Girls Ski Trip

Dani took a final ski trip with Mel, Ashley, and Tamara up to Mt Hood Meadows. It has been a fun 9.5 years - the earlier years we did a ton together, and as our schedules got busier, we had to make some time (though the Battles being in our ward certainly helped!). 

A blue-sky day and a lot of smiles were highlights for the girls!

 

Doing the last things in Portland

We have loved our over 9 years in Portland. We arrived as a family of 4 and had 3 more kids, made wonderful friends, and unforgettable memories.

We got to go to the temple a few more times - we have loved having the temple so close. It has been literally across the highway from Jared, out his window. It has been in our stake - a place of refuge and revelation for us.

Another run with Jimmy! We will miss him.

One thing we enjoy about Oregon is the temperate days that happen during the winter - we could even get another bike ride in!

Winter did give us one more snow storm - and whenever it snows, we HAVE to build a snowman!

Another bike ride - the country roads of Sherwood and Stafford are incredible. I love being able to be in rolling hillsides only a couple minutes after leaving the house. What a beautiful area we have lived in.

We went for another hike in Tryon Creek - so amazing that we could have this beautiful hike a short drive away!

And, of course, some wings - need to get the good food in Portland while we still can!

Jared off to Cincinnati

Jared is headed to Cincinnati to start at Great American! Dani dropped Jared off at the airport so he could get to Cincinnati to start.

Maple Dale Elementary - where Kate, Liam, and Torin will be starting school in a few weeks!

Snow awaited Jared when he got to Cincinnati. Jared will be staying at Nana and Papa's for the next few weeks until the rest of the family comes to join.

 

Archery Lesson

For the last few months, Liam has been taking archery lessons with Ryker Smith. It all started in the fall when Liam decided he was going to be an archer when he grows up.

He had a big elaborate story to share with Ryker about how he would dip his arrows in poison, hide in a tree, and hunt and bring people hunting.

He then had a piece of paper asking what days Ryker would give him archery lessons!

It became a whole-family event for the Smiths - they all liked coming out and being with Liam as he was learning to shoot.

It was really sweet of Ryker, and I think they all enjoyed it! We will miss his archery lessons!

 

Mt Hood ski trip

Jared not working has some definite perks - and we are getting in as many days of fun as we can, including a last trip to ski at Mt Hood.

It was a beautiful blue-sky day for us!

 

Torin started the day on the magic carpet and occasionally decided to taste the snow.

It didn't take long before he was riding lifts with dad.

Top of Cascade - the older kids all got a nice long ride from near the top 

We have a lot of fond memories skiing on Mt Hood as a family!

 

House Hunting

Jared is done at Precoa, only a couple weeks from his start date at Great American Insurance in the crop division - so now we needed to find a car!!! We were excited to see some houses. In the end, we narrowed it down to 3, and the one that we loved the most - it had a significant price drop that we saw on the way to the airport.

In the end, our trip was effective - and we wound up buying our house in Cincinnati, moving here mid-February. We are super excited!