First Snow

Well...you can tell that I went back to work, because everything else has gone to the wayside...blogging included :) Today was our first real snow-day in Bend, and I'm loving it. This is truly my favorite time of year...but it was a bit hard to get in the spirit without the white stuff. John and I trekked out with Nina and Jack in tow, to cut down our eigth Christamas tree together. It was glorious in Bend this morning...about 6 inches dusted the ground, trees and manzanita bushes. With the full moon last night and sunshine this morning, it is easy to forget about the minor mishaps of everyday life. I hope this finds everyone enjoying their Saturday and a few peaceful moments amidst the chaos.

Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving this year took us over the river and through the woods (literally) to the cabin, our family cabin at Tahoe. Mom and Dad hosted, Miss Nina loved her first Turkey Day and John & I survived the 8 hour drive :) It was so nice to just relax and enjoy hikes with the fam. The construction is really making progress...and Dad is a wonderful project manager! This year we have so much to be thankful for...John's dad's surgery went amazingly well, Nina is healthy and happy, our families are in good health and we both have good jobs in this rough economy :0)

John, Mom and Nina hiking behind Alpine

John, Dad and Nina on the 64 Acres Trail

Daenzer Fam

Uncle Gary & Neens Hamming...er, Turkey-ing it up!

Baby on the site...where are the hard hats?

My First Rice Cereal...blah

Uncle Dan

Little Turkey

Cheers!

Halloween 2008

The big day was rainy and windy in Bend...but we had fun decorating the house and trekked over to the Abrahams for good eats and good drinks! Miss Nina Bea was the cutest eggplant (aside from Julia!) that I've ever seen...Thank you to Auntie Maria for the costume!

Pre-Halloween 2008

Mullet Man! As he arrives to the party in his trusty orange steed...

Omelets & pumpkins...oh my!

Nina is not too sure about the large orange thing in Dad's other hand...

Eeeww...and oooh it actually feels quite nice!

Nerds and Gnomes

What a fun "week" of Halloweeen events...first we dressed up on the 26th for a Piper's birthday and spent a good afternoon eating soup with the gang...the Cogswell-Kelley's outfits were awesome! Then on Thursday we started a new family tradition of omelets and pumpkin carving (anyone is welcome next year!!)...we missed our usual pumpkin debauchery...but alas we are all mamas and papas now :)

Pumpkin Patch - October 18, 2008

Nina spent her 4 month old b-day at the pumpkin patch... with the Abrahamies:0)

Chloe was such a good helper...and pumpkin hunter.

The BOB trekked its way through the squash obstacle course.



Our little pumpkin...

Dancing with Daddy

Like every respectable female, Nina spends her fair share of time in front of the mirror...usually dancing with Dad and making funny faces! Primping will thankfully come at a much later date :) Oh dad, that is HILARIOUS! Aaaahhhh!

...and then we're off to the kitchen to help make some dinner :)

Exploring the Bridge with Piper

This week after a walk with Michelle and Piper we explored the new bridge structure at one of our local parks...the girls loved being up close and personal with the ducks...and eachother.
What a fun (safe) place to crawl outside! Piper, Nina and Mango
Time for a nap...

Like Father - Like Daughter

One of Miss Nina's favorite activities as of late is watching football with Dad...much to Mom's chagrin! She seems to like the GREEN on the screen...Go Spartans :)

thursdays with jackie

The Deschutes was green and the ducks were playing in this swirl of foam near Farewell Bend Park. Nina stayed awake for most of our walk...it was 37 degrees and we could smell the snow coming yesterday, 10/9.
Jack tearing it up next to a birch that was starting to turn. The fall colors in Bend are fantastic, but alas my camera won't capture what my eyes see...

It has been officially one year since our dear Jackson got cancer and had to have his leg amputated. We are ecstatic to celebrate this milestone with him, considering the forecast was very grim. Jack is spry as ever and loving his daily jaunts around the neighborhood, to First Street Rapids and the River Trail. The past two Thursdays, Jack, Neens and I have headed out on "longer" treks...our "nature walks" where we've strolled for hours just taking in Autumn in Bend. It is a beautiful sight!

John's Surgery - October 7, 2008

This past Tuesday, John had much needed arthroscopic surgery on his knee. He was a trooper and the procedure went very well...he'll be gimpin' around a bit, but should heal quickly and be ready for a pain-free season of riding...when the snow starts falling.

Just Hanging Out...October 4, 2008

The Staleys and Kelleys came for dinner and Uncle Shawn busted out the guitar...Nina loved it, and loved playing with Mags & Piper.

October 1, 2008

Today marks Becky's first day off with Nina Bea! I am taking the next two months off from teaching to spend some more precious time with my baby girl...my co-teacher,Jen, will take my class during Oct. & Nov. She is so amazing for doing this! Thanks Jen!

Nina is growing up so fast...today she had her first stint in the Exersaucer! She loved it...

Uncle Mike and Aunt Lisa Visit

Mike and Lisa came for a visit at the end of September...what a treat! We had fun showing Lisa Bend, going out to dinner and taking Jack on hikes...even though Oktoberfest was a bust, Michigan won that weekend!

Don & Carol's Visit

John's mom and dad came for a fantastic visit and spent some great quality time with the everchanging Nina. She is so grown up now and loves to "talk", find her toes and grab everything. She loved hearing grandpa Don laugh at the football games...and listened intently when Grandma Carol read stories.
Nina and Grandpa Don...

Todd Lake Trip...lots of frog babies and nursing on a big rock in the middle of the woods...whoo-hoo!
Nina is 3 moons old...and luvin it!

John's Euro Trip

The end of August was a really busy time for us...John left for a two week trip to Europe while Becky stayed in San Jose, and then became a single mom for a week.John's trip landed him in Amsterdam with Ed Hall...travelin buddy extraordinaire. Amsterdam was full of beer,coffeeshops, art and canals, then on to Bruges. IN BRUGES...JD made himslef familiar with the local faire,markets and yes...more biere, aah the local flay-va of the Belgian ales...yummy! London and Wales ...a good time had by all, and then back across the pond to the mamacita and bebe, who sorely missed Dad.

Visits from family...visiting family

In late July, the Thomas family arrived ...it was a fun three days and Nina got to spend some quality time with her Great Auntie and cousins.





On August 8th we made the trek to San Jose for Nina's first palne ride and a visit with friends and family at Gigi's house...Nina got to meet many members of both the Nagle and Venturino clans. Also, the Hags and neighbors were in attendance. What fun...if you have pictures please feel free to post them here or on my Facebook Page. Thanks!

Uncle Gary

Uncle Dan

Grandma Gigi came to visit and babysit while Becky set up her classroom...she also finished the beautiful bumper and bedskirt for Nina's crib! We were so thankful to have her here for moral support:)