Update and photos

Well it's been another long time hasn't it? Holidays, deployment, and Rowan's baby sister (growing everyday) have all played a part in my lack of updates but rest assured we're doing fine. We just had a wonderful couple weeks down in Sisters, OR with Logan's parents and are now back in Portland again for a few days before we head home! My 36 week check up is Feb 1st and though I would love to spend even longer on holiday I know that it's best that we get back home for that and back into a routine before this little girl comes. We've got about 5 weeks before her due date and I think Rowan really needs that time to settle back into normal life so we can start into sibling-hood on our best foot :)

Here's are a bunch of photos from our adventures in central Oregon and some belated Christmas photos also!

Christmas in Portland! :D

Central Oregon trip! :D
(mixed up on purpose, there were so many photos
I just grabbed a sample and didn't really bother with chronology)

We love going to Sisters!
Can't wait until our next visit :)

Speaking of which, I propose we should come up with some way to link our house with both Rowan's grandparents' houses! Maybe tunnels? Maybe we get a giant lasso and Paul Bunyun to rope Lacey/Ft Lewis and pull them closer to Oregon? In any case I feel we should be closer so visits can be more frequent! ;)

Or perhaps having to travel to see our loved ones makes our visits all the more special :) Thank you everyone; Grampa and Gramma, aunties, uncles, and Goddy and Gremmy for being so wonderful and making this time not just bearable but fun and enjoyable! We love our family!!! :D Hopefully this next short while before Katelyn is born will go smoothly and everyone will be continue to be healthy and strong!

If I don't keep up well before then definitely be on the look out for more photos in early March ;D

Photo catch up

Loooooooooooong time no post. Woops, I'm sure I could come up with a laundry list of reasons but I think this time I'll just shrug my shoulders and fill you in. In the last month and a half we've visited Sisters,OR, Anacortes,WA, and Portland,OR. Then we back home for a bit, Logan left, and now we're back in Portland for Christmas and through the new year. We got to see nearly all of Logan's side of the family as we came together for his Grandad Walt's memorial service. A bittersweet reunion but I am glad that we got to hang out with normally far-flung family. I'm especially happy that Logan got to be there.

It's been a while so I've got quite a few photos to share. I've made them small but I'm pretty sure if you click on them you can see the larger version.






We don't get to stay with Logan's parents as much as we'd like but when we do Rowan really likes visiting the ranch. I was happy for a sunny morning to run around, even if it was chilly.







Rowan's favorite horse. He calls her "Kah" I can't remember how to spell her name but it sounds like Tah-ni-kah







Rowan likes just about all animals. Here's Goddy introducing Rowan to a friendly black barn cat.









And here Rowan is riding Misty with Gremmy. It was only his second ride but he was really comfortable! I'm not sure if Rowan or Gremmy enjoyed it more ;)








After the service in Anacortes Rowan and Uncle Ty took advantage of the large reception room for some bonding time :)







Enjoying Thanksgiving dinner in Portland :)
He liked the turkey and bread rolls but I think the olives were favorite.










Rowan and I met up with the guys at the park after their bike ride and followed them home (Hayden is up ahead past the hedges)








Rowan marveling at his Dadad's awesomeness :D










Here's a good chunk of the gang that went to zoolights. I think we were looking at elk.







Rowan got his own little seat on the train, he loved it!








Of course I had to get a picture of the southern hemisphere friends, I like the fat little kiwi bird best :)










While doing our Christmas card photo shoot I was able to wrangle Rowan in for a sort of sibling photo :) He also gave her a kiss but it was too fast for a good picture.







I'm really happy that Logan was able to cut down a tree with Rowan this year! I don't know if Rowan will remember it but I will always push for it if we can :)











Getting the stand on... in hindsight Rowan probably shouldn't have been barefoot. Ah well, he still has all his toes ;)









Rowan helped put many of the ornaments on the tree. He did a really good job but it was tough trying to teach him that once they're on you're just supposed to look at them.








I saw this one at hallmark and just had to have it. It was sort of my Christmas resolution that even though we have to be minus one this year we were still going to have good times and be happy. It's sparkly and fun and it makes me smile.








After we finished the tree Logan put on Rowie's Imagination Movers CD and they danced :) I wish I'd gotten a video, it was super cute.







As an early anniversary celebration we went out to dinner in Olympia. Logan set up this timer shot and I love it :)



Now we're in Portland enjoying the company of family and friends through the holidays. We'll be here until my next ob appointment and then we'll be off to Sisters again!




Rowan looooves his cousin "baby Heenwee" (Henry)

I hope you enjoyed the many photos and feel suitably "updated" ;)
Sorry to have kept everyone waiting. Hopefully it won't be quite as long until the next post.

Birthday weekend surprise!

Last year Logan gave me a fun and sparkly night on the town in Portland for my birthday. This year he wouldn't tell me where we were going until we were headed there. I like surprises :)

The mystery destination was none other than
SEASIDE!!

Our visit was slightly less sunny than this postcard,
as you tend to get in November.

The biggest (and really the only) bummer of the trip was that I forgot my camera. Fortunately my dad helped me find out that my camera phone actually has a decent setting on it! I didn't get a lot of photos and I wasn't sure how the pics would turn out since the screen is so small so I wasn't sure any would be good. I was pleasantly surprised at how they turned out and I'm happy to have some photographic memories to go with my real ones :)

We arrived at lunchtime and stopped at a cozy and casual restaurant called Norma's. Which was fantastic!! We will definitely go back if we get the chance! The apple cider was as lovely as the table with its copper top and fall decorations :)

The view from our room (quite stormy and cold). The waves looked amazing!

Our room, with a fireplace and jacuzzi! Oh yes, a jacuzzi :D

This looks black and white but it wasn't meant to be. I still like it :)

I was hard to get the camera to balance between dark and light. Which forced/inspired a bit of creativity with sunset shots :)

Finally a bit of nice weather but still breezy and cold so this is again from the hotel room.

23 weeks pregnant, 24 years old, standing in an empty jacuzzi... sounds about right eh? ;)

What can I say about my man? He is beyond wonderful and handsome to boot!
A girl couldn't ask for more!

The lovely decor at the PigN'Pancake where we shared a suitably seafood-y breakfast of eggs benedict with crab instead of ham. Delicious!

My last "view" shot from the promenade

It was such a great weekend, a wonderful ending to my "birthday week" I feel suitably spoiled. Haha just kidding! I really feel very blessed and happy :D
Good job everyone who knew for keeping it a secret!!

Two!!

Our little man just got officially bigger! Rowan Charles Newton is TWO YEARS OLD TODAY!! :D
Just for fun here's a little comparison of 2008 and 2009 :)

2008

2009

One year old Ewok, because I'm a Star Wars nerd


Two year old puppy dog because this year he really likes a certain book called "Snuggle Puppy".





One year old attempting to stab a blueberry






Two year old successfully stabbing multiple pieces of pancake. I believe his max was 3 which was about double what looked like should fit in his mouth ;)





One year old chillin with his soccer ball



Two year old gettin ready to ride down a ramp of pallets on his plastic tricycle with his new pads (Thanks godparents! :D)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROWIE!!

We got off to a bit of an early start because of daylight savings so Rowan came and hung out in our bed watching cartoons for a while. After everyone was up we went out to breakfast at the Shipwreck Cafe where we strategically opened the first gift, a viewmaster. Afterward we came home and opened most of his other presents and played a bit before a nap.


He didn't open all his other gifts before his nap because he was too enamored with all the balloons we'd blown up for him. If one even moved in his peripheral vision he'd be up and after it in a flash! A lot of kids seem to enjoy gift boxes more than their gifts, it seems ours is all about the decorations ;)

Trying to blow up a balloon but only getting it very wet and slobbery :P


Sporting his new sweater from Gremmy :)

After a good rest we headed out again for a late lunch/early dinner at Red Robin. I was bummed that the little arcade they have was full when we wanted to play and empty when it was time to eat :P oh well. We wore hats, Rowan had a smoothie and a bit of spaghetti, he got two balloons, and a small sundae!

There were a couple things we didn't do that I kinda wanted to cause I'm quite pregnant, a little bit crazy, and not a good planner this time around. But at the end of the day I find myself taking stock and counting my blessings. One year later our Rowan is bigger, faster, funnier, more opinionated, louder, and talks a LOT more. I'm so happy and thankful that the Lord blessed us with this little boy!

We could never ask for more and yet as I type I'm being reminded with kicks and squirms that before long we're going to get it. I know Rowan will be a good big brother and I'm excited for our family to expand but I have loved and treasured these two years we've gotten to have with just Rowan. I love my lil' bubby more than I can say and even though we're getting a taste of those terrible twos and it may be a challenge at times to have such a boy I wouldn't trade him for anything :)