New Moon

These are the smiles on our faces after coming out of the theater from seeing the "Twilight" sequel, "New Moon". I felt like the movie stayed ultra-true to the book - and while, in the big picture, I'm definitely a pro-Edward person (they are meant to be), I felt like there couldn't be a better Jacob than Taylor Lautner. I think he's just the sweetest thing - may he and Taylor Swift fall in love and live happily ever after........

Thanksgiving in Picture Review

We're currently watching the Boise State game on Friday night - with the Whites and the whole Schilling Family - all rooting for Nevada... It's all so super-cozy - kind of a pre-cursor to Sunriver. Except, in Sunriver, there's a little bit more room for 5 kids to run around and three dogs to play..... =)

I got a bit of a nap after returning from shopping/organizing presents around 4:30(pm). Yes, a very LLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGGGGG day! But, I'm feeling revived enough to enjoy the moments happening now - and to chronicle a bit of the great Thanksgiving we had.

The morning started early with Mikayla helping me to slice the "Cinnabon Copycat" cinnamon rolls. They turned out good enough to attempt again......next time I'll work on improving my "bread-rising" techniques (I don't have a bread maker and have limited experience working with yeast) - and I'll probably head over to World Market to get some really amazing cinnamon to use next time.

This is the front view of the family - all eating cinnamon rolls, watching the Macy's Day parade.

And, a view from the back - Michael ended up winning the Macy's Day Parade Bingo game - who knew that if you paid close attention to the opening credits of the show - when they preview what's to come - you can manage to fill in a whole lot of slots.....


Around 10:30, after a stop at Dutch Brothers for Mom, we made it out to Mom and Dad's. While Michele and Mom worked on things in the kitchen (and I returned home for about 5 things I forgot - [Man, there's a lot of organization required for these holiday events- and I just wasn't on my "A game".....]) - the guys hung out in the living room and Michael tutored Dad on the PC.

As this occurred, the kids were enamored with "Sly Cooper" on the PS2........


John used some of his photography skills right before we sat down for dinner. Unfortunately, the pic he took of Mom, Michele, and I (to prove Mom was there!) did not turn out. However the pic of some of my favorite kids, favorite Thanksgiving offerings, and Ellie's favorite meal time pastimes totally turned out.




Baxter was such a cutie on Thanksgiving night - cuddling with both Mom and I a ton. He was especially interested in my pumpkin pie - I shot this as he had his chin on my knees with my cell phone.

As a final concluding comment - the common consensus in this community (how about that alliteration!) is thank God today is just Friday.....and tomorrow is a sleep-in day!

It's 3:27am, and We're Off to Go......

Sears, then Target, then Best Buy - oh, but Best Buy will depend on how successful Sears is.....from there Home Depot - or is it Fred Meyer. By that time, we might be seeing dawn on the horizon and a caffeine infusion from Starbucks will be in order.....and we will all three be so punch-drunk!

That's why I love this day - not for the satisfaction of all of the sales - but, for the way it redefines the "abundant life". I mean, getting up this early and fighting angry shoppers is not the typical way one would consider life bursting from the seams full of joy......but doing it with my mom and Michele - and the MEMORIES - oh, the memories -- oh yeah. This is a good day.

Now, if I can just convince my riotous stomach of that.....it's still very unhappy with me from yesterday.........hmmm, will Russian Tea be just the remedy?

Happy Black Friday Everyone!

Picture taken at 4:30am while waiting in line outside of Target:

Happy Thanksgiving from The Rileys!!

Bring It On!

Traditionally, today has been one of my favorite days of the year. Why? Because I'm an anticipation/expectation person - and with tomorrow being the official launch off of my favorite season of the year. Yippeeeeeee!

Michele and the kiddos are down already (they have "No school/conferences" the week of Thanksgiving) and today will be errand-running, pie-making and goodie-making.


In addition, we'll be visiting Amy!! (Please be in prayer for her mother-in-law - she is in ICU and could pass away at any time - her heart is prepared, but they are hopeful her journey to Heaven does not coincide with Amy's daughter, Christina's birthday (on Thanksgiving this year) - as Christina would probably internalize it and struggle....)(Amy looked so good today - and was in great spirits - the pain she is still experiencing can largely be attributed to the 12mm she gained in height from the surgery - and how much that affects the nerves in her back and the muscles- understandably).
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Tomorrow we head out to Mom and Dad's - after doing the Macy's Day Bingo game at home. We'll have a grand feast out there and play our every-other-year "Arena Football" - literally taking place in my mom's sand outdoor riding arena. =) If it rains so hard the rest of the family chooses not to play, Brayden will be crushed......

Here is a picture that Mikayla drew for school of what she considers "November":

Around 6:30 tomorrow night- John and Travis will take off for the Woodburn Outlet Malls, while we plan our strategies with Mom for Black Friday.....perhaps a little watching of "Four Christmases" will take place and then if we're smart we'll get to bed super early, but 3am will come early no matter when we go to bed, let's face it.....

All's to say - I CAN'T WAIT!!!

"Up on the Rooftop"

That's where you'd find John and Brayden today - and those white little dots on the skylight - yes, that is hail. Fortunately, it was very short-lived. Most of the day was quite cold, but rather dry. Not the ideal day to put up Christmas lights, but I'm so happy those boys of mine got it done.



Meanwhile, Julie and I hung out in the house with Mikayla. Julie sacrificed some of her study time to re-do Mikayla's Upcoming Events sign that hangs in her bedroom. Ever since I asked Kara to design the board last spring, I've been quite unhappy with my own efforts. Julie was sweet enough to fill in for her - and make me very happy whenever I walk into Mikayla's room.

When Sydney wasn't pacing the hallway by the patio door to "go see what the guys' were up to without her", she found a cozy place next to Julie to relax.

All in all- a great weekend! It was so "full" - it feels like a week has gone by since we went to the movies - but that's what made it so great.

What a Huge Football Weekend!

Whew...what a weekend so far! And it is just the beginning of Sunday - we still have a full day to go.

I already chronicled about Friday night's football movie - "The Blind Side". Just excellent.....

Then, yesterday, at 12:30, Brayden's football team got the opportunity to play at Autzen Stadium (where the Ducks play, to you non-Eugenians) for the Pop Warner championships. His team was in contention for 2nd place. They did not win (which was kind of expected, the other team had only one loss all season - in the play-offs) - but still, to play at Autzen - to run out on the field, to have your name broadcast on the loudspeaker and face on the Jumbotron. Wow, what a thrill.

Brayden played a lot - it was so wonderful to have Mom, Dad, Leona, Uncle Jeff, the Quigley family, Travis and Steph, and Julie (on the sideline helping John photograph) all there to support our little man - Brayden "Ocho" Riley. Many, many pictures to come, but I'm so proud of that kid. He had a couple shout outs by the announcer - one for a killer block, and another for a tackle which he was not responsible for - at least he wasn't the one that made the stop - he kind of jumped on the pile after the play and got credit for it. We all laughed at that. =)

And, then, last night. Ducks vs. Arizona at Tuscon. Another Duck game captured by ESPN's GameDay. Another game in which Lee Corso donned the Duck Head..... The Rose Bowl contention on the line -

The Ducks are the only team in the Pac 10 that control their own destiny. If we had lost last night, we still could have potentially gone to Pasadena had Arizona lost one of their two remaining games. But, if we wanted to retain sole control of our own destiny, we had to win. We came out strong, took a two touchdown lead and then, in the second quarter, Arizona gained momentum. It wasn't looking good by the 4th quarter and I was doing all I could to stay semi-distracted so I wouldn't go insane with the tension level. I've said this before, but getting attached to team and their success can be such a double-edged sword. It is so marvelous when we win, but the loss let-down can be so devastating. I was trying to guard my heart for the worst......but, when we tied it up - and headed to overtime - oh, the emotion level in our living room was monumental! Travis, Steph, Dennis, John, and I were alternating standing, crouching, jumping, groaning, cheering - and then, we DID IT! On the second overtime, Masoli ran it in for the TD....and we took the win. All those Arizona students had swarmed the field at the end of the fourth quarter - oh, the disappointment for them to lose.

So, now, it sets up for the biggest civil war game we've ever been a part of. Whoever wins the Civil War (Thursday, December 3rd)- whether it be Oregon State or Oregon will play at the Rose Bowl. As per tradition, I gave up my ticket to Michael so he can go to the game at Autzen with John, (Michele gives up her OSU ticket to John when the Civil War is in OSU's home turf) while I stay home and watch with Michele and the kids. If we were playing at Corvallis, I think I'd say OSU would take the win this year - but with home-field advantage, the Ducks can be very formidable. It will be a showdown like none other, that's for sure. Let's hope the family relations can survive the battle! =)

"The Blind Side"

Last night we went to the movies. No, it wasn't to see "New Moon" - though I'll admit I'll probably be seeing that with Stephie and Michele on Thanksgiving weekend. (You should have seen the lines.....). We took the whole family to see "The Blind Side" instead.

I remember the first "drama" that my parents took me to see. Just like us last night, it was easier to take Mikayla than it was to find someone to watch her. I figured she'd fall asleep on my lap if the movie was that boring. But, instead - just like me and "On Golden Pond", Mikayla got sucked right in. She told me just now, "I really liked 'The Blind Side'". So did we, sweetheart!

We went to see it the night it came out because I really didn't want to hear how good it was from everyone else, or how sad, or any significant parts of the movie. As it was, I was starting to turn my head on tv previews of it because I wanted the movie to be a surprise. So, I won't give anything away.

If you are taking kids, yes, there's adult content - a significant scene towards the end that is scary - and a few "conversation pieces" that you hope fly right over their heads. However, it was all placed in the movie to make the story complete - it was exceptional.

So, there you go - my review. It is not a "Facing the Giants" movie- it's a true story. And pretty extraordinary at that.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like......

Christmas. Yes, I said it - and yes, I did it. Gone are the orange and brown leaves, the pumpkins and gourds. In is the red and green, the holly and pinecones - and I couldn't be happier.

Neither could the kids or John, which is why I offer no apologies for decorating the week before Thanksgiving. It brings us great joy. So did having the "Traditions on XM" music playing all day. Joy, joy, joy!!!

For many, the music gets old. Certainly, there's a few Christmas songs I could do without, but perhaps I am one of the few who mourns the day after Christmas when our "yesterday's hits, today's favorites" radio station converts back from the holiday music they've been playing since at least Monday. I miss it. Because, right now, I love it.

I wrote on Facebook this morning that I wish there was some way to bottle these happy feelings and spread them out through the rest of the year, because, during this season I have an extra spring in my step. Hopes are high, anticipation for the fun yet to come may even be higher. Life is very, very good.

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On a separate note - I wanted to update you all on Amy (especially since Sara asked and is praying for her!). She is having a good day today, after heading back to the hospital with concerns yesterday. They determined the reason for her headaches and nausea (that had nothing to do with her neck) and it appears that the prescription they got for her is doing the trick as Nancy reported upon dropping the meal today that she is feeling much better. So, long story short - she is getting better. This last week was spent doing a lot of sleeping, which I think is so crucial for her. I think my big prayer will be that even though we already know that this has already done wonders in reviving feeling to her limbs, that it will also be determined that this neck issue was indeed the culprit to much of her pain over these last years - and therefore will be eliminated. That - and getting Amy to figure out how to pace herself and create new habits in the routine of her life that will cause less strain on her neck.

Thank you everyone!