Portland catch up

So I am finally going to start catching up on my blog posts!  Here first our a few random videos from our last little bit of time in Portland.  We miss it so much.  The other day Benson got really sad and said he missed Portland.  We think he was talking about the swimming pool we went to there.  He also told me about a bad dream he had.  Apparently he and Chandler were fighting bad guys and Chandler died!!  That is a very bad dream!

Here is our late celebration for Kimber's birthday.  We hosted the last Sunday dinner with our friends so we made some brownies so Kimber could blow out the candles.

The beginning is Bethany checking out the camera but I love the end with Kimber.  She still says 2 by making a L with her fingers.

Brooke and Aric came for a visit with some friends .  They arrived a few days after Brooke's birthday so I made a cake for her.  I think she had birthday cake at three of her vacation stops!  Lucky girl!

We finally took the kids on the MAX in Portland.  Ok so it was my first time as well.  I know that is kinda ridiculous as it was in our last 1 1/2 weeks in Portland but we had a blast.  This picture is of Benson waiting 'paitently' to get on the train.  He really is a little monkey!

Benson was sooo excited to be on the train!

Kimber and McKay waiting.  I love McKay's smile.  It lights up his whole face and melts my heart!!

While we were down town for Saturday Market we went to Voodoo Donuts so that the Wutzke's and Palsky's could have a true Porltand experience!  McKay and I didn't go in as there isn't much room in the shop and we would have occupied most of it!

Here is our view of Voodoo Donuts from across the street.  The people lined up right outside the window is just a small portion of the line waiting to get into the shop.

We Made It!

Hello everybody!  Just want to write a little bit to let you know that we are still alive.  No pictures this time but I have a bunch to add once we have settled into our new place.

We made the long drive from Portland starting on Wednesday.  We drove all the way to Nanton Alberta for those that are familiar with Southern Alberta.  We got a dive of a motel for the night but it served its purpose.  We got up and went to my brother BJ's house on Thursday morning.  It was nice to see him and my other brother and his family came out there for lunch.  I met my newest niece as well.  It was great seeing them all!

After lunch we were onto Edmonton!  We have been able to see all of Daniel's and my immediate family that is in the area.  We are looking forward to being closer to all of them!

Friday morning Daniel had some help unloading the truck into our new apartment.  Unfortunately we weren't able to actually unpack as the carpet cleaner came and cleaned the carpets while they were there.  The carpets are dry now so we spent the afternoon over there setting up beds and moving some of the heavier furniture to where we want it.  Kimber's room is pretty well set up.  All I have left is to find some the wall decorations and then put up her curtains.  McKay's bed is all set up and bedding done and what not but I have yet to find Benson's mattress protector.  I know that it is somewhere!  It is nice to actually feel like we are making progress.

McKay has grown up so much this week.  On Sunday he started crawling so he is all over the place now!  He also started to walk while holding onto our hands.  I am in denial that he is actually getting that old.

That is all for now.  Hopefully I will find our camera and take pictures of our new place before too long.  I will have to show you the yard as well.  Yes we actually have one, well compared to what we had at least!  I also have a friend back there.  He is taller than I am and his name is Thistle.  I think I will be getting rid of him and our other friend Dandy Lion soon though.  Both of these are at least my height if not taller.  We have some work ahead of us!!

Sunday Afternoons

So a couple Sundays ago we had some of our friends over for dinner and we all moved out onto the grass after to enjoy the nice weather... yes we have had some!  Bethany took some awesome pictures!  I really don't know what I am going to do without you taking pictures for us!  Maybe I will get a good camera and take pictures or get my sister to take pictures!

All 4 couples that started out together.  We were a much smaller group back then and could do dinners more easily together.  We only had 2 kids back then and now we are up to 6!

You can see Mckay's teeth in this picture.   I love it!!

There were more pictures of McKay and I just love them all so I did narrow it down to just a few!

Best Buds!

Silly Faces... I love Bensons!!

My sweet little guy!  I can hardly believe he is 4 already!  He is growing up way too fast.

So I don't know why but there are no pictures of Kimber but she was out and being pretty cute that night as well.  Maybe she will get a post dedicated to her next.

This may be my last post for a while as I am stalling packing up our house as it is and will need to really get to it soon.  I did have some help this morning from my Visiting Teacher.  She brought two of her girls that helped pack stuff up and entertain the kids while I packed as well.   I am feeling a lot better about this move now.  Anyways, enough stalling!  Enjoy these pictures!

Pictures

So these pictures are from after Benson's birthday party and Bethany sent them to me a while ago so I am finally posting them.  I love the pictures Bethany!  Thanks!

I love Kimber's rolls!

Growing Kimber's bangs out is an on going process!

Chandler looks so cool sitting in the background.

My big boy!

I wasn't sure which copy I liked more so I am sharing both!

Benson is so grown up!  He is getting to big too fast for me!  Oh, have I ever told you how flexible Benson's ear are?  The are completely malleable it is crazy.  I thought of that because I can see the sunshine through his ear in this picture!

This is just a great action shot!

Still avoiding the things that need to be done!  I know I should go get going on everything!

Zoo Day Again!

We went to the zoo last week because Lisa, Davey and Lily are back in town so we had to take advantage of that!  Once again I forgot my camera so Thanks to Lisa I have pictures of our fun at the zoo!

Bens and Kimber riding the horses in the petting zoo area.

Kimber petting the goat.  She had fun although you can't tell from her face in any of these pictures!

Benson petting a goat.  He did really well and walked the whole time we were at the zoo.

The whole gang measuring up to the bears... well except Benson.  I don't know why but lately he hasn't wanted to have his picture taken.  Well only at times.  So L-R there is Lily, Lisa, Chandler, Davey, Bethany, Kimber, Julie, Scarlett, me and then Benson off on the side.

The 3 musketeers sitting on the dinosaurs.

Benson getting eaten by the dinosaur.

The boys measuring up to the monkeys.

The girls hanging out with the baby lions.  I promise Kimber was having fun!

It looks like the lion is super annoyed with Davey sitting on his head!

The boys posing for the camera.

Kimber got her turn on the lion too.  She kind of lurked here until Scarlett moved and then she took over.

More of the boys with the lions.

I love this picture of these two.  I can see why people think they are twins minus the fact that Benson looks like a ghost next to Chandler.

Recreating the other picture of the boys.  I think Benson was excited to not be the only one in the picture!

Making funny faces...

and Benson after he was asked to make a real funny face.

So this has been a nice distraction from my day.  Brooke is coming today for a visit so I am super excited for that but I am in need of adult interaction now though.  This morning just started out all wrong.  I walked in to get Kimber from her room to find her standing there with her pj's around her ankles, not a diaper in sight and a very wet bed (I still haven't found her diaper).  I bathed Kimber and told her to go downstairs while I got McKay out of bed.  I came down to find Kimber had gotten a hold of a sharpie marker and colored on her legs and arm. Yikes!  Later she came up to me crying and I comforted her and sent her on her way.  A few minutes later I looked at her and she has a bump and a bruise above her left eye.  I really don't know what happened or what is going on in this house today.  I am just enjoying nap time now!  Now back to what needs to be done; dinner, dessert and more cleaning.

Peas!

Yesterday was a big day for McKay.  Well besides the obvious of it being Father's Day which was a good day for Daniel we started McKay on vegetables.  I have been avoiding it just on grounds of being cheap but it is time he started so Daniel brought out the peas for McKay.  I think he enjoyed it!

He really was ready and waiting for more peas.

I was having a few issues with nursing last night and again this morning so I took a look in McKay's mouth to find he has a tooth!  It is on the bottom and I think his left side.

I am not sure that I am ready for my baby to be growing up so much!  I am having a difficult time accepting that Kimber is turning two this weekend.  Somebody piped up and said that I wanted her to turn 2 before McKay turns 1 so I guess I will let it happen!

Daniel had a good day yesterday.  Started off with breakfast in bed and trying to talk to his Dad (who is in Paris with bad reception on his cell) and getting showered with presents.  I made him make his own dinner though as I don't like curry and that is what he wanted.  We ended it by playing Skip-Bo and let him win the first round.  It was a nice day though and we have been enjoying having Daniel's Grandparents staying with us.  I know of a few kids that will be sad when Grandma and Grandpa leave!

Introducing Dr. Bateman

Daniel graduated today!  We are so proud of Daniel and all of the hard work he has put into his schooling.  The kids were relatively well behaved.  I had some help with the kids as Daniel's grandparents and my Aunt and Uncle came to help us celebrate.  Here are a few pictures from the day as well as a couple of videos.  Bethany and Julie, I have some videos I need to send on to you but I would love to get copies of the group photos you took!!

Now here is Dr. Daniel.

Brandon and Daniel walking and getting their diploma's.  When they were standing there the Dr turned their hood out to show their colors saying they are now Dr's.

Mike walking and getting his diploma/getting his colors.  So exciting that they are all graduates now.  We missed not having Jeff there graduating with them!  Brandon is all done in the clinic now and Daniel will be finished in a few weeks and Mike not too long after that.  We will all be moved on by September.

Our little family with Summa Cum Laude Dr. Bateman.

Benson practicing for when he comes back here to become a Dr like Daddy.

I think this is one of my favorites.  This morning Kimber went into her closet and started tugging on this dress saying "Dre, dre, dre".  I guess she really wanted to wear this!

McKay wearing Daddy's cap.  He really just wanted to eat the diploma.

Me and Daniel... Kimber snuck in there too!

We had a bbq with the Barnette's and Humpherys' and company this afternoon to celebrate.  It was raining all day so luckily we had a shelter to hide under.  The kids had a great time running around playing with bubbles and getting wet!

Daniel's Grandparents bought us matching UWS hoodies as a grad present.  Daniel also got a t-shirt that says Well Adjusted on it.  We love them!

McKay was great and a big champ today.  He stayed in his seat through most of the bbq and was happy as long as he had his spoon!

Kimber enjoying her dinner.

Congratulations Daniel!  We are so proud of you!  I also want to thank our parents for encouraging and support our decision to come here to school.  Especially to Daniel's parents for raising such an amazing man that strives for his best.  You did an amazing job!