Christmas Sweater Countdown

Okay so can I tell you just how much I love my family? Last year my sister Sarah and her husband wowed us all with their festive Holiday Sweaters. This was the only pic I could find of them in their masterpieces but it just doesn't do them justice. Eric's had a v-neck with a turtle neck underneath framed by some gold trimming to give it a more classy look. Sarah's cardigan was decorated with lots of Christmas jolly both on the front and back. I think we even named them if I remember correctly. This year we have been challenged to top their past creations. To be honest, I am feeling a little nervous. My family is quite the crafty bunch and I've got some stiff competition. Unfortunately all I've come up with have been inappropriate (a naughty elf is not something for the whole family to see) or the obvious completely expected tacky sweater that we all know so well. You know what I'm talking about. Your grandma has one, or maybe has sent you one in the mail as a present... Anyways - I am open to any suggestions and will keep you posted on any new developments.

Lame

I'm lame and haven't posted in awhile. There will be more to come very soon... stay tuned. :)

Our Little Superhero

To be a kid again...

Love you Little Kid.

Healing

I wish there was a stronger phrase or word than "thank you" that I could use to let you all know how much your support and love has meant to me. I have been overwhelmed this week - wondering how I have been so blessed to have such wonderful, caring women in my life. The calls, cards, gifts, text messages and emails have helped me to go through this grieving process - reminding me that I am not alone.
I have learned so much this past week. There have been so many times that my heart has gone out to a friend in need but I was so concerned about doing the wrong thing that it just paralyzed me and I didn't do anything. I am so sorry if I have not been there for one of you. I've had so many examples this week that sometimes a hug or an "I'm so sorry" is enough. Thank you for teaching me. Thank you for loving me and helping me through this. I appreciate you all and feel blessed to have you in my life.

Today I am Grateful for...

Today I am grateful for
1. A caring doctor who was understanding, loving, provided lots of tissues and reassured me it wasn't my fault
2. My cell phone so I could talk to my husband right away
3. A wonderful husband who answered the phone and is one of the most amazing husbands in the world
4. A side door so the ultrasound technician could get me back to my room without having to go past the waiting room
5. A loving mother who listened to me cry
6. A car parked in a dark parking garage so I could sob openly without worrying I was making anyone else sad
7. A 20+ minute drive home so I could try to gain some composure before I walked in the door
8. An amazing son who came bounding up to me right as I walked in the door - showing me immediately just how truly blessed I am
9. Prayer and the comfort it gives me even though I am sad - I know things will be okay
10. Thoughtful family and friends who support us when we need it
11. The opportunity I will have to try to conceive again
12. This pregnancy - even though I am sad we lost our baby - I am still grateful for the time that I had with this baby.

Lincoln City Family Vacation

My parents are great and brave and decided that our whole family should drive down to Lincoln City and spend an entire week in one house by the beach. I say great because they love us and want to spend time with us and brave because that is a lot of people and personality in one place for a fairly long stretch of time. But we were all up for it and packed our cars to the rim and took off the last week of August.

After an 8 hour drive (which was only supposed to be 6 but we decided to caravan - why?!) we were anxious to get out of our overstuffed cars and settled in at the house. All three cars pull off the main road, onto the drive and as we approach the AMAZING beach house we saw cars in the driveway. Hmmm...wait a second...we were all following each other yet there are cars parked where ours should be... Come to find out my sweet mother made a mistake. We were supposed to check in the following day... So what do a group of tired, cranky travelers do out of shear desperation? We check into a seedy hotel for the night.

The beach house...

Our scary hotel.

The rooms were a little creepy and I didn't want to walk around without my shoes on but it wasn't too bad... It could have been worse. It did have a pool...that was freezing cold. :)

Lydia and I were the only ones brave enough to go all the way in. It looks like we are smiling but it was through clenched chattering teeth. :)
The boys only put their feet in but tried their best to splash us :)

After one night in at the hotel we were ready to check in to the house. If anyone is interested in going to Lincoln City with a group - I would definitely recommend this place!!! It was roomy and gorgeous and had a huge playroom for the kids to go wild (which they did). There was a third floor which was perfect for when the kids went to sleep - we could play games and be as loud as our hearts desired.

No trip to Oregon is complete without a trip to the Tillamook Cheese Factory (especially on a rainy day when you can't go to the beach...)

Terah, Mac and my mom - Mac looks like he's in heaven.
My pretty pretty princess Lydia.

After one day of rain we were so excited to wake up to sunshine and headed straight for the beach. The kids were pumped and the parents were armed with cameras, sand toys and towels. Glad we had those towels because within ten minutes of wading in the waves both Kade and Mac fell in. After making sure they were okay I couldn't resist taking this pic of Kade.
Don't let these tears fool you. He was fine a moment later and enjoyed the rest of the day playing in the sand and water with his cousins. Here are some of my favorite beach pics.

Sarah and Mac
My mom was soooo proud of her sand castle. This is her posing by her masterpiece moments before the kids destroyed it. :)

This is a pic of my parents, sisters and the kiddos at Devil's Punch Bowl outside our favorite clam chowder place. It isn't that great of a picture but it was the only we took with all of us in it.

One afternoon my dad and Logan took the boys to the Air Museum so we could do a little shopping. They had a great time.
A couple minutes drive away was this huge playground. I don't know who was more excited - the kids or the adults. We didn't want to leave.
This is the lake right next to the park.
The weather was gorgeous, the house was amazing and we all survived the week together under one roof without killing each other. It was a fantastic vacation and I can't wait to go again! :)