There’s nothing like the family hunt for the perfect Christmas tree.

You know the drill.

Mom and Dad load everyone up in the SUV, drive out to a local Christmas tree farm, and turn the gang loose.

Camping in Oregon is our go-to vacation destination.

Take one look at the Great Northwest and you can see why. We’ve got beaches, mountains, high desert, streams, lakes, forests, and waterfalls.

 We’ve got it all.

And the best way to be one with nature is to get out in it.

In a way, we’re all weird.

I’m pretty sure it comes with the territory of being human.

Once upon a time, Portland, Oregon, like so many other large American metropolises was a normal, vibrant, family-friendly city.

There’s nothing like the holidays.

And when it comes to traditions, seeing them through the eyes of children means capturing the wonder, the excitement, and the humor in the rituals we hold dear.

Looking back, our kids were barely old enough to talk when they began scrutinizing our holiday traditions.

As a mom of seven kids, I thought I had time management all figured out.

I could awaken our household from a dead snooze, get them clothed, fed breakfast, teeth brushed, and in the car ready for the day’s outings, with all necessary backpacks, water bottles, and electronic gadgetry to arrive on time to any given appointment—give or take a sock.