Its all about the Horsies these days.
January 09, 2010
June 04, 2009
May 10, 2009
April 28, 2009
April 26, 2009
December 26, 2008
The Family Grinch
Those are grinch pajamas. We dressed this way for an annual get together with My brother-in-law, John's, family. No, I am not providing more explanation.
December 25, 2008
September 11, 2008
Merry-Go-Around and Around
This summer, Jerry introduced Nellie to the excitement and fun of the carousel at the Lane County Fair. Her experience on the "Merry-Go-Around and Around" resonated and she talked about it nearly everyday. So when we had the opportunity to visit relatives in Salem last weekend - we took the time to ride the carousel located on the waterfront. Nellie was excited and after seven rides she was a carousel pro picking out horses she wanted to ride and handing her $1.50 token to the man in charge of the ride.
Jerry, Aunt Karen, and I took a ride with Nellie - it was great fun to see her so animated and excited as she pointed out the lights, horses, music, "up and down" "round and round" motions of the ride. It is a delight to experience this crazy world with her. We'll certainly make a visit to the Salem "Merry-Go-Around and Around" very soon.
Here is a link to the carousel's website. http://www.salemcarousel.org/ If you get the chance - also visit the Gilbert's Discovery Village. http://www.acgilbert.org/ And of course there is always a stroll on the Willamette U campus. Go Bearcats!
Hiking at Tryon State Park
During our Portland visit on Labor Day weekend, we went hiking with Grace and Gabe at Tryon State Park. We discovered a downed tree which had created a tunnel. Gabe was the first to venture all the way through! Nellie wasn't so sure - but she made her way to the entrance when Jerry squirmed his way inside the tree tunnel. It was a great place to linger and rest on our hiking adventure. It also provided many photo opportunities....
In this photo, Nellie is saying to Gabe, "Go in there, boy." Grace - Thank you for the fun and pictures!
September 05, 2008
Bearcat Cubs
After Jerry's parents left for home via the Portland airport, we lingered in Portland for the rest of Labor Day weekend. This gave us the chance to catch up with friends from Willamette and Vicky as Grace and Roger hosted all of us on Sunday. Here's a shot of future Bearcats! From left to right...Nellie, Gabe Groom, Lucy Hanken, and Claire Hanken. We missed Lucas and Chloe!
Fred & Irene Visit Eugene
Is it truly September?? August was great fun! Jerry's parent, Fred and Irene, travelled from Natchez, Mississippi to spend three weeks with us Nellie. We thoroughly enjoyed their visit and tremendous energy for house projects, yard projects, and playing cards. Nellie loved having breakfast on Grandma's lap each morning and buzzing around Grandmpa all day. We did many things during their time with us. Between cleaning/organizing the garage and working in our neglected yard - we managed to have our fun. This included a visit to Eugene's rose garden, checking out the vegetables and booths at the Farmer's Market, picking blackberries, Irene and Alison shopping, Irene's spa day, birthday cake for Fred, steak dinner, indulging in polish sausuage, and picking out a truck for Jerry (more later).
Fred and Irene's visit concluded with a trip to the Portland zoo. Grace and Gabe joined us! We were able to see many lounging animals - black bears, polars bears, mountain goats, cougars, monkeys, elk, antelope, hippos, zebras. Nellie was most impressed by the large and loud dinosaurs who greeted us at the entrance. A highlight was our zoo train ride
through the forest. Nellie wasn't so sure about the train, but Gabe was quick to point out all of the sights (including the elephant). She quickly figured out a ride on the zoo train is good fun.
We are missing Fred and Irene. It was wonderful to have them hear for an extended visit and we are looking forward to the holidays when we will all be together. Thank you, thank you for coming to see us Nellie!! :)
August 05, 2008
Why I Am Happy (William Stafford)
Now has come, an easy time. I let it
roll. There is a lake somewhere
so blue and far nobody owns it.
A wind comes by and a willow listens
gracefully.
I hear all this, every summer. I laugh
and cry for every turn of the world,
its terribly cold, innocent spin.
That lake stays blue and free; it goes
on and on.
And I know where it is.
July 29, 2008
Big Sister Amara
When Nellie was four days old, Dexter, Sharon & Amara travelled from Tacoma to welcome her to the world. It was during this visit Amara promised to be Nellie's "Big Sister." Posted at left is the picture of Amara making this promise.
This last week, Amara stayed with us a few nights while her parents attended a conference in Salem. It was a delight to have "Mara, Nellie's Big Sister" for an extended stay. She is a lovely big sister! Nellie thoroughly enjoyed having Amara stay at our home. She was constantly interested in what Amara was doing and what she was wearing. Amara was a patient and loving big sister!
Amara brought with her an ipod pillow that plays your ipod while you rest your head. "Mara's special pillow" left quite an impression on Nellie. Initially, it was "scary." Then, "pink and soft." Finally, "Mara's special pillow." In the evening when I put Nellie in her crib to sleep, she picked up her pillow and said, "No music. Where's music?" We checked many, many pillows, but only Amara's played music. Amara left on Saturday - Nellie talks about the pillow everyday.
We made sure to treat Amara while she visited us - ice cream, shopping, and movies. I highly recommend "Delicious Dirt" as ordered by Amara at Coldstone Creamery. She and I also recommend Wall-E.
We loved having Amara in our home. She truly is Nellie's Big Sister and we are thankful for the love she (and her parents) extends to us. (You ask, "So where are the pics of Amara and Nellie?" Big Sister took the photos! I'll update when she sends them my way.)
July 21, 2008
Blueberries!
I love blueberries. I can not get enough of blueberries. I can cause myself damage and still not get enough of blueberries. Addiction?
We were fortunate to have found a source in Tuscaloosa at our local CSA. Many warm, humid late afternoons and early evenings were spent picking organic blueberries from bushes so tall that ladders were required. Thanks to my Aunt Karen, we found an Oregon source for blueberries at a farm in Corvallis called Anderson's.
She advised we call in our order and specify the type of variety she deems best. So...two weeks ago I ordered 75lbs of "Blue Crop" and recently met Aunt Karen at Anderson's to pick them up. I am guessing 73lbs made it home and I was probably a driving hazard as I stuffed myself on the drive. These are some fine, tasty berries.
Jerry helped unload my blueberry haul from the car to the kitchen. Nellie promptly devoured three bowls and she has been done with blueberries since.
I wish I could say the same for myself. I did manage some self-control - approximately 70lbs were bagged and frozen for a taste of blueberries bliss after the season ends. I have to say...I don't think it is going to be enough and Jerry is encouraging me to call-in another order. Dialing as I blog.
July 14, 2008
Our Camping Adventure
Vicky. Denese. And now Rylie. We have been fortunate and blessed to have met these wonderful, loving women who have been willing to share their talent and daily lives with us as they help us care for Nellie during our working day. Each has arrived at the right time in Nellie's life. Vicky shared her experience and expertise in infant care. Denese taught us all how to sign and provided "toddler phrases" we use everyday. Rylie's enthusiasm for art and her energy for capturing Nellie's imagination is the most recent of gifts. What follows is the best example....
Friday I returned from work to a very excited Nellie who ran towards me shouting, "Mommy, camping! Camping!" During Nellie's lengthy afternoon nap, Rylie transformed a corner of the room into a camp site.
The background includes a moonlit sky with stars, mountains, and trees. There is a fire for roasting marshmallows, a picnic table set for two, and a bamboo fishing pole. A scene ready for camping play!
Nellie knew exactly what to do with the marshmallow as we have read this in stories about Rocky's camping fun for his birthday and Curious George's big camping adventure. On DVD, Clifford even gets in on marshmallow fun during a camping trip with Emily Elizabeth and her friends. Nellie was a bit less enthusiastic when I asked her to pose.
Among her favorite camping activities is to insist that Daddy and Mommy each have a turn inside of the tent. I am pleased to report both of us are able to successfully achieve this maneuver without injury or breaking the tent. The picture at left is a cry/smile Nellie managed as she realized Daddy in the tent is a crowded tent. Most often Jerry and I end up half in the tent so we can read books with Nellie - cozy, but not crowded.
For our last weekend adventure, we left our campsite for a playdate with Olivia. Olivia has a play structure just like Lucy's! Olivia was very eager to show Nellie the new house and how things work - doorbell, phone, mailbox, doors, windows, sink. A very nice respite from camping!
July 08, 2008
Track Town, USA: Where people get fired for being .03 seconds late
First, let's begin with an analogy: Football is to Tuscaloosa, AL as Track & Field is to Eugene, OR. UO's Hayward Field is the track where Bill Bowerman experimented with shoes that would evolve into Nikes, where Prefontaine shattered long distance records, where the team motto is "The Hardest Team to Make," and where over 21,000 people gathered on Sunday to watch the last day of the 2008 Olympic Trials.
Our Eugene 08 experience began on Thursday, July 3rd. Nellie, Jerry, and I escorted Dad and Barb to Hayward Field and we shared dinner before they entered the track stadium to watch the evening's events. They returned late in the evening to report their favorite highlights which included women's pole vaulting, men's high jump, 400m men's and women's finals, and the women's 1500m quarterfinals.
On July 4th, our long-time friends Dexter, Sharon, and Amara Gordon (now residing in Tacoma via Tuscaloosa) joined us for the weekend to attend the Trials July 4, 5, and 6. Amara (now 11!!) and I sat together while her parents were in the next section. Jerry and Nellie joined us for part of the day on Saturday. When asked about what she saw that day, Nellie says, "Kids running. Big TV's." The jumbo-trons were pixel clear and collosal - they were impressive. Most impressive were our seats - we were located on the back stretch in front of the 200m start line and the pole vault pits. (Thank you, thank you Jerry!) 
Just as there is nothing like the experience of watching Alabama football in Bryant Stadium, being part of the Hayward crowd for a track meet is an amazing experience. There were many, MANY moments and stories surrounding the events and athletes we watched, but here is a Top 10 list of our favorite highlights...
10. Seeing Jerry at a stadium athletic event and enjoying himself. (For you skeptics...I'm working on posting a picture for proof.)
9. The women's 1500m semi-final when Jordan Hasay, age 16 (!!), won the crowd as she ran down her elders for a time of 4:14:50 to set a a national high school record. She earned a spot in the finals.
8. The men's 10,000m final...Abdi Abirahaman beats Oregon's Galen Rupp. I never expected a 25 lap race would be so exciting.
7. The Eugene July 4th fireworks that began during the last few laps of the men's 10,000m finals.
6. The men's high jump final that concluded with a jump-off for the third spot on the Beijing team. I am still sorting through the rules as to why this jump-off was necessary.
5. The women's 100m hurdles as Lolo Jones runs the race in 12.29 seconds - the fastest in the world thus far this year.
4. The men's 200m quarterfinal - Tyson Gay goes down with a reported cramp. However, the stands buzzed with reports that there is something more to his injury. We likely will not know until he competes in the 100m in Beijing.
3. Binoculars. On the second day of the weekend, we brought binoculars to see events that were across the track. They are also useful for spotting friends in the crowd! I located Joanna and her mom who were sitting in the sweetest of seats - Row 3 between the 4th and 5th hurdle in the final stretch. I spotted a WU friend - Mark Hanken - who was lining up athletes for the Special Olympic races that were held on July 5. And Dexter won a pair of binoculars just outside of the stadium in a vendor's booth.
2. The women's 200m was stacked with amazing talent...Allyson Felix, Muna Lee, Lauryn Williams, Marshevet Hooker...all athletes I have seen on television and here they were in the starting blocks nine rows below our seats.
1. The last race of the meet was the 1500m men's final and was billed as the race of the meet. Bernard Lagat (also the winner of the 5000m and the only double winner in the meet), Leonel Manzano, and Lopez Lomong made the team in an oustanding race. So while they were running, pole vaulter Jenn Stuczynski took a run at an American record and was successful. The crowd was screaming - it was a beautiful, overloaded moment. With the conclusion of the 1500m and no other events scheduled, you might expect the crowd to start leaving. But everyone stayed because Stuczynski opted to go for a world record. The entire stadium (21,000 plus people) began a cadence clap and she made two fantastic attempts - but chose to wait until Beijing to make it happen. And that is how the meet ended. With that moment - I think I understood why Hayward Field is such an amazing place. These fans are informed, serious, and addicted. I'm completely hooked.
The trials return to Eugene in 2012. In the meantime, I am going wear my new t-shirt while attending UO meets, the Prefontaine Classic, the 2009 and 2011 USATF National/World Championship Trials. We're going to make Jerry a track fan and perhaps inspire Nellie to run, jump, and/or throw. Please - come join me!!
Oopsie-daisy...
Occasionally instead of "uh-oh," Nellie will say "Oopsie Daisy." So these pics Sharon snapped of Nellie on a walk are perfect.
Jerry and I agree - these two shots of our summer girl are fabulous.
June 30, 2008
It was one of those clear, sharp. mustless days... (e.e. cummings)
This weekend in Eugene had a bit of Alabama flavor - 95 degrees with enough humidity to get our attention. So we busted out the swimming pool on Saturday and enjoyed the summer day. As I was filling the pool I turned to gather a few toys when I heard Nellie say, "Brrrrr, cold. Sitting, cold. Mommy, warmer." It was not long before she realized the water provided summer heat relief and she was splashing nearly all day. It was a delightful day.
In the evening, Ron, Jeralynn, and Olivia joined us for dinner. Jerry grilled probably the best hamburger I have ever consumed. If you send him an email - he may share his secrets. Here is what I know - preparation involved butter (?), tenderly shaping the meat into patties, and bacon. Enough said.
Nellie sported her fancy sunglasses during dinner. She recently has become squeamish and fearful of spiders, spiderwebs, flies, and anything else that fits into the her category of "bug." While eating dinner outside, there were a few pesky flies buzzing our meal and Nellie began an insect monologue that included closed eyes and crying. I handed over her sunglasses and she put them on and said, "All better." We're not sure what what has led to Nellie's issues related to bugs...we're doing our best to problem solve this with a two-year-old. Any advice? Leave us a comment!
On Sunday, we visited Grandma Florence (my grandma and the "Florence" of Nellie Florence) in Dallas, OR to celebrate her 91st birthday. We enjoyed our visit with Grandma Florence and catching up with my Uncle David (it was also his birthday), Aunt Chris, and Aunt Carol. Mimi and Papa along with Gretchen, Chris, and Eero were also there to complete the gathering. Nellie and Eero (soon to be 5 years old) shared Grandma's favorite chair for a photo opportunity.
We certainly enjoyed our afternoon together and Grandma was delighted to have all of us visiting. Jerry received further consultation from my Uncle David (the master welder) about building a massive BBQ device on wheels that will require us to eventually purchase a pick-up. Yes...you read that correctly. I'm sure there will be future posts related to the dream, meat machine.
Stay tuned for posts and pictures from the Eugene 08 Olympic Trials. We'll be attending events over the July 4th weekend!
June 24, 2008
Happy Birthday, Nellie!
It is a great relief to Jerry that I have decided explore my blogger-self by taking on the task of regularly updating our blog. On the occasion of Nellie's birthday - I'll give it a go!
Nellie turned two years old today! We celebrated the day before with Mimi and Papa (also known as Barb & Dan Schmitke - my parents) and this evening with Kathy Kinslow (visiting from Alabama) and Jeralynn & Olivia. It seems the highlight for Nellie was the delightful chocolate cake. The girl knows how to celebrate a birthday. This mornings first words, "More chocolate cake. Now. Please."
The chocolate cake is devoured - but the super swingset Jerry built is here to stay! After four days and multiple trips to Home Depot - Nellie's playground is open for play. Come over! Feel free to send Jerry an email so he can share with you building tips (one simple word: ibuprofen). 
February 02, 2008
Holidays
Thanksgiving
Christmas...well two of our four Christmases (will finish tomorrow).
Friends and family in our lives
With Alison's dissertation defense and back injury (see below) and Jerry's hectic work schedule, the summer and fall flew by in a blur. Looking back, however, we were happily surprised with how many friends and family passed through our home this past several months. The Beghetto family is a constant source of fun and support. Grace and Roger came down recently, as did her friend Kirsten. Roland Mitchell visited us as did Jim and Nancy Schicker. Little Rickie, in Natchez Mississippi, showed up in our lives this summer. 
But one special girl across this country was a constant presence in our lives even though she didn't make it to Oregon this past Fall. The daughter of our dear friends, nathan and Sheri, born within a week of Nellie, got very sick. We woke up every morning there for a while to check her health update blog, sometimes checking it many times in a day. We found ourselves reconnected with friends across the country in our shared concern for little Lucy. You could almost hear the transcontinental sigh of relief as it became clear she would be o.k. Welcome back Lucy...and Nathan and Sheri.
