Belly Button got married!

That's right folks! The girl who never thought she would settle down, finally did! Belle got married! David is a lucky guy and she is a lucky gal. I am so happy for you two! congrats!

Congrats to David and Belle Zimmet!
Married January 11, 2009

Grayson's NEW big boy bed!

A few weeks before Grayson turned 2 I was chatting with some friends online about how G learned how to get in and out of his crib when Allie was here in October, but that he only used this knowledge when he wanted to get a toy or Baby out of his crib.

They all said "just wait, its coming!" I was truly skeptical.

That is until the day Grayson turned 2. Zack came in from the garage and said he thought he heard G get out of his bed and that he thought he was playing. Sure enough I went in there and for the last hour or so he had been trashing his room. What fun that was for him. Completely uninterupted play, with whatever he could reach!

So we left things the way they were thinking it was a quick phase (quiet down all you people snickering) and he would learn to stay in his bed again. The novelty would tire. It didn't. More often than not, we caught him sleeping in his rocker.

So we figured maybe he was having a hard time getting back in or was too lazy or something so we took one side off his crib and converted it into a toddler bed. Same thing. In the chair we found him.

So after Jesse moved out (that's another post all together) we took the "guest bed" and other furniture that had been in Jesse's room and put them in Grayson's room. Now he has a big (and I mean BIG) boy bed. A queen! It took a few days to a week to get used to staying in it and not trying to come to bed with us or get out and play but now he gets in his bed and says nitey nite and "I yuve ooo mama!" and then he goes to sleep!

Who knows how long it will last but so far so good. I can't believe my little boy is growing up!
And so is his room!

My Friday family

So I have not had a chance to post much about my job search, but as of now, I am working Fridays. I started working for the White family a few months ago and its been going great! The parents are really nice and easy going (yay!) and the kids are SO sweet and fun to be around.

This is Sophie- she is 5. She loves the park and bossing the boys around and generally being silly!

This is Oliver- he loves his binky, playing with his trains and cars and taking things from Grayson.

This is the boys, generally they play well together but they are so close in age I expect some scuffles sometimes. The other day, I turned to put a dish in the dishwasher and by the time I stood up and closed the door they were in a pile on the floor, Ollie on top, over a toy. Ahh, such is my day.

Here is Soph again- did I mention she loves to play dress up?

Here she is pretending to he Cruella De'vil, notice the hat and cape, JUST LIKE Cruella. LOL!

How you get your mail in Crescent OR

So this makes me wonder? If you are afraid of heights, does it limit your ability to get a job with the post office in Crescent?!

if you look close, at the top of that ladder is a mail box and a paper delivery box!

RIP Gramma Janette

Janette Birch
Beloved Mother, Grand Mother and Great Grand Mother
We will forever hold you in our hearts and you will live forever in our memories of you!
We love you dearly.

Taken January 3, 09

Taken January 2, 09

Taken January 18, 09

Taken January 18, 09

You will forever be missed.
Passed away January 21, 09
quietly in her sleep

Click here
here and here for all photos.

My obsession with Icecycles

When I was a little kid and my parents got divorced, my Mom, brother and I moved to Oregon to live with my grandparents. My uncle Johnny drove us up and it was the first time I had driven to Oregon in January. I remember opening the car door and thinking "I am SO not dressed for this!" I was wearing shorts and a t shirt, having come from San Diego to Central Oregon. There was 4 feet of snow on the ground!

But the drive there around Diamond Lake was one of the most beautiful memories I have and I remember the ice cycles most vividly. They were along the ridge above the car on the windiest of roads and gorgeous and glisteny! I have always had a fascination since then about them.

Having come from SD I was not used to seeing snow, it was still this mystical amazing thing that happens in "Oregon". I was always sort of jealous of my cousins who lived in Oregon for having the family and the snow all to themselves.

So these last trips, knowing they would be our last, to Gram's I have been taking many ice cycle pics out the window of the car. Many were blurry, but a few turned out lovely. Here they are.


Gorgeous snow covered trees!

Ice on the trees.

The ice cycles hanging from the ceiling of the tunnel!

Crescent Lake Resort and the giagantic ice cycles- my favorite!

When I was living at Gram's house, we used to get these HUGE ice cycles that would hang off the roof. They were about as big around as my 12 year old waist (tiny- at the time I admit!). I loved to look at them and watch them drip and get longer as they would again refreeze. This time around they had already been knocked down to prevent any one from getting hurt by them falling off.

Baby Wearing 101

First, you ask your mommy to make you a "back pack" for your baby. She ties one on you

(more of sling and really just a yard of fabric tied in a knot)

Then you ask your mommy to put baby IN, and you go for a drive* in your little red coupe. :)

Grayson loves to wear his baby, which is no wonder since I still wear him in a back pack. Especially when he is crabby.

I guess it makes him happy to wear his baby just like I love to wear mine.

*Do NOT try this at home with your OWN REAL child, children should be properly restrained in a safety seat. Sad that I have to put that...

Grayson's 2nd Birthday!

Grayson's birthday this year was much less chaos and many less people. Given our financial situation we decided to keep it very small. So we only had two little friends and their chaperone's.

Grayson chose Elmo for his birthday party plates when we were shopping at Toys R Us, and I have always been against characters and children being walking advertisements but I have been heard said that once they can choose them on their own I will relent (not clothes! those make me crazy) So Elmo went in his hot little hands. :)

Geneva made this great Mama's Helper apron for Grayson. He loves it and wears it all the time.


The boys: Grayson, Jeremiah and Jimmy playing with the food Jeremiah and Di just gave him.

The balloons up on on the 18 foot ceiling.

Grayson and Jeremiah "playing"

The cupcakes and G's personal cake.

HAPPY BIRRRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO GRAYSON, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOOOUUUU! BLOW!

CHEESE!

Yet another reason NOT to send your hubby to the store!