Snow in Portland

Wow, what a surprise for us today. It snowed. So, of course me wanting pictures of it for this fabulous blog for all of our friends and family to see, made everyone get outside. It was a brisk 20 degrees, perfect picture weather, so I thought. Poor Bentley had to get out there. Jaden wasn't all too impressed, but she braved it. Even Nana and Poppa McDaniel got in on the action.

Updated Santa 2008

I am pleased to present the updated version of the picture with Santa. I realize most of you were upset in seeing our princess cry, I do apologize. I showed up at work this week and this one was in my box. Enjoy.

Santa 2008

Well this year with Santa did not turn out so well as you can see. My work hosts a Day with Santa, complete with a present for the kids, lunch (grilled cheese), pinata and a bounce house. Poor Jaden did not like Santa but she did enjoy opening her present, the Christmas tree and the bounce house.

I know, its sad to look at, but had to put it on. She got over it quickly when she got her present.

Doesnt she look all grown up?

The giant cookies helped her overcome the trauma as well.

Bounce house with Nana Nancy.

In the end, she got her candy from the snowman pinata, and all was well.

Halloween 2008

Halloween has now come and gone. We had a great time this year. Jaden is finally old enough to appreciate family outings and no longer needs to be carried around. Jeff, myself and Aunt Camie took Jaden to a real working farm that was very close to our home for pumpkin picking. It was perfect weather. We let Jaden wear her Halloween costume (monkey) for the outing. The next week we carved the pumpkins. Jaden is obviously still too small to use a knife to carve, so she watched me carve hers.

For actual Halloween we took Jaden to the local outlet mall where all the stores hand out candy. We then went to a nearby cult de sac and did the traditional ringing of doorbells. My partner from work, Michele, her husband, Joe and their two boys, Hunter and Landon came with us. It was fun to watch the kids run up with their bags and get candy.

Our monkey at Old MacDonald's Farm.

She did her best to pick this up.

Carving her pumpkin.

This is her pumpkin. It is a little blurry but obviously says Jaden.

Daddy and monkey trick or treating. I may have bribed her with this lollipop, in order to continue our fun. hehe

Getting candy from the stores. I personally liked this way of trick or treating. There were tons of kids and parents, it was dry and clean. We did knock on about 15 doors after the mall, but unfortunately I was having too much fun and did not get pictures of them.

Jaden and Governor Sarah Palin (aka Auntie)

This has nothing to do with Halloween. It just happened to occur on the same day I had the camera out. We have recently started potty training. This is Jaden on her potty, "texting" with Aunt Camie's phone. It was hilarious. (side note, she likes to be naked while on the potty)

Last day of Summer

Well it's official, summer is over in our area of the world. We decided to make one last trip out on the boat before the rain arrived. Enjoy the pictures!

She's ready for the beach!

Jaden practicing her boat driving.

Jeff and Jaden catching clams. We're not sure if they are edible.

Jaden enjoying the tube. She used it as a trampoline.

This is Jeff, our hero, for paddling out to get Jaden's inner tube. What a Dad!

Denver

This weekend Jaden and I flew to Denver, CO to see our friends the Poates. Jeff had to work so I went with Jaden by myself. It was their daughter, Madeline's, first birthday. Jaden did great on the flight. Each flight was about two hours. She, thankfully, slept the first hour and played nicely the second. It was a great weekend. The weather was perfect, about 90 degrees. We even made it to the local water park, which of course, Jaden loved. Enjoy the pics.

This is Madeline who turned one this week. Jaden got her this cozy coupe ball pit, which she showed Maddie how to use. It was a hit. Even the parents like it.

Don't you hate that one naked picture your parents took of you when you were a baby? Well, Lisa and I decided this was too cute to not take a picture of. The girls liked taking a bath together. Well... Jaden did, Maddie was a little shocked to be sharing her tub.

This was the car ride back from Maddie's first birthday party. As you can see, they were exhausted. The party included a bounce house, bubbles, bbq, present, cake and ice cream. We were all excited to get back to the house to go to bed.

Jaden at the water park. She just cant get enough water.

First Boat Trip

As many of you know, Jeff and I have owned a ski boat for about three years now. We have been looking forward to getting to take Jaden on it since last summer. This past week it was about 80 degrees and the water was not too cold so we decided to try it. She did great. A little problems wearing the life jacket, but of course, not having it on was not an option for her. It took some getting used to the rocking of the boat, but in the end she loved it. I had Jeff stop at an island in the middle of the river so we could play, while the rest of our friends went and skied and tubed. We're very happy that she enjoys the water so much. Next year we have big plans for her own tube and quite possibly her own skis.

Amusement Park

This past weekend we went to the Portland Police company picnic. It was located at a small amusement park called Oaks Park. The park has all the normal rides as you would expect. Silly me thinking Jaden was old enough to actually enjoy the rides. As you will see from the before and after pics, she did not think it was very funny to put her on the rides. Although Nana Nancy and I thought it was pretty cute. We'll try again next year....



This was the first ride, the cars just go in a circle. Another family was nice enough to let Jaden sit with them, as I was not allowed to go on it. Notice how calm she looks....



Now notice her right hand cluched in a death grip holding onto the little girl next to her. She didnt cry but she sure glared a lot at us as she went round and round.

Here she is with Nana on the carousel ride. Very simple ride, you would think, up and down, not too fast. Did my little princess like it you ask?

Oh certainly not! Here she is about one minute after the ride started. I however got to ride a very colorful frog in front of her :)

In the end, the ride she enjoyed was the train that went around the park. It was a good experience for us all, exhausting, but good. I can't wait until she is a little older to actually enjoy them.

Random Summertime Pictures

Jaden in her frog pool drinking from the water fountain. She loves this pool.

This plastic bowl eventually made it on top of her head.

Jeff was feeding her rice for lunch. She managed to get it everywhere. He thought it looked like she was covered in maggots so he took multiple pics.

Her very own quad!. She loves it. It has the power button on the handle so it's easy to use. It is motorized, though not very fast. I thought it would be a good time to introduce the helmet, so she uses it everytime she is on it.

Camie, Jaden and I went down to Eugene to visit with Grandma and Grandpa. We stayed in their new house for a couple of days. Jaden had a great time. She loves her Nana and Poppa. Uncle Morgan came down for a day to visit as well.

Newest Picture

This is Jaden's most recent picture. It was taken about two weeks ago at a studio. The reason it is on this blog is because it took 4 different appointments to get this 1 shot! We are very proud of it. Enjoy!

4th of July

This year we all went to the Corbett Parade. We started going last year with our neighbors. It is very small-town like, complete with lawnmowers decorated and little kids on their dirtbikes, but still amusing. Jaden was able to participate this year with the catching and gathering of the candy thrown from the people in the parade. We then went to a bbq later in the afternoon, where Jaden got her first try at sparklers. She liked then but wanted to hold the fire end, as opposed to the stick end. We then watched fireworks from a school. I was amazed how well Jaden did. Of course she wore ear protection, but she loved it.

Jaden being very patriotic with her red, white and blue, complete with camo hat.

Grasping her candy. She got to sample some of it.

Playing with sparklers.

Watching the fireworks with ear protection, blanket, and her bear. She loved it.