It's Official...

We are now the proud parents of 3 teenage girls!! Heather turned 13 on Monday, March 16th. We stole Bailee Vollmar the Saturday and Sunday before. Of course Heather wanted a barbeque and it happened to be pouring down rain. Russ went ahead with it only because it was her birthday. We went shopping--actually they shopped and I followed them around as shopping is my least favorite thing to do. Then, I took all the girls to the play "Little Women" out at Corban College. Very well done...but, verrrrrrry long! We got home around 10:30 pm so we had to have Bailee come home with us after church on Sunday just so we could have cake and icecream. Can't have a party without cake and icecream! Here are many pictures of Heather's 13 years. She has been a joy and blessing in our lives as we watch her grow not only physically but spiritually in her relationship with the Lord.

Bailee and Heather. By the way, the reason the presents are on the blanket is because I bought sparkley, pretty, girlie paper since it was Heather's 13th--usually I turn Christmas wrap inside out and just use that--it's just wrapping paper, right? Well, this paper was loaded with glitter! It was everywhere when I was wrapping--my face, hair, clothes and I can even see it on my shoes still. Who in their right mind would put glitter on wrapping paper!?! I wanted to toss the rest but the girls wanted me to keep it, so it's under my bed gathering dust with the rest of the stuff under there!

Heather shortly after being born--what a head of hair! Thanks to Sharon Abbey, all of my kid's births were videotaped in a very respectful manner. Russ and I watched her birth video the other night--the girls just aren't into watching yet. Can't figure out why...:-)

At 2 months with Caley, who is 4 years old here.

This is one of my favorite pictures--I'm not sure what Hannah is saying, probably something like, "Mommy, Heather poopy!" Hannah is 21 months here and Heather 3 months.

The sweetness of a chubby-cheeked baby...a forever memory! 9 months old here...

Happy 1st birthday, Heather! She hadn't had much sugar up until this cupcake and she devoured it! She hasn't stopped craving sugar since...:-)

2 years old...and a spit-fire! Our annual hunt for the perfect Christmas tree...

More from year 2--wanting to be like her big sisters...the best part was hosing them off so they could actually come in the house!

With Cathy Cordero before kids and I'm pretty sure in the stage of wanting kids...3 years old

A visit to OMSI--oh how I miss these days...4 years old

Goin' to a Harvest Party...2 orphans and a cute little Indian. 5 years old

Getting sweeter as the years go by...6 years old

I think this was in Troutdale--we met Nana and Papa at McDonald's for a 7th birthday celebration.

8 years old and loving the beach rain or shine...

9 years old holding a pygmy goat in GrassValley, OR...

10 years old--coming out of a snow cave she built near Mt. Bachelor

The crazy side of Heather actually kicked in way before 11 years of age. This is just a sample of that.

Caley's picture of Heather this past summer--12 years old. Happy, Happy Birthday Heather. We love you very much!

Club Rocksalt...Awwww!

The girls volunteer at Club Rocksalt at church on Tuesday nights. One of the assignments that the kids were to do with their parents was write a letter to one of the workers telling them thanks. This was what the girls got from Dan and Anna Steiner's little guy, Josiah and Dan and Nikki Hughes's little girl, Olivia.

Very sweet!

Goofy Girl Pictures from Caley's Camera...for your enjoyment!

Caley has way too much fun with her camera!

Amanda Mac at Konditorei...

Amanda Mac at childcare on Sunday nights...

Oh My!

Caley and Hannah on their way somewhere...

Caley kissing the little Konditorei man?? By the way I had to look Konditorei up in the phone book to make sure I spelled it correctly...such a strange word/name...

Caley's eye--the way it's been since birth...

Sisters...

When they should have been doing homework at piano lessons, they were playing!

Interesting feature on Caley's camera--she hasn't a shy bone in her body! I love her personality...I don't think she ever really gets embarrassed!

Mom's Gone to Retreat--Let's make pizza!

And they did...not without some problems and a message on my phone asking how to get the dough to stop shrinking everytime Hannah tried to roll it out...

Here is the final product much smaller than usual--I think they gave up on trying to get it to the size of the pan...

Now that I look at it, it IS quite a bit smaller...

In the oven it goes on my new Pampered Chef pizza stone--I love it! This is my second one. These new ones have handles and are much easier to get in and out of the oven--especially when one's oven is half the size of a regular oven! There's my commercial for Pampered Chef! By the way, Cathy Cordero, you should start your business again--I would have another party!

Hannah and Heather trying to stretch the dough to fit the pan but it just kept shrinking...I think at one point Russ and both of the girls were stretching it to fit but of course no one was there to take THAT picture!

Hannah at the onset...one thing I forgot to tell them is that the dough needs to sit out for several hours so it's easier to work with...oh well, a great lesson learned. I'm sure there will be another time to try...

Remember this???? I'm on a roll now and I can't be stopped!

Remember these pictures that I posted? They were taken during the ice and snow. Remember how Hannah had just, moments before, been standing with the camera taking pictures of Russ chopping up debris from the tree? How thankful we were that it was Caley's car that was crushed and not Hannah! Time to brag on MY husband...

The damage was done...

This branch was the width of the entire drive and then some!

The bragging part...Russ was smart. We put in a claim to State Farm and got a good chunk of money. They almost totalled the car. Russ did some research and found the hood and side fender for $150 and fixed it himself. No paint necessary--just removing the old and on with the new! I love it when things work out that way! Great job, Russ! Thanks for taking the time to find a way to save money!

Caley was very thankful to have her car look better than when she got it. Now, no dents at all!

Cordero Clan...

Those of you who attend Salem Heights need to get to know one of the newest families attending. Billy and Cathy Cordero and their children Will, Emma, and Lincoln. We have known Billy and Cathy since before they were married. They moved away for a few years and we are very glad they are back. We are enjoying watching their children grow. Wonderful family! We had the opportunity to care for the little Cordero's on a couple of occasions. Billy and Cathy took Emma out for lunch for her birthday. Will was at school and we got Lincoln. Didn't get much out of him--hardly a smile. I think he was a bit overwhelmed with how the girls wanted to "mother" him and all he wanted to do was climb up and down the stairs...things were different with his siblings here. He is quite the character!

Will and Heather playing Battleship--why the smile? He was very proud of the fact that HE had just tooted and it was a good one!

Emma and Lincoln--very cute!

Anything can be used as a climbing toy...

Isn't he just the sweetest thing?!?

Playing the piano...

Building lego with Heather...

See what I mean?? "Mothering..."

He enjoyed helping Hannah practice...

Sweet music together--even if it did clash!

Yuk!

This was really gross! The piece on the left has the initial bite and then Caley cut it open and...this is what she gets for trying to eat in a healthy manner!

YMCA Season to an End...

Hannah and Heather had a great season swimming for the Y this year. They swam hard and all the medals and ribbons in the below picture attest to that fact. These were awards from 2 meets: The YMCA State Meet and The YMCA Regionals Meet. State everyone can swim in and Regionals individuals have to qualify with their times. We are very proud of them for their hard work this year. Great job, girls!


This is my mom's 2nd annual over-nighter trip with the girls at the Regionals meet at Mt. Hood Community College. They stayed over 2 nights this time and I even stayed on Saturday night. This is a picture of the motel room and Subway dinner. Hannah ate a whole foot long in no time at all!

Thanks, Mom, for paying for the motel room. We always enjoy spending time with you. My dad flew in from Colorado on Friday and stopped to see them before he headed home. No picture because I wasn't there...

Nana and the girls...

Heather and Nana...

Hannah and her food...always eating it seems!

This is what you get when you send the camera with the girls and say, "Get me some pictures..."! From left to right: Jessica Abbey, Heather, Emily Abbey, and Morgan Crueger holding Hannah.



These next 5 shots are courtesy of Shawn Abbey also known for Abbey Carpet Care! Thanks, Shawn!

I love this picture! It captures Hannah right in her element.

Hannah, Heather, and Jessica Abbey figuring out which race is next at State...

Hannah Banana...

Preparing for a race....one day we hope to have a BIG new camera with a BIG lens for zooming in, but for now Shawn can be the designated photographer!

Russ giving Heather a pep talk before a race...