Halloween 1999

Can you tell we shopped at the Disney Store for their costumes? Never again, that place was expensive. 

Zorro and Cinderella

Three sweet babies. Oh little upset Harrison :) 

... and Harrison wore the traditional First Halloween jack-o-lantern outfit. Oh the humanity!

"help me"

Happy Birthday Brennan!

Brennan had his seventh birthday this year and received a new kitty, whom he named after a girl at school he was friends with - "Alyssa."

Looks like it's party hat time!

Looks like Bella's struggling with her party hat!

Cruise on the Portland Spirit

A picture Hubby took of me while we were on the "Portland Spirit," going down the Willamette River through Portland. We won tickets through work or on the radio or something to take this little dinner cruise, which we later were told by our friends was nicknamed "The Booze Cruise." So we got there, and yeah, it pretty much lived up to its name.

This must be where Harrison gets his "cock your head to the side for pictures" thing he's been doing since at least last year (2007).

Hubby's turn for pictures! We can't believe how much hair he had.

It was a cloudy evening, but still beautiful. A fun trip.

Summer 1999

Brennan looking very handsome in kindergarten class.

Brennan and Bella playing in House #1's backyard with my friend Shelly K.'s two oldest, Brooke and Grant. Shelly's husband Tom joined the Church a few years after they were married, and they came to Portland to be sealed in the temple. We went to their sealing, which was very touching. Many, many happy tears that day.

Harrison's Blessing

Harrison was given a name (Harrison William) and a blessing in early August 1999. We chose his name while expecting Bella in Logan - somehow we knew our next one would be a boy and that would be his name. It was the easiest name-choosing experience of all our kids.

He wore the blessing outfit I made for Brennan when he was born. Carter wore it too. It's a little tuxedo pattern with a Peter Pan collar and a big ribbon tied under the collar. I made it out of satin and the boys wore little matching satin shoes.

We had a family dinner afterward. Here are Ernie, me holding Harrison, Neenaw, Gran, Dad and Melanie, in the kitchen of our first house. It was great to have everyone come for Harrison's big day.

Neenaw, Gran and Mel

Neenaw and Gran

Brennan and Bella (in back) with some of the neighbor kids.

Jen & Matt's Wedding

July 1999, Jen and Matt's wedding: The S's and new W's

Jen & Matt lookin' jolly

My little babies

Hubby looking ever so manly with his Snugli - I look like a tired new mom

Bella, Becky holding Harrison, Brennan - what a difference eight years makes!

Neenaw, Hubby and Harrison

Back when there were only five of us... Harrison was not quite two months old. Of course I felt fat because I had just had a baby, but I look at this picture now and think, what was I thinking? I looked great! Probably because I'm sitting down and wearing black. I look MAHVELOUS!

Brennan and Bella, under one of the big trees in the atrium. I love that place - such a smart idea for our rainy weather and the brides and grooms who want their picture taken at the temple, without getting splashed with raindrops.

Father's Day Primary Activity

We had a "Dress Like Dad" relay race at this activity. Obviously we didn't use Hubby's slacks. These kids are all in high school or middle school now.

Bella in her "man outfit"

On to some harmless chalkboard activity

Doing the "new baby pass-off"

Look at those chubby cheeks - and he's using one of those awesome Grandma Timothy flannel blankets. She died before most of our kids were born, but she worked hard on those blankets before they came and we're grateful we still have a little piece of Grandma hanging around.

Pa, Grandma & Kristy's Visit

Grannie bought an awesome tent and Velcro tunnels for the kids this spring. They loved it.

Pa, Brennan and Bella trying out the view from the mesh window.

Brennan

Bella

Some action shots outside: I was still recovering from the C-section, which was particularly painful this time, so I don't know how it happened that everyone went outside and played baseball in their pajamas on the front lawn. But there you have it.





Now Kristy gets in on the act

Then Brennan

Our new little Harrison, just a few weeks old

Kristy's birthday is May 25 and she turned 34 this year. We had a little birthday party for her. I didn't bake my usual layer cake since I was still feeling cruddy, but we did make the chocolate sour cream frosting... mmmmm.











Hi there. It's 12:30 in the afternoon and I'm sitting here in my husband's plaid nightshirt with my white serrated Tupperware knife. Wanna fight about it?

Our visit also included a trip to Portland's Rose Test Gardens. It was a gorgeous day. Here are Kristy, Grandma, Pa, Bella and Brennan.

Kristy and the kids