If Only We Could Write a Book!

Graduation Day!

2009-06-15T22:48:00.001-07:00

Mom (Karren) and Dad (Brian), Jacob and Elizabeth... wait a minute...where's Connor?

2009-06-15T22:41:00.000-07:00

Jacob and Becky. Becky was Jacob's interpreter since he was in 6th grade. Seeing them speak to eachother and knowing how much they will miss eachother brought tears. What a remarkable relationship. Jacob was a lucky man to have her. Thanks Becky!

and a GREAT pic of Jacob with Grandma and Grandpa... Clay is that a smile I see?

Graduation Day!

2009-06-15T22:29:00.000-07:00

Eric, Mariel and I went down to southern Oregon for Jacob's graduation from high school. Jacob is our nephew, and we are SO proud of everything he accomplished in high school. Especially that he graduated 4th in his class, and won State Championship Wrestling at 103 weight class.

He graduated on June 6th, and the next day, Eric's parents reserved a trip for the entire family to ride the Hellgate Jetboats up the Rogue River. I highly recommend the trip... true fun and what a great way to see the river. Here's the website www.hellgate.com. We went on the brunch trip, and got to see LOTS of Osprey and a couple Bald Eagles.

A few more Fort Rock pics... we had fun!

2009-06-15T22:25:00.000-07:00

Fort Rock Trip

2009-06-15T22:14:00.000-07:00

Mariel and Eric doing a little rock climbing.
Maya (left) and Reggie (right) making sure all is well ...
Stopping for a little break...

Way up high on the edge...

Mariel hiked up about 500 ft to get to the overlook. Way to go kiddo!

This is just too cute. My little nature girl and her daddy.

Mariel's 4th Birthday

2009-06-15T21:38:00.000-07:00

As of March 24th, Mariel is no longer our baby... she's a full fledged "kid" now and doing all the hilarious and not so hilarious things that 4 year olds do. She comes up with the funniest stuff and has a very vivid and crazy imagination. All in all, she's perfect.

Wow

2009-02-20T22:29:00.000-08:00

Ok, I'm pathetic. It's been officially at least a year a half since I even posted a picture on this website. Well, as many of you know, I'm unemployed and so I do have SOME time on my hands.
I'm going to get as many pics as possible on here and get this thing somewhat up-to-date.
I've also set up a Blog for my weight loss efforts... see www.iamnotonadiet.blogspot.com.

It's going to take some time, so be patient.

Update? you ask...

Eric is now 36, soon to be 37 in May (ouch, did I just say that?... sorry Eric). I'm 33, and our dearest little Mariel is going to be 4 YEARS OLD next month. WHERE DID THE TIME GO?
She's a handful, but we love her for everything that she is.

Eric is attending school full-time working on a Business minor to go along with his fairly useless Bachelors Degree in Geology. His hopes are to graduate and get a full time job this spring.
Last April, 2008, Eric was laid off from Ricks Custom Fence after 4 months of employment as a Yard Operations Manager. He was formerly employed at Lumbermens in Outside Sales.

Me (Allison) is unemployed right now too! I worked for Lumbermens for 4 1/2 years as a Branch Credit Manager and was permanently laid off in November '08. I've been searching for a better job, but again, no luck and more jobs are being lost everyday around here. It's pretty bleak to say the least. So I'm venturing into returning to school at OSU and seeking a Masters in Counseling. My eventual goal is become a Doula (Birth Coach) and run my own business or do community/school counseling for women and children. I was looking into Nursing, and becoming a midwife, but through the wonderful advice and counseling of my career counselor at OSU, she's helped me really tap into the root of where my passions lie.

Mariel, as I said, is turning 4. She can spell / write her name, the alphabet, numbers, shapes, and is just about the most intelligent little girl I know. However, with the smarts comes the challenges of raising a little girl who thinks she's about 9.
She's taking swim lessons and LOVING it.. she asks me everday if it's the day to go to swim class. We're looking into pre-schools, mostly to get her socialized and learn to function in groups of kids her own age. She'll be very ready for kindergarten before she's 5, but we know that there's still a lot for her to learn before then. All in all, she's a kid.. no longer a baby... heck, I couldn't even classify her as a toddler. She's funny, crazy, goofy, stubborn, independent, creative, imaginative and outgoing. She's a handful.. did I mention that?

As a family, we're doin' alright. We're trying like H**L to save our house. It's facing foreclosure... and we really don't want to move and have to start all over. We filed the big "B" in the fall mainly because we couldn't afford to pay any of our bills after losing 1/2 our income. It SUCKS... no health insurance, don't qualify for programs and are faced with the inability to find decent paying jobs. We're definitely stuck in the middle of a rock and a hard place.

BUT... we are all healthy, and thankful that we get to spend so much time together as a family right now. For the last 3 1/2 years of Mariel's life, we were both working full time and felt like we were letting other people raise our child. So to be able to be with her everyday, while crazy and overwhelming at times, is the best gift unemployment could have given me.

Anyway, getting late. I'll be posting pics and updates as I said... would love to hear comments so drop a line!

Where have you been?

2007-10-14T20:53:00.000-07:00

This might be the question running through everyone's head right?

Well, I don't even know myself where the last...YEAR?... went. Ouch, that just doesn't even sound good. Well, I'm back to make good with everyone and update a VERY underused Blog about Mariel, and well, like the title says "mostly Mariel". Some good things have happened to Eric and I too, but I know that Mariel is subject most questioned.

So here it is...at last... a small update to start with of pictures of her most recent adventure to the pumpkin patch last weekend. She had a blast... enjoy!

November Rain

2006-11-19T14:27:00.000-08:00

Ah, the Oregon Coast... after 2 1/2 years, we FINALLY got to go to the beach. However, in true Oregon fashion, it rained NONSTOP for the entire weekend, with 40-50 mph winds. So we didn't get to do a whole lot, but Mariel got to see the ocean, some seals and go the Oregon Coast Aquarium and see sharks, seals, puffins, crabs and LOTS of fish. The picture to the right are some harbor seals that Mariel was calling out to going "argh, argh, argh" they were quite intent on watching us.

November Update, lots goin' on!

2006-11-19T14:09:00.000-08:00

At last! I have time to post some pictures of our trip home in September...some Halloween pictures...and our trip to the coast at the beginning of November. Thanksgiving is coming soon... where does the time go? Is it me or does having a child simply put your life in 5th gear?
Mariel is going to be 20 MONTHS OLD! I can't believe it! She's nearly 2!

Personality wise, she's 3. Intelligence wise, she's about 2 1/2... the only way you'd know she's not even 2 is if you knew her birthday. She's talking in sentences...describing things like "big dirty truck!" and "pretty cute huh?" and "dude...sweet!(that's my favorite)". She knows a few colors and shapes, and knows her numbers 1-9...she can identify her name and knows how to spell it if you show her the letters. I think it's pretty incredible!

Anyway, she's working on the potty training.. (she poo-poo'd on the big potty 3 times last week!...thanks Betty), and we have her wearing her own undies at night for an hour or two so that she gets used to feeling what it's like to go potty.

She is rid of the BINKY... YEAH! However, now she insists on having a book in bed with her to read before she naps or goes to sleep. Her FAVORITE books are "OLIVIA" series... she can't get enough of them.

Enjoy the pics...as always, thanks for being patient!

Mariel's First Sprinkler Experience

2006-10-28T07:16:00.000-07:00

These are a little out of order, since I last posted pictures from our getting ready to go to Illinois ... but they are so fun that I had to share them. Mariel had such a BLAST learning about how the sprinkler worked. It took a few turns, and the sprinkler got her quite a few times smack in the face, but she loved it. It was so great to be able to go out and enjoy our new yard.

Mariel's First Sprinkler Experience

2006-10-28T07:09:00.000-07:00

We got such a kick out of watching Mariel play with the sprinkler! We had put in our new backyard, and were so happy to see Mariel being able to enjoy it. She had a BLAST!
These pictures are out of order, compared the one's that I've already put in... but I had to share these... they are too cute. :)
One cooled off, wet, summer baby.
All Eric and I could do was close our eyes and say "OUCH" and "OHHHH"... she quickly learned that the sprinkler moves from side to side, therefore she had to get out of the way.
But it got her again... and again...and again.

Getting ready to go visit Illinois & Wisconsin!

2006-08-24T20:00:00.000-07:00

Mariel's suitcase is ready and anxious to take flight...but where's Mariel?
I'm just about ready to go...
When do we leave???

Mariel is learning how to dress herself... she can get shorts on all the way up!

Mariel's New Vaccuum Cleaner

2006-08-24T19:55:00.000-07:00

A Sunday morning park trip ...

2006-08-24T19:54:00.000-07:00

A day at the park...

2006-08-24T19:52:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Aunt Megan!

Reading time

2006-08-24T19:50:00.000-07:00

Mariel's trip to Grandma & Grandpa D's

2006-08-24T19:48:00.000-07:00

From Start to Finish!

2006-07-29T20:07:00.000-07:00

Here it is... the journal of our hard work on our new back yard! We finished laying the sod today and it is truly amazing how nice it turned out.
We'll be playing and jumping on it in just a couple weeks! Enjoy!
Prep work... killed off the old grass and raked, raked and raked to get rid of the foxtails. Eric dug out around the juniper stump to prepare for getting ride of it.
Down to dirt...
Dumped the topsoil and raked it out. Hi Maya!!!

Preparing the landscape

2006-07-29T20:02:00.000-07:00

Nasty juniper tree stump!
Eric's new favorite toy :)

MARIEL... supervising the project from the air-conditioned office with a view.

It's been a long process...

2006-07-29T19:57:00.000-07:00

These pictures are for you Doug Leach!

(shameless promotion for Consolidated Construction Inc.)
Thanks so much for your hard work, and sorry about your truck!

We certainly have learned a lot doing sod.
We had some GREAT help, and are now super duper turfer laying fools!!!

Eat your heart out "This Old House"....

2006-07-29T19:53:00.000-07:00

BEFORE (very scary)
AFTER (Waiting to be played on!)

Happy 4th of July!

2006-07-03T21:59:00.000-07:00

Hard to believe that two years ago, at this time, Mariel wasn't even a glimmer in our eye. Yet here we are, 4th of July Weekend, and our baby's 15 mo. old, and laughing, playing, and splashing with her toys, in her very own pool! She had SO MUCH FUN!

Forgot some.

2006-06-03T20:42:00.000-07:00

This is Mariel's special chair, she climbs all over it (it's a bean bag type) and of course looks at her books in it.
Silly girl.. she clashed pretty bad that night.
Reading again... note different book, same chair. She LOVES to "read".

We're just so proud of her!

2006-06-03T20:35:00.000-07:00

Mariel is starting to eat with a spoon, scooping and shoving, and missing her mouth completely!!! HAHAHA
This one's for you Oma... I was on the phone with my grandma while she was eating and this is the proud mess she made of her sweet potatoes and carrots. YUM!
The attempt.

Summer is here at last !

2006-06-03T20:33:00.000-07:00

Mariel's sunglasses FINALLY are starting to fit her. She actually kept these on for about 5 minutes as she paraded around the house. She is walking all over the place.. even with binky, blankets, bottles, and toys in hand. She's even mastered drinking out of her sippy cup and walking at the same time!
She LOVES books... magazines... anything that she can flip pages on.
Mariel attempting to put the clothes on Maya and Chase
Success...

My baby girl... she's doing GREAT!

2006-06-03T20:31:00.000-07:00

Mariel at just about 13 months...
Mariel hammin it up with the camera at 14 months!
Check out those curls and teeth.. I think she looks a lot like me when I was this age.
Ready for summer... water bottle and shades.. perfect.

More inside pictures of the house

2006-06-03T20:28:00.000-07:00

Kitchen... from the dining area
Sink.. duh.
Left view of living area. Our plan is to knock out the two walls and square out the room, put in a sliding door instad of the big window and install a deck off the back. (again... LATER!)
Dining "area". We're going to make it living space.

Our sad, sad, sad, yard...:(

2006-06-03T20:25:00.000-07:00

Our very sad front yard. It has a fungus we believe, and so we're attempting to weed it and then grow grass again with some organic fertilizer. Keep your fingers crossed for us!
Sad, sad, fence... soon to be replaced this summer!
Backyard... completely consumed with fescue, foxtail, remnants of two Juniper trees, and lots of tumbleweed stumps... pile that with some dead grass and straw, and you've got our lawn (or lack there of...)

Our New House!

2006-06-03T20:19:00.000-07:00

THE "NEW" HOUSE !
We did it! We finally got moved into our new house, and are getting situated... SLOWLY!
But it's a fantastic feeling knowing it is ours. We've started doing some "remodel" work, painting, fixing outlets, working on the yard, etc. It's much more rewarding knowing that it benefits us to put this much work into it, rather than a landlord.
Anyway, we'll post more "updates" as time goes on, and you can see the progress. Our plans for this summer are to sod the backyard (I'll post pictures of it, and you'll understand why) attempt to grow grass in the front yard, and do some landscaping. Next will be the remodel of the living room...but that's for next year. :)

Living Room
One side of the kitchen

Mariel's First Steps!

2006-04-14T20:17:00.000-07:00

Mariel took her first steps last night, April 13th, and it was all thanks to the new froggie that her cousin Madelyn sent! Thanks Madelyn!!!
Here's the story to go with it...
Mariel's new babysitter, Erin, said that she got Mariel to take a few steps on the 12th. So last night we tried it by having her try and walk to her new toy frog. She LOVES it, and so we dangled it in front of her. She took nearly 7 or 8 good steps! So we got out the camera, and let her take break. Then she did again, only about 4 or 5 steps. She started rubbing her eyes, and it was getting late.

We had her standing by the recliner, and she managed to wander over to the other side of the nightstand, and BOOM! She fell and bonked her forehead against the table. Thank goodness it didn't hit the corner, but she has a nice little bruise on her forehead. Eric handled it better than I did... but we put some frozen veggies wrapped in a towel, on her forehead. She didn't like that very much, and she cried for awhile. Within a few minutes she was more interested in the frozen veggies, than her head. So she's okay, and the bruise went down a little more today. AGH! What a night! Her first steps, and her first bonk on the noggin! This parenting of a toddler is going to be a rough ride I have a feeling.

Speaking of toddler, we've decided that the definition of "toddler" is when a baby reaches the age that they can express "NO" by shaking their head. Which Mariel has mastered wonderfully. She's even clapping her hands when she's happy, it's so awesome! Yesterday, I could have swore she said "yes" when I asked her if she was ready to go home??? It could have been just me. :)

Last but not least... more presents the next day!

2006-04-01T07:27:00.000-08:00

Maybe the balloons will help us find her... or help hold her up so she'll walk!

Mariel's post-birthday celebration at Red Robin

2006-04-01T07:25:00.000-08:00

Let me see that!

Waiting for a table...

Where's Mariel???

More from Grandpa & Grandma's visit

2006-04-01T07:19:00.000-08:00

Getting ready to go 'nite nite'...

Before...

After...

High atop Grandpa Mountain

Grandpa and Grandma's Visit

2006-04-01T07:13:00.000-08:00

Mommy & Daddy attempting to hold down one very squirmy 1 year old!

Mariel's Very First Coldstone Creamery Experience
I just hope we haven't created a monster...

Hangin' out with Grandma

Grandpa is awfully snuggly... can we watch American Idol?

More and more and more and more...

2006-04-01T07:06:00.000-08:00

Mommy and Mariel at her party!

Daddy was taking all the pictures... :)

These just keep getting better...

2006-04-01T06:57:00.000-08:00

THE CARNAGE...

Mariel's 1st Birthday! (These are just the beginning...)

2006-04-01T06:54:00.000-08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR LITTLE BABY GIRL !!!

DADDY AND MOMMY'S MASTERPIECE :)

THE FIRST BITE !

PRESENTS... BOOKS! (SHE LOVES BOOKS!)

Mariel's First Birthday!

2006-04-01T06:08:00.000-08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARIEL !

Yep, that's right! Mariel turned 1 year old on March 24, 2006. It was a great weekend for her!
Her Grandma and Grandpa came to visit from Wisconsin and spent a whole day with her while we were at work. She got to visit with them a TON, and they loved being with her. Her other grandparents came up over the weekend and we spent lunch at Red Robin "singing Happy Birthday" with all of us. She got a little balloon and some whipped cream with sprinkles :)

Most importantly, she had her very first Birthday party! Friends and family all came to a local pizza place. We ate pizza, then sang happy birthday... then Mariel dug into her very first birthday cake ( and first time getting a real hand on some sugar!) Daddy made her cake and it was an applesauce and cinnamon "muffin style" cake with whipped topping... sprinkles... purple gel and a BIG #1 right on top! She dug in with a delicate finger, and just licked each little scraping at a time. It was adorable!

Mariel was a little overwhelmed and up past her bedtime, but she did great! We had about 20 people come including some friends she has made over the last year, Nikoa and Payton.

She had such a great birthday, and got spoiled beyond belief. But she deserved it, and we are so proud that we have her in our lives! Enjoy the pictures of her big day, and her visit with Grandma and Grandpa... we miss them already.

Ooops... forgot one!

2006-03-10T20:50:00.000-08:00

I don't think the safety guidelines for wicker baskets said anything about little girls being able to fit inside them! Careful with that Fisher Price stuff Mariel... it might be a little tough to swallow.

New Pictures of our Little Miss

2006-03-10T20:44:00.000-08:00

Okay, if these aren't CUTE... I don't know what is!!!!

HELLO ???... Yes, I'm adorable....Goodbye!!!

Mariel's cousin!

2006-02-16T01:59:00.000-08:00

Mariel found out in December that she has a cousin who is just a week older than her! His name is Brandon and he lives in Colorado. They got to meet during the week that Gramma Sells family came for the funeral. They had a blast playing together, and actually, Mariel learned to stand up in her playpen during these pictures. She was watching Brandon and learned how!!!

Early morning...can't sleep!

2006-02-16T01:52:00.000-08:00

It's almost 2 in the morning, and I can't sleep. Eric, Mariel and I all have bad colds. My mind is racing and I keep running this list of things to do in my head... aGH! This was one of the things on my "list" so maybe I'll sleep a little better. Anyway, enjoy some late night entertainment and the pictures. The bath picture is from a few weeks ago. The bib picture is well... Xmas of course. We developed a couple rolls of pictures finally... and there was OLD stuff on there. I'll throw up a few more on here so you can see how much she's changed... I never realized how much of a little chubby Mariel used to be! She's really growing!!

Just to let you know...

2006-01-29T21:20:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to let you know that we have pictures of Mariel, recent ones, but they are on our 35mm camera. We're developing the film this week and will have some to put on the blog. My digital camera's battery is KAPUT! so I have to get a new one... which is part of the reason why I haven't been getting pictures on the blog lately.
We've been doing a lot of video taping too, so hopefully one weekend soon, we'll get some tapes and send out some copies!
Also, we can't wait to see Grandma and Grandpa! (Wes & Susan) They are coming out to Oregon for Mariel's first birthday, March 24! We're planning a birthday party, with the works, and I'm so excited... can't wait!

More from Sears... (this one is my FAVORITE!!)

2006-01-29T20:54:00.000-08:00

These are quite possibly my most favorite pictures of Mariel... these were taken the weekend after Thanksgiving. She had a cold at the time, but she did so well.

Christmas 2005 ( a little late!)

2006-01-29T20:51:00.000-08:00

We had this taken at Sears, and Mariel was SO good during the pictures! She kept wanting to stick her hands in her mouth ( she was teething pretty heavily) and so if you look closely on some of these pictures you'll see a little 'sheen' to Mariel's hands! :)

Monthly Update

2006-01-29T20:30:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone, just an update! Was talking to my grandma tonight and realized that again, it's been a months since I've updated the blog. Where does the time go? I go to work each day, come home, Mariel naps, I clean house, Eric comes home from work, we have dinner, Mariel plays and then takes a bath and goes to bed, then Eric and I catch up on the day with a little chat or watch some TV and relax, then boom@!#! It's bedtime (9:00) and I have to get up at 5:45 and start it all over again. Weekend comes and it's full of getting all the things done that we couldn't do in during the week! Wow, it's crazy how time flies by.
Mariel is now 10 months old and on New Years Day... actually that morning, she started CRAWLING!! At last! Now she's a machine filled with Energizer batteries and does nothing but play, crawl, play, crawl, stand up ... oops! fell on her bottom... and then crawling off to another toy again. She's becoming little miss independence too. Eating foods on her own, and learning how to use the sippy cup. She's saying words like "done" and "da da" and such too! She knows where "noses" and "eyes" and "toes" are... it's awesome!

Anyway, to the good stuff, I wasn't going to show these until after everyone got their pictures but Oma hasn't seen a Mariel update or picture in quite awhile now so I don't want to hold out any longer. So to all family back at home... you're Christmas gifts are coming and extremely late, and these pictures will just give you a hint at what you're getting! Enjoy!!!!

Mariel's First Christmas!

2005-12-25T15:26:00.000-08:00

Mariel had a BLAST playing with her new toys! She is currently taking apart Lego Blocks and discussing with Daddy how she make an even bigger mess of the front room...
Thank you everyone for all the toys, clothes, bears, and other gifts for Mariel! She is having a great Christmas...

LOVE TO ALL OF YOU and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Eric " Post Surgery"...

2005-12-23T21:06:00.000-08:00

(Eric's going to hate me for this... but I wanted you to see the progress...)
Dec 20th... the big day. Here's Eric... post surgery on Dec 22. He looks even better than this today (23rd). His face is getting less swollen and his tongue is actually looking like a tongue again. He can talk for the most part, and is partaking of some sherbert as I sit here! Wish him luck!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

2005-12-23T20:58:00.000-08:00

Take a look at the bottom of that tree!!! Then take a long look at the cute baby that is the recipient of a majority of those presents!! HOLY COW!!! I don't think we'll get through them before Mariel's morning nap!

Thank you so much to all of you that sent gifts for us...

2005-12-23T20:55:00.000-08:00

Here it is at last! Grandpa Wes has been working SO hard on getting this finished for Mariel. It's a beautiful high chair made of Walnut? (hope that's right Dad...). Anyway, he spent a lot of time on it, and we're going to enjoy using it as Mariel gets older. Thanks so much Grandpa!

Christmas has come!

2005-12-23T20:45:00.000-08:00

Embarrassment...I'm so ashamed that it has been a month already since I last posted anything to the site. We have been so busy with so many things that it seems the time is just flying by!
Here it is, Mariel's first Christmas and WE ARE SO EXCITED! I could hardly contain myself tonight... I was almost going to let Mariel open just one present... but Eric said no way. I guess I have to be the adult now :(. So Mariel sits patiently waiting to rip into one of those shiny things under the tree. At least 20 times a day I have to whisk her away from the tree. She's a quick one these days! She's now learned to pull herself into a standing position in her crib, in her playpen, well.. just about anywhere where she can get a good grip. She hasn't started full on crawling yet, still doing the "commando" style crawl.
Anyway, we have had a really busy two weeks. Gramma Pursell passed away on December 8th, and so we were down in Grants Pass attending her funeral. It went well, and Gramma Sell would have been SO happy to see that all of Eric's family came together. Some hadn't seen eachother in up to 40 years!!!
After our tricky return over the snow blown mountain pass, we went to work for a day. Tuesday, the 20th, Eric had facial surgery. He spent one night in ICU, and then another night in a private suite in Hotel St.Charles Hospital.
You'll see his picture after this post. He's doing great now, but still has a sore throat. This is to be expected considering the amount of diggin around the surgeons did to him. He is sans tonsils, sans soft pallette, sans ability to swallow very well. He's eating lots of soup and finally moved onto mashed potatoes tonight! Yippee!
Anyway, he's getting a little better each day... so lets just hope that the breathing ability is better after all the healing is done!

Anyway, here it is, the night before the night before Xmas, and I'm catching up the last few weeks. Mariel's been her amazing cute little self, but has developed a touch of a cold. She's getting her two top front teeth in and so a combonation of not feeling well combined with teething is making for a little fussy baby at times. Overall though, she is as cute as ever. She's waving to EVERYTHING she sees and is recognizing... and sometimes I swear to it... she's saying Mamma and Dadda (to the appropriate person!).

Enjoy the couple pics and I hope you all have a TERRIFIC Christmas!!!

Just an update!

2005-11-19T11:10:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to pop in and give an update! Mariel is now learning to crawl, yeah! She's starting to scoot forward a little on her arms and legs, but still can't seem to get that little Buddha belly off the ground. :)
She's learning to click her tongue, holds her own bottle now, and is putting toys in and out of things. She's eating Cheerios, and after last week we're going to avoid apricots for awhile. They gave a nasty bought of diaper rash, one that we hope will NOT be repeated.

She's doing great and Eric was playing on the floor with her, so I snapped a quick shot!

Swim Class

2005-11-02T20:28:00.000-08:00

Here's Mariel in a moment of utter bliss. She LOVES the water!!! She especially notices the cute lifeguards that keep walking by to check on her... he he he.

Swimmers, Paddlers and Floaters...

2005-11-02T13:14:00.000-08:00

Mariel is swimming! I wasn't sure how many of you knew or not, but we are enrolled in a swim class full of playing and splashing and singing songs! There are all girls in the class, and one little one even has the same swimsuit as Mariel.
She loves the water and loves to watch water come out of the squirting fish. She's gone underwater twice and done great both times.

No other flower could smell as sweet!

2005-11-01T21:15:00.000-08:00

Mariel dressed up as the cutest flower! We started out Halloween getting dressed up in orange and black for the day, and then Mariel got into costume! We visited Janet, Paul and Nikoa (family friends) and then visited George Franklet Sr. (Uncle George's Dad) at the hospital. It made him as well as Judy (his wife) and Aunt Amanda and Uncle George smile! The nurses huddled around to laugh and giggle with Mariel and she even brought some smiles to other patients that were able to sneak a peek at her! Later, we visited Heather and Grace for a minute just to say "hi".
Mariel scored a TON of candy (to be consumed by Daddy and Mommy at a later date) and had a great time. We had only ONE trick-or-treater... so we ended up with lots of leftover chocolate... ah shucks :).

Anyway, hope everyone had a fun filled Halloween!!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN ! ! ! October 31, 2005

2005-10-31T16:07:00.000-08:00

2005-10-23T19:11:00.000-07:00

Moorey wishes everyone... a Happy Halloween!!!

What are those things falling down on me?

2005-10-23T18:59:00.000-07:00

2005-10-23T18:58:00.000-07:00

Watching the leaves falling from the Crabapple tree!

2005-10-23T18:57:00.000-07:00

Playing with the leaves... (don't worry we washed her up good after doing this, and no... she didn't eat any leaves). Eric was standing next to her, out of view, making sure that those leaves didn't end up in her mouth!

2005-10-23T18:56:00.000-07:00

October 23, 2005 and Mariel is turning 7 months old tomorrow! We were having a fun fall day, and raking leaves, mowing grass and enjoying some unusually warm weather outside! Mariel still has the runny nose, but the fresh air did us all some good. Mariel's taking some medicine now, none the less, she's had a smile on her face everyday!!!

2005-10-17T13:22:00.000-07:00

" I like what you've done with your hair ! "

2005-10-17T13:21:00.001-07:00

"So... how's the day going?"

2005-10-17T13:21:00.000-07:00

Mariel and her "first friend" Grace at Grace's house. Mariel stays at Grace's house in the mornings, during the week while Eric and I are at work.

2005-10-17T12:36:00.000-07:00

Mariel and Aunt Megan at feeding time!

2005-10-17T12:33:00.000-07:00

Mariel got to visit Grandma and Grandpa Dickerson the weekend before our trip to Illinois. This is Mariel with her Grandma D. (Judy)

2005-10-17T12:32:00.001-07:00

"Oma" and Mariel

2005-10-17T12:32:00.000-07:00

Minneapolis Airport... and Mariel gets her first experience being the pilot!

2005-10-17T12:31:00.000-07:00

We were on our way home from Illinois and had to stop in Minneapolis on the way... I couldn't resist a picture of this!

2005-10-17T12:30:00.001-07:00

Four generations again...(Wes, Allison and Doris..aka "Oma")

2005-10-17T12:30:00.000-07:00

Four generations of Osterbur's (Wes..aka "Grandpa"... Allison...aka "Mommy"... Raymond ..aka "Opa" and of course Mariel..aka.."the baby")

2005-10-17T12:28:00.001-07:00

Mom, Mariel and Uncle Colin

2005-10-17T12:28:00.000-07:00

Mariel and Uncle Colin... and she's thinking how come his tan is so much better than mine?

2005-10-17T12:27:00.001-07:00

Grandpa and Mariel... hmmm...wonder what she was thinking???

2005-10-17T12:27:00.000-07:00

Now there are some happy Grandpa's!!!!

2005-10-17T12:26:00.000-07:00

Mariel and her newest cousin Nolan. Mariel (6 mo) and Nolan (4 mo) got to meet for the first time at Jody's BBQ on September 11th.

2005-10-17T12:25:00.000-07:00

Cousins at play

2005-10-17T12:24:00.000-07:00

The newest baby to occupy the bath...uhh...sink. :)... I wonder exactly how many babies have sat in that sink???

2005-10-17T12:23:00.000-07:00

Great-Aunt Jody, Tanner and Mariel

2005-10-17T12:22:00.000-07:00

Mariel and her cousin Tanner !

A little Opa Time...

2005-10-17T12:19:00.000-07:00

Finally! Pictures from our trip!

2005-10-17T12:10:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone! I'm finally able to get some pictures up from our trip to Illinois!
Mariel just went down for a nap and so I have an hour.... whew!
Mariel's got a little cold this week :( so she's sleeping a little more than usual.
I'll try to get the good ones up and I'll burn the rest to a CD to send to anyone who would like some pictures! Just let me know... anyway, enjoy!

Wow, it's been awhile!

2005-10-10T13:40:00.000-07:00

It's been quite awhile it seems since I last posted anything.
Mariel is going great! She went to the doctor for her 6 month vaccination last Friday. It hurt, but she only cried a little and then was ok. However, she has a bruise on her left thigh from the shot (ouch!). It breaks me in half to see it, but I know she's going to be fine.
She is now officially 26 1/2 " long and 18 lbs (well... 17lbs and 15 oz). She's in the 75% for her age and so that makes us feel good knowing that she is growing well.

She does so many amazing things now... it seems that she changes or learns something new everyday. She's not crawling yet, but knows how to go from sitting to laying on her belly without serious damage.

Anyway, I'll post some neat pics from our trip back home to Illinois, as well as some other "everyday" shots. Mariel and her daycare buddy, Grace, have been havin a good time too.
Last but not least, I will TRY to get some pictures of her 2 front teeth!

Lots of "Firsts" !

2005-09-20T15:11:00.000-07:00

*******Pictures to follow! but read this first!********
Mariel has had a few weeks of "firsts" and it's been such an adventurous three weeks!
Mariel flew on her first plane trip to Illinois on September 7. She flew a total of almost 4,000 miles and got a "First Flight" certificate from the captain and lead flight attendant!
She flew to Illinois to visit and meet her family... her great-grandparents (0pa and Oma), her grandparents(Grampa & Gramma Osterbur) and her aunt Megan, and uncles Colin and Joshua. She also met great-aunts and uncles, cousins and even more cousins. Everyone loved her and she had a great time! She laughed and played with everybody and wasn't a bit shy with anyone!
Several people on the planes commented on what a great little girl she was... it made mommy and daddy pretty proud of our little miss.

On Sunday, Mariel walked in her very first walker... (pictures of this event will soon follow). It's a "Jungle and Dinosaur" themed walker and she's zooming around the kitchen floor... backwards. She loves the independence, and took quick advantage of it by tracking down Moorey, our cat, and playfully grabbing his tail! Moorey didn't think this was very playful, but it sure gave us a laugh. He recovered with little trauma.

And now the biggest "first" of all!!!

Mariel has officially cut her FIRST TOOTH!!! Yeah! Today, on September 20th, I felt in that little mouth of hers and rubbed against something foreign. A little sharp white tooth poking from the gums. How exciting! This might explain the river of drool that perpetually comes from that little factory called "Mariel's Mouth". Anyway, she's been chewing on her hands pretty voraciously lately, and now we can certainly see why!

Hopefully in the next few weeks, this little 'alien' will present itself further so that we can get some great pictures!

Hi Grandpa!!

2005-08-24T18:47:00.000-07:00

AAAAHHH!!! Bitter beer face!

Peas, Squash and Sweet Potatoes... OH MY!!!

2005-08-24T14:41:00.000-07:00

Formula anyone??

and also....

We're starting real food for Mariel. We made our first parental mistake and started Mariel with applesauce... sweets...oops. So we shifted gears and switched to sweet potatoes, then peas, and now acorn squash. She loves it all! Actually, we're starting to think that she'll eat what ever is in front of her!!!

Mariel at 5 months!

2005-08-24T14:36:00.000-07:00

Words cannot describe how I feel about this one...

Happy 5 month Birthday Mariel !!!

2005-08-24T14:30:00.000-07:00

Happy birthday baby! That's right.. today is Mariel's 5 month birthday. Hard to believe that the time has gone by so quickly!
Mariel is sitting up alone , with an occasional "leaning tower of Pisa" that needs recovering... but she's holding herself quite well. She's also learning to roll over to where she wants to go, learning that toys rattle and that she can rattle them, and learning "cause and effect". Example, she has discovered that if she drops or throws something.. that Mom and Dad will pick it up. She's a smart one! Anyway, she's growing everyday and doing new and amazing things.. .always learning.

Last but not least... sleepy time.

2005-08-03T15:57:00.000-07:00

Okay, just had to throw in a sleeping picture... she looks so beautiful when she's peaceful and content.

Mariel's Quilt

2005-08-03T15:44:00.000-07:00

Finally, a place for Mariel's quilt! Great Grandma (Oma Osterbur) finished this quilt that was started by Mariel's Great-Great Grandma, Oma (Emma) Suits (whom Mariel is named after). Oma Suits made a pink quilt and a blue quilt... I think she secretly knew that Mariel and Nolan (Mariel's sixth cousin) would be born boy and girl. So now they both have a little piece of Oma in their lives...and the quilt will be a quilt that Mariel can proudly say has touched the hands of 5 generations of women. I think that's a beautiful and powerful statement.

The quilt has pink squares with various patterns and on the back are little pink teddy bears. I want Mariel to enjoy this her whole life, so I'm hanging it for now until she's older. Formula and baby drool aren't nearly as beautiful as this quilt is!

Just another lazy sunny Sunday afternoon...

2005-08-03T15:35:00.000-07:00

Mariel's really learning to live the lifestyle of a baby huh?

The future's so bright... I gotta wear shades...

2005-08-03T15:30:00.000-07:00

College Bound

2005-08-03T15:23:00.000-07:00

Mariel was sportin the "Illinois" onesie...no she's not quite ready for college just yet... but she does look pretty cute in it huh? Better keep those 'college' boys away Dad!

Mariel Rolls Over !!!

2005-07-27T15:41:00.000-07:00

Hi, well it's a little late with the posting, but on July 19th, Mariel rolled over! She is so good at it in fact, that she doesn't even want to be on her back! We lay her down, and over she goes.
Tomorrow is her next series of vaccinations so Mariel won't be in the best of moods for a day or so. I'm dreading taking her... she cries her little heart out. Wish us luck :0)

2005-07-12T18:32:00.000-07:00

Mariel was having a great time on her mat today. She's still trying to roll over and is sooooo close!

2005-07-07T19:09:00.000-07:00

Mariel's first Johnny Jumper!!! She did amazing... and loved it! Hard to believe she's old enough to use this now. Where did my little baby go??? :)

Hey... check these out!!!

2005-07-05T21:32:00.000-07:00

Be sure to scroll down and see the three new pictures we've put on the Blog. Mariel was hammin it up in the mirror! It's so neat that she recognizes faces and could see herself and us in the mirror. We were standing on the scale in the bathroom, to find out how much she weighs, and noticed her looking at herself! She's at a wopping 16 lbs. now and 24 in. long... growing like a weed... but a cute weed huh???

2005-07-05T21:31:00.000-07:00

Mirror.. .Mirror... on the wall... who is the cutest baby of all??? :)

2005-07-05T21:28:00.000-07:00

Sorry about the flash!