Eleven years...can it be?

Saturday the 20th Mark and I celebrated our eleven year anniversary. Truly doesn't seem possible that eleven years has passed since we said our "I do's". We decided that time flies when you're having fun! We spent the day together, as Jace headed over to Grandma and Papa's on Saturday. We hit Goodwood (of course) for a nice dinner and had the best of intentions to go see a movie, but decided we didn't think we could stay awake that long. LOL! I guess with more years, comes old fogie syndrome!

It's hard to believe that summer is over. Not sure where it went, but the leaves are definitely changing and it's getting darker earlier each night. Jace saw the sled in the garage last night and wanted to get it out and go for a ride...Mark informed him we needed snow first! I'm sure it won't be long.....

In my last post I eluded to the fact that some things would be changing in the Bateman household. I have made the decision to go part-time and spend more time on "life" and less on "work". It was a difficult decision, but in the end one I know that I will not regret. This past week was my first part-time week, and was a bit of an adjustment. I am doing a job share with a great HP co-worker, and it will take a bit to get all the kinks worked out. I can already tell my biggest obstacle is going to be getting over the work guilt. I feel like I should be checking my email every hour and completing everything on my own. Old habits die hard I guess.

Along with the decision to go part-time, comes the even bigger decision to move back to Eastern Oregon. The opportunity to be closer to family, simplify and slow things down a bit is one we can't pass up. Lots of things have to fall into place before we head that direction. Please think positive thoughts for us, as this real estate market is a bit scary!

I haven't been taking many pics the last couple of weeks, but here are a couple that wrap up our summer. A couple of pool pics from the grandparents (water fights - of course!), swimming in our backyard in the froggy pool, and then a picture from a fun day at the Porter's with our friend Paige.

Busy Busy Summer

WOW! Where have the last two months gone? I was a bit embarassed to see that my last post was over 2 months ago. They say better late than never...but yikes! This summer has flown by, and I can't believe that we are almost to the end of July. It seems like we have had something going on almost every weekend, so I'll try to recap everything (let's see how good the memory is)....

We have been going to a lot of ropings this summer, watching Daddy and Papa heading and heeling. Here's a pic of Papa and Jace on Bugs, at the end of May.

With all of this roping in the family, Jace has decided that he must practice too. Here is a pic from the first weekend in June after we attended Josh Kroupa's graduation party (Congrats Josh!), where Jace is getting in a little practice time with Blaze.

After the practice session, Jace took some time to open a few birthday presents from the Kroupa's. Check out Mr. Jace Cool and his new t-ball set! Play ball!

The following weekend was spent in Vale with the Porter's at the annual Hillbilly Open. Ok, it's not really called that...but everyone had fun! Daddy, Papa, Kurt and Uncle Shawn took 3rd and Daddy won the longest drive (he must be eating his spinach). Jace and Paige had fun playing together. Here's a sandbox pic...

One of Jace's new favorite things is for Daddy to "rope me". Here's a pic of the of the new, live "Jacesteer" and a sweet pic after the practice was over :).

The following weekend we actually stayed home and were able to get some yardwork accomplished. Checkout the Bateman mowing crew! Of course, we had to get in another roping session. This time Jace figured out that Daddy could be the roping dummy!

This week it was time for the summer "do". Mom had been getting a lot of grief about the hair length, and with the weather warming up....she finally caved. Here is Jace on his birthday chair the morning of...and later that evening after the big reveal. LOL...no...it's not a mohawk...it's a fauxhawk!

The weekend before Daddy's birthday, we went back to Vale for the Billy Evins Memorial Roping. We discovered over the weekend that Papa loves to start water fights! Of course, Jace didn't mind either!

We ended the weekend with a lazy Sunday a.m. and an evening BBQ over at Bret, Kristi, and Weston's. Here is a pic I couldn't resist of Jace giving Maggie kisses through the screen door. The other is of Jace and Weston having a fun time in Weston's sprinkler pool. Jace had to show everyone (including Sage) how to get a drink!

Well, we've now made it to the first weekend in July. We were so excited as we headed to Oregon for our annual camping trip with the Dalton's, Joan & Ron, Donna & Don, and the Shaw's. We had missed out for the last two years, and this time we were going to camp white trash style in our horse trailer at Wallowa Lake. We camped in one of the most beautiful places, and had a wonderful time just hanging out with great friends. Jace played in the dirt, took wagon rides with Taylor, and rode his 4 wheeler over every inch of our camp site. The first pic is at the base of our campground (I told you it was beautiful!). The remaining are of our camping adventure, and Jace's and Taylor's inagural swim in Wallowa Lake.....brrrrrr!!!!

The 4th of July was a busy one. We headed over to Vale for the weekend for the rodeo, parade, Daddy's 20th High School Reunion, and a BBQ with the Hawley's. Daddy had a great time catching up with old friends. We really enjoyed our Sunday with the Hawley's and family, and don't forget...Gamma's homemade ice cream! Here are our few pics of our fun and busy weekend. By the way, if you ever need a tow...Jace is your man.

The following weekend was another fun family weekend as Grandad and Gramma flew in for the weekend. Grandad spent Saturday putting together Jace's playhouse with a few helpers. Jace absolutely loves his playhouse, and if we had a $1 for every time he walked in and out of the front door...we could retire. We're looking forward to what the imagination will bring. He already serves food out the window and wants you to come in and sit a spell (see pics). We went to dinner that night with all the Grandparents and then Sunday headed to Brogan for the annual Brogan Nutty Brunch. We opted out of the International Cowpie Toss, but I'm sure that will be on the slate when Jace gets older. Instead, we had a nice brunch (nut free for Mom and Jace :), drove the fire truck with Grandad, and walked away a lucky winner of a little four wheeler. Grandad and Gramma even won a John Deere bike which Jace had to test drive. It was great to spend the weekend with family, and get to see the extended Brogan family that we miss so much!

OK...so I think this qualifies as a short novel. I hope I haven't lost everyone along the way. I promise it won't be two months until the next update! Life will hopefully soon be slowing down a bit....more on that later! Until then, hope everyone is happy and healthy! We miss you!

Cowboy Couture

Well...this pic pretty much sums up our weekend. It didn't seem to matter to Jace that it was 90+ degrees....we had to have our cowboy hat and boots and our four-wheeler. If you look real close you will notice some lovely camo shorts accessorized with white socks and well-loved cowboy boots. I tried to explain to Jace that cowboy boots and shorts don't go together, but you can see who won that argument. Jace and I survived the week as Mark was in Idaho Falls all week for training. ( I should say Jace survived as I soon realized how much I rely on Mark to be the reliable parent...picking up and dropping Jace off from daycare.) We were both very glad to have him back home! Jace had his two year checkup on Wednesday. He is a whopping 30 lbs and 35 inches, and in the 70th percentile on both weight and height. He passed all his 2 year old major milestones with flying colors!

The Dr. gave us the "all clear' for Peanut Butter...so we had our first PB&J sandwich. Luckily Jace seemed to like it, as with his Mommy's wonderful cooking, it will soon be a staple in the Bateman house. Hopefully Daddy will wait awhile on showing Jace how to build the "triple-decker"! I guess I forgot to mention that Jace has moved into his big boy chair, and is now sitting at the table in his booster seat. He really is getting to be a big boy, changing each and every day...and I try to remind myself each day to treasure this...as it soon will be gone. (Cue music - Kenny Chesney, "Don't Blink" ;) ).



So, I want to finish this off by sharing a few of my favorite pics from this weekend. Mark and Jace gave me the greatest SLR camera for Christmas and I am having a blast taking pictures. The only hard thing is, I take so many...it is impossible to want to delete any...not that I'm biased or anything! I hope you enjoy them as much as I do...

P.S. That is one TOUGH cowboy hat!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACE!

Jace is 2!! Today we celebrated a wonderful birthday with family in Vale. Our birthday weekend started off with dinner with the Porters and Alonsos at Red Robin on Friday night. Grandad and Gramma came into town and spent the night Saturday, and we were all off to Gamma and Papas house for a birthday celebration today. Not to mention, we had some Mother's Day celebrating to do! It seems impossible that two years ago on Mother's Day we headed home from the hospital. We wanted to get a couple of quick pics to recap our day, which was all about fun, food, and family. It doesn't get any better than that! We'll keep this post short as we're all beat and ready for bed...but promise to get some more pics up soon!

Easter Bunny

Can it really be April? I'm just a tad bit behind these days. We've been battling yet another virus in the Bateman household this week, and had to take Jace back to the Dr. yesterday for about the 4th time in less than two months. We asked if we could get the "Gold Member" discount :). The good news is that Jace is on the mend. Hopefully the sunny weather we had today will send those germs packing for good. So, here are a few pics from our Easter weekend in Vale. We had a fun time Saturday at the Firemen's Annual Steak & Crab feed. We even
got to see Gary & Margie and visit for awhile. Jace had a great time at Gamma and Papas and fun at Grandma Clarice's looking for Easter Eggs in the annual Hawley Easter Egg Hunt (not to mention those Hawley Dollies are CUTE!). Gamma got him a car and a shovel for Easter, so we are constantly wanting to play with "my car" and "my shovel" at Gamma's. We're not spoiled ;)! It is branding season, so Jace and Mark will be headed back to Vale this weekend. Mark spent last weekend branding as well.....so he's in heaven. I think I have a hot date with Turbo Tax this weekend. Lucky me!