passion

Jeff's heart is at the mountain in the winter. A perfect day for him is spent with good buddies, plowing through powder, and doing scary snowboard tricks that I don't want to ever hear about. He's been getting up to Mt. Hood as often as possible this winter - while he still can! Here's a shot from last Friday - perfect day with two of his favorite people - good friend Justin and his brother Phil. I'm happy he is able to get away and do something he loves so much.

she'll always be my first baby

I think we both look equally excited for Christmas...don't they say dogs match the personalities of their owners? :)

My nubby bear, she doesn't even realize that ice crystals are hanging off her chin!

I think she may be more sophisticated than us at times...

arizona

The Ducks played a good game at the National Championship despite their loss...here's a couple pics from Jeff's 48-hour trip to Arizona for the big game! He got to meet up with lots of friends and family on game day, and had an awesome time getting to see his good buddy Josiah too.

Right to left: Phil (brother), Jeff, cousin Michael, and his wife Rikki who live in Baltimore

You played well, Ducks!!

we can't wait to meet you, baby meakins!

SURPRISE!

We are SO excited to have one more member joining our family this year - we can't wait for the little nugget to arrive so we can start taking him/her on some adventures and developing a taste for delicious cuisine! :)

The big arrival date is July 22 so I am just over 13 weeks along, and feeling great! We just had our second ultrasound a couple weeks ago and it was confirmed that all is looking healthy (so thankful!). Now...we patiently wait for 8 more weeks while I try and play the guessing game with baby Meakins' gender....any guesses??

Stay tuned!

the ducks (and jeff) go to the national championship!

Jeff is such a LUCKY DUCK - today he flew to Phoenix, Arizona, so he can attend a once-in-a-lifetime-opportunity of an event...if for some reason you don't know already, the Ducks are playing against Auburn in the BCS National Championship game on Monday. Yes, this was a bit of a splurge for us, but who knows if it will ever happen again?! Jeff has been a passionate Duck fan since a very small age, and this was one game he just couldn't miss.

I hope you are all watching on Monday - it's going to be an intense game but I know we can win it! GO DUCKS!!

snowy sunriver

Happy New Year my dearies! I have been such a lazy blogger lately, but maybe life will resume back to normal now that the holidays are over....not that I don't LOVE December, because I do...I thrive on hustle and bustle, and love getting to catch up with all of our family.

The last weekend in December we spent a few very relaxing days in Sunriver with my parents. Jeff suggested the idea only a couple weeks prior and I had no idea we'd actually find something so last minute, but we did, and a very nice place at that! A cozy house, with a huge fireplace and a hottub, that even allowed us to bring Chloe. The weather was spectacular - sunny and below freezing - perfect for a winter getaway. What a BEAUTIFUL place Sunriver is, especially in the winter. One of my favs for an easy weekend away.

The highlight of the trip was a 7-mile cross country ski adventure to Tumalo Falls, just outside of Bend. Jeff had to be persuaded a bit, being the dedicated snowboarder that he is, but we all had fun. The rest of the weekend we read books, ate yummy food, slept like babies, and soaked in the hottub. We didn't want to leave!

Chloe had an absolute blast running around exploring in the snow!

Mom on a ski trail by the river

On the road to Tumalo Falls

Beginning our adventure...

We made it to the falls! Cross country skiing is SUCH a great workout - don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise!

Inside the cozy house in Sunriver - we kept a fire blazing at all times!

holidays

Whew - that was a whirlwind! But definitely a relaxing couple of weeks. I need to catch you up on December - what an enjoyable month it was!

Highlights:

• Getting to have dinner with Jeff's Uncle Bill and Aunt Jan who were visiting from Tacoma
• Holiday parties!
• A memorable evening at Irving St. Kitchen to celebrate one of my dearest friend Maggie's graduation from nursing school - CONGRATS!!!
  
• Christmas Eve at Jeff's grandma's house. A house full of relatives, ugly sweaters, good food, and people I love.
  
• Christmas morning with Jeff's mom and stepdad. Yummy breakfast, delicious lattes, and present opening!
• Christmas afternoon with Jeff's dad and stepmom. Dinner that was to-die-for, lots of couch and relax time, games, laughs, and late-night fun!
• Spa day at Gervais with my lovely sis-in-law, Brook, on the day after Christmas. SO AMAZING!
• Jeff finding out that he gets to go to Arizona to watch the Ducks play in the National Championship game - a once in a lifetime opportunity! He was over the moon.
  
• A special dinner at Serrato (our go-to) with my parents last week.
  
• Spending the weekend and NYE in Sunriver with my parents: 7 miles of cross country skiing at Tumalo Falls, lunch in Bend, TONS of snow in Sunriver, a cozy house, lounging, hottub, delicious food, Chloe time, and cold, cold sunshine! It was spectacular.

Coming away from such a jam-packed month with all of our family and friends, we couldn't be more thankful and feel more blessed to have all of you in our lives! May your 2011 also be richly blessed with people you love!