He's Here!

We welcomed Nicodemus Everett Rogers into the world on March 15, 2011. He was born at 7:10 pm and like the Nicodemus of the Bible, "he came at night". He weighed in at 8#1oz and was 20 inches long! He is a cutie pie! He has lots of black hair like his daddy.

We will call him Nico. (nee-co)

Cinda is liking the big sister gig AND she is learning about gentleness...

He was born within 3 hours and so he doesn't have that squishey newborn look!

He is just about perfect!

Kris, Cinda, Nico and Thomas! What a nice family!

Aunt Alena was there too!

We couldn't be more delighted with the whole thing!

A few more thoughts!

Hey, I am actually posting within a week! Good for me. I thought I would share before and after pictures of Brett and I from our diet. We finally got motivated enough - something to do with wanting to be around for our grandkids... Anyway, here you go!

Me, before...(ugh...)

Me, after...

Brett, before...

Brett after...

It is really hard to see how great Brett looks! Mostly because his clothes are all to big, but let me tell you...he's a looker!!

Yes, we are proud!

It's been a long time!

It has sure been a long time since I posted on the blog. I think that I am just going to start from scratch! I still live in a small town, but so much has changed since I first started blogging here! For starters, Brett and I visited the Jelly Belly Factory for Valentine's Day. Now most people go out for a nice dinner or something romantic, NO WAY! Not my man! We went on a train ride (wearing silly paper hats) around the Jelly Belly Factory! Of course, I did get free jelly beans! So it was worth it!

We are grandparents to the most beautiful girl in the world! AND soon to be grandparents to the most beautiful boy in the world. He hasn't yet made his arrival, but check for pictures later on!


There's the little bugger now!! Happily resting inside his mama's tummy! Yep, we are pretty excited! Brett said he can't wait for his new best friend to arrive! It has been pretty awesome having Kris close for this one. She was in Wyoming when Cinda was born. Brett didn't get to meet Cinda until she was 2+ months old! Pretty nifty to be around to see him the same day he is born! Come On, Baby...come on out!! ( I think Kris looks like she is carrying a basketball around under her shirt! I always looked like I had a round beanbag chair!)

I think I stopped posting here because of Facebook. I feel like I am redundant when I post pics on facebook, then again on the blog! I know some of you aren't on facebook, so maybe this is better.

AHH, the great blizzard of 2011! About 4 feet of snow drifted up against the back door. The only door we could get out was the side door, which is good, cause that is where the dog goes out to do her "duty". In Montana we had to pitch her off the deck to get her to go in the snow and not on the deck! Here, she just goes in her own little spot.

I will just leave you with a little picture of the sweetest thing in my life....

She loves the camera! And has to look at the digital screen in the back everytime you take a picture.

Have a great day!

Oregon High School Jazz Band

Oregon High School Jazz Band had their annual dance tonight! Not too many people danced but the music was great! Sam plays baritone and in a couple of songs, he plays the tuba! They play swing and jazz! A couple of my favorites "Birdland", "Shaft", and the "Pink Panther Theme". It was a great night of music!

Can you believe it! Sam had his first Jazz Band Solo tonight! I didn't think you could solo on the Baritone, but Sam proved everyone wrong! He did an AWESOME Job!!

We are so proud of the hard work he puts into his music! He will be playing with Kable band again this year during the summer when he is home. Pretty fun!

Galena

For my birthday, Brett and I took a weekend in Galena, Illinois. Galena is right on the border of Iowa, by Dubuque. We just relaxed and enjoyed the sights in this little tiny town, where Ulyssus Grant lived.Spring is beautiful in the Midwest!
Wonderful old homes...

Who can resist the Piggly Wiggly?

Trolley cars

And a large tower on the outskirts of town. You can't climb it anymore...

hmmm, wonder why?

Updates! Montana trip

Brett and I got to make a quick trip back to Montana in February. It was so great to see the mountains. When I took pictures back to show my friend, who has never left Illinois, she couldn't believe the size of the mountains!Beautiful!

Ah, yes, Belfry....Just a little weird...

And what would my blog be without one more picture of Cinda??

Finally, a catch-up on the Belleque's...part 1

Lets start with Christmas! That is going back a ways, but here are some fun pictures from our time in Wyoming! Cinda and her tuke...
Ed and Linda

Jasmin and Lindsay

Jasmin is coming to stay with us this summer!

All the crazies and their tukes...

A great picture of Nick and Alena!

California!

Brett and I had an opportunity to spend a week in California at a conference for AMF. It was a great time at a great place - Forrest Home. I loved the sunshine and the fresh oranges right off the tree for breakfast!! Randy Elliots truck! Gotta love it!
Dwight Jungkeit, with Randy's hat!

Ridge with Randy's hat...taking his life into his hands!

Beautiful California!

It snowed on us one day! What a gorgeous place!

Okay, so it has been a while since I posted...but here is one of the reasons why! With Cinda in the house, very little gets done! She is a huge distraction, cause she is just sooooo much fun!

Six months old and LOOOKIN' GOOD!

I don't believe that carrots are a favorite!

Could there be a happier Grandpa?? I think not!

Finally!

Here are the long awaited pictures of the newest addition to the Belleque clan! She is the most beautiful girl in the world! On October 19, 2009 Kris and Thomas added Cinda Ruth Rogers to the family! We are sooooo excited that it is a girl!

Great Grandma

Uncle Nick

Great Grandpa

The Rogers Family!

Isn't Cinda just the cutest?!

I love this picture. No one sleeps like a baby sleeps! She is just grand!

I promise not to be a gushing granny, but still....it is hard.

The sad thing is, Brett hasn't had the opportunity to hold her and meet her yet. He couldn't clear his schedule for a visit and since they live so far from us, I got to go, but he had to stay. I have a feeling at Christmas we will have to fight Grandpa for a chance to hold her!

So welcome, Baby Girl...no one could be more loved by your great grands, grands, aunts, uncles, aunties and cousins! Blessings on you!

The latest in family pictures!

We had all our kids visit this summer, but not at the same time! They missed each other by a day. So here are the latest in family pictures - we included Dan, too! Andrew, Nick, Alena, Dan and Sam! Great looking bunch. Andrew is getting better at posing for pictures!
There we are. About to leave for the airport!

My Girls!

Kris and Thomas - she looks tired...mostly because it was about 85 degrees and SOOOOOOO humid! The camera lens kept fogging over!

Baby on Board - about 7 months!

I can't wait to meet that little person!

Pella, Iowa

Welcome to Pella, Iowa home of Pella windows. And all things Dutch. It is a beautiful town in Iowa that we visited on our way back from Camp Winsome. It is very Dutch and full of windmills and tiles. It also has nice public restrooms...just so you know! Apparently, tulips are big around here!
The city is so beautiful. Lots of trees and flowers, places to rest and relax.

This is off of the main street. It is just gorgeous. I love the S-shaped benches.

Very peaceful.

Andrew and I enjoying the sunshine.

Pretty fountain....

in a beautiful park.

Every town has a cannon.

But NOT a huge windmill.

Tile murals

Dan and Kris at the Dairy Queen!

Returning from shopping!

Playing around in the antique store!

Pella is a really nice town. It is so clean! If you get a chance, go see it!