Rainy days at home....

Well, the sunny days have been few and far between and the boys have been sick so we've been hanging out at home a lot. The boys get into everything when I'm not looking, even peanut butter

we've been playing with some of the craft projects we got for Christmas including making a barn and lots of painting






We also build a train track at least once a day. I've decided I'm so glad I had little boys. Playing with trucks/trains and planes was always interesting to me as a child. Probably since it was the kind of stuff dad did with me. Regardless I'm not sure if I'd have as much fun with girls, unless they were tomboys! God knew what he was doing when he gave me these guys. We're definately having a lot of fun (as long as I don't try to get anything accomplished!)

Haircuts and the Park

The boys got their haircuts at the barber again. There is a great father and son barbershop in Mckinleyville that a friend clued me into. It's one of those great places where there are lots of families and older men and everyone knows everyone else. It's like an oakey version of the Ice Cube move Barbershop. I really wanted to take a photo of both boys getting their cuts, but all I got was a beginning of Nolan.

Caleb started freaking out about the giant "bib" so I had to hold his arms down the rest of the time. The next photo I got was of them with their suckers.

We also spent some time at Hiller park with our friends Nancy, Owen and Isaac. Nolan played hard.

But Caleb fell aspleep on the way and slept the whole time.

We're definately looking forward to more days in the sun!

A day at the beach.

While Loren took a much needed vacation to Mt. Bachelor, we got out a lot. We took a trip hiking in Azalea park with our friends Nancy, Owen and Isaac. We had dinner and a movie with Amanda, Mike, Cole and Carson. Caleb is getting really interactive now. He actually understands a lot of things we're saying. Looking forward to lots more time in the great outdoors this summer now that the boys are big enough to handle some longer outings!


The boys played well together, with the exception of a little sand throwing.

Nolan had a great time rolling and running down the hills and Caleb and I did our best to keep up with him.

Caleb was obsessed with the sand and loved picking it up and letting it run through his fingers.

More playing together in the dunes.

Family Portraits


Here is all the guys together-Loren, Darin and Steve

And all the girls me, Elsa and Helen

Just the Humboldt Campers-Me, Loren, Nolan and Caleb

And Helen and Steve with the grandkids-Nolan, Caleb and Kailey

Here's all of us together. Notice the lack of amusement in the children.

Just me and Loren

A few last photos

We visited Santa at the neighborhood Fieldbrook General Store before Christmas and saw the Fieldbrook Fiddlers. We got to have some good friends come with us and share in the community event.


Nolan and Acacia helped decorate cupcakes for our VERY small birthday celebration for our poor boys with holiday birthdays.

We finally found one person Caleb wasn't comfortable hanging out with-Santa Claus. Nolan wouldn't even give us an opportunity for a photo.



Nolan and dad openings presents

Grandpa and Nolan on the tractor moving trees from where the new house is going to go
Caleb opening Christmas presents.

Here are a few more photos from our trip up North....

Everyone wanted to have Caleb sit on their lap although it was short-lived after they discovered how heavy he is

Natalie and Caleb

Natalie and Nolan
Caleb eating Grandma's Meals on Wheels. Even toddlers have a hard time choking down rubbery corn and hamburgers. (Yes that's a doily on his head-don't ask)
Nolan enjoyed being king of his own mountain



More sledding fun!

the first post!

Here's our first blog post! It's the middle of January and time to begin my 2006 New Year's Resolution of keeping in better contact with people and maintaining friendships. This is in addition to the other resolutions of course such as better time management, self discipline, organization, diet, fitness, creative endeavors planning.....and the list goes on. I think this resolution may prove feasible however. I let you know about our site and keep posting. All I have to do is sit back and wait for all those letters, phone calls and invitations! =) I do think that in this crazy modern society, we need to really carve out time for friendships and people though, and this is one of my attempts. The kids are growing older (as are we), time is going by. I'd like it to be rich with good experiences shared with loved ones. I hate sending out bulk e-mails that load up everyones inboxes. If you want to see our lives and photos, all you need to do is check in now! Being the most verbose and technologically obsessed, I will most likely do all the posting, but I'll try to get Loren on here as well. Hope all is well and many blessings for the new year!

Below are a couple of photos from our recent trip to Montana. We went sledding behind the 4-wheeler with our cousins Natalie, Chelsea and Jocelyn Gates at Uncle Wes and Aunt Liz's house. Grandpa had to pull a little bit too and I had to go for a ride as well. It was very nostalgic.