Home For The Holidays

It was a very special Christmas!!! Spending time with family in Idaho and celebrating Jalen's first Christmas was incredible. Jalen was so excited that Santa came to visit him at multiple houses this year...what a lucky boy he was! He had a great time opening presents and was especially entertained by the paper and bows...with a delayed response to his actual gifts.

Family photo on the McCall lake

All bundled up for a walk to the lake.


Ellie was loving the snow and was such a champ.

Devin and Scott with the little ones.

Auntie Abbey making Jalen giggle on Christmas Eve at Grandma's.

Naughty...

and Nice

Great-Grandma (GG) reading to Jalen.

Merry Christmas Jalen! We had such a great Christmas morning at Papa's house.

Who needs all those Christmas PJs when you look this cute wearing next to nothing.

Vandals are number 1!!!

Papa and Jalen playing peak-a-boo.

Grandma Kellie reading to Jalen.


What a nice Santa to come visit Jalen in McCall too!!!


Jalen and cousin Ellie hanging out in their Christmas PJs (both loving the caroling piggy).



What's even better than opening all your presents...playing with them the next morning!

Happy 39th Anniversery Skip and Linda - CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

Papa and Jalen after dinner at Auntie Aubrey's

Jalen and Elliot

Stephanie and I have been friends since we were 2 years old. We've seen each other through every milestones...the first days of kindergarten, junior high, high school, and college, new jobs, new homes, and marriage. One of the most amazing milestones we have ventured through together is motherhood. I can't believe we are now parents and watching our own children play together! It's so fun to see Jalen and Elliot interact. Here are a few shots of our visit over x-mas break. Thank you Stephanie for a great breakfast and morning together.

Getting Ready For The Holidays

The last few weeks have been very busy for us as the holidays draw near. We had fun decorating the tree and house, shopping for presents, and preparing for our trip to Idaho. We joined our mommy & baby friends for a little x-mas party, attended work x-mas parties, visited Santa with Drew Reinke, attended Jalen's daycare x-mas program, and went to the Portland Zoo for their "Zoo Light" display with some friends.

Zoo Lights - waiting for the train.

Santa was so nice to work around our busy schedule...he dropped off Jalen's present before we headed to Idaho.

Jalen was so happy Santa cam to visit!

Shopping after seeing Santa.

Enjoying lunch with the Reinkes.

Jalen did a good job sitting on Santa's lap (sneaky little thing though, trying to snatch a candy cane from Santa's basket).

Jalen and Drew weren't too sure about Santa.

If you look closely, you can see Little Santa had something to say...he had enough of the picture taking.

Jalen with all his buddies.

Happy Birthday Grandma!

My mom's birthday was Friday Dec. 18th, but we celebrated on Monday when we were all together. It was great to see everyone and play with the kids. Happy Birthday to Auntie Annie as well, they were gone in Atlanta for the weekend, so we hadn't seen her yet.

Happy Birthday Grandma!

Auntie Abbey and Auntie Ari getting their snuggle time with Jalen.

Uncle Dan and Auntie Aubrey with Jalen.

Raindeer Ayden

Grandma with her two grandboys.

Ayden had Jalen laughing all night.

It didn't take much for Ayden to get Jalen laughing. He would just smile and play with him a little and Jalen started his "old-man" laugh.

Thanksgiving in McCall

We had a great Thanksgiving in McCall just relaxing and enjoying the gorgeous weather. It was Jalen's first sight of snow, although he only experienced it through the comfort of the indoors. It's always a sad day when we have to get in the car and leave McCall - especially now that we live 8 hours away...we miss it already.

Tummy Time!

Jalen is starting to figure out how to get things that are just out of his reach.

Lovin' tummy time.

Hi Mom!

Snuggle time with Grandma (watching his first snow fall).

"Ahh...living the good life...a beautiful snowy day in McCall getting my full spa treatment."

We love our Vandals (regardless of the end score).

4 Months Old

It's hard to believe that Jalen is now 4-months and 1-week old!! He's changed so much and is getting more and more fun every day. He's now rolling like crazy, squealing out loud when he get's excited, and scooting around (not quite crawling of course, but he can get himself in some pretty precarious positions). He had his 4-month appointment last week and weighted in at 16 lbs, 10 oz...growing like a weed! Here are a few random pics over the last couple of weeks:

Rolling around.

We can't quite explain how he does it, but he somehow works his way around the blanket by "squirming".

Jalen enjoyed his Saturday afternoon watching Mommy cook and watching football with Daddy.

I-D-A-H-O, Idaho, Idaho, GO-GO-GO (we still love our Vandals rain or shine)!

"Whats up Mom?"

Jalen's first non-family babysitter. Thanks Stacy for giving us an opportunity to go out!

Ellie is obviously too big for the Excersaucer, but we thought it was hilarious she was so eager to get in and was then thoroughly entertained.

Cousin Steph playing with Jalen - he loves looking at himself in the mirror.

"Dang I look good!"

A Great Fall Weekend

We had a great Halloween/Fall weekend! Grandma and Grandpa Pierce came to visit and see the University of Oregon game. We all headed down to Eugene to tailgate with Uncle Ron and Aunt Sue, which was tons of fun. They have a great set up and always take good care of us all!! Linda, Katie, and Jalen headed home to enjoy the trick-or-treaters (actually to avoid the cold noisey stadium :-) while Scott and Skip stayed to watch the game. Jalen had a great time visiting our neighbor friends, as he had his first trick-or-treat experience.

On the way to the game (note the boys are still in need of Oregon hats, which they planned to get at the game).

So, this is what happens when you let Daddy pick out Jalen's "Oregon hat"...next time I better have my eye on his purchases.

Thanks Uncle Ron and Aunt Sue for a great day of tailgating - always great to see you!

Jalen showing his love for the Grandparents.

Rock on!!!!

The Oregon Duck loved Jalen's hat and was so kind to come take a picture with him.


HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!

Jalen's first Tick-or-Treating - We were so excited to see little Brookie! She made the most adorable ladybug.

Catherine always makes Jalen smile.

What a scary little dragon huh?!


So sweet!