Christmas-time in the City

Doing something for two years make it tradition...right?! Last night was the second year Jenny and I went to the Christmas tree lighting at Pioneer Courthouse Square. I'd say that can make it tradition. This year her roommate Angel also joined us and this year it was dry and (as opposed to the buckets of rain we had last year) and this year we returned to Rock Bottom Brewery for dinner (also tradition) and watched the UO and OSU football clash-the Civil War. It was a lovely night out! Enjoy the pictures!

Waiting the the lighting...

As we were waiting for the lighting I made a comment that it would be cool if Santa made his appearance by ziplining into the square from one of the many tall buildings surrounding the square. Next thing Angel said people around us had all started looking at the building tops around us and wondering out loud what building Santa would zipline down from. I guess I started something...maybe Santa needs to consider it! :)

Love, LOVE the lights. There were mini strobe lights blinking too. I love the atmosphere of the whole event as well.

 So pretty...

Too bad it can't be up all the time. I would love that.

Evenings full of laughter

I have worked with some amazing people. Most of them I still keep in touch with. This evening Mirjana hosted a lovely and lively with laughter dinner. It was great to see all these wonderful people that I used to work with.

Pictured: John, Mirjana, Jan, Diane, Jenny, Sara and me in front. 

Thank goodness for timers on cameras!

It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas

Notice I say it's beginning to  look like Christmas and not, "a lot" like Christmas. It's still a little early for that for me. But, a special Christmas tradition came through Vancouver, WA today. Every year there is a months long process to pick a tree from one of the National Parks and then there is the cutting and transporting time. As the tree makes its way from its origination to Washington DC to grace the grounds of the US Capitol it makes stops so that the people of this country can wish it well on its way. A few years ago the tree came from Wyoming, my homestate. That was also a year that I was in Washington DC at Christmas/New Year time and was able to see it. This year the tree is coming from Washington state and made a stop in Vancouver, just north of me. I decided I'd like to go so away I went...

Here is the tree covered in canvas to protect it.

 I think that because you can't see the tree itself the most impressive thing to see (besides the length=height of the tree) is the truck pulling it. The paint job of the truck was so detailed and so impressive....there are several photos in here of it...

 There was a canvas/tarp that covered the tree and sharpies for people to sign it.

 There is some plexi-glass window sections so you can get a small glimpse of the tree and some of the ornaments, all of which are made by the people of the state the tree comes from.

 Here's an ornament that is made for the tree and year.

 Santa even made an appearance!

 I had to sign it....

 More of the truck...

What a fun and early Christmas experience! Wishing you well on your way, Capitol Christmas Tree!