Congratulations Heidi and Matthew!

Congratulations Heidi and Matt!!

It's true... My friend Heidi is tying the knot!! Some of you might be surprised, but I'm not... Not even a little bit. Heidi said from the beginning of our talks about moving here that her Prince Charming was waiting for her in Oregon. I think she meant it in jest, but oh... how true her words were.

Last year after Jesse and I got back from Seattle, Heidi and I decided to get serious about finding a church and planting some roots in Oregon. We found a great little church that spoke to our hearts and began attending regularly. Before long we noticed a very cute guy who seemed to be single. You know the type... tall, dark and handsome.. Since it was sort of new and exciting we started using a code name when referring to him.. so that the little boys (who are like parrots) wouldn't repeat the cute little comments we seemed to be regularly making... or give away how obviously smitten Heidi was.. His name is Matthew Dodd, but to us he is just "BIG"... As soon as the boys figured out who we were talking about they begin using it too, and after a while it just stuck...

Big is an amazing guy. He has a calm nature that makes you want to be around him. He is gentle and wonderful with Mikalie and Gage and they love him as much as Heidi does. He frequently tells Heidi how wonderful she is. He plays with the kids and helps them with their homework. He takes Mikalie on late night candy runs... (he's a bad influence on our figures). He's a little romantic and loves to talk as much as she does (if it's possible ;-). He's well educated and easy to chat with, totally just one of the guys.... and as an added bonus... He's a golfer!! We think the world of him and believe him to be a blessing to our family. Heidi is getting exactly what she deserves for a change!


So last Friday, he popped the BIG question and she said YES!! I'll admit, Mikalie and I were in on it, but sworn to secrecy. He took her totally by surprise and swept her off her feet with his unbelievably tender words. He gave her a dozen roses and included one pink rose and a balloon to say... "I wish Markelle was here.." He thinks of everything!!

The date will be July 31st... They will get married in the chruch where they met and fell in love!! Congratulation to my best friend and her kids!! I love you and am so very happy for all of you!!

They will be the cuttest little family!!

First family picture.... As an engaged family anyway!!

Resurection Sunday

Jesse and Gage were so cute yesterday I just have to post about it.

We go to church near our house, actually it's quite far away from our home considering that Newberg has the most churches per capita in Oregon, I've actually heard the whole west coast, but I'm not sure if I believe that... We could attend church right in our own back yard practially, but instead we drive about 30 min.... I guess it's a small price to find a church that suits us..



The boys sang in the choir yesterday for Resurection Sunday service. They were so proud of themselves. As Gage put it.... they, "sang their little hearts out". They had been practicing at church for about 6 weeks, and at home and the car too. Saturday they had a final practice in the morning which was followed by a pizza party and root beer floats, then they got all dressed up Saturday night for the evening service (followed by ice cream sundaes).... rushed to bed just to start over first thing Sunday morning for two services. They loved it and didn't get a bit tired of performing 3 different times. Both the boys saw me crying and, I must say, felt quite good about themselves for making me shed tears... I am so proud of them I could just burst!!

Okay, so it's not the best video, but enjoy anyway...

Jesse looks so grown up... and how about that hair?

Gage was so happy about his new belt he couldn't even stand himself.

I think he would have worn it to bed if Heidi would have let him.

I love my boys!!


Of course no Easter is complete without a good old fashion egg hunt!!

Happy Birthday Baby Addy!!

Our Sweet Addison Rae Back!!

Happy Birthday to one of the cutest babies on the planet... Addison is two today.

Addison is our Red Lobster baby... meaning we got the good news of her expected arrival while enjoying a nice dinner (and a sprite) at the Red Lobster... Amy likes to announce her new babies at dinner apparently, since the news of Alex came while eating at Benihana's (also while enjoying a sprite!). As her friends, we couldn't have been happier..

Amy delivers early... so we weren't surprised when she went into labor early in April... But in true Amy fashion, she delivered quickly and flawlessly and within a few hours their little family had grown by another person... before the rest of us could even get to the hospital... See for yourself how beautiful she was on the day she was borne.


Amy allowed us all to have input into her name, or I should say she tolerated it with a smile and her signature "wellll" ... I think Jesse wanted her to be named Chloe, but in the end Amy and Randy settled on "Baby Addy"... which fits her perfectly. Her middle name is Rae, after sweet Markelle... Because we are all sure Addison is a gift picked out special by our precious angle.. Sent to remind us that there are still good things to look forward to.


Addison is full of sugar and spice and everything nice... with a bunch of mischief and a little naughty. She is a daddy's girl who is snuggly and smart and cutter than you can imagine, she looks just like her mom. She loves Elmo and something called "Zoboomafoo" (dont' ask...) She is a big eater and loves to help herself to whatever is in the fridge or cupbord. She is brave and daring, loves amusement park rides and wants to be in the middle of whatever her big brother is doing. Addy also has the most perfect wavy hair and captivating smile. We are so blessed to have her part of our family!!

Happy big number TWO Baby Addy...
We love you so much!!