IN MEMORY OF CHACO

We said goodbye to a special member of our family this morning. He spent most of his short life in Bend Oregon and loved the river trail. His best friend in the whole world was Halee. He never left her side for a moment.

He was full of life and loved to explore.

We don't know if Canyon will remember him but Chaco always made sure to watch over him when he played in the yard. It will always make us sad to hear Canyon call "CHA-CO."

His favorite place was the Ampitheatre in Bend where he would chase balls without ever showing any signs of exhaustion.

Halee misses you Chaco.

And we do too!

This was right after we got you. Greg drove Pacific City, Oregon to find you. You instantly loved Halee, she taught you everything about being a good dog.

Words can't describe the loss we feel right now and it's hard to believe you are gone. Our hearts are heavy and our tears are celebrating your life as we look back at all the special memories we created with you.

The Best Discovery

I have been trying to figure out a way to get coffee shop espresso without buying the 200 dollar machine (that's the cheaper of them) and I found this wonderful alternative that I have to share with my coffee loving friends. I went to a specialty kitchen store and found this Bialetti Moka Express (the first one you see on the top left). http://www.bialettishop.com/EspressoMakerMainPageAluminum.htm It is so easy and inexpensive AND the espresso it makes is UNBELIEVABLE and I have to say I am a huge coffee snob...especially after being spoiled in Bend by the amazing coffee shops:) I bought the medium sized one and it made 3 lattes. It's so easy and super fast and it cooks right on your stove. I then took soy milk because I am a huge fan of Silk Vanilla Soy Milk and used another gadget I bought that takes your milk and in seconds in turns it into frothy yumminess. This gadget is called Bonjour milk frother. I purchase the rechargable one and paid a little more but you can get these cheap too!! http://www.bonjourproducts.com/c_Frothers2.html Again super easy and quick. So...if you are looking for an amazing latte at home this is it!! Love, Stacie

Belly at 30 Weeks

My husband is such a photographer:)

This is the first time I have taken any pics of the growing belly. It's funny how with the second...it's just not that cool:) I'd like to catch some video of it sometime as this little guy is a mover and with him being right next to my skin, it's quite the show when my belly moves all over the place...we will see if I can do it one of these days!

Blue Sky Trail and My Favorite Park

When the weather is nice I get to go play at my favorite park. If you look closely you can see my black eye. I was attempting to climb down to my favorite bridge when my momentum got the best of me. It's important to always carry a source of energy when playing at the playground just in case you start to get tired and your mom tries to take you away from this wonderful place.

Yesterday we went on a great hike up Blue Sky Trail. This is me and my dad enjoying some fruit after the long journey. I find it rather funny when I sneak into moms chair!

I was able to walk the last few yards back to the car after the hike.

I have very patient parents.

The Blue Sky Trail is just 3 minutes from the house and one we are excited to explore even more on our mountain bikes some day. Looks like I will be in training this summer.

Mom carried my baby brother the whole way too! She is 30 weeks pregnant already!!

My friend deer seem to show up whenever we are out playing. If you look close you can see Mr. deer in the background.

This is my "get your mind right" face that my daddy taught me. It's important to be ready mentally as well as physically when beginning a hike.

Like Father Like Son

These are my Mr Potato Head glasses that I like to pretend are mine. I think I look just like my daddy. This is just one of my funny faces my daddy taught me.

Lately I find that taking after my daddy is lots of fun. I think he just might be the funniest person I know.