming mid-afternoon we were definately a FULL HOUSE!

Ty was an absolute delight!

He got lots of trucks which fueled his Christmas enthusiasm. He also got a stuffed dog from Conner that he named "woof" and he keeps saying "I love him so much"!

Jake received his remote control Monster Truck - which was the only thing he wanted. But the tool set from diyah stole the show. I never realized how many things needed repair until my 4 year-old had tools in hand :)

Who is this kid? He loves the sports jerseys! Sport, sports and more sports (even football shaped oreos) - sounds like Cason!

My Kaitlyn is growing up but it's nice to see that Christmas morning can still bring out the "child" in my growing girl!

The kids hit the dollar store to buy gifts for each other and it was fun to see the thoughts behind each of the gifts they bought. Giving to each other may truly be the highlight of the entire day.

And in the end the day was a success!
I know because Ty hasn't left his new Playroom since it was "given" to him.

I know because I found Jake and Kaitlyn snuggled in a new, warm blanket - enjoying a new book together.

And I know because when Ty finally crashed, his new monkey was still tightly in his clutch.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve {Off to bed...}

"The stockings were hung by the chimney with care..."

Once in our pajamas, the kids each chose their favorite story and Kaitlyn and Cason actually were the readers for their stories.

Cason read "The Three Trees".

Kaitlyn read "Christmas Day in the Morning".

Aunt Alison chose "A Star So Bright".

Aunt Sheri chose "The Gift of the Magi"which grandpa Dougall read.

Lastly grandma Dougall read "The Man Who Missed Christmas".

As we finished the stories and prepared to go to bed, the kids actually looked out the window and saw SANTA CLAUS walking down the street. Aunt Alison was so enthused that she went running out of the house to find him! Jake was the funniest because he told us that seeing Santa "made him nervous!" Ha!

"...with hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there."

Christmas Eve {Dessert}

After our family nativity, we came home to some of our own family traditions.

We began with our FONDUE DESSERT.

We shook it up a bit this year by serving two options: a Chocolate-Peanut Butter fondue and a White Chocolate fondue.

It's hard to say which was better!

And this guy gets my vote for my favorite face of the evening.

Is anyone opposed if I lick his face clean :)

Christmas Eve {Nativity}

We had a delightful Christmas - our first since 2002 to be with family!

On Christmas Eve we gathered with Rich's parents, three of Rich's sisters and Rich's brother to enjoy a "Night in Bethlehem". Dinner consisted of nuts and dried fruit, meat skewers, spinach pie and roasted veggies - eaten on the floor in an effort to recreate Bethlehem.

After dinner, the grandkids put their costumes on and performed the nativity.

Jake was Mary's donkey.

Cason was the narrator (such an important role!)

Kaitlyn was Mary (but somehow ended up with the angel's headpiece :)

And here is the whole gang!

Thanks for all the work Marilyn. It was the perfect kick-off to our evening.

Snip, Snip

I guess I should count myself lucky that my 3rd child was my first experience with a "self" haircut.

No worries - it was only done on Christmas Eve morning so that it could be there for all the Christmas photos and his brother's upcoming baptism.

Grrrrrr!

{Service} Portland: Feeding the Hungry

Last year for Christmas we were given some money and a request from Rich's parents; we were to use the money to perform a SERVICE for somebody and then we were to report back to them what we had done as our Christmas gift to them this year.

Love it!

After discussing a handful of ideas, including making blankets or donating to a family of a sick child, the kids made the decision to make sack lunches to distribute in downtown Portland.

We went as a family to the grocery store and the kids figured out how much we could buy with the money that we had. They were 100% in charge of what we bought and, thanks to a few sales, our money went further than we planned.

The next morning we assembled the lunches.

Kaitlyn and Cason had decorated each of the paper sacks with Christmas pictures the night before, which was a thoughtful touch that made me so pleased!

We set up an assemble line for the sandwiches with Cason spreading peanut butter, I spread the jam, Ty opened the baggies, Kaitlyn bagged the sandwiches and Jake laid them on the table.

Once the sandwiches were made, everyone filled the sacks - a banana, two sandwiches, chips and a bottled water.

Our efforts to distribute the lunches were hindered a bit by rain - not the normal Portland drizzle but an actual "find shelter anywhere" rainstorm. Needless to say, we drove around for three hours and only delivered half of the lunches.

But I will say that those that received them on that wet day were VERY grateful that we were out despite the rain.

The following day we returned downtown and were able to distribute the remaining lunches much easier.

I am really grateful for this opportunity and for my in-laws providing us with the motivation to do this. Each of my kids were very involved - even Ty wanted to hand out sacks and say "Happy Holidays". The kids were required to get outside of their comfort zone a bit, but they were able to see the faces up close of the people that we helped and we were all touched by very sincere expressions of gratitude.

We are so grateful for all that we have. Despite troubling times we are so much better off than so many.

I know that.

And I am humbled.

Merry Christmas John & Marilyn!

My Favorite Gift!

Okay, so we haven't even had Christmas yet so I can't really say what my favorite gift is - but this one is going to be pretty tough to top!

This has been my work in progress for the past week - a NEW PLAYROOM for my kiddos!

(shhh don't tell!)

With 7 boxes of toys in the storage unit (9 if you count puzzle boxes - 12 if you count boardgames) I was having a hard time thinking that my kids needed too many NEW gifts this Christmas. All they really needed was their mom to unpack!

I began by painting a spare room and removing the bookshelves that had been in the room.

Then a quick trip to IKEA (is there such a thing?) for the shelving...

A trip to Home Depot for rain gutters for the reading corner...

And an entire bookshelf just for trucks (and that is only about half of them)...

I had hoped to hang hooks for the dress up clothes, but the piano is on the other wall and so I was out of wall space for the hooks. Other than that, it turned out EXACTLY the way I hoped!

I CAN'T WAIT for Christmas!!!

Christmas Card 2010 ~ Merry Christmas to all!

As we become more electronically reliant, Rich has requested that we progress to an electronic Christmas Card....I'm still not there yet completely (I admit I love getting the physical card in the mail!).

Despite the fact that I may not be completely cooperative, I did reduce our list this year significantly and am relying on my blog to be my "card" to many of our friends.

(forgive me if you are like me and like getting the real thing in the mail...I still love you!)

(2010 Dougall Christmas Card)
“Goodbye” and “Hello” are probably the two words that best describe 2010 for our family…

As a family:
• After 9 years of living in Las Vegas, we said GOODBYE to Nevada. We can truly say that we loved living there and have many fond memories. We already miss the sunshine and the many dear friends we’d made.
• Our leaving Las Vegas means that we said HELLO to Portland, Oregon. For Rich it’s a return to his (green) roots. We look forward to cooler summers, beautiful scenery and new friendships.

Rich:
• We didn’t realize it at the time, but our move to Oregon has meant that we say GOODBYE to dad more than we have ever had to in the past, as his work requires frequent trips back to Nevada.
• On the other end, our move to Oregon has facilitated a HELLO for Rich as he enters into a business partnership (of sorts) with his brother.

Katherine:
• This fall felt a bit empty when I said GOODBYE to teaching pre-school. After teaching three classes over the past two years, I missed the energy and enthusiasm that comes in the form of three-year-olds. Who knows, maybe next year!
• Each and every day seems to be filled with new HELLO’s as I discover this beautiful new city. Truly a world apart from anything I’ve ever known and the honeymoon has not yet worn off J

Tanner:
• It’s hard to imagine, but in June Tanner said GOODBYE to High School as he entered the ranks of a High School graduate!
• So many new HELLO’s in Tanner’s life as he moved to Idaho to attend BYU-I. He is experiencing living on his own, roommates and college life and has (truly) never been happier.

Conner:
• An unfortunate (and abrupt) GOODBYE to his football season in the form of a broken collar-bone requiring surgery.
• With us now living a quick 20 minutes away, we love getting to say HELLO to Conner on a regular basis as he is in our home more frequently.

Kaitlyn:
• Our summer fish had to say GOODBYE to daily visits to the Rec Club swimming pool and waterslides. A daily visit during Vegas summers that Kaitlyn, more than any of the rest of us, never tired of.
• An enthusiastic HELLO to a new volleyball league here in Oregon, which Kaitlyn has thoroughly enjoyed. She may have finally found the sport for her, or at least her latest obsession.

Cason:
• Always so patient, Cason said GOODBYE to the serenity of having a room all to himself. He now shares with two younger brothers which gives Cason the Brother of the Year Award!
• As is always the theme of Cason in each Christmas card, he has said HELLO to sports on an entirely new level – a ½ acre yard and a sports court means that at any given time Cason is shooting hoops, playing hockey or tackling a football opponent.

Jake:
• Surprisingly, my most vocal opponent to the rain in Oregon (really!), Jake has had a hard time saying GOODBYE to the warm weather of Vegas. Rain or shine you will find him wearing flip-flops!
• Jake makes friends everywhere he goes, but has had a very special opportunity to say HELLO to his grandpa Dougall, as they share their pre-dawn hours awake together and look forward to “bacon day” each weekend.

Ty:
• Though Ty may not say GOODBYE or HELLO too often, he seems to be saying just about everything else! His language has really taken off as he enters the delightful age of discovery and wants to talk about everything!

And so for now it is GOODBYE to a very full and adventurous year of 2010. We are always grateful for this Christmas Season as a chance to look back and express gratitude for the many blessings apparent in our lives.
If ever you find yourself in the beautiful Northwest, please call or stop in to say HELLO.

Much Love,
Rich and Katherine Dougall & Family

Jake Turns FOUR!

Yesterday was the beginning of our "Birthday Season" at our house with Jake turning four years old!

All day long Jake was so excited that it was his birthday, yet he would not let anyone sing to him until it was time to open presents and eat cake - which wasn't until after dinner (half time of the Las Vegas Bowl to be exact)

Jake was so excited over every gift and gave lots of hugs.

From mom and dad he received a bicycle.

Now we just have to wait for it to dry out outdoors so that he can actually ride it!

The cake originally was requested to be a "motorcycle".

In my attempt to find an idea online for a motorcycle cake Jake changed his mind and asked for a football - which I was all over!

Then as I tucked him in to bed last night he asked me why I didn't make a Santa Claus cake because that was what he REALLY wanted.

Hmmm. I didn't know what to say.

Jake, you are a gem.

I love your smile.

I love your hugs.

I love how excited you are each morning to be awake.

I love how hard you work at speech class.

I love how you are my helper in the kitchen.

I love how you play with Ty.

I love how you try so hard to obey.

I love you!

Happy Birthday Jakers!

{Holiday} Portland: Peacock Lane

Before we even lived here, I had heard of Peacock Lane.

It is a charming street in southeast that has every home on the block light up their house with Christmas light - and they have been doing so since the 1920's.

Tuesday night we drove over with Rich's brother and his family and we walked the block.

Unfortunately I don't know how to turn my flash off on my camera so I didn't get any photos that "worked".

Here is our gang! This is one time when your really could tell the kids "if you pull a face, it may just freeze that way!" It was that cold :)

Luckily aunt Saralyn comes prepared and we warmed up with hot cocoa to follow.

{Holiday} Portland: Christmas Ship Parade

Portland has a fun holiday tradition called THE CHRISTMAS SHIP PARADE.

Approximately 60 boat owners string lights on their boats and then nightly they are out on the Willamette and Columbia River, basically putting on a parade on the water.

Sunday night we went downtown to see the boats on the Willamette.

We spent the first twenty minutes basically "chasing" the boats, trying to get ahead of them so that we could park and get to the waterfront and still have boats to see. Luckily they "pause" and circle back on themselves at certain intervals.

It was a cold night.

Don't mistake the lack of smiles as lack of a good time.

Okay, so maybe some were more excited than others :)