cleft lip repair

 Our handsome Preston boy

was scheduled for his cleft repair/rhinoplasty.

 Shriner's in Portland was the place we chose.

On the hill overlooking Portland

and the Willamette River

on this beautiful day in September.

 We arrived in PACU at 6 am.

Preston was re-checked and given a cute

little gown.

He was interested in the crib

and loved the "call" buttons!

 Off he goes into the operating room.

I snapped this picture,

just before the tears started (for me--not him)

All the Drs. & nurses kept commenting on

his happy disposition.

Even happily being carried by the Dr.

 The surgery lasted about 2 hours.

We were called down to recovery as he was waking.

 He calmed to the sound of our voices.

When I offered, he began to nurse.

We have spent the rest of the day snuggling & rocking,

keeping him comfy and calm.

We are so thankful for the many prayers and support.

birthday boy

5 years!

This was finally the year for a friend party.

All he wanted was a swim party,

with his cousins and his friends.

A very kind friend let us borrow their pool and yard for a Saturday afternoon.

Let the swimming begin!

Cousins, nana, papa, great grandparents,

aunts, uncles, parents.

 a school friend, a neighbor friend & a church friend,

all the crowd a boy could want.

Presents, cupcakes and sno cones

added to the excitement

Five is a looking good

beach review 2011

Names in the sand...

 BIG  boy cousins

 Being buried in the sand

 the BIG, BIG, boys play football on the beach

 Sam & Stella playing in the surf

 Beach GIRLS run in the waves

*********

FAMILY PHOTOS

 the original Andros kids & parents

 Nana, Papa & all eleven grand kids

 the WHOLE  clan--22 in all

the two oldest girls,

inseparable all week

growing up soooo fast

********

traditions were kept;

crabbing at Netarts

hot dogs & campfire on the beach

lots of running in the surf

delicious dinners

fish & chips

body boarding in wet suits

games & lots of candy

FHE by Nana

fantastic sunsets over the ocean
climbing the BIG sandhill
exploring the tidepools

shopping at the outlets

memories made

baby love

Preston  had his half birthday!

He marked this momentous occasion by:

getting his first tooth,

going out to dinner with the family,

swimming

and of course,

being  plain ole' cute!

He still has the sweetest disposition.

I tell everyone that holding Preston

should come with a warning label that reads

"warning, holding this baby will make you want

one of your own!"



kids work...

is never done

they asked me one day if they could eat lunch in the fort?

sure! why not?

soon, i look out to see--

a pulley system

&

two kids
hoisting their table up, up, up

to eat in their fort.

not exactly what i had envisioned,

but clever & creative.

all in a day's work

summer delights

 camping in the yard

and at Lewis & Clark

 flip-flops in all colors & sizes

Evelyn's 1st pair, she calls them "flippers"

 a ginormous hair cut for handsome Sam

 a friendly tick was found camped out on his scalp

hiding under all those curls

so

out came the clippers and buzzed those curls away...

Right after I buzzed his hair,

he looked in the mirror and said,

"I don't look so good without my curls,

but maybe a shower will make it look better."

another very favorite thing this summer has been

swimming. 

My kids have turned into fishies,

Stella declares she's part mermaid.

images of independence day

 Our flag flying, during the city parade.

quite possibly my favorite part...

reminding me how thankful I am for the

freedoms this Country provides,

and the brave people who continue

to work for our freedom.

 Preston enjoyed the sights & sounds of the event.

Stella & Sam ran around, trying to catch the flying candy.

All were impressed by the marching band going by,

the loud fire truck sirens,

horses,

& the John Deere tractors!

Miss Independence herself,

mostly enjoyed the parade perched on her daddy's shoulders.

After the parade,

we went out to a local blueberry farm.

We picked delicious berries from the bushes.

A great way to spend our morning.

After naps and dinner,

we ended the day

at the city fireworks show!

Preston celebrated 5 months

with his first parade & fireworks!

AND

by sleeping 6 hours at night!!

p.s.

He slept through the entire show!