New Name, Fresher Look

Hey there! So I have changed things up a bit! I felt like it was time for an update.

The new name: Life on Oak St.
When I started this blog I didn't really spend time thinking about a name for it.  It was just easy to use our names as the title. But over time I felt like it needed a name of it's own. I  have spent a lot of time thinking about a name. I wanted to come up with something different but also something that had meaning.  I finally came up with the name Life on Oak St. I decided on this name for a couple reasons, mainly because we live on Oak St. but also because we have lived in several places that Oak is in the name. The first apartment we lived in was named Oakvale and our second apartment was named Oakmont. Oak just seems to follow us, so I felt it was appropriate title for our blog. I am going to keep the url the same simply because it is easy to remember and tell people.

I started this blog with the intent for faraway friends and family to keep update with the happenings in our life and to be able to watch Blake grow. Just because the named changed doesn't mean what I write about will. I will continue to write about our life but hope to start adding some DIY projects and recipe posts!

I hope you enjoy reading about our little life on Oak St. as much as I enjoy writing about it!

Snow Day!

We woke up to this...

this morning!

We don't get snow here often and they (the weather people) were calling for snow, but I didn't believe them because it always seems that when they hype it up it doesn't happen and when they don't hype it up it does. So since there was all this hype that it was going to snow I figured it wouldn't, but it did! 

First we had fun watching it...

Then we had fun playing in it!

 He even tried to crawl in it!

 Raven had fun in the snow too.

 I love how fresh fallen snow makes every look so bright and beautiful!

The snow was pretty much gone by noon, but it was fun while it lasted!

Lint rollers are handy.

This is Raven. She is our 95lbs+ chunk of love. We love her. She is a great dog. Very mellow, and easy going. The only problem is she leaves her black hair everywhere (yes, she is in the house when we are home, unless Blake is bugging her then she goes out). No matter how much I sweep/vacuum her hair seems to always be there. 

And since Blake has been army crawling all over the place this has been coming in handy

 He often thinks its funny and wants to help

 but then he is done with it and ready to play again.

You might notice the font/color has changed... I'm still playing around with things but don't be surprised if the look/name completely changes :)

8 months!

How has this happened, 8 months already?! It still feels like just yesterday I was in the hospital giving birth to him. But then at the same time it feels like he has been apart of my life forever and couldn't imagine life without him and can't really remember what life was like before him. I am beginning to think I am always going to have a hard time believing he is another month older. Time just goes by too fast.


Blake stats:
Weight:  15lbs 15.5oz (He gained 2lbs in two months!)
Length: 26.5in (He grew 2.5 inches in two months!)
He is in the 5th percentile for height and weight.

Favorite Activities:
Army crawling EVERYWHERE! If I sit him on the floor it takes him about 2.3 seconds to get to his tummy and then he is off! Reading books/taking them of the bookshelf, going for walks, grocery shopping with mommy, play group and peek-a-boo.

Things he is learning: Clapping, waving, feeding himself, using a sippy-cup.

He is such a happy easy going baby! We are so blessed and LOVE him so much!

The weekend (a few days late)

Last weekend the weather was beautiful here! 

It did not feel like January. 

It was crazy how warm and mostly sunny it was.

Such a nice break from the rain! 

Pam (Russell's mom) came up from Medford to spend the weekend with us. And on Saturday Kacie (Russell's sister) came down from Portland to visit too! 

We spent the beautiful Saturday afternoon in Corvallis. We started by having lunch at American Dream Pizza (our favorite!) 

Then did some shopping at the OSU bookstore and went for a walk around campus while Blake napped in the stroller.

Here are some pictures to prove how nice the weather was...

Blake taking a little snooze 

Weatherford Hall built in 1928

Goss Stadium (can you see the bluish sky?!)

The Rhododendrons were a little confused, it's only January!

The MU 

I love this campus! It's so beautiful no matter what time of year!

Milam Hall 

(I spent lots of time in this building during my college career)

Newspaper stand

I wonder how much these fancy recycling bins cost the university.

Our little family.

It was such a beautiful day for a stroll!

Pam, Russ, Kacie and Blake

He had to try out his new army crawling skills on the nice clean ground. Haha.

I love those blue eyes.

It was a great relaxing weekend!

A Baby Shower

A couple Saturdays ago I had the honor to throw one of my closest friends a baby shower. Becca is expecting her first, a baby boy at the end of March! I am so excited for her and Blake is excited to have another little friend!

I had so much fun planning and preparing for the shower! Here are some pictures...

"Welcome Baby" sign I made by cutting out scrapbooking paper!

Gift table

This was so much fun to make! And especially shop for! 

This was the first diaper cake I have made and it actually wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. Although it's definitely a 2-3 person job (I had the help of 2 other girls). It was fun to fill it with onesies, washcloths, socks, pacifiers, toys and lots of other baby "must haves"!

We had everyone write a note of love, blessing or piece of advice for 

Erik and Becca and their new baby boy. 

 Some of the ladies... the two girls on the end are pregnant too! Yay for babies!

 Opening presents!

 Ashely, me, Becca, Anna, Jaclyn and Noele

Me with the mama-to-be!

I can't wait to meet your little boy! Love you Becca!