Flyin' Rowen!

Rowen did so great on the airplane! (Or should I say, airplanes?) We flew from Portland to Minneapolis, then from Minneapolis to Omaha. The next morning we drove to Akron, Iowa (about two hours.) After spending most of the day there, we drove back to Omaha to spend the night, then flew from Omaha to Minneapolis and Minneapolis back to Portland. Whew! It was a lot of traveling in one weekend for an 8 week old! He made hardly a peep (which is more than I can say for the baby sitting behind us...) We have such an angel-baby!
Brrr!! The Midwest is COLD!!! It was around 16 degrees while we were there! A big snow storm came in just after we left. So grateful to miss it! The wind blew right through you. There's no place like home afterall!

Avis Louise Hilton Dec 12th 1917 - Nov 29th 2008

My Grandma Avis (Mom's Mom) went to be with the Lord last Saturday, November 29th 2008. I just wanted to share the few pictures that I have of her as a way of saying goodbye. She was born & raised in South Dakota, and moved to Portland in her 20's where she's been ever since. She's lived with my mom in Tigard for the past five years as she's walked the road between health and sickness. Now she can finally rest in peace.
I can't get this picture right side up of course- but here she is at Matt and my wedding, July 31st 2004. Her favorite color was black. When she saw my wedding pictures she said, "Well. Don't I look old."


Family was everything to Grandma. She loved it when family could get together and she'd be so irritated if EVERYONE couldn't be there. Sometimes when a big group would get together she'd say, "Now look at all this. None of this would be here if it weren't for me." :o) She had quite a sense of humor!
She left behind two daughters and one son, two granddaughters and six grandsons, two great granddaughters and two great grandsons. She could hardly wait to meet Rowen all summer. There were a couple hospital visits that we didn't think she would make it out of if it weren't for how excited she was for his birth. She told all her nurses she was going to have a great-grandson, and that would make her be that great grandma of "TWO GREAT GRAND DAUGHTERS AND TWO GREAT GRAND SONS!" Every time I'd visit she'd ask me when he was coming and I'd tell her not until the end of September and she'd say "Gaal! That long??"
When he was finally born I'd never seen her so happy in my life. She beamed.
Every time she'd see him in the last two months she'd say "Isn't he just perfect?" She loved that he had sideburns, and said she wanted to hear him cry. She couldn't believe he wouldn't cry.


The last time we saw her was Thanksgiving morning. She was feeling up to holding him, and I'm so glad that she got to one last time. These are the last pictures ever taken of her.

We buried her back "home" on Saturday, next to Grandpa in South Dakota in the family cemetery.


Corn fields and sky as far as the eye can see...

Dirty Drip Pans?

This housewife gets excited about the silliest things.....
I was making turkey stock and of course it boiled over a bit in the hours it was on the stove- leading to nasty burnt on crud in the drip pans. So I thought it would be an opportunity to share with you all this super nifty trick we learned not too long ago.
Nasty pans + baking soda + a little water + elbow grease (and not much!) =
Sparklingly beautiful pans!
That's right, just your plain ol' arm 'n' hammer.
I love when natural things clean better than chemical ones. Awesome.

Beaver Fans, Through and Through!

I know last Saturday was horribly embarrassing- but these pictures of our mini-beav are too cute not to post.
Better luck next year, Beavs!

Meeting Grandpa Carroll

My Dad's in town from Denmark - so he and Rowen got to meet for the first time last week! Oh, so much the grand-parental love.

Happy Thanksgiving

It was Rowen's first Thanksgiving- and of course he was the star of the show! He got to meet his Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa Happel for the first time as they drove up from California to spend Thanksgiving here.
Four generations of Happel Men! I'm pretty sure he's yawning here- not screaming.
Great Grandpa is so proud!



Rowen's first Thanksgiving meal: breastmilk as usual. Don't worry hon, it'll be more exciting next year!

Little Friends!

Early this month we got together with our Birth Class for a little pizza party baby style- aren't they darling? It was fun talking about how the past couple months had gone for each of us and what are little babes were doing. Rowen's the youngest at 4 weeks here, the oldest (2 1/2 months) & her mommy left before we got a picture taken. :o( We're hoping to get together again next month! Isn't that fun? Check out these pictures: what dorkey first time parents we all are! haha. (We're even lined up in age order- hahaha)

and THIS is Baby Eilee- the sweet little girly I'll be caring for starting in December. Isn't she darling? She's sooo cuddly and adorable and has the softest hair- Rowen and I got to hang out with her and her mommy for a little bit yesterday- and I can't wait for more snuggles! They're going to have lots of fun together as they grow! See what pals they'll be? They're already holding hands! She's (get this) TWO DAYS older than Rowen. That's right, we ended up being "neighbors" in the hospital- just a couple doors down! So funny.
Wow- I didn't notice this in person, but she's really putting Rowen's cheeks to shame! Yummy!

and here is little Mr. Billings! Nicole and Jered welcomed little JJ into the world yesterday morning and he is soooooo handsome. It's going to be fun watching them run around at church together one day! And isn't Nicole beautiful for just having an almost 9 lb baby? Way to go, sister! We are so happy for you guys!!! He is perfect and God is so good!

Look Who's Smilin'!

too unbelievably cute.

FREE PHOTO BOOK!

From Jessica Harris' blog ...THANKS JESS!

"I don't watch Oprah but my mom told me about a show she did yesterday...something about getting organized...anyway, I guess they were cleaning out someone's house and they took all the artwork from the kids, took digital photos and turned it into a coffee table book. Pretty cool idea - I know I need to do SOMETHING with all the artwork we have and I can't stand the thought of getting rid of it! What a great idea, turning it into a book!
So, want a free photo book??? Go to Oprah.com and click on "get your free gift from Snapfish" You MUST log in and get your credit by this Friday and you MUST create and order it by SUNDAY. Quick, but totally free hardcover photo book.
http://www.oprah.com/slideshow/oprahshow/20081029_tows_messyhouse/7


I just made one and ordered it- so easy- I can't wait to get it!! The shipping is $6.99, but that's a steal of a deal! You have to do it today so hurry up!

Lovin' the Moby

All three of us have decided that the Moby Wrap is a must-have. Rowen is soooo snuggly and warm all wrapped up next to Momma or Daddy- (and we get to have free hands!) During the day, it's a life saver when I have to walk the dog (and bend down to pick up poo...) especially in the rain. I haven't gotten too used to "getting things done" while wearing him yet, though I can if I have to. Shopping is nice also with both hands free and no car seat to tote around or giant stroller to push either. I'm looking forward to trying the other 18 ways to wrap him up- but these two are nice for now!
Facing in- all snuggly in the fetal position, warm and toasty with Daddy. Matt can even zip his coat up around him! (Look out! It's a pregnant man!)



The FAMILY!


Facing out! You can't see them in this *really great* picture- har har- but his little legs can hang out and kick free in this one. He's looking at the lights- as usual.