Alex: Sleep-eating.

This one's for you, Papa.

Family Photo Time

Enjoy.

The Pierce Family Picnic- Year two

Earlier this month we had the second annual Pierce Family Picnic. I am sorry that I didn't get photos of everyone. But don't we look great? Especially Grandma Pierce, who we are so blessed to have. I just hope that I look that good at *nearly* 92!

Alex's First Haircut

Well, Alex finally had his first haircut in May. I think that I waited so long, because I didn't want him to lose those long, loopy baby curls. I was afraid that he'd look too old. I guess I wanted to keep my baby a baby.
Finally, after a bottle of de-tangler and many tears later, I cried uncle, and Alex got a haircut. We'll, really, he got them all cut.
Because he can talk, I'll add the dialogue for you.

"Wow, this isn't so bad. I like being in this high chair. Ohhh, a cape! Cool"


"Wait, What?? What is going on here? Nobody said anything about spraying water. What is she doing??"


"Oh, okay, this isn't so bad. Maybe I'll get one of those head massages. Can somebody please turn the TV to ESPN?"


"That's right, I look good. Curls are intact. Where's my lollipop?"


Oh, and Gabe got a haircut, too.

Swim Lessons, Take 3

Gabe first solo swim lessons. I can't tell you how wonderful, and hard it was not to be getting in the water with him. Trusting a teenager with your first born is crazy, right? But I am a pretty good swimmer, I figure if I kept my eye on him, I could get to him in time!
The truth is, although they make you start at 'Catfish 1,' Gabe was pretty much bored after the first lesson and kept wandering off looking for adventure (thank you Hawaii). And since he can float on his front and back, willingly dunks his head under water, we are ready for 'Catfish 2'!

Catching Up

I know that it's time to update the Blog when I get a text message from Papa.
So here is my attempt at catching you all up on a VERY busy 6 weeks. No only did we have Christmas, but we also had Gabe's 3rd birthday.
I really wish I could keep up with the blog and photos, but really, these days we're all lucky to have clean underwear!

What to do with a kid in a cast all summer?

When the weather is 90+ degrees and you have a kid in a cast, this is how you fill your day...
You watch a little Dora and Diego-

You teach him how to vacuum-

You do a little naked bed jumping (this was the least inappropriate pic)-

Let's re-set

Unfortunately, Gabriel's arm wasn't healing properly and had to be re-set Wednesday morning. Fortunately the procedure went smoothly, and he was only under anesthesia for a few minutes. Of course, upon waking up he was quite disappointed that his cast was not longer orange, but boring white. And I was disappointed that it was no longer waterproof. Oh well, only 4-5 more weeks to go. Yikes!

Gabe chilling, watching a little Dora on versed and demerol, probably a lot like Pink Floyd on 'shrooms to us (or so I'd imagine).

Good-bye orange cast, you stinky, old friend.

Rough Week

This last week was especially rough for us, as Gabe fell off the play structure at Grandma's Daycare and broke his arm last wednesday. For those of you who dig this sort of thing, here is what it looked like. Although, for me, the worst part was when they had to put him to sleep in the ER to set the arm in the splint. They said that he probably won't remember it, but we'll see. In any case, the splint was on for 5 days. Fortunately, a broken arm didn't slow Gabe down as he enjoyed Alice's birthday party on Saturday at the park, climbing on top of every play structure with one arm, and no fear. Here are Gabe and Alice taking a well deserved break.And of course a broken arm couldn't keep Gabe from enjoying the weather in his backyard this weekend. So, we finally got his cast on yesterday (Monday) and this is what happens when you let a 2 year old pick out their own cast color... That's right, highlighter orange. At least he can go hunting with uncle Steve now. The orange tip of the cast is pretty much all you can see in this picture.

Graduation Night

We are so proud of Chris, who, after 2 years of night and weekend classes has finished his Master's degree in Teaching from George Fox University. Now let's all pray that Oregon starts hiring teachers again!
Chris and Jen with Chris' parents

Chris and Alex (Psst, don't tell Gabe what he missed. I couldn't imagine a 2 year old sitting through a graduation ceremony, but apparently other people could, as there were kids everywhere!)

Chris and his buddy Adam

My sweet pedicure. (I had to throw this in, because I have never had flowers on my toes before!)

How to feed a Flores...

So Gabe loves to eat, and wakes up starving every morning. This is his average breakfast:
2 scrambled eggs
1 banana
1 piece of toast
1/2 cup cereal
Milk
Good thing he doesn't stop running!

Beloved Father and Grandfather

On Friday, September 19, 2008 my father lost his battle with pancreatic cancer at the very young age of 60. I will always cherish my memories with him, especially these last few years as he became a proud grandpa to Gabriel, always showing him off to anyone who would pay attention. He will be missed tremendously. We love you, dad.

Happy, happy news

Because every bad news should be followed by good news, I'd thought that I'd share that we are expecting baby #2. While we are fairly early (11 weeks), things are going swimmingly. In fact, this pregnancy is pretty much exactly like the last one, lotsa sleep, not much nausea. When we ask Gabe whether he wants a brother or a sister, he responds "sister" without fail. Although, I don't think that he knows what he's asking for, here's hoping for pink come March 1st!

Sad, sad news

Well, as life can do, it has dealt our family a devastating card last week. After several tests and biopsies, my father was diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer. He began chemo on Monday this week and will continue this course for the next 8 weeks. Please keep my family in your thoughts and prayers.