My trip home.....

Traci, Sarah and I getting our nails done.

Yaquina Bay Bridge

The Santiam River

Sunset at Nye Beach

Yaquina Lighthouse at Agate Beach Wayside

Ok, so they say Home is where the heart is and mine is definately where ever my husband is. Right now that is here in Monument. But my heart also longs for the ocean where I grew up and I HAVE to visit at least once a year to keep me happy. Well, this year I got to visit for my birthday and I got to go with no kiddos so I could have "me" time. What is that?, right?? Well, I got to experience 6 glorious days of it! I had so much fun! I got to take loads of pictures and visit lots of friends, it was a blast. I also got french tips on my nails for the first time. I love how they look but not sure how practical it is to keep them. We will see....A big thanks to Traci for letting me crash at her home for a few days and to Sarah for coming down and having a great day with me! I love you guys!!

Kaitlyn Dawn

This is my niece, Kaitlyn Dawn Free. She was born on 2-26 with heart problems. She was flown to Boise and then to Portland. A procedure was performed that opened up the artery that takes oxygen from the heart to the lungs. She is doing good now but is awaiting open heart surgery when she is about 4 months. She has a whole in her heart that is off to the side that will have to be closed up. She is such a cutie....I am ACHING to take her pictures. I stole all but the bottom two off of Jamie's facebook. Because of weekly dr.'s appointments they can't get over here to see me :( My namesake, Kaitlyn Dawn

The first time Jamie got to see her. She didn't even get to hold her until she was a week old.

Kaity with the oxygen helmet on.

Naomi Brooke

Meet Naomi Brooke, my grand daughter.

Our daughter, Sara and her husband Brandon getting ready to take Naomi home.

Norman took this picture while I was trying to put her "going home" outfit on her. It looks like she's trying to karote chop me!

such cute chubby cheekers!

Sam wanted to hold her so bad!

Naomi with GRANDPA!

One eyed peeper

Sam wanted to hold Naomi...he was so upset when we wouldn't let him! :(

Meeting Naomi

Mommy with Naomi

Me with Naomi...forgive the no makeup tired face...we were up all day, all night and then all day waiting for Naomi to come.

Grandpa and the uncles...minus Sam. He was sleeping.

Uncle kisses...so sweet

More uncle kisses......

Promised pictures

The boys being monkeys at the park

Sam, I can't get him to look at the camera very often...but when I do he sure is cute!

Levi took this picture...he did pretty good!

Levi

Sam's first time playing duck, duck, goose!

He's getting so big! Can you believe this is my baby?

Ben posing for the camera! lol

Levi is getting too big!

Slide fun!

Ben

I took the boys to the park while we were waiting for Sara to go into labor. Norman was working on the Redmond house and the boys needed to run some energy off. So...to the park we went! They had so much fun! After about an hour the meltdowns started and we headed back to the house. The next day Sara was induced.

Lots going on!

Wow, it seems like everytime I post, I find myself saying that it's been a really long time! What's wrong with me? Busy life I guess. Well I have a lot that has happened in the last few weeks! First, my baby niece was born on February 26th. Kaitlyn Dawn Free. Unfortunately there were complications with her heart and she had to be flown to Boise and then to Doernbecher's where she stayed for almost 2 weeks! She is doing good now...just waiting for open heart surgery when she is 4 months old to repair the whole in her heart. :( Ok, so I am only 30 years old but I am officially a grandma now! Naomi Brooke Alexander was born on March 15th at 3:16 pm! She is soooooo cute! I wish we lived closer so that I could see her more. It was such a blessing to get to be apart the her birth. Sara did such a good job! she was 8 pounds 13 ounces and 20.5 inches long. That was a week early, too! Just imagine if she would have gone full term! AND!! If that isn't enough....We have a new puppy! Sadee got here on Tuesday and we love her already. She is half border collie and half australian sheppard. She is very smart and is such a goofy dog. She is just a baby so she is still being trained. She likes to "herd" the boys! So funny! Anyways, I need to get going!

Cinnamin rolls

I did not pick this picture because my dad is frowning....I picked it because I think it is so funny that both him and Ami are frowning at the same time!! Love you Papa!

So yesterday I attempted to make cinnamin rolls for the first time. I have never attempted this before because my dad makes THE BEST cinnamin rolls ever and I really wanted him to teach me. But I really craved cinnamin rolls so I went at it yesterday. The downer was he wasn't at home to consult so they did not have enough goo on them. :( So I took them to church and gave them away and tried again today. This time I was able to talk to my dad before making them. With a little alteration they turned out FABULOUS! Thanks dad! You're the best! Even if cinnamin rolls aren't all that good for me! ;)

Newport High School 1996

This survey was really fun, I posted it on facebook and decided it would be fun to post here also. So.....if you are on my facebook...sorry for the repeat!

1. Who did you first date in high school?
I did not date anyone in highschool! Although I did like a couple of guys they were not interested in me. Now that I look back, they were awfully immature. But aren't all highschool boys?

2. Did you marry someone from your high school?
No, haha! Considering that my husband was graduating from highschool as I was starting first or second grade! No wonder those highschool boys were immature! :):)

3. Did you car pool to school?
Rode the bus until Jr. year when my sister drove us.

4. What kind of car did you have?
an old baby blue ford taurus after I graduated.

5. What kind of car do you have now?
Range Rover, Toyota Previa, and Hyundai Accent

6. It's Friday night...where are you? (then):
Either at a youth group function, hanging out with Sarah Crocker or being boring at home.

7. It is Friday night...where are you? (now):
At home with my hubby and three boys. Usually trying to get the "high speed internet" to play old McGyver reruns for us! The boys love them!

8. What kind of job did you have in high school?
This is one I have to explain. After living in Newport my whole life, my parent decided to move us to a small town in Washington the summer before my senior year. I did graduate with all my friends in Newport, though! I worked at a small resteraunt called Ma and Pa Ruckers. I loved it there!

9. What kind of job do you do now?
Well, I worked for Washington Mutual Bank for nine years until two years ago. I now am happily employed as mommy, homeschooling mommy and pastor's wife!

10. Were you a party animal?
Not at all.

11. Were you the class clown?
No, that would involve being the center of attention and I did not like that! I even had a hard time doing a book report!

12. Were you considered a flirt?
Oh my goodness! :) Not at all! Too shy.

13. Were you in band, orchestra, or choir?
I was in Choir all through high school and LOVED it! Thank you Mrs. Staffenson! I learned so much from you!

14. Were you a nerd?
I don't think so even though some may have thought I was.

15. Did you get suspended or expelled?
No, too afraid of being in trouble.

16. Can you sing the fight song?
Nope.

17. Who was/were your favorite teacher?
Mrs. Staffenson, Mr. Harrington, Mr. Montgomery...There are more but my brain just isn't working right now.

18. Where did you sit during lunch?
I don't remember a lot about lunch...I do remember hanging out with Sarah sometimes and Becky Guenther.

19. What was your school's full name?
Newport High School

20. When did you graduate?
96

21. What was your favorite class?
choir and english

22. What was your school mascot?Cubs 23. If you could go back and do it again, would you?
Oh, wow...No way! I was too insecure!

24. Did you have fun at Prom?
Mom wouldn't let me go.

25. Do you still talk to the person you went to Senior Prom with?
See # 24

26. Are you planning on going to your next reunion?
I tried going to the last one even though it was just a get together because the reunion was cancelled. I ended up going to the wrong place and totally missing out. I was bummed too because I really wasnted to see Carolyn and Eve and some others who were going to be there.

27. Best Memory:
Sarah teaching me how to skip class without getting in trouble! :)

28. Worst Memory:
My insecurity!

29. Worst fashion choice:
Black jeans...I wore black jeans a lot! I don't even own a pair now!

30. Do you still talk to people from school?
On face book and I still keep in touch with traci and sarah