Monday, January 23, 2012

January 15, 2012










Eli Lawrence Gehring!


Welcome to the world Eli! Born 5 days after his due date on 1/15/12 at 4:59PM; measuring 8lbs 13oz, 21.75". We are so happy that you are here and can't imagine our lives without you!

Zoo Lights

It was very cold and the line for the train was ridiculous, so we just walked around. Regardless, Benjamin had a blast touching ALL the lights, hugging the dressed up characters and drinking hot cocoa.



Christmas Day at Grandma and Grandpa's






Spotlight on the neglected dog again

Poor non-blogged about Sadie. She got to stay "on the farm" (really) with Grandma and Grandpa while we sold our house and then while our new house was getting carpet. We all missed the hairball, particularly Benjamin.

Christmas Eve at Nana and Papa's

The tradition continued this year with brunch at Mother's Bistro in downtown Portland with the Collins clan and celebrating Christmas with the gang on Christmas Eve. It was so much fun this year watching Benjamin take it all in. He loved all the Christmas trees, nativity scenes, Christmas stories and the lights on the houses. We would drive around our neighborhood to see all of his favorite displays; "Santa on a motorcycle," "Santa in a box," and "Baby Jesus with reindeer." One of his new favorite games is to pretend to be baby Jesus in the laundry basket. Also so cute to hear him sing, "Walkin' in a Windy Wonderland" with Papa.

Baby Shower


Our Sunday School class blessed us with a diaper shower for baby Eli. We are set!

Oh Christmas Tree!


Our usual location for getting our Christmas tree did not have it's usual selection, so we went to the next tree farm we came across in Newberg. They had mostly Nobles, so we got our first one! It was so pretty, we might get another next year. We don't have enough furniture to fill our new house, so the Christmas tree had it's own room this year!

Big Boy Bed


We had quite a bit of transition in a few weeks with the move, then living out of suitcases while we waited for new carpet, staying with Aunt Vanessa and family while it was put in, getting a cast off and starting back in a new Sunday School classroom, BSF class and preschool. We thought with all that, why not transition Benjamin to a big boy bed? He did fabulous. He has not gotten out of bed once without first calling for one of us and he looks so little in that big bed! When people come to visit us, he immediately asks if he can show them his big boy bed. :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

The "Cheese!" face.

Our stegosaurus with wings...




Ben wanted to be a stegosaurus for Halloween. Although I looked around, most of the costumes were ridiculously priced. We found this dragon costume on clearance at Old Navy, and it was close enough that Benjamin loved wearing it around on any occasion that he could during the month of October. Our favorite quote of Benjamin this month was while trick-or-treating at a gentleman's home that was asking the kids preference for sports teams, "Are you a Beaver or a Duck?" Ben's response, "I'm a stegosaurus!"

First Day of Preschool


After Benjamin got his cast off and had "rehab" for a couple weeks, he was able to start the 2's program at the preschool where Nana Kathy teaches. It was a rocky start, but he seems to really enjoy it now. He knows the names of all the kids in his class and likes to paint in Nana's classroom. I think playing in the kitchen and making different dishes may be his favorite.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Pumpkin Patch, 2011



We moved!

Luke and I bought our first house together! We moved in on our 7 year wedding anniversary- so romantic!

Welcome Mylee!!

Mylee Grace Rieke, born October 5, 2011. We just love our new niece/cousin!!

Phoenix, AZ, October 2011

We spent the rest of the week in Phoenix with the Crisan family. They have a beautiful family vacation home where they graciously invited us to stay. Abigail and Benjamin are cute playmates, and enjoyed the fancy neighborhood park complete with water features and train. This pregnant lady really enjoyed laying on her stomach in the pool. Again, lots of fabulous food, relaxing and enjoying great company.