Our Humble Addition:

Mom and Dad have been asking me for some time to post some photos of our addition. So here are some basic facts:

What's included:
650 sf playroom
120 sf anteroom
120 sf deck
300 sf covered porch

We started work on this beginning of June. I have spent almost ALL of my spare time on it. The only thing I've sub-contracted out is some framing help and the roof. I'll also sub contract the drywall. I'm doing all the rest myself. Jess and his borther, Dennis, are the other two main helpers on this project. Without them, Marnie and I would've quit long ago. Thank you Jess and Dennis!

As you can tell, we're trying to chang the look of our home 70' funk home. Eventually, I hope it all will look more Northwestern Craftsman. I've got a lot of work to do to get it to that point! But, it is a labor of love. Here are the photos:

View from Northeast


View from North


View from Northwest


View from West


View from Southwest


The kids are very anxious to have their playroom opened soon. Marnie and I can't wait, too!

Lydia + Papa



I just couldn't resist adding this photo, too. Papa had worked hard on our addition that day and little Lydia just needed someone to snuggle with. Definitely a top ten photo for the summer!

It has been 4 months since I last updated our blog. So Sorry for the wait! So, with this latest update are a few photos from the summer.

Emma making Lydia smile:


Lydia and Emma are best buds. In the morning when Lydia wakes up, Emma will pull her rocker over Lydia's crib and tell her stories, sing songs, and do whatever her imaginative little mind thinks up. This is a big help to Marnie in the morning. And Emma can just about have Lydia smiling at any time.

Lydia had a wonderful blessing in September. Here is most of the gang for that event:


All the kids have been riding around on their skateboards this summer. Too bad uncle RP isn't in town to show how a pro rides! Emma and Braxton just look cute riding on their bellies. Ethan, however, is very coordinated and tries to do a few tricks now. Ethan wants us to build him a ramp some dy. Maybe if I just had more spare time...







Cool little skater family!

Of course, the kids would not be happy if I did not throw in a few photos of Sun River. This year was fun as the kids are getting older and it is easier to get out doing things. We went on a lot of great bikes rides, spent lots of time in the pool and Hot tub, and had some awesome Family Reunion activities. To teach the kids to work together to achieve righteous goals, the kids had to brainstorm ways they could use a rope, harness, and two trees to get to the temple and a mission. Ethan came up with the idea to use the rope to climb to get from one side to the other. Ethan's cousin, Caden, thought of how we could use the harness. The kids had a blast figuring it out.



Here were are taking a break from biking along the river path @ Sun River...



Lastly, here is a shot on the beach from our Father & Son outing. Our destination was a large set of tide pools with lots of cool urchins, starfish, and other fishy creatures. Ethan and Caden were great sports. It was a great trip.



Next blog I'll try to throw in some photos of our little addition. This addition had been consuming most of my time. Marnie tends to the kids while I work. Fortunately, I have Jess to help me, too.

LYDIA ADELE EDDINGTON IS HERE!



This is Lydia just a few minutes after she was born. I had just given her a tub and put on her nighty.

About 1 pm on Thursday Marnie's contractions became pretty consistent @ 15-20 minutes apart. She called me at work around 3:15 saying 'it's time to go!' I rushed home, called Meg on the way, picked her up, and drove us to the hospital. Our munchkins stayed home with Nana-Mo and GrandDad.

When we got the Birth Center @ Willamette Falls Hospital, Marnie's contractions had slowed down. The head nurse suggested we go home. Marnie said no way! Given Marnie's track record, we figured she would deliver that evening. So, we walked the hospital for an hour. When she got checked again, our doctor had arrived and said to check her in.

Having done the 'natural' childbirth thing 2 times and loved the epidural with Braxton, Marnie asked for one right away. The Anesthetist thought it was too early. We did not care for his advice nor the way he placed the epidural - Marnie had her legs twitching around as he brushed past the nerves! I nearly fainted! I felt okay knowing the blessing I gave Marnie stated that all would be well.

At about 8:15, our Dr. broke Marnie's water and left the room. As Marnie was laying on her side, the monitor showed she was having regular contractions, but not as high in amplitude as before. I told Marnie that perhaps Lydia would throw us for a curve and come in the morning. It was then that Marnie said the last contractions had felt really different. I convinced her to wait a few minutes. We then called in the nurse and Marnie had dilated to a 10! It had only been an hour since getting the epidural! With just two pushes, Lydia was born into the world. She was very purple when she first came out as the cord was wrapped around her neck (thank goodness she came fast!)

Lydia was born at 8:54 pm, weighed 7 lbs 1/2 ounce, and was 19-1/2" inches long. We think she is beautiful! We're so grateful to have her in our family. We can't imagine our life without her already.



ETHAN & LYDIA



EMMA & LYDIA Emma loves her new sis!



BRAXTON & EMMA & LYDIA (Braxton really squishes her more rather than hugs her!)



ETHAN & EMMA love the bed's remote control!



MOMMY & LYDIA - Doesn't Marnie look great!



LYDIA - Just before coming home. We love the bow!

THE COUSINS @ HORSETAIL FALLS



It's only been over a month since the Manwarings came to visit us. Only now am I finally getting the images onto our blog! I'm not quite as cyber-hip as I'd like to think I am. Sorry for taking so long to post these images!





BUPPERS CLOBBERING CALLA



We had such a blast with the Manwarings! We're so glad they came! Emma picked up the house THREE TIMES the day they arrived. She was so anxious to have her cousins come. Braxton instantly bonded with Calla. Poor Calla was practically hugged to death multiple times by Buppers.

The weather did not fuly cooperate with us while the Manwarings were here. We had a fun time instead going to OMSI an riding horses in the arena. Both Calla and Crew got on! They were great sports. As you can see in the photos, we were glad to have the arena to stay dry.




RENY, CALLA & CREW with BELLE

Jex and I were glad for the arena for another reason. We were able to sneak out for a few hours before they left to pick up a brand new RC car! I'd been waiting for Jex to come up here to help set me up. Check out my hot new car!













ME and BUPS with my RC CAR

We're so glad Jex, Reny, Crew and Calla came. Thanks for making the trip us here you guys! We love you!

A DAY IN THE GORGE:

On Friday, we took a trip up into the Columbia River Gorge. Jeff and Laura will recall we took them to see the Multnomah Falls when they were here two years ago. This time we chose to see Horse Tail Falls. The hike to the falls involved a climbing a switch back trail up the side of the gorge. It is a narrow trail and one you shouldn't goof off on. Braxton rode the entire way up in the jogger. Ethan and Emma were real troopers and loved the hike.


ETHAN OVERLOOKING THE GORGE


HORSETAIL FALLS


WE MADE IT!

OUCH!


BEFORE

Braxton has managed to get himself hurt again. While waiting in the car at the end of our driveway for Ethan's school bus to arrive, Braxton managed to trip and fall face-first into the dashboard of our minivan. The images below show aftermath of that collision.


AFTER

As you can see he managed to jam his left front tooth back in his gums. We've been assured by dentist and orthodontists alike that Buppers will be just fine once his permanent teeth come in. In the meantime, he will be our little pirate!