Christmas in Griffin Creek

Our Christmas this year was spent here in Southern Oregon at our families home in Griffin Creek. We own a 6 acre parcel in a valley that backs up to a mountain called Anderson Butte. We love coming here and getting out of the city. During our trip we have spent lots of time with family and have seen a few friends. Luckily my mom has a good camera because we left Portland without ours. Jacob and his wife Jana are here, Grandma Gerry, Grandma June, Aunt Pam, and of course Mom and Dad.

My parents recently purchased a hot tub and a Finnish sauna so I helped our family friend Josh build an overhang to cover up the hot tub and sauna from the elements. It kept us busy for a few days and now is completed. The winter storm up in Portland ended up delaying the delivery of the sauna and it still has yet to show up but at least we finished the area where it will go.

Charlotte got to spend some time with her Great Grandma June before she died this week and that was a special time. We got some precious shots of Grandma June and her Great Granddaughter. June was 89 and died in her sleep on this last Tuesday. She was diabetic and lived much longer than any of expected. She was a very sweet woman and my mom always said that "June did not have a mean bone in her body" I hope our daughter Charlotte gets some of her traits. That same day we also had to have our family dog put down - "Chin Li" was 15 and would have been 16 in January. She lived a good life as did our Grandma June. While this has been a Christmas filled with loss we have our addition Charlotte who has been a complete joy for our family. Even in death there in life. God has blessed us immensely this year and we are overjoyed during this Christmas season that our hope lies in Christ. We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas with your families.

Click here for Christmas pictures

Charlotte's Photo Shoot

Last weekend Charlotte had her first photo shoot with my good friends Todd and Gretchen. This was her first professional experience being a model. While she is young we figured with how much her college is going to cost us some day - we probably should get her working for some extra money before she gets to old. Her beauty shots are amazing and I have to say we have a very special little girl on our hands.

Let us know which shots you love the most and we will add that to our list of which ones we want to blow up and frame for her.

With Love -

Click here for the pictures of Charlotte

Whitney's Wedding

We had a marvelous time in Grants Pass last weekend for Whitney's wedding. It was good to see family and we made it home on the tail end of the winter storm.

Click here to see the pictures and video I uploaded.

Love,

M & N

Advent Conspiracy

What if we all gave more and spent less this Christmas Season?

(CLICK HERE)

Charlotte's First Bath and Doctor's Appointment

Today Charlotte turned 5 days old and we had our first Pediatrician appointment. Charlotte was very excited to get back into the car and into her car seat. She seems to love riding in the car with her Grandma and Mommy. Her eyes open up very wide and she looks at whatever she can focus on for the minute. She gets a very serious look on her face that I think she gets that from her daddy =)

When we arrived at the doctor we took lot's of funny pictures including one with Dr. Daddy checking the heartbeat of our little girl =) (click here). Everything went well at the doctors office and Charlotte has gained a few ounces. She now weights 7lbs and 12 ounces. She has gained 1 ounce in the last two days which is normal.



Along with having a week of first's for our daughter she also had her first bath yesterday. Those pictures are also above on that link. She was not quite sure at first of the bath, but as she relaxed a bit she absolutely loved the warm water and waterfall that daddy was creating in the tub. I can tell that she is going to be a bath tub baby like her mom. When we where done with the bath she did not like getting out one bit and cried for some time. Overall bath time was a success and we look forward to giving her more baths in the near future.