RENO baby . . .

  Wednesday morning at 4:00 a.m. I woke up to 3 inches of snow. I rolled over to Jordan and told him to look outside. I could tell that he was bummed just like me, because we were leaving for Reno that morning. We missed all the excitement with the 8 or so inches of snow we get one time a year. Oh well, at least we were on vacation! We quickly drove out of the snow by Cottage Grove and were on our way to Tahoe for our first nights stay. It was gorgeous in Tahoe and we also went to see one of my relatives that has a vacation home there. The house was amazing, a view from every room and window. None of us wanted to leave. After that we were off to Reno to meet up with the rest of my family. We were able to find a babysitter for Friday and Saturday nights, which was really nice to have. Friday night we ALL had too much fun, so Saturday night we ALL were pretty quiet. The wedding was really nice on Saturday and it was great to see all my cousins that live in Reno. I wish we all lived closer to each other, they're a blast to be around. Sunday morning we loaded up and headed for home. Fun times! Austyn did great the entire time considering the hectic schedule she was on. And I think she slept for about an hour total in the car there and back. I was thinking she would sleep a lot more. Nope, not her. Lucky us :)

Really cool wooden bench on the shore

of Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe

Huge chair in the Silver Legacy where we stayed

in Reno

Jail scene at Virgina City

  We've taken a few weekend excursions lately. A hiking trip up Spencer Butte with my brothers girlfriend Kati. We were going for a moderate to easy hike. Needless to say it was not! But when we got to the top of the mountain it was beautiful. Well worth the effort. And we also went to the hills around our house with my cousin and her two girls to play in the snow. It's always fun to play in the snow!

Daddy and Austyn

The view from the top of Spencer Butte

Cousins playing in the snow. They built a

Hawaiian snowman :)

Cheese

  Austyn has been great. Trying out her independence and leaning new words everyday. She learns so fast and is constantly trying to do new things. Hopefully this will work in my favor when we start potty training in the next few weeks;) She had her 18 month check-up and everything was perfect. She weighs 28 pounds and is in 2T clothes now. She's still a very big girl. I thought she would start leveling out when she turned 1, but I was wrong! I think I'm going to put her in tumbling classes soon. We went to a Birthday party at a gymnastics place and we had to most fun ever! We both loved it. She is at such a fun age right now. She's the joy of my life and I feel fortunate I'm able to spend so much time with her.

  Jordan and I haven't been doing anything too exciting. We don't have anymore trips planned yet. Hopefully we'll get some camping in this year. We do have a lot of weddings to go to this year. We've been to two already, and three more to go. Weddings are always fun. Work is good for both of us. I think we are all looking forward to summer, so we can get out of the house. Summer time activities are going to be fun this summer :)

  Hope all is well with everyone. Have a great Easter!

 

One Months Worth of Happenings . . .

  We started off the month of January with horrible flooding in the Valley. It is always so exciting to me when things like that happen. We hadn't seen it that bad in years and years. Nothing got hurt, but it took forever for the water to finally go down. (Sorry no pictures. I got to frustrated with slow downloads.)

  Austyn has started talking like crazy. She is getting really good about repeating words. She knows a ton of animal noises, all her body parts, and starting to say names. It's funny to me when people ask me if I can understand what she's saying. I feel like such a Mom when I say "Yes, of course I can". I can't believe how much fun she is at this age. Her teeth finally stopped bothering her. Those eye teeth were a disaster. She has discovered the word "NO", although she gets it confused with "Yes" some of the time, she can definitely get her point across. She also loves testing me. It keeps me on my toes for sure. And I'm sure this stage is the one that will last forever. It can be trying at times, but the good out weighs the bad. We just finished swim lessons which were so much fun. She loved the water. I'm thinking about signing her up for tumbling classes in about a month. The swim lessons were awesome for both of us. It gave me something to look forward to and got us out of the house. So until summer gets here, I'm trying to keep us busy doing fun activities.

  Jordan got to work on his LUV for a week or so. He had been waiting for 2 years to do this last project (I say last, but we all know differently). He put new steering on it, so he can steer it much easier. He is so excited to get it finished. He has also been working as an Engineer when they need extra help at work. He's loving it. It's great to see him use what he's worked so hard for.

My Dad had to pull him down to his house so they could

finish working on it there. Good thing we live so close :)

Here is my first sewing project. I made Jordan a rag

quilt for Valentines Day. I cut up some of his

old pants and fire shirts. I think it turned out

pretty cool. He wanted one to use at work. I hope

it works good for him. I also made a lunch bag for

myself. Sewing is so much fun! Much easier than

I had been expecting. Once I learned how to

use the machine, it was not so overwhelming.

  Work is going great for me. I've been working hard to start crossing things off my New Years Resolution list. So far I've learned to sew, started working out, and am baking a little more. It's a good start hopefully I can keep it up.

We got to go to the coast one Sunday. It was so nice

to be able to relax on the beach. The weather was

perfect. It was a great day.

Austyn loved the ocean. What an independent little girl.

  We also had our annual Sweethearts Ball for Jordan's volunteer department in Junction City. It was 80's themed this year. It was so much fun getting our outfits together and way too much fun wearing them. It took a few days to recover. Glad I only go out once a year! Already looking forward to next year.  

  We are going to Reno at the end of March for a wedding. Not looking forward to the long drive with Austyn, but when we get there it will be super fun. If anyone has any clever ideas on how to keep an 18 month old (who is also hyperactive like her Daddy) occupied on a long trip let me know. Hope everyone is doing great!

2012 Here We Come . . .

  We made it through the Holidays. It was fast and furious as usual. It's so sad that I wait all year for the Holidays and it goes by so quickly. We were all spoiled by Santa this year. We are very lucky. We spent Christmas morning at my parents house, then up to my Aunts for dinner, and then over to Prineville to spend with Jordan's entire family. It was very busy, but very fun. Austyn was still too little to understand or even get into the presents, but next year will be so much fun. One of Austyn's more unique gifts, was from Uncle Chad and Aunt Kati, they made her a Ham Hauler. It is so cute. We can't keep her out of it.

It was so adorable pulling her around

behind the 4-wheeler. Not too many

kids have anything like this. What a lucky girl.

Daddy reading Austyn a Christmas story on

Christmas Eve

She's so excited for Santa to come!!

Enjoying the bows and boxes instead of her presents

His new shotgun

  We made it through New Years as well. No big partying for us. Jordan worked and I had to work to stay up and watch the ball drop. I woke up to the count down, and then quickly went back to sleep. Oh how I love our simple life :) I love making resolutions for the New Year. It always seems like a reset button for me. I think I did pretty good on my last years resolutions. Here are some of this years:

• Get started on building a house. Maybe get the driveway and pad done, power & well put in, shop???
• Cook and bake more
• Learn to sew. I got a sewing machine for Christmas and tried to thread the thread and I quickly figured out that my sewing career may be over. Somebody HELP!
• Get healthy. I hate saying lose weight for a New Years resolution, everyone says that, but I want to feel good about my body, I don't care what I weigh.
• Keep being the best wife and mother I can possibly be.
• ??? this one is a surprise ???

  Austyn has been getting 4 molars and now adding the bottom canines. 6 OF THE MOST PAINFUL TEETH ALL AT ONCE. I'll say no more!!!!! She is also blessing us with on and off colds and ear infections. But with all that some how she still manages to be an amazing little girl. Just today we were driving in the car and she was just talking to herself or us (who really knows) and I almost got teary eyed and told Jordan she melts my heart. She's getting to be so much fun.

  Jordan and I are great. Enjoying life and looking forward to what 2012 brings us. I hope it will be as great as 2011 has been to us. It could be a busy year. And you know how we love busy!

  Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Years!

`tis the season . . .

  It seems as though we haven't slowed down much since Lone Pine is over. Jordan came back from hunting and for some reason if feels like we are constantly running around doing something. Our poor gas bill :( We have started the long process of building a house. For those that don't know, we are planning on building a house where we got married. It's a long 1/4 mile away but I think we can handle it. Ha ha. We just got our plans drawn up and now for the dreaded part, dealing with Lane County. I'm hoping we can use it as a learning experience and not get too disappointed or frustrated (don't count on it). Our plan is to start as early as the weather will permit us to, but really it will probably be as soon as the County and bank stuff get done. I am a very impatient person and like to have things planned out just right, so I'm making it my goal for this project to be very patient and just roll with the punches (we'll see how that works out). We are both so excited to finally start this chapter in our lives. Pray for a fast and smooth process.

  Jordan, I bet you can't guess!??, is still studying for his Engineers test. This is the last one before his big final test in November of 2012. He is doing very well in his program, and is feeling pretty confident about this last test too. He has begun to work as an Engineer when they are short at the fire station. It's called AIC (acting in capacity). He's loving it. I'm very proud of how dedicated he is to his work. You don't see too many people with that kind of passion about their careers.

  Austyn is doing pretty good. She has been battling ear infections, teething, and colds for a while now. It seems like months, but that's a little exaggerated. But when she feeling good, she is an absolute joy. She runs around the house jibber jabbering at everyone. It's getting more and more understandable as the days go by. She is into walking and crawling backwards lately and standing on her head. Her hair is getting so long. I love it! Time to decide if it's bangs or no bangs? She's getting a little better about the bumps and bruises. But when she gets them she goes all out. Poor little thing. She has started the stage of little fits, especially with me. Lucky mommy!! We always get special treats. But with a little stearn encouragement she settles down pretty quickly.

  And as for me: work is decent, my back is decent, so I'm a happy lady.

Here we are picking out the perfect tree

  I am so ready for the Holidays. I love this time of year!!!!!!!! I had a wonderful Birthday filled with family and friends. And of course wonderful presents. Jordan brought flowers to my work and took me out to lunch, then accompanied me to the craft store. What a man! He made me have the best Birthday ever. My mom made me a custom Birthday dinner of: Hula Burgers (grilled chicken, ham, swiss cheese, topped with pineapple), fried zucchini, corn on the cob, salad, avocado, BBQ pork, deviled eggs, cup cakes, and a peach cake. I think I'm spoiled :) Now I can't wait for Christmas. We have a few Christmas parties to go to, which will be very fun. We got our Christmas tree last weekend and to my surprise our little baby girl has not even attempted to get into it (knock on wood). I guess we do still have a few more weeks left. Our shopping is done, the gifts are wrapped, and now we can just enjoy enjoy enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Austyn loved running through the rows of trees

Before

After

I put the tree skirt around Austyn and she thought

it was so much fun

She was really enjoying helping us decorate the tree.

She picked up every ornament and ran it over

and handed it to me. Thanks Austyn!

  I hope everyone has the best Christmas and New Years ever. 2012 here we come! I have so many goals for the upcoming year. I'm excited to start crossing stuff of my list!

The return of The Mountain Man . . .

  I thought I would share with everyone what Jordan looked like when he came home from hunting after 8 days, but over a month of growing out his hair.

I wish I could get a hair cut and look

like I've lost 10 pounds too.

  Austyn and I did great while he was gone. We spent the whole time with my Mom. She had been working so much at Lone Pine the last 5 or 6 months that we hadn't really had any quality time with her. It was great! I think by Wednesday I was ready for Jordan to be home though, but there's nothing you can do but wait. They didn't get anything this year. Which is probably a good thing since we still have elk from last year and a whole freezer full of beef. I guess we should get to BBQing.

  Not much new, Austyn had her first ear infection. She was such a good girl though. I wouldn't have even noticed unless we hadn't gone in for a regular check-up. They looked in her ears and said she had an ear infection. I guess now that I think about it all the signs were there. But I have heard horror stories about kids with ear infections and was expecting much worse. At least I'll know for next time. She is getting pretty chatty. I'm hoping some words start coming out soon.

  Hope all is well with everyone. And have a great Thanksgiving. I can't believe the Holiday season is here. I love this time of year.

Happy Halloween . . .

  I can't believe it's the end of October already. Fall is my favorite season and it always seems to go by so fast. We have been spending most of our time at Lone Pine lately. We love it there. It never gets old (for us anyways). It's awesome to have unlimited rides on the cow trains and the hay rides, and free ice cream when ever we want it. But Jordan and I were talking and thought it would be nice to have a place like Lone Pine for us to go visit as guests and not employees. So we went to Bauman's Farm just North of Salem. It was awesome. There was so much to do there and we both acted like all the people that come to Lone Pine that we make fun of. I guess we understand now!
  Jordan is now off for a little over three weeks. He's going to help finish up the season at Lone Pine and then go Elk Hunting for a week. He hasn't cut his hair for who knows how long and he is growing out his mustache and I'm sure he won't do too much shaving for the duration of his vacation. So he will look like a genuine mountain man when he comes home from hunting. He looks so scruffy.
  Austyn is now running around everywhere. We are in the stage of bumps and bruises. I hate it when she gets hurt, but I guess it's just part of the stage. She ran directly into a metal door the other day and it was so awful. There was a one inch bump and it turned black and blue immediately. She is one tough cookie though. She doesn't let it slow her down for very long. She is doing a lot more jibber jabber that is almost making sense. It's exciting to see her learning all the time. She is so much fun right now, and it's only getting better.
  I've had to start Physical Therapy back up for my back. I am having a little leg pain again, but nothing like before. It's just muscular though, so that's good. I need to do a few more stretches and exercises and I should be back on track. The therapist said I was just a little swollen on the left side of my incision, and we can get it worked out pretty easily. Work is still going great. My surgeon told me he wants to give me more responsibilities at work which was really exciting. Meaning he'll teach me how to suture and I'll be doing more things that he would normally do. When I got out of school my goal was to become a First Assist and that is basically what I'll be doing. I made it my five year career goal and it looks like it might happen.
  Here are a few recent pictures of us. Enjoy!

This is Austyn in her redneck outfit. Pink camo coat and

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation overalls.

Austyn and Grandpa

Here are our pumpkins this year. I tried

to make Austyn's have a pacifier.

Us in the pumpkin patch

Austyn is in one of those rides in the stores.

She thought that was so much fun.

Look at that cute little girl

Austyn had two Halloween costumes this year.

Since we were at Lone Pine I thought I'd dress her

up for a few different nights. It was so cute.

  I hope everyone had a great Halloween. We took Austyn to a few stops and then to Lone Pine for the last night. It sure is fun to have a cute little baby to parade around. Hope all is well with everyone. 

Happy 1st Birthday Austyn . . .

  We made it! One year old! I can't believe Austyn is one year old. It went by so fast. We celebrated her Birthday at Lone Pine Farms, which is a perfect spot for kids birthday parties. It was so much fun. We opened presents, ate cupcakes and ice cream, fed the goats, and rode on the cow trains. The weather ended up holding out pretty well. It was a great day had by all. And of course Austyn got completely spoiled by all her family and friends. Thank you so much to everyone that came. We are so blessed to have you all in our lives.

Great Grandma and Austyn on the cow trains

Enjoying her cupcake and ice cream

This present was really special. Jordan's Grandparents

made Jordan and his brothers and sister toy boxes

just like this (names differently of course) when they

were kids. So now Austyn has one to match Daddy.

Still enjoying her cupcake

Peek-a-Boo!!

                                      

Everyone enjoying the cow trains

And this was the beautiful bouquet Jordan

got me for our anniversary!

  AUSTYN IS OFFICIALLY WALKING!!!!! On her 366th day of life she decided it was time. She walks like a little mummy with her hands straight out in front of her. It's adorable. She still can't get from sitting to standing, but soon enough. She had her one year check up and everything was perfect. She weighs 23 lbs., is 29 3/4 in. tall, and her head is still enormous at 18 11/16 in. She's a big girl. Hope all is well with everyone.