Thanksgiving 2011

Thanksgiving 2011

What a great week!  We rented a beach house in Rockaway Beach on the Oregon Coast.  It was a great house that accommodated all of us and then some.  We had a total of 17 people there! 

Hanging out putting together a puzzle

Yet another example of what a wonderful Daddy Bill is to our kids.  Yes, he is painting her nails :)

We had a major wind storm on Tuesday night when we arrived at the beach!  I swear, I thought the house was going to blow away.  Instead, the fence just came toppling down. 

Hi Dad!

Hi Linda!  Pretty Lady!

Stacy, Mike and Chloe

I love this picture of Allie and me!

Kacey loved hanging out with the big girls!

Out for a walk!

BRRRRR

Dad made an incredible Thanksgiving dinner (of course)!  

Best Friends since 8th Grade!

Heaven on Hayden...Our "HOH"

HEAVEN ON HAYDEN!!

Well, WE DID IT! As many of you know, it has been a dream of our to live on the river in a floating home.  We have been looking around Portland and getting some ideas of the kind of house that we wanted.  It was our intention to wait until all of the kids had graduated before making a big move like this, but when God says, "Okay, Now!", We say, "Yes, Sir!"

"Heaven on Hayden"

 Please don't ever let anyone EVER tell you that dreams do not come true!  We are living our dream of living in a floating home on the Columbia River! Our marina has about 50 homes and our neighbors are so friendly and welcoming!

Moving in to our new house was a little rough...but we have amazing friends and family who came to help!

"THE KILLER RAMP"

Our Kitchen with views of the river

The house is absolutely perfect for us!  We have 3 bedrooms and 2 baths.  The floor plan is really open and bright!  Tons of windows and views of the river.  I can't really explain the peace that I feel every time that I walk through my front door! 

Kaela's First Homecoming Dance!

First Boyfriend, First Dance...Awww

Kaela had her first Homecoming Dance this last weekend.  She looked amazing!  She went to the dance with
boyfriend Max.  As you will see by the pictures, he looked really handsome too!  The kids went to dinner at Newport Bay and then danced the night away at the dance.  This is a great experience for Kaela who was really nervous about the date.  My favorite memory from this is when Kaela asked me, "What do people talk about on a date?"  Oh, I love her!

 Her Beautiful Hair-Do!

Summer Fun 2011

Fun on the Boat!

We had the opportunity to take the boat out this last weekend!  It was such a great time with the family!  We went out on the Columbia River for the day.  

We did some wake boarding and some tubing.  

The summer here in Portland has been a little weird...We've have a couple of hot days, but it's been really mild and cool most of the time.  We've had a couple of HUGE storms with thunder and lightening!  It was awesome!

This has to be one of my favorite pictures of all time!  I love that Taylor is in the back throwing up a couple of peace signs.  It's a fun picture!

Studly Boys!

Allie thought about going for a swim in the river...for about 3 seconds!   It was WAAAYYYYY to cold for her blood :))

 

 

 

 

Jalen did great with the flag

PARRTAAY!

Matt is a really good wake boarder!  I was very impressed!

And not to be out done...Taylor was pretty awesome too!!  What a dare devil.

Mommy and Jalen

Taylor...Getting his tan on

Courtney!  She did it!  She did great on the innertube!