Summer of 2012

Ok, I'm back for a few.  Not a terrible lot happening these days.  We've pretty much settled into a routine here in the wonderful Northwest Territory.  Hehee...

Keith and I celebrated our 8th Anniversary.  Mom was here to watch Tristin and we went to the movies.  Our first night out since we went to see Peter Noone of the Herman's Hermits back in February.  THAT was a wonderful show!!  But tonight we went to see "Hunger Games" - because of all the media reviews - but we agreed that it really didn't live up to what we'd heard.  Now we know... haha. 

Dad has turned Chato into a "quad dog"!  Any time he hears the quad start up - he goes running!  He rides behind me but in front of Dad!  These were taken out at Yellow Creek on July 4th.  We went out and had burgers and salads - but were back in Coos Bay in plenty of time to watch the fireworks from our front yard.

 Deer on the rise in the back yard at Evies'.

 Dad playse with Cinco (our new Chi puppy) while a very, very jealous Chato looks on!  Cinco was born on Cinco de Mayo (hence the name) and weighed 18 ounces when he arrived at our house at 6 weeks.  He is a funny little guy - a great dane isn't any braver - or have less of an appetite!

 Grandpa will always be Chato's favorite lap!

 Tristin is waiting to see what Gma GG drops!!

 Keith is ready to head back to 'the barn' after a long day!

The Rhody by the front steps is finally growing - after being moved 3 times in 3 years!

The dahlias that Rod, S'te, and Jaleel planted last year coming to life!

Our baby Tristin at 11 1/2 months old  finally taking some steps!

Baby Cinco is growing!

Keith spent most of the month of July traveling. Here is a photo of him and April in her living room just before he left to come back home.  He had a good trip, San Diego, St. Charles, and Charlestown - got to see lots of old school chums, work friends, and of course, the most important, FAMILY!

So this takes us to August... I will post Tristin's birthday photos really soon!

Almost Summer - July 2012

Geez - I fall way behind - don't I??  I guess it really doesn't matter - no one comments - so I'm mostly typing as therapy.. :-)

The beginning of February our little girl was paired with a forever home.  It was a great journey for her and a testament that even our convoluted system doesn't get everyone down.  We still have the Tman and he is a total joy!  He is 'surfing' now and calls me mama and Keith dada.  We tell him Amah and Papa but he tells us back .... mamamamama and dadadada. ... another glitch in the system... he is growing so well and so fast!  A testament to my belief that giving birth does not bring forth a mommy any more than the act of donating sperm makes a daddy...  So sad in so many ways... but back to lighter!

In March I had another rather major surgery.  Mom came up and stayed with me and took care of the baby while I was recuperating.  Thank God for her!  Keith helped as much as he could - but there is just something about a woman's touch when you don't feel well.  Her and Tman bonded well and he is well-loved by all his grandma's and grandpas as well as us.  He is the light of our lives!

We had SNOW this year in March!  1st day of Spring Break!  Such weird, weird weather these days!














On my way down 101 one morning I happened upon this sight - brunch at the Red Lion!  I thought it was so unique to our little part of heaven that I pulled over and took a couple of photos!  I watched as they finished their snack and wandered on up the road towards the woods.  I never know just what I will find next!


 

 
  

 Then Track and Field Season started!  Mom and I took Baby T up and visited for a couple of days and attended the only meet that was held during that time.  Man, it was nice but the wind was cold!!!  And that evening this truck was parked at the hotel we stayed at.  I got to touch a huge part of history!  It was so moving - tears!!!!

I babysat for a bit for my Cousin Linda's great-grandson Jordan (does that sound like we are getting old?) and had a blast!  My goal in life was to have a huge family - complete with kids and grandkids coming in and out all the time and big Sunday dinners - and all that old fashioned stuff - so having Jordan and some connection with family was wonderful.  Chelsea found more permanent daycare after about a month and I hear that they are all doing great.  He is a real sweetie and he and Baby T played so well together!

T-man is doing great, and we've added a new member!!!  This is Cinco!  Mr. Tim had a neighbor that had puppies!  Mr Tim was supposed to get one - boy was he all excited... but it didn't happen - but I did!!  Cinco started out as "Bucky" but Mom noticed that his birthday is Cinco de Mayo - hence the name.

Brayana did wonderfully at State and Jaleel and Brayana both competed at the USAFT Regional Competition!  It was awesome!  It was as hot there in Bend as it was cold in Washington! 

Michelle came over to see us at the field!

Michelle and S'te and a few of the kids!

My Dad and I

I think I will save the rest for another post... Since this turned into a book!

Christmas 2011

Since our last post life has settled in pretty well.  At Christmas we took our to kids and went up to S'te's for a few days.  It was great!

 Our Decor at home

Taniyah's 7th Birthday Cake that S'te baked and decorated! How time flies!!! 

 Friends over for cake!

 And the arrival of TYREQUE!!!  A huge suprise for the kids!  They were SO happy to see him (as were we!)  He is looking so good!

 Ladaria's new look - she's all grown up!!

 The boys all ready for Christmas Eve Service!

 Mak and Kyaria

 Baby T all ready for Church!

 And the whole family after the service!

We headed back down to the big city of Coos Bay and were rewarded with a beautiful drive.  It rained (after all, this is the great northwest) for a portion of the drive - but in the most part - it was nice.  It was a wonderful visit, we had a great time - and I love seeing 'my' babies as often as possible!