Beach for New Year's

We are lucky folks who gets to spend a week and a half at the beach for New Year's. We got here the day after xmas and will be hanging out until Sunday, Jan 4th. We've been enjoying some down time at the beach house since it's been quite stormy and very windy outside. I've been able to work on Aden's quilt and also work while we're out here.

We took a trip to Tillamook on Monday and visited the cheese factory. Aden loved watching them make the cheese, he kept saying that they're like trains going down the conveyor belts. Yesterday was the best day so far, got some sunshine and the wind wasn't blowing as hard as it has been. So we bundled up and enjoyed some beach time. It was nice out there and it's always amazing to watch the huge winter waves. Aden is just in heaven, he loves it out here. We had dinner at Doug & Karly's last night and we were all up until after 1am and Aden was on the gas. It'll be another late night tonight for the New Year's eve festivities since most of our friends will be out here by then.

Christmas

We had a fun time this Christmas. On xmas eve, Jenn & Craig had us over for dinner along with the Winters'. We all then headed over for a party at the Tillett's. It was very nice to see friends and spend some time with them. On Christmas morning, Aden was so excited to open presents that he even said that he's too full to have breakfast, which of course didn't work with us and we made him eat breakfast before we opened presents. He did have a fun time opening presents and enjoyed everything he got. I failed and only took a few pictures since I had the video going the entire time. We then headed to my family's xmas celebration which was a fun time for all. It's nice to spend time with all my cousins and family. It sure makes me glad that we have a lot of kids in the family even though a lot of them are growing up way too fast!

Pioneer Square

My sister stayed with us for a couple of days during the snowstorm and on one of the days, we drove around town and headed downtown to see the big tree at Pioneer Square. It was awesome to see downtown covered in snow and the xmas lights all over the place is an added bonus. Aden had a great time sliding down the snow-covered steps at the Square. It sure got us in the holiday spirit!

Winter Wonderland

We enjoyed the 2 weeks of snow storm that hit the Portland area. We drove around quite a bit since my daredevil husband enjoys being out there in the element. I am bummed that I couldn't fit in any of my snowgear and enjoy the snow more. Darin & Aden took advantage of it everyday and played lots in the snow. Aden told me one morning that he didn't want the snow to go away. I had to explain to him how it would soon melt and he didn't like that one bit. Luckily we're out of town during the big melt, so he doesn't have to see the snow go away, he'll just come back to how it was before the snow storm hit.

Xmas Tree

We took advantage of the nice weather last Friday and picked up our xmas tree. We went to a different farm this year and it was a pretty decent and inexpensive place. Aden was so excited, he kept talking about it all day. He was glad to be out there, walking around and following dad around to get the right tree for us.

Petting the donkey was an added bonus to the excitement of getting the tree.

Aden helped Darin decorate the tree, I handed some ornaments to him to pass on to dad, but I mostly cooked dinner and enjoyed watching my boys. Aden just loves having the tree in the house, xmas will definitely get funner each year as he gets older and especially when he's able to share the excitement with his sister.

Mr. Birthday Boy

We had Aden's birthday party last Saturday and it was a lot of fun. Although he doesn't officially turn 3 until this coming Saturday, we decided to celebrate early since we will be at the beach house during his birthday. We had a good turnout, it was nice to see all our friends and it's just awesome that we all have kids close to the same age. I can't believe my little guy is almost 3, it went by too fast. We are thankful that he's been the best guy we could ever ask for and he's given us so much laughter in our home. We are amazed everyday at how much he changes and the conversations we have with him are priceless. Darin & I are constantly cracking up at the things Aden says, I just hope that his sister will be as funny as he is.

Since Aden is so into trains, I decided to try to make him a fun train cake for the party. Well, as usual, I have the best idea, but not the best at implementing it. Luckily, I have the most amazing husband who not only want to be involved in everything but is also the more creative one between the two of us. He baked the cake with Aden (which was a fun treat for the Dean) and after we put him to bed, Darin painstakingly decorated the cake until almost 1am in the morning. I helped a little bit, but not enough to take any credit for how great the cake turned out. Aden loved the cake and it brought tears to my eyes when he ran up to us and gave us a big hug and thanked us for the train cake. The look of awe on his face is just priceless and it was worth the late night and all the work to give him a fun party.

I did make another "healthier" cake (aka less sugar) for everyone to eat. The kids raided the raspberries, especially Aden who just LOVES berries.

Aden enjoyed everyone singing "Happy Birthday" to him and blowing out the candle was an added bonus.

The kids partying and dancing to DMB. Aden loved dancing with Julia so much, he asked me if Julia can stay with us and not go home. It's the sparkly dress that got to him...

Jace is a tough little man. He's able to hold his own with the big kids. Look out for him in a couple of years...

Ms. Jade May was not herself that night; must be all the partying...she passed out way too early.

Pumpkins

We went to Kruger's on Saturday to do the whole pumpkin patch thing and it was a beautiful day! One of the perks of living so close to Sauvie's Island is to be able to go to Kruger's often, we enjoy their fresh fruits & veggies and their fun activities.

The hay ride was definitely Aden's favorite. We were also able to find the perfect pumpkin for him. They had yummy lunch there and the grilled corn was to die for!

Pump it up

We took Aden to Pump it Up last Friday since Darin didn't have to work that day (he works 4-10s most of the time). It was pretty fun to see him run around and go on their structures. Darin had as much fun as Aden.

The color is pink...

We had our big ultrasound last week and we found out that we're having a girl. Very big news and we're so excited about it. Aden knew it all along, he's always said that there's a baby girl in my belly.

Lots of fun things to come...

Big Boy Bed

We finally found Aden his big boy bed. At almost 3 yrs old, Aden was still sleeping in his crib and has never once tried to climb out. We started telling him that the baby needs his bed and that he's getting his big boy bed. He's been pretty excited about it and when we finally brought his new furniture home, he was ready for it. When we moved the crib and the baby dresser into the baby's new room (our other spare room/office), Aden was leaving all his stuff toys in the crib and even his favorite blanket. He said that it's all for the baby and that he has his big boy bed now. It almost made me tear up at how he's so big and ready for it. I did break down and still put all his friends back on his bed and his blanket and told him that he gets to sleep with them until the baby comes. He did so awesome, did not once try to get off the bed and slept good in it. We were glad the transition was pretty successful.

Train Ride

We took Aden on a train ride in Hood River last weekend and he was so excited, being such a train fanatic. It was so cool to see the happiness in his face and it was really eye-opening to know that he appreciates every experiences that he encounters. It just reminds me how fast he's growing and how important it is for us to continue to expose him to different things and places. He is such a great traveler and the 4-hour train ride was way too long for Darin and I but Aden could have rode the train all day and not complain about it. We'll definitely venture out and ride the train (Amtrak) somewhere more exciting than just going to Parkdale. I think we can only do that train route once in our lifetime....

Multnomah Falls

We stopped by at Multnomah Falls on our way home from the Gorge. We needed to get out of the truck and it was a fun surprise for Aden to see the waterfall.

DMB at the Gorge

This year is our 10th annual trip to the gorge to see my beloved band, Dave Matthews Band. It was a tough year for the band and for fans. They lost their amazing sax player, LeRoi and it was definitely the most emotional concert for the band (their first shows after the funeral) and I was crying on and off throughout the night. They've been a part of my life for a long time that it's like losing a very close friend, just a sad tragedy. Aden even asked me multiple times where LeRoi's at, since he knows every single one of the band member. Try explaining that to a 2-year old...

Every year, I keep telling myself that this is the last year we'll take Aden to the shows, but every time we're at the show, he does so well and EVERYONE around us just loves seeing Aden. This year was the craziest year, people wanted to touch Aden, high-five him and just talks to him. It's cool to see people try to protect Aden and would even call his name throughout the concert. People would take pictures of Aden, which was random. We've also gotten lots of offers to take our pictures, although it was hard since Aden was so mesmerized with seeing Dave upclose that he won't look in the camera. Maybe one of these years, we'll be able to get a backstage pass having Aden around....

Shots from Sunday night show:

My sad attempt to take a good shot of Dave...

Jack Johnson

We went and saw Jack Johnson at the St. Helen's Ampitheater and it was a blast. Aden was very happy that he played his favorite song "Upside Down" and we were glad to hang out with friends, enjoying great music. I think we're raising a little groupie...

Moments at the beach

Some great shots from the beach...