Trains, Planes and Automobiles (Part 2)

Sunday morning we woke up to more snow! This was exciting but, we were a little fright full of what it would mean for our travel plans home. We were to board the train at 9:30pm that night. If you have ever rode the train, you know that it doesn't take much (weather wise) to delay it. We knew that the train originated in Chicago and that area was also pummeled with a big winter storm so we had a suspicion that our train would be delayed. And it was.

9am delayed 2 hours with an estimated departure of time of 11:30pm (not too bad we could do a two hour delay)
10am delayed 4 hours
Noon delayed 5 hours (not a good pattern)
2pm delayed 6 hours. A estimated departure time of 3:30AM!!!

At 3pm Russ went down to the train station to figure out if there really was going to be a train for us to get on to. The gal at the counter informed him that the train was likely to depart Whitefish around 3:30am and could probably get us to Spokane, WA but then from there we would probably be put on a bus. Apparently  due to all the rain some of the tracks between Spokane and Portland had been washed out. Spokane is a 6 hour drive to Portland, and I did not want to find out how many hours it would take on a bus in the snow.

Thankfully we didn't have to. Russell's company provided us with airfare home. We were beyond thankful for that!! So in one trip Blake had his first train ride and airplane ride. We had a great time in Whitefish and I can't wait to visit again!

Planes, Trains and Automobiles (Part 1)

December River Design Group, the company that Russell works for, has a Christmas party in Whitefish, MT. The party is in Whitefish because that is were the main office is located. Every year we talk about me going but for one reason or another it has never worked out. After two years of talking about it, I finally got to go this year!

Airfare from Portland to Whitefish is pretty spendy so we decided to ride the train. We boarded the train in Albany, OR around 1:45pm and arrived to Whitefish, MT around 8:30am the next morning. Yes, we were on the train the whole night. I was a little nervous about how Blake would do sleeping on a train because we did not get a sleeper car. But to my surprise he did great (I think the motion of the train and the rumbling sound it made helped him sleep). He slept in his car seat pretty much the whole night, I think he got better sleep then Russ and I!

Having fun on the train!

He loved looking out the window

We had a great time in Whitefish! Friday Russ had to work some so Blake and I hung out at the house, which was the perfect cottage in the snow!

On Saturday we went exploring around Big Mountain and had a fabulous dinner at the Kandahar Lodge   where the Christmas party was. 

There were beautiful homes on the mountain!

First time touching snow! He didn't know what to think.

Check back later to find out how the rest of the weekend went and to hear about our adventure home!

6 Months!!

Blake is 6 months today! Wow! I can't believe I have a 6 month old! If the next 6 months go by as fast as the last 6 month he will be one before I know it! 

Some Stats:
Favorite Foods: Sweet potato and butternut squash
Favorite Activities: Playing with his feet, grabbing everything, talking, baths, sitting (with the boppy)
Blake will be taking his first train ride when we visit Whitefish, MT later this week!

Civil War 2010

For the 114th time (the 7th longest rivalry in college football) the Beavers and the Ducks met at Reser Stadium to battle it out. There was a lot at stake; if the Ducks won they would be going to the National Title game and if the Beavers won they would become bowl eligible, and have the bragging rights of, let's just say, a lifetime. It was a big deal. Such a big deal that ESPN's College GameDay  came to OSU. Sadly the outcome was not one that Beaver fans were hoping for. Even though the Beavs didn't pull out the upset they sure did put up a good fight! And even though at the end of the day we were sad Beaver fans we had a blast until then! Here are some pictures from Civil War 2010!

 The filming of College Gameday. Filming started at 6:00AM!! And of course Russ was there. In fact he left the house around 2AM because the parking lots on campus opened at 3AM and he wanted to make sure we got our usual tailgating spot!

 Michelle and I showed up with the boys around 8:30am

 Sleepy Tristan all snuggly

 The crowed from the MU

 GO BEAVS!!!!!!

 College Gameday bus

 After filming my mom and Michelle and I stuck around. We really wanted to see Erin Andrews. We didn't think we would but....

 We did!!!! If you don't know who she is, she is a reporter for ESPN and was on Dancing with the Stars a couple seasons ago. All the guys were a little jealous of us haha! 

 Such a cute/tired Beaver

 Tailgating breakfast style again!

 Kendra and Whitney even joined us this time!

 And just like that the tailgating is over :(

 Quick pic of sisters!

 Anxious. Nervous. Excited. Beaver fans walking to the game!

 Ready to watch some football!!!

 My mom, Michelle the boys and I headed the Hammagren's to watch the game.

The group.

The season didn't go as well as we hoped. But I guess you win some and you lose some and there is always next year. So we'll see you again next season Beavs! 

GO Auburn!

Happy Birthday Tristan!

One year ago today I became an Aunt! Happy Birthday Tristan! I can't believe you are 1! I can't wait for your birthday party!

Thanksgiving

For Thanksgiving we headed to Medford. We had a fun weekend full of visiting family and friends! For Thanksgiving we had a nice quiet dinner with the Bartlett side of the family and then joined my parents and some of my family for dessert! 

Pam made a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner!

 Yummy turkey!

 Nothing says Happy Thanksgiving like OS napkins!

 Tummy time with Nana and Aunt Kacie

 Blake with cousin Ali

 Blake with cousin Kayla

Friday started out with some early morning shopping. Yes, I am one of the crazy people that get up before the sun to hit the sales. It has been a tradition for the last 7 or so years (I think) for my mom, friend Brie and Michelle (when she is in town). My cousin Ali has been joining us the last few years and Kayla even joined in on the craziness this year! It is the only day of the year when willingly wake up before 6:30. What I can't believe is how many of the stores are opening earlier and earlier! Soon the sales will be on Thursday! I did get some great deals; two new rugs for the bathroom at 60% off and GAP had everything in the store 50% off! Definitely worth the 3:45 wake up time! 

Bartlett family Christmas picture!

Saturday we watched the Beavers play a pathetic game against Stanford. At least Blake looks cute in his OSU onesie! 

It is hard for me to believe Thanksgiving has come and gone. I know I am going to blink and Christmas will be here! 

Yay Beavs!

Well those Beavers did it! They pulled out the win against USC!!! 37-7!! Sadly I opted out of this game. It was a late game and very cold and didn't want to have Blake out late (he has been sleeping 7ish-7ish these days!). So we (my mom and I) gave our tickets to my cousins. But I did catch the game on TV in a nice warm house! It was great! Hoping we play like that for the last two games!

Wow Beavs.

I find myself asking "What happened Beavers? Come on it was Washington State, WASHINGTON STATE!" For those of you who don't follow college football (or are not married to a man who lives, eats and breaths college football this time of year) let me fill you in. Saturday we played Washington State. Washington State has been the worst football team in the Pac-10 for quite a few years. So when this weekend's game rolled around we thought this should be an "easy win, well maybe not easy (considering the past few games) but we should win" haha. Washington State hasn't won a Pac-10 game since 2008, that is 2 years, 2 years! Well, as you can probably guess that losing streak, for WSU ended Saturday. Lets just say it was a very disappointing game for Beaver fans. I'm not sure what happened to the team, but to me Saturday's team was nothing like the team that played agains TCU or Boise State earlier this season. What happen to the guys that would go out on the field and play their heart out? We have 3 games left this season. All three will be extremely hard (that is if we play like we did against WSU).  The next three games are USC, #7 Stanford, and the Civil War. And we have to win 2 of those 3 to qualify for a bowl game. So honestly, this season could end pretty ugly. But, with all this said, this Beaver fan is not, may I repeat, IS NOT jumping ship (like a number of other Beaver fans I know, won't mention any names, but you know who you are).

Paul Buker a sports writer for The Oregonian put it nicely:

I do not see a program in crisis, just a lot of sad people who had such high hopes for 2010 and now must come to the reality that 2010 will be a huge disappointment unless a completely different OSU team shows up for USC and Stanford. And Oregon.

As the beat writer, I am already thinking about next season, and how entertaining it is going to be to watch Quizz and James - one of the greatest brother acts in college football history - finish their careers together. I am already thinking about what a pleasure it has been to cover them, and how much I will miss seeing them around the OSU campus.

But nobody's died here.

Did I say Thanksgiving, and Christmas, and New Year's are all ruined now, because this team isn't going to a bowl game?

Well, not for everybody, at least those who have some perspective.

And yes, I'm quite certain that all will be forgiven and no one will call 2010 an utter failure if the Beavers could win the Civil War game and blow Oregon's championship dreams to smithereens.

See, you're smiling, aren't you?

Hold that thought.


Yes, I was smiling. So, I will have high hopes for the rest of the season and will hold that thought. We took down #1 once before and I believe we can do it again. GO BEAVS!

Beating #1 USC 

September 25, 2008

Fall in our front yard

This Saturday we spent some time raking leaves only to wake up Sunday morning and it looked like we hadn't raked ANY the day before. And as you can see by the pictures below, there is still quite a bit of green in our yard so we are going to have A LOT of raking to do this fall. But I LOVE the fall colors! 

5 Months!

It's hard for me to believe that Blake is 5 months! I keep thinking to myself where has the time gone? It feels like it was just yesterday we were bring him home from the hospital. And now he is almost sitting and crawling and is rolling like crazy!

Some Blake Stats:
Milestones: He has started eating cereal! He seems to like it.
Favorite Activities: He loves playing in his Jumperoo (Thank you Jensen's!) He is rolling all over the place and sure moves his arms and legs like he wants to crawl!
Nicknames: Blakers, Big Guy
Tomorrow we visit the doctor, I am really curious to see what the little guy weighs!

Update: Blake weighs 13lbs 13.5oz is 24.5in long and in the 10th percentile for both weight and hight. We've got a little guy on our hands!

Happy #27 Russell!!

Saturday was Russell's Birthday (I am a few days late on this post but that seems to be the trend lately). It was a nice family day. We went to the pumpkin patch and then spent the rest of the day just relaxing. Happy Birthday honey! I love you! 

Just because

he's too cute not to share!

GO BEAVERS!!

4 Months!

I'm a few days late but better late then never! Blake turned 4 months on the 7th! It always amazes me how much he changes in just one month. He isn't a newborn anymore :(

Some stats:
Weight: 13ish lbs
Favorite Activities: He can roll! He has rolled from his tummy to his back quite a bit but is still trying to conquer going from his back to his tummy. He loves playing on his play mat. Tummy time. Blowing bubbles. Talking. Bath time. Holding and chewing on toys. Cheering for the Beavers!!!
His eye healed great!

OOOOO SSSSS UUUUU

This weekend we did a little tailgating

 And Blake went to his first Beaver game!

It was a nice sunny day for football

And the Beavers beat Arizona State!