Introducing Alba!

We're happy to announce that our sweet little Alba Marie was born on 18 February, weighing 8 lbs, 2 oz, and measuring 20" in length.  Here is one happy dad...

 Looking a bit rough after being born, but who can blame her --it's a difficult journey!

 Here is our first attempt at a picture of Dame with the kids who were meeting their little sis for the first time.  Noel was just over the moon.

 But he calmed down enough to not block the baby for the second try.  :)

 Emma, to my delight, is also excited to have a baby in the family.

 She didn't want anyone to help her hold Alba.  And I still have to keep a close eye on her and "her baby" since she's a little too eager to help at times.

 Maddie was happy too, you'll just have to take my word for it.  I know this pic suggests otherwise.  Ha.  :)

 Time has passed and Noel is still grinning from ear to ear...

 ...still smiling...

 ...still smiling...  ;)

 Newborn Alba.

 Here she's 3 days old with Grandpa.

 I'm surprised she fell asleep without being swaddled.

 Here I am bathing her for the first time.  She screamed the whole time.

 She still doesn't enjoy baths.  Oh well.

 A clean baby!  And hungry baby.  Always hungry... ha.

Anyway, I know that's a lot of pictures for one post.  We're just so pleased to have her.  I would write more, but as you can probably tell by all my short, choppy sentences I'm really tired.  Go figure, eh?  :)

Barefoot and pregnant in.... a bog. ;)

Here are pictures my friend took (Morning Bells Photography) a couple weeks ago of me, Dame, and baby #4, due to arrive on the 16th.  I love these pictures and am so happy to have them -thank you Michelle!  :)  It's hard for me to pic a favorite, but Noel says the best one is the one he snuck into.  Yep, Noel, we didn't even know you were there.  ;)

New Years Day @ Multnomah Falls

It seems to be that we're starting a bit of a tradition... for the past 3 (or 4?) years we've made the short journey out to Multnomah Falls on New Years day.  :)  This year it wasn't frozen, but it was still beautiful to see.  It was very windy, though, so we didn't linger too long.  Poor Emma could hardly walk down by the parking lot where the winds were strongest.  It's fun to compare pictures from these visits each year and see the kids grow (and multiply).  Of course, Damian and I look the same since we don't age at all...  Ha.  ;)

More Christmas pics...

Here are some more pictures from the girl's visit.  We all went to ZooLights one night.  I was surprised with how beautiful and well done it was.  I haven't been there in years, and they've really done a great job.  The whole zoo is lit up, even the train.  So we took a ride and enjoyed the lights.

 Maddie is still shy with all life sized, moving stuffed animals.  Emma doesn't look too sure either.

 Our train pulling in.

Emma didn't want to leave.  She loved all the lights.  But it got cold fast, so we called it a night.  Until next year...   :)

Sledding on Mt. Hood

The girls are here!!  They've been here for almost a week now, and time is going by fast.  Apparently that happens when you're having fun.  ;)

Here are some pictures from our trip up to Mt. Hood yesterday.  We had a blast sledding and playing in the snow, even if there wasn't much snow to play in.  (We've been having strangely clear skies lately, and I love it.)  ;)  Anyway, we're making the most of our time together as a whole family before the girls head back to North Carolina on Monday.

Here are the kids listening to Justin Bieber on Shel's iPod.  Now Maddie claims to be "in love."

 Noel came down with the flu on Monday, but he was feeling well enough to come up for the ride and eat some Doritoes.  It's great to see him smiling after a rough few days.

 Emma is a fan of Doritoes too.  And she has just enough of her face poking out from all the layers to pop some in her mouth.  Ha.

 Our beautiful Mt. Hood.

 Where's Emma??

 There she is!  :)

 Here's our lovely Shelby.

 And Damian with all the kids.

 Maddie put Shelby to work, pulling her around.  :)

 Here's our lovely Raylee.

 Emma had a blast being spun around in circles in the tubes.  She's crazy like that.

 That's Raylee starting down the hill, on her tummy, with Mad in front.

 Here is a rare picture of me!... and Damian and Ems.  ;)

 Me and my love.

 Sisters!!

 Shelby took this picture of us, heading back down to the car.  I'm glad there wasn't as much snow, otherwise I'd be sliding down this hill, hurting myself, instead of walking nicely.  :)

 And here's one last group shot before heading home.  We were only up there for 3 hours, but everyone was exhausted!