March Happenings

   Jen does NOT look like she just gave birth!

On March 16, baby Peter Christopher Gold was born. 

We couldn't get enough of all 7lb.and 2oz. of him! 

We love adorable squishy babies!

squishy

 squishy

 squishy

 squishy

 squishy

Ok, I'm done saying "squishy" now.

Moving on...

 Spring Break trip to Utah. 

Of course we had to stop and get a HUGE milkshake with Brad and Trish!

I wish I could remember the name of this place.

Just a couple of weeks before Spring Break we got the call that Grandma Tripp wasn't doing very well. I felt strongly that we needed to go see her one last time. It was a hard trip to make, but I knew I would regret it forever if she passed and I didn't get to talk to her, kiss her and tell her how much she means to me.

 Matt and Eli were exhausted after our drive through the night.

I sure love these boys.

 Grandma looked so frail and thin, but was in good spirits even 

though I could tell she was in much pain.

This was not easy to witness. 

Grandma expressed her gratitude for us coming to see her. 

Tears were definitely shed. And even though it wasn't said I think we all 

knew that we wouldn't see each other again in this life.

Matt was able to give her a beautiful priesthood blessing. 

He promised her that when it was her time to go that she would go peaceably. 

It was very, very emotional.

A huge thanks to Brad and Trish for opening their home to us. 

They are some of the most loving people I know and I am 

extremely blessed to call them my uncle and aunt. It was awesome 

staying with them! We got to spend a day hiking. It was weird

 not hiking among the lush, green trees of Oregon, but Utah has it's own 

kind of beauty...that doesn't provide much shade.

 Oh, Eli!

 While in Utah Matt wanted to drive to Bountiful to find the house his dad grew up in. At first we passed it not knowing for sure that this house was the one. So we turned around and were doing  a slow drive by when the owner drove up...wondering who in the heck was eyeing his house. When we explained who we were and why we were staring at his property a wide smile appeared on his face and he immediately invited us in.

Both Matt and I felt strongly that it was no coincidence that he came home just as we were discovering that we were a the right location. 

It was amazing to see the inside of the house that Papa Gold grew up in. Mario, the owner, had done little remodeling to the house, so we were able to see the house as it was when Papa lived in it so many years ago. So cool!

Tender mercies.

 Our window washer as we headed home to Oregon.

 Somehow Matt and I got talked into taking the teenage girls to a concert in downtown Portland.

My ears will never be the same and I will never do that again unless it's Barry Manilow. 

Just kidding, I'm not a fan of his music either.

Oy, I'm getting OLD.

 Rylie and Matt did a 9 hour hike on Mount Defiance. It's one of the most grueling hikes in Oregon, but Rylie was determined to make it to the top.

  There were tears and thoughts of giving up.

 But they persevered and they made it!!!

February Happenings

Winter in Oregon is pretty mild for the most part, which means we can have some beautiful sunny days. I LOVE it!

 Snow is not my friend. 

It's fun to take advantage of those kinds of days and play at the park. Matt and Ivy didn't even have jackets on.

Crazy kids!

My sweet Ivy took a "Role Model" test at school and passed. She also had to get "Role Model" papers signed off by at least three adults in the school. And now because of her awesome example she is an official Errol Hassell Role Model!

She came home SO excited about her legit new badge.

Poor Eli had to get some shots. His reaction was hilarious!!! 

Let's just say that he can still scream like a girl.

My friend Dani said that this pic looks like a Norman Rockwell painting. I totally have to agree.

On Valentines Day we celebrated with our annual family Valentines dinner. We had a couple of extra guests at our table this year which was fun. 

The girl in stripes was our foreign exchange student from France. Lisa was here for three weeks. She was fine, but the connect wasn't all that strong. It's the first time we've had an exchange student that didn't fully enjoy. Bummer!

 But life goes on.

We took Lisa to hike Multnomah Falls. 

It's one of those things you MUST see if you go to the Portland Oregon area!

We went on a crisp, beautiful day. The hiking was fantastic and the views were so amazingly gorgeous. We all enjoyed it...except for Lisa.

Just one of the reasons she wasn't our favorite exchange student.

Oh well, sucks to be her.

  I think the sarcastic bug bit me today.

January Happenings

 Rylie got asked to Homecoming by three of her best friends. Homecoming isn't the date dance it used to be. Now you can get asked to homecoming by whomever wants to ask you. And though some go with dates, it's perfectly normal to go in groups of friends. If I heard the story right, her friend Mikayla was hiding in a huge popcorn box at school...where they got it, I have no clue! Anyways, they called Rylie out of class telling the teacher she was needed for a Leadership meeting. Ha! She was suprised and she said yes. Silly girls! Below are the group pictures of the big night.

 Just a funny pic of my hubby. We were cleaning the church one Saturday morning and he found this vest. Such a sexy James Bond look-a like:)

 Rylie got her driver's license! 

She is loving her new independence and I'm crying both happy and sad tears watching her grow up! It has been nice having a driver that can help with getting kids to and fro...but she does have to wait 6 months to drive friends...did you read that, Rylie? 

No cheating!

Can you believe that we went to the Oregon beach and actually played on the beach in January?

The weather was BEAUTIFUL!!!

 Thanks to Jen and Joe for inviting us on their last minute trip to share their humongous beach house.

I didn't get a good pick of the house but it was beautiful and huge and I want to go back!

Rylie and her cute friends Paige and Dierden. 

This pic was too cute to not post:)

And Mr. Eli decided that he wanted to play the Clarinet in band this year. He's really been loving the experience! Never before have I had a band kid. I hope he continues to love playing and doesn't give up on it. 

So far, so good.