New Camera

I got a new camera for my birthday, a Canon G11 and I love it so far! But have only had it for a day. So hear are the first photos I took with it, of Calla of course!

Calla is doing great and seem to get busier and busier every day. She loves to be outside, it is the second thing she asked for every day. The first of course being breakfast. She loves to just roam around our new big backyard and chase Aspen or play tag/chase with mom and dad. So here are some photos of Calla playing in the yard.

Calla exploring the yard.

Calla and Aspen hanging out. Playing with some of the cool camera options.

Picking flowers!

Calla, Daddy, and Aspen playing "gonna getcha ya"

Calla looking for Duckies in the seasonal pond next to our house.

We do get some yard work out of her, though not very much.

What daddy?

CHEEZE! She loves to make this face!

Nana Lynda

We had a great visit from Nana Lynda last week or maybe the week before, they all blend together sometimes. Anyway, we (especially Calla) had a great time hanging out and playing with Nana. We did not leave the house much during her visit because Calla was getting over a cold and Mom and Dad's colds were just starting. So we had several days when we were all home with Nana and Calla playing (yeah), while mom and dad were napping!

Family Hug!


Cheers everyone! Calla is hiding behind her water bottle.

Calla loves to ride on shoulders now. What could be better than having your own personnel horse! Faster Daddy, Faster!

Check out what I made Nana.

Do not ask me what those two are doing? But it looks like they are having fun! I think Nana wants to go back to Kindergarten, she had way to much fun playing with Calla.

Yeah!

Calla loves her bath time and her duckies!

Grandma and Grandpa come for a visit

Grandma and Grandpa Rickly came for a visit and Scott and I took the opportunity for a quick one night get-a-way. We headed to Cannon Beach (where we got married six years ago in July) and stayed for one night at the Ocean Lodge (www.theoceanlodge.com). Sunday was a beautiful sunny day on the coast and we walked the beach and Cannon Beach for about 2 hours. That night we had a wonderful dinner at the Bistro, watched a movie together and then slept until almost 9am Monday morning. It was great. We had a slow drive back on Monday and stopped and had lunch at Otis Cafe. It was great to have some quite time together as we prepare for number two.

View from our room.

Sunset at Haystack Rock.

Relaxing during our walk on the beach.

What's wrong with this picture, there is no Calla!

Grandma and Grandpa have been having lots and lots of fun with Calla. They have been taking walks, making music, and sharing lots and lots of memories. Oh, by the way they have also been very busy doing home improvement projects for us. Rex installed new lighting in living room and a fan in our bedroom. My mom decorated Calla's bedroom and painted some of our kitchen. Pictures of the home improvement projects coming soon.

Calla and Grandma making music.
Calla putting the puzzel together. She loves to put things together, whether it is the clips on her high chair, a puzzel, or stacking blocks, she is always busy.

Calla also loves to climb and Grandpa was helping her explore some steps at the park.

Calla loves to put anyone or anything "nigh nigh" She will either put her head down on a blanket or pillow or cover up a doll or even Aspen with a blanket and then say "nigh nigh". It is very cute.

Grandma and Grandpa bought Calla a new dresser and night stand for Christmas. Calla was a good helper and Grandpa put it all together.

Hiking

It was a beautiful day on Saturday, so we said yard and house work be damed, we are going hiking. So we set off for Silver Falls State Park. We went on a great 5 mile hike through a gorgeous old forest and saw a couple of amazing waterfalls. On camera battery died before we got to the waterfall, so you will have to use your imagination or follow the link in the last sentence. Calla had a great time riding on mom or dad's back and also chasing Aspen down the trail, see photos below!
We have also recently found some new energy lately, since we have now conviced Calla through dedicated training and brainwashing, to sleep into 7 o'clock! She actually has managed a few mornings to sleep into 7:30. This is a big improvement from 5:45 - 6:00 she was doing since we moved into the new house.
Now we get to get the house ready for our first house guests. Grandma Cindy and Grandpa Rex are coming to visit on Friday. Calla can not wait to get spoiled!

Run Calla!

Go get that doggie of yours!

CHEEZZZZEEEE!

Dad and Calla resting after a long day!

Christmas Pictures

Scott, Calla, and I had a wonderful trip to Ohio for Christmas. It was filled with lots and lots of family, great food, and lots of good times. Scott and I really enjoyed having grandma and grandpa around to play with Calla. Scott and I watched an afternoon movie, went on a date, and got some good R&R.

Calla and all her cousins. When baby Shaff #2 arrives in July my parents will have an even 12 grandchildren. I think we have all decided that is a very good number.

Calla loves her grandma. Grandma put her to bed everynight and they read lots and lots of books. We can't wait for them to see the new house in just a few weeks.
Calla has also begun to really enjoy looking at pictures of her self.

Calla and her cousin Jordan.

Calla and Uncle Tom taking a break from opening gifts.

Time to relax with a good story in grandpa's lap!

Grandpa teach me about building things. My parents are the nature types. Calla got to experience her first snow while we were in Ohio. We took her sleding and she loved it.

Calla loved imitating her cousin Abbey. She spent the whole day we were flying home saying Abbey's name over and over again.
Grandma got Calla a cell phone for Christmas. She looked right at home by the end of the day.

Before we left for Christmas in Ohio we opened presents in Oregon. Calla's Uncle Steve sent her a Dora the Explorer fort. She loves playing in it. Thanks Uncle Steve, you are the best!!

Calla likes to play with teh remote, lots of cool buttons. SHe has only managed to turn on the TV a few times.

Calla also got a Rodie from Grandma and Grandpa Shaff. She loves her horsie and makes yum yum for it.

All Moved In (kinda)

What a week we have had. Last Wednesday several wonderful friends (Troy, Andrew, and Jay) helped us unload the moving van and start a new adventure in our lives. We spent the rest of Wednesday cleaning and setting up Calla's room and the rest of the week and weekend tackling the rest of the boxes. It feels very over whelming at this point, but we will get it all done. The house is wonderful and we love having all the space. Calla has been exploring all the rooms and extra spaces and we think she approves. Aspen loves the big backyard and has been chasing the Starlings. Enjoy some of our pictures from our first weekend in the house. You will notice there are no outdoor pictures since it has been in the low 30's and high 20's recently. Very cold for us Oregonians.

Calla and Dad enjoying a moment at the kitchen table. Calla has lots to say now and we can even understand her half of the time.
Look at this empty space, Mom, what are you going to put here?

I have a great idea!

It can be a tunnel I can crawl through!

That was fun and the perfect size!

My best friend Leslie and her son Devin came down from Olympia to help us get settled. It was great the kids has lots of fun playing and it was nice to have an extra set of hands. We also made cut out cookies. Calla loved playing with the dough and got it all over herself.

Devin loved being the older kid and had fun pushing Calla around in one of the MANY boxes we now have in the house.

Calla loves big kids and wanted to do everything Devin was doing. Thanks for being a GREAT friend Devin!