Meiners Moments

Oregon Coast Cousin Retreat

2010-06-24T17:24:00.000-07:00

As part of our 3 week Oregon trip the boys and I spent 3 nights at my sisters Beach House with some of their cousins...22 in all (to 7 of us adults!). I must say it was a lot of work for me and my sisters but totally worth it when we'd see our children enjoying each other. So much fun!

Above is half the group, the younger ones enjoying some time at the beach.

Ryan with Emma and Claire.

Ryan running from the waves!

Josh and Kate cleaning off all the sand!

Claire got the "dirtiest" award for sure!

Looks cold but it was actually about 80 and humid.

Emma, Ryan and Claire posin' it up again!

Steph with her "Mini-Me." Kate is Mindy's daughter but looks just like Stephanie did

when she was little.

Ethan and Evelyn in front of the beach house.

Timmerman Family Reunion

2010-06-24T09:29:00.000-07:00

This year my boys and I were able to attend our Timmerman family Reunion. It was at Grandma's home (my mom's mom) on the Oregon Coast. We were so fortunate to get a lovely day!

Uncle Conrad and Greg roasted this pig and it was YUMMY! (I can't figure out how to get this underline to go away..oh well).

Liz made up these score cards for the kiddos to keep track of the different events they participated in.

Here's Ethan doing the Ring Toss.

Ethan and my hilarious cousin Zach offering tribute to our heritage.

Liz made these for an activity with her YW but it came handy for the little ones!

My cousin Chloe's girl Lili.

Aunt Lindsey looking ready to pinch some buckets. Josh and Kate had been playing in Grandma's pool...more like a dirty pond.

My cousin Alexis' son Carter. Best picture of the day!

My amazing Grandma Timmerman in her sun room. She is one tough cookie. I hope to be just like her some day!

Trophy

2010-06-23T12:17:00.000-07:00

Some kids love sports trophies and some go for...well....syringe trophies! Ryan has filled his first container of used syringes for his diabetes. It's actually his second but the first container that he wants to keep. Hey, whatever keeps him motivated right? It might be a bit creepy a year from now having a shelf full of these but, what the heck. He's a champ in my book!

Ryan's New Life

2010-04-20T14:03:00.000-07:00

About a month ago our 5 year old son Ryan was diagnosed with Type I Diabetes. Needless to say this has been quite the adjustment for us all but especially for Ryan. It was really kind of crazy how we discovered the disease. A couple months ago I started noticing "sticky pee" around the toilet and at first we kept blaming the dog. At one point I remembered my pediatrician telling me that if you ever need an SOS pad to clean around the toilet because the pee is so sticky, someone has diabetes. At the time I remember thinking, "Why in the world is he telling me this? We are healthy eaters and are active (all misconceptions about type I diabetes). I told Jeff my discovery and he told me to watch Ryan and see how often he was drinking and peeing. In an hours time he had used the restroom over 7 times and kept getting drinks. I called a friend who has a glucometer and that night we took his blood sugar. He was at 517. Normal is between 80-120. We let him sleep that night and then took him to the ER the next morning.

He was immediatly admitted to the hospital and sure enough the diagnosis was correct, Type I Diabetes. For whatever reason his body began attacking his beta cells in his pancreas killing most of them off. Because of this his body will never produce insulin again.

The picture above is such a great representation of his attitude. He has to check his blood sugar between 8-10 times a day (by "finger pokes," thus the bandaids) and get 4 shots of insulin, one with each meal and one at night. This is becoming our new normal. I love this kid. He's always been such a sweet and sensitive child and now I am learning a very brave child as well.

Sisters Retreat!

2010-02-23T13:43:00.001-08:00

Well, it was more like a Vrtiska Retreat since our parents came. It was kind of weird to have all of us together with no kids (except Debora's Taedon)! I can't remember the last time that happened. When we finally met up in Cannon Beach it was one LOUD reunion. People were stopping in the street to stare. We kept bumping into this same couple and they finally asked us if we were on America's Got Talent! Uhhhh...no! I've come to realize that you just can't replace your sisters. You gals rock!

We are in order here....Michele on the far right, Erica, Debora, me, Lindsey,

Mindy, Stephanie and Monica on the far left.

Cannon Beach

Sweet mom and dad. I was so glad they came!

Dad with some of his girls.

Michele. Mindy. Lindsey.

My techy older sisters! They have teenagers...can you tell?

Me. Monica. Mindy. Stephanie.

My lil' sis.

Darling Taedon.

Here we are at Haystack Rock. This is the rock you see on Goonies.

Thanks for the memories! Love and miss you all already.

Meet Oakley!

2010-01-08T09:35:00.000-08:00

For Christmas this year we surprised ( I mean really surprised!) our boys. Jeff picked up the dog from the breeder Christmas Eve when the boys were asleep. Oakley slept in our bedroom that first night so the kids wouldn't hear him. In the morning Jeff went down by the Christmas tree first and then the boys came down. Once they hit the stairs and looked over the railing the look on their faces was priceless. Ethan said, "Did we REALLY get a dog?" Like it was a stuffed animal or something. Too cute. Oakley is a German Wire-haired Pointer (a bird dog).

FALL Family Pictures

2009-10-11T11:11:00.001-07:00

It is that time of year again. The beautiful fall colors are out which means it's picture time! We LOVE, LOVE our photographer! http://studiotphoto.blogspot.com/

Ethan. Ryan. Joshua.

2009-09-13T13:43:00.001-07:00

I can't believe all our boys are in school! Ethan is now in First grade and loves it! He comes home everyday saying how glad he is to be in the first grade. Ryan is in Kindergarten and LOVES filling in his dot sheets because then he gets a "treasure chest." Joshua is in the same pre-school that Ethan and Ryan attended when they were 3 and 4 years old. He totally knows the ropes and couldn't get there fast enough (see video)!

Crested Butte

2009-09-13T13:15:00.000-07:00

My husband and I took a trip to Crested Butte without kids. We had been here before but with the kids. This time we got to bike the world famous 401 trail and hike from Crested Butte to the pass where you can look into Aspen. We had so much fun and can't wait to take another trip like this soon!

Steamboat Springs, CO

2009-09-13T13:08:00.000-07:00

This year for our Meiners Family Reunion we all met in Steamboat Springs. We rented a house in the mountains near the town. We had a blast swimming, hiking, playing in the park, shopping, and celebrating Robyn and Dan's upcoming arrival...a baby boy (surprise, surprise)!

Telluride, CO

2009-09-13T12:50:00.000-07:00

Joshua's 3rd Birthday!!

2009-08-08T17:22:00.001-07:00

No offense to anybody but the only person Josh wanted at his birthday was his friend JANE. These two have definitely got a love story in the making!

{My Little Sisters Wedding

2009-05-31T22:06:00.001-07:00

On May 30th our baby sister, Monica (in blue) got married! The last of the Vrtiska girls...and there are eight of us! Crazy, crazy. We are all so happy and so very proud of our little sister and all of her accomplishments. And a BIG shout out to our MOTHER who has been the party planner, caterer, decorater and seamstress for all of our weddings! We love you!

Enjoying her last single night out in downtown Portland, Oregon.

Jeff had to work so it was me and my little man, Ryan. It was so nice having one on one with my son (Jeff's sister Robynn came and watched my other boys...thanks Roby!!).

The Groom...Daniel Steele Long.

Blowing the single life away.

Lovin' on the new brother-in-law!

The Vrtiska's (minus my hubby and my other 2 boys).

We love you Monica and Daniel!

Congratulations and I hope you're having a ball on

the honeymoon!

MOAB, UTAH

2009-05-27T06:26:00.000-07:00

For Memorial weekend we met up with Jeff's brothers and their families in Arches. The boys had a ball with their cousins and we left feeling sad we don't live closer to family. It was a great trip!

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS

2009-05-27T06:00:00.000-07:00

This month Jeff had a conference in Boston and for Mother's Day he flew me out there to be with him! I couldn't have done it without the slew of friends that helped me with my kiddos! Thanks Tagan, Julie, Meghan, Tina and Lynn!! You guys rock!

The first day I arrived I think we must've walked at least 10 miles...and I did it in flip flops! Jeff warned me, but did I listen? There was so much to see. We tried to stay on the Freedom Trail to be sure and see all the historic sites, but every shop, every restaurant called my name.

One of hundreds of churches. There was a church on every street corner. Very beautiful, old churches.

This was our hotel, The Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel. It was right in the heart of downtown.

We managed to get tickets for the Broadway play Spring Awakening. Apparently it got rave reviews and we were told we MUST see it. All I can say is, "what in the world (with my jaw hanging wide open!)?" You'll have to google this play to find out what it's about!

This is Swan Lake. There are boats that give tours on the water and then drive right out of the water and give land tours. It's pretty cool.

Bunker Hill

Our cab ride to the airport. Farewell Boston! We had a ball!

My Ryan Turned FIVE

2009-05-01T21:04:00.001-07:00

We are so blessed to have Ryan in our family. He is the calm through our many storms!! We love you so much Ry!

CAMERA....GONE!

2009-03-02T20:43:00.000-08:00

Well, I have a really sad story to share. For Christmas this year, Jeff bought me the new

Nikon D 90 with a beautful new lens (http://gizmodo.com/5041567/first-official-nikon-d90-images-and-specs-leak). I have been wanting a new camera like this for

a year now. I loved it! Get that..."loved." Sadly I must report that the camera has gone MIA

since March 1st. This is how it all played out:

Saturday, we leave for Denver to celebrate Jeff's 37th birthday. Of course we bring my lovely new

camera along to catch all the birthday festivities. We stay at the Hyatt downtown off Broadway...beautiful weather, fabulous hotel....shooting pictures all the while. We eat out, we capture "robot man" entertaining for money. We board the train as the kids have been begging for a ride since we arrived. The train takes off. Joshua launches out of his seat. I hear him crying but can't find him. He's under the seat ahead of us with a big knot on his forehead. Jeff takes the camera off from around his neck and sets it on the seat. We tend to Joshua and realize it is our time to get off the train. We exit the train and proceed to walk towards the hotel. I see Wolf Camera and suggest we go buy some stuff for my new camera. Jeff looks at me, "Where's the camera?"

He runs to catch the train as it does a loop and circles back. He jumps aboard and it's gone. Someone has stolen my brand new camera!! His birthday starts off with a bang alright. With no

pictures to prove it.

Bend, Oregon

2009-02-06T08:30:00.000-08:00

We spent the past week in beautiful Bend, Oregon trying to decide if we're going to make the move. Jeff has been offered a job there and there are so many reasons to take it...my family lives there, it's beautiful, it's an avid outdoorsmans dream to name a few. Regardless, we are struggling with this big decision. Here's a few pictures of our trip. Thanks Debs and Hodge for taking in family so we could spend time with them!

The Royal Gorge

2008-12-31T08:14:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we took the boys to Canon City to check out the worlds highest suspension bridge.

We took the gondola where we were 2,000 feet high and hopped aboard an incline

train where we rode straight down the mountain to the bottom of the canyon. It was a beautiful 66 degrees!

Daddy and his boys

Looking up at the gondola from the bottom of the canyon.

Looking down into the canyon while riding the incline train

Joshua and daddy

Ethan and Ryan looking out of the gondola at 2,000 feet up

Ethan and Mom with worlds highest suspension bridge

BAKED OATMEAL

2008-12-20T22:10:00.000-08:00

This year we decided to give out one of our favorite oatmeal recipes as gifts to our neighbors and friends. It is so yummy warm or cold and serves as a meal or a snack. Just pour a little milk

over it or eat it raw. Either way, I think you'll like it!

3/4 C. oil 1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. vanilla 1 tsp. cinnamon

3/4 C. sugar 1 C. milk

2 lg. eggs 2 apples, cored and chopped

4 C. quick cooking oats (NOT instant) 1 C. craisins

2 tsp. baking powder 1 C. coconut

Add any other dry fruit:

apricots, pineapple etc.

Mix oil, sugar, vanilla and eggs...beat until yellow and glossy.

Add remaining ingredients except fruit Mix together.

After mixed add fruit.

Spread on a greased 9x13 cookie sheed and bake at 400 for 30-45 minutes depending on how

soft or crunchy you like it. Can mix in pecans and walnuts after done cooking. Enjoy!

What's Your Holiday Tradition?

2008-12-16T13:42:00.000-08:00

It's been a month since I've posted so I hope somebody

responds!

The one tradition we've done every year is leave cookies out for Santa

and we make gingerbread houses. It's fun but I'm needing some inspiration!

I'm interested to know what some of your favorite holiday traditions are?

2008-10-14T19:54:00.000-07:00

Fall Family Pictures

The other day one of my amazing friends, Tina took me
and my brood out to see if we could capture just one good
picture of my family. In past photoshoots it has been a total
nightmare! Ethan won't smile, Ryan sticking his tongue out
and Joshua picking his nose! Well, I can't say we didn't get
any of those pictures, because we did, but mixed in with those
we got some awesome shots...thanks Tina!

IS IT HALLOWEEN YET?

2008-10-04T20:34:00.000-07:00

The boys have been so excited for Halloween that they've been wearing their costumes nearly every day. Ryan is Optimus Prime, Ethan is Bumblebee and Joshua is Batman.

LET'S SING!

I captured a rare moment...the boys singing...nicely!

That fourth boy in the video is Ethan and Ryan's

friend Jackson. Close your ears when I bust in to
help the boys remember the song!

BOYS HIKING EXCURSION

2008-09-26T12:03:00.000-07:00

Jeff and some of his buddies left late Saturday night so they could camp out in freezing weather and be the first to hit the peaks at 5 a.m.! They hiked 3 fourteeners and got some great photos along the way. Here are just a few of them. And, yes. That would be my husband decked out in his army gear!

2008-09-23T10:04:00.001-07:00

JEFF HOME FROM IRAQ

2008-09-23T09:52:00.001-07:00

I learned first hand this year that the old adage,

"absence makes the heart grow fonder,"

is quite true! What an experience to go without

your husband for 7 months. I have to say that

now Jeff can do no wrong! He is an amazing

husband, father, son and friend.