Christmas Eve 2008

First, we would like to wish all of our friends and family a Merry Christmas wherever they may be. Know that we are thinking about all of you.

The weather has finally taken a turn and instead of snow and ice we now have slush and flooded intersections. It has been a very crazy week here, but it appears that we are going to get back to our normal winter... rain, rain, and more rain.

We did break out of the neighborhood to head downtown for a Christmas Eve dinner at a French restaurant named Fenouil. Great dinner. And for an added bonus the pastry chef makes all-natural dog biscuits to give out to customers - only in Portland - but Charlie loved it. Below are a few pictures of Simone at 7 months and our sad little Charlie Brown Christmas Tree.

Happy Holidays!

The Storm Continues

The crazy weather continues in the Pacific Northwest. Saturday into Sunday we probably received 8 - 10 inches of snow followed by a coating of freezing rain. Charlie appears to enjoy the snow, but he didn't enjoy the frozen coating on the snow this morning. He would prop himself on the frozen surface until he the ice broke and then he would crash into the snow. We are expecting to be locked down for another day. We are keeping safe and warm.

Charlie standing on the frozen snow...

Check out that accumulation!

Simone and Charlie enjoying the winter weather.

Arctic Blast '08

Portland has been hit this week with a winter storm that the 3 snow plows in the county are not able to deal with. Sunday we were hit with 4" or so of snow that fell on top of rain which made for sheets of ice for roads. Today snow started falling this morning. Then comes the freezing rain, rain, and then more snow. Which again should make for sheets of ice for roads. Oh what fun.

OH-IO

The first couple days in Ohio have been noteworthy. First, while we were traveling the Buckeyes decimated 'that team up north.' GO BUCKS!

On Sunday there was a baby shower held for Simone. I hear that it was a lot fun. Our room now looks like a Baby's-r-Us exploded. Gift bags full of clothes. Thank you to everyone.

On a related note, the little one now has a name: Nicholas Thomas. I can quit calling him 'bump.'

The weather is cold and a little rainy (turning to snow at some point) and we are looking forward to seeing everyone at Thanksgiving.

Across the Pond

I just returned from a trip to England for work. Swindon is where Intel's site is which is about an hour east of London. I had never been to London before and was able to do a little exploring with a co-worker (who is originally from England) on Wednesday evening. After the sites we stopped for a few pints and a dinner of bangers and mash at a random pub. Good times.

Buckingham Palace - The Queen Was Home - You Can Tell By The Flag

This is a GIANT Ferris wheel-like thing on the Thames. Huge. I was told that you pay for one loop that takes 20 minutes to complete. It moves around very slowly.

Look kids... Big Ben... Parliament.

The Malaysian Crew

It's has been a few weeks since I have posted. Sorry about that. Not a whole lot new, but my team from Malaysia has been in town for the last two weeks. Binder, Hui Hui, and Chiew Ching. It's kept me busy with meetings and activities. While I usually go to Malaysia once every three months or so, once a year I get to bring my entire team together here in the US. We had a good time. We went to the corn maze (aka Corn Maize) on Sauvie Island (pictures below). We also did some pumpkin carving since none of the Malaysia folks (and some of the larger team here in the US) had ever carved one before.

The wife is doing well, but she fought a stomach bug for a couple of days earlier this week. She is really enjoying the experience and I am looking forward to being able to feel the kicking that she can feel. The Great Name Debate is continuing. Enjoy the pictures from my team's visit.

It's a boy!

We had the 'big ultrasound' today and we are told the picture below shows it is a boy - you can judge for yourself. The angle of the picture is sort of looking up between the baby's legs from the bottom. Mother and baby are doing wonderful so this should be the last ultrasound and the last time we see the little guy until March 1st.

Missing Maui

It has been a week since we have been back from Maui. We miss it. Especially since it appears that summer is about over here in Oregon. I will keep this post short. Below is a picture of sunset from our room in Maui. Also is a link to our photos. Enjoy.

Click here --> Maui Photos

Hawaii at last!

We made it to Maui with no hiccups. As you can see from the picture we are sitting poolside sipping drinks (Simone's non-alcoholic) enjoying the perfect relaxing afternoon.

Park Kitchen Chocolate Dinner

Yes, a chocolate-themed dinner. And it was a good as you would think. Park Kitchen is one of Simone's favorite Portland restaurants and this special dinner didn't disappoint. The meal started is a smoked cocoa and olive oil butter on toast which was amazing and ended with a rich chocolate milk and a Spanish nougat cookie. The pork belly confit was amazing as well. To make things even better each course was paired with an amazing drink (that my wife unfortunately was unable to partake in, but they did find some appropriate substitutions).

Gone Fishin'

A co-worker of mine is a big fisherman and said that he would take me out some time. Today was the day. It was a beatiful day to be on the river. We were mainly fishing for smallmouth bass. I made the first catch of the day and the last catch, which also was the largest. Everything was catch-and-release. I was even able to snag my first fish with a fly rod. Unfortunately the little guy worked himself off the fly as I pulled him out of the water before I could get a picture.

The First Catch of the Day - Smallmouth Bass

Last Catch of the Day - Not much of a fighter, but quite the haul.

They grow up so fast

The baby was acting up and wouldn't let us hear its heartbeat with the doppler so the doc had to break out the ultrasound. Below is the picture. Simone is at 15.5 weeks. Mom and baby are doing well.

Dog Days of Summer

Labor Day Weekend: We took Charlie out for a few outing. First to the park near our house where he was able to play in Rock Creek. Then, out to Alicia's parents place in the country where Charlie was able to play with their dog, Pete, and take a dip in their pond. While Charlie is still a little hesitant to jump into water where he can't touch the bottom Pete swimming around chasing sticks was eventually too much for him and he jumped in. Then he proceeded to swim out to where Pete was swimming and climbed onto his back for a ride back to shore.

Charlie in Rock Creek in Noble Woods Park

Charlie playing with Pete in the pond

After a long day

Take me out the ballgame.

As the end of summer approaches we finally made it to a Portland Beavers baseball game (San Diego's AAA affiliate). And, it was Thirsy Thursday. I guess they now call it Miller Lite Thursday, but it means the same thing: Cheap beer! We met up with Matt and Alicia and had a great time of it. Good game. Some monster home runs with the Beavers winning on a spectacular double-play ball.

Simone and Alicia

Say Hello to the Newest Helbling

Ok, so it may be a little early to actually say hello, but I am thrilled to say that we are expecting our first on March 1st. Simone has made it through the first trimester with some nausea and a lot of naps and is looking forward to the second trimester being a little bit easier. Below are some of the first pictures of the little one.

8 Weeks

11 Weeks

11 Weeks - That's the heartbeat

11 Weeks

Are you ready for some football?

It is that time of year again. First off, let me just say how excited I was to find out that we will be getting the Big Ten network on our cable system! There goes 5 months of Saturdays. Second, Simone and I attended the second annual draft for a 'couples' fantasy football league. Not shared teams, mind you, but everyone drafts their own team. That's right! Husbands against wives. Guys against girls. It is all kinds of fun. I love my wife. She probably follows American football closer than I do. Go Bucks!

Welcome!

Welcome to the Helbling Family Blog - your source for what is happening in our lives. This is us, Tom and Simone, at the Grand Canyon last October. Great trip - wish we were there.

And this is our pride and joy, Charlie, our 6 month old Chocolate Lab.

Check back periodically to see what we are up to.