Oregon

My husband is a generous man! We've been talking about going back to Oregon to visit his family again but it isn't cheap, to fly or drive, and a week off of work....impossible! So, one weekend he got on the internet and bought me a ticket to go visit for a week, without him. One can imagine how his heart broke knowing that Maddox and I got to enjoy the beautiful OR coast while he was left here, in cold, gray Montana, swinging a hammer. He survived the ordeal and continues to covet time with his beloved ocean, and even more his beloved parents.

What a blessing that Bing and I enjoy our parents and our respective in-laws, enough so, that I was more than happy to spend a week with his folks, and he works full-time with mine!

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Maddox was an angel on the airplane and a little devil for the first few days of the trip. I don't know if he was sick, allergic to Bing's lovely dog, jet lagged, or just a mean little cuss, but he was hard to like for a few days. He was spoiled with attention as his cousin Adara and his Auntie Sis came to see us for two whole days!

Maddox and Aunt Sissy

Maddox and Cousin Adara

Once he got over his mean streak he was a real joy to be around, giggling like I've never heard him giggle and moving to the sweet, sweet music that his Papa Barney lulled him with.

Maddox and Papa Barney rockin' out

While Barney and Marcia were at work, we toodled around Astoria and all of the beautiful landscapes that surround it. I got pictures of Maddox on the beach and a few blurry shots of the two of us, since I was either setting the timer and hopping into the picture or a stranger who didn't understand my camera was kind enough to snap a photo.

My little Driftwood Darling at Fort Stevens

Bathing Beauty

We had a great time and I can't wait to go back again and see all the people we missed on this trip... sorry guys!

Thank you Bing, Barney, and Marcia for a wonderful vacation!

Sunday, fun day

Up until this week, Bing, his brother Julian, and I all had Sundays and Mondays off... We went on adventures and checked out nearby attractions. Bing started working, full-time, for my dad this week and so Monday adventures came to an end and our Sunday adventures have to be closer to home.

This week we went to Riverfront Park and fed the ENORMOUS ducks and drank some yummy, local beer. Maddox only got to be out for a brief stint because he had pooped himself so thoroughly that no one wanted to hold him for fear of contamination!

Solids!

Our first attempt at rice cereal. The video isn't great
but if you can see the reactions on his face, it is quite ,
hilarious. Apparently I had CSI blaring in the background
and my own voice is quite irritating...so, if you can look past
all of that, the video is pretty cute.

Family's First Christmas

It was our first Christmas as a family and it was wonderful! Last year Bing and I were living in Astoria and I came to Billings for Christmas so, we did not get to celebrate together. I was pregnant when I came home and did not know it, and this year we have ourselves a sweet little family. We spent Christmas morning at our apartment with bro-in-law Julian and then joined the rest of the family (sans Addie, Blake, and Rob) at my parent's house. We had great food, wine, and conversation and then burned a HUGE pile of paper and boxes...what fun!

Who would have thought that in a year's time I would: move from Bozeman to Astoria, Oregon, get pregnant, move back to Billings, get married and have a baby! So much has happened, and although it wasn't in the order we would have liked, we are so richly blessed and extremely happy.

I just want to give a shout out to my Mother and my Mother-in-law, Marcia.... they have spoiled me rotten! I am so very grateful for their extreme generosity to Bing and me.

Marcia (and Barney) bought me my breast pump and my sewing machine, both hugely helpful. Not to mention the countless other gifts for Maddox, Bing, and our family.

Mama Monica (and dad): bought us our crib and mattress; loaned us our very nice dining room table; outfitted our kitchen with a plethora of gadgets; showered Maddox with clothing toys and free babysitting!

Our family and friends have been overly generous toward our family and we are more grateful than we could ever say. I am in disbelief at the amount of love and support we have received and I just want to say a public THANK YOU to everyone who has loved on us, with friendship and many gifts.

Happy New Year friends!