Ugly Sweater Party

It feels a little bit weird that this will be our last ugly sweater party in Oregon - we have held these every year, so this is our 9th!

Pre-party - Jared and Dani held a "who wore it best" contest - Dani definitely won (but Jared got the laughs)

Lisa and Tom Jensen

Eric and Tamara Battles

Ryker and Brooke Smith

Carson and Paige Johanson

Jim and Mel Schaffer

Steve and Lori Mineer

Rob and Lorena Candrian

Ryan and 

Chris and Karen McIlmoil

Ryan and Jessica Smith

The whole group

We have had a lot of fun years of Ugly Sweater Parties with this group. It has always been fun. Highlights are Tamara's love of Bunko, Eric's love of the cranberry dip, Carson's yearly stache - and a wonderful set of friendships!

Andrew comes for Thanksgiving

Andrew came for a visit for Thanksgiving, and we got to do lots of fun things together.

One of the highlights for Jared was the 9-mile trail run around Silver Falls, seeing all the waterfalls.

We've done this as a hike a number of times, and Jared has done a trail run elsewhere in the park, but this was the first time running this trail

We got a little bit wet as it drizzled for a bit, but it was actually a beautiful day for a fall day in northwest Oregon!

It was fun running it with my brother!

Uncle time as we start getting things ready for Christmas.

When it came time for feasting, we feasted very well! We invited Linda, Harold, and LeShayla for Thanksgiving, and had an enjoyable dinner. Harold wasn't able to join us unfortunately.

We went bouldering with Andrew - one of his favorite things to do.

I think we wore him out!

YM Campout on the Oregon coast

The YM had a campout at the Oregon Coast at Camp Meriwether. Jacob and Jared rode up with Scott and Geddy. We took a very random route - I don't know that we would even be able to find it on the map if we tried - and Jacob got carsick and threw up outside the car halfway there.

 

Scott told him that because he lost his lunch, he could eat double dinner. Jacob took that to heart and ate multiple hot dogs, Takis, loads of candy and other junk. And was up in the middle of the night throwing up again!

Nausea aside - it really was an awesome trip. As always, the views are spectacular

We played games on the beach, playing some baseball.

We found a very colorful mushroom. And happily left it there - it looks very poisonous!

Jared found time for a little run around the camp. There are great memories of the Precoa managers meeting that was held here.

The accomodations at Camp Meriwether are pretty awesome with the triple stacked bunk beds.

We did some rifle shooting as well. We really love this camp!

 

Halloween

Trying on a few different costumes. Jacob wearing Jared's tennis uniform - which is way too big for Jared!

Torin as Aragog - again! He loves this costume, and Dani loves it too.

Liam in his new future - as a professional hunter. Costume courtesy of the Smiths, of course!

Kate and Dani as matching unicorns!

The church Halloween activity was always one of the best activities of the year. 

Torin had no fear digging in and scooping pumpkin innards.

Years later, as Jared is writing this and has no idea record of whose pumpkin is whose, it is pretty evident.

From left to right... Claire with the idea of a jack-o-lantern inside a jack-o-lantern; Liam with his creative side. Torin with Aragog. Jacob with the mean face, and Kate with the baby.