Chels you ROCK!

So, I don't like posting ANY pictures of myself and thankfully I usually have an excuse not to (I'm the one taking the pictures), but I couldn't help myself with the pictures Chels took! I am impressed! I usually think I look alright when I leave the house after checking the mirror, but it doesn't translate into good pictures. It's been 10 years since I've really liked a photo of me, so thanks again Chelsea!

And here's a goofy one for good measure!

Brownie Couch Heaven

So, in Oregon, Chelsea took us all around to the sites of Portland. Little did we know that the city excursion would include a little piece of heaven. After seeing store after store of sales and no tax we stopped off at a favorite shop of Chelsea's named Restoration Hardware (should be restoration "soft"ware). From the outside of the store it looked like a Pottery Barn, Ethan Allen, or any such store, but as we wound our way through the store, Chelsea had her focus pinned on a large brown leather couch. I believe she told us that this couch could change your life. She was NOT exaggerating! I was a little sceptical at first, it's just a couch and I've sat in plenty comfy couches, but as Kate and I leaned back into the couch the first thing to come to mind was WOW! Its hard to describe the AWESOMENESS of this couch. Its like your muscles are getting a hug all over your body! Everything was just right! I could have sat there all day. I would still be sitting there if I had my way! We sat there at least 20-30min unitl a sales rep had to subtlely tell us to take turns with the other customers. If money grew on trees and I could have anything I wanted, the top of the list, which used to consist of grander expenditures like trips to Europe, etc. has been replaced by this supple understated heavenly couch. Aptly nicknamed the "brownie couch" by Chelsea and family, no doubt for its color and shape, is not disimilar in the comfort that little bit of chocolate heaven provides your mouth, but for your WHOLE body! Now the bar is set and the search is on for a couch as deliciously comfortable yet not so out of reach economically! Thanks again Chels!

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Bella's Blessing

The dress Bella is wearing was worn by my grandpa Yeager when he was christened and by Kate, Shelley and I. It is nearly a hundred years old. Bella looked like a porcelain doll with her pink cheeks, blue eyes, ribbon and pearls.

Her mom, Summer, was a little worried she would be washed out by so much white and added a little tint to her cheeks. She's such a beautiful baby, although a little difficult to photograph becuase she is always tasting the air with her tongue or searching the room for new things with wide eyes that its hard to catch her relaxed. There were so many people there at the blessing luncheon that she just couldn't stop looking around (probably for mommy).

Such photogenic families! It was good to see everyone again! Doesn't seem like that long ago that Steve and Summer got married ( 11 months I think)!

Grandma Reiff (Brenda) and her daughters have had an assembly line going for little/big flowers, bows, bracelets, etc. for Bella! She is definitely not going to be mistaken for a boy! She has already had several fashion shows, although mommy says she will NOT be a model when she grows up! Good to get those priorities straight early! Education is much more important than looks! Looks are just a bonus!

I don't think Bella could have looked any more precious! She gets more and more beautiful everyday! She fell asleep on me after the luncheon and it didn't matter that she was a little heater or that my arms were falling asleep! I couldn't let go of that cuddly soft sweet baby! Congratulations Steve and Summer! That was a great blessing and really happy event!

Oregon

I took a few pictures of Kate's and my trip to Oregon, but mostly just on the way there. It was SO much fun there that I didn't even think to take out my camera and snap some pics of my GORGEOUS , not to mention INTELIGENTE, cousins and their beautiful families! Thank you Chelsea & Mike, Peggy and Doug, and Jade for making our trip to Oregon memorable!

As we were driving to Oregon (why are the speed limits so low in OR?) the sun was setting and I had to pull out my camera. Good thing we had stopped to fill up!

As we passed Medford, OR we entered a thick fog of smoke. We had to turn off the air in the car the smoke was so dense. We never saw any fires, but the smoke had an amazing effect on the sunset. I unfortunately couldn't capture exactly what I saw, but here's an image that comes close.

Kate and Chels took some people pictures while we were there. Hopefully some of them work out since I didn't take any. It really was an enjoyable trip. I must have eaten my weight in blueberries while I was there, not to mention picking enough to last me 'til next year. It definitely would be a trip I would make again!