CRITES FAMILY CIRCUS

Annalise's First 4th of July

2009-07-12T22:05:00.006-05:00

Our first 4th of July in Oregon was pretty low key. We weren't sure how Annalise would react to fireworks so we stayed home and did some sparklers and some small fireworks. Plus it doesn't get dark here until almost 10:00 and that is way too late for Annalise. There was a "heatwave" the week of the fourth, it was a sizzling 92 degrees. Josh and I just thought summer had finally arrived since it has barely topped 80 since we have been here. Due to the "heatwave"
we thought it would be a good time to get Annalise a kiddie pool to play in. Here are some pics of our day.

Annalise in her 4th of July dress.

Staying cool in the pool.

Annalise watching fireworks, she was not impressed.

The morning after the 4th. It looks like someone had a pretty wild night.
(yes, her hair often looks like this in the morning)

These are some pictures of Annalise hanging out at home.
Our girl is growing up, she will be 9 months old in a couple days.

She is looking forward to her grandma and grandpa from Kentucky and her Aunt Kekah coming to see her in a couple of weeks!

A Trip to the Columbia River Gorge

2009-06-23T23:13:00.011-05:00

Last week we visited the Columbia River Gorge. The Columbia River seperates Oregon and Washington, it's about 45 minutes from our house. The are seven waterfalls along the gorge but we only stopped at three.

Annalise found a really cool hat at the gift shop!

Later that week Annalise helped me fold laundry. At first she wasn't very excited about it but she had fun in the end.

This is an older picture but it's one of my favorites! She looks like such a little toughy.

WE MADE IT!!

2009-06-06T21:36:00.007-05:00

After a relatively uneventful but long couple days of movers and travel, we made it to Portland. Annalise is doing well in her new surroundings, and Lindsey and I are settling in also. We have been working like crazy to get the house in order and are ready to get back to normal everyday things. We wanted to post just a few pictures of our neighborhood in Oregon. We will post more within the next week or so.

Lindsey and Annalise in front of our house.

These are some of the MANY huge evergreens that are everywhere.

Downtown Lake Oswego farmer's market. We live very close to here.

2009-04-21T19:52:00.003-05:00

Here are the pictures of vacation in the Outer Banks, as promised! Annalise got to go swimming for the first time, and she really loved it. We were pickled by the time we got out! She also had fun watching and playing with her friends Reese, Ryleigh, and Tyler.

This was Easter Sunday. Here we are on Lipscomb campus waiting for a table at Copper Kettle for our Easter dinner. Annalise got drums, new sneakers, sunglasses, and a giant stuffed bird in her Easter basket. On the Saturday before Easter, we went to an Easter Egg Hunt at church. Annalise wasn't too into the hunting part, but did enjoy playing with the eggs as well as watching all of the other children. She actually let us take her picture with the Easter bunny!

Just this past weekend, Annalise decided that she wanted to sit up on her own. It will only be a short time now before she will be unstoppable!

We're Moving to Portland, Oregon!

2009-03-29T19:56:00.007-05:00

Most of you know we are moving to Portland this summer due to Josh's job. While we are sad to be moving so far away (2,373 miles to be exact), we are excited to explore a new city with Annalise. We will definitely have to be more diligent about updating the blog with pictures of our growing girl. Here are some pictures to summarize what our little chicky monkey has been up to lately.

My first Valentine's Day!

Me and my mama

Keeping watch over the neighborhood

Snuggling up to daddy

"Once upon a time..."

I'm such a happy baby!

Yea me!!!

I'm getting stronger every day.

This is Carl the Cowboy, he's my favorite toy.

I love him so much!

We just got back from our vacation to the Outer Banks, we will be posting vacation pictures soon.

2009-02-10T20:02:00.018-06:00

I can't believe that it has been a month already since my last post! Here are some updated pictures of Miss Annalise!

I have become quite attached to my "lovey" Beulah the Bunny.

Keeping with the bunny theme, check me out in my house slippers.

Here I am in my Bumbo seat, sitting up like a big girl!

Since I can sit up so well, Mama has started putting me in my Jumparoo. I love it!

Off to the bath!

I've got lots of cute clothes, but there's nothing like hanging out in my diaper (and my socks, of course).

I don't think Aunt Kelsey intended for my Valentine's t-shirt to be fitted, but it certainly has worked out that way!

Hangin' in my crib, suckin' on my thumb.

This is my puppy, Violet. She likes to lick my feet (even though I kick her in the face)!

What a sweet baby girl.
Lindsey and I are doing well, enjoying being Annalise's Mama and Daddy very much. Trading days of work and child care has been wonderful. I (Josh) am thankful to be able to work from home some days and be with my baby girl. As you can see from the pictures, she is growing so fast, and it is great to be able to experience new things with her everyday. We definitely never could have expected how rewarding parenting can be!

At last: Christmas!!

2009-01-10T19:37:00.000-06:00

Here I am in downtown Franklin with my Mama and Daddy.

All dressed up for Christmas.

Daddy says he can't decide who is prettier...(but he knows both of us have him wrapped around our fingers)

By the way, I have found that I have a hand. Boy do I like to stare at it!

I have also started learning how to hold on to things (now that I can almost hold my head up completely on my own)!

Ah yes! My favorite time of day! In fact, I cry when I have to get out of the tub.

And, here is what I look like when I cry. Aren't I just pitiful?

Even though I cry sometimes, it is pretty easy to get me to smile. I am happy almost all of the time!

It has been a crazy 6 weeks since I last posted. I am still trying to slip blogging into my weekly doings so that we can keep everybody up to date with all that is going on. As you can tell, Annalise is growing so quickly now and it seems like she learns how to do something new every day. Words cannot express how beautiful she is and how much Lindsey and I love her.

As for Lindsey and I, we are doing great. Lins started back to work last week. It was really hard for her after becoming so attached to Annalise in the months that she was on leave. To be honest, it was hard for me, too, as I had grown accustomed to being able to spend so much time with Lindsey as well. Back to reality, I suppose. I stay home and take care of Annalise (and try to sneak some work in, too) on days when Lindsey works. It is still pretty new, but Annalise has been cooperative so far. Sometimes, though, it is hard not to stare at her while she is sleeping (and when I should be working). My semester started last week as well, and despite only teaching one course this term, I have tons to do to try to find a permanent teaching job. Economy crunches paid a pretty heavy toll on the job market this year, as many schools just shut down with hiring freezes. I am thankful for the job I have currently, however, and may stay with it for another year.

We had a wonderful holiday with family coming to see us (read: Annalise) from Ohio and Kentucky. Annalise enjoyed herself thoroughly. We can't wait until next Christmas when she will really be excited about all the festivities.

As I said before, I will try to be more diligent in posting. Until then, know that we love you all.

Here Come the Holidays!!

2008-11-24T11:44:00.000-06:00

As Annalise continues to grow bigger and more beautiful everyday, Lindsey and I really can't believe how blessed we are. Everybody here is getting very excited for Annalise's first holiday season. After Thanksgiving, we have a series of Christmas events including breakfast with Santa at church, brunch with the Grinch at Opryland, and a Christmas parade in downtown Franklin. We had to find plenty of things to do since Annalise has somehow gotten three beautiful Christmas dresses! We will be sure to post more as the holidays approach.

Lindsey and I have been enjoying the throes of early parenthood. Annalise is such a good baby, though, which makes our lives considerably easier. I have been working at home as much as possible, but I must admit that that cute little baby face draws me away from work several times a day. It is application time again for me, so keep us in your thoughts as I look for tenure track positions. Lins has been taking care of Annalise while I work, enjoying the time off to spend with the baby. She takes Annalise on lots of walks around the neighborhood, to play dates, and to lunches with the girls (while Dad eats left overs, I might add).

Have a great Thanksgiving!

SHE'S HERE!!!

2008-10-16T15:58:00.000-05:00

On Wednesday, October 15th at 6:57 am, Annalise Halene made her grand entrance. She has been stealing everyone's heart since then. As I write this entry today, Mama is sleeping off a long night Tuesday night (and increasingly more frequent feedings) and Annalise is sacked out on the hospital "couch" in Lindsey's room (my oh-so-comfortable bed). Everyone is doing great, recovering all the more quickly because of this new joy in our life. She is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.

Starting Out

2008-09-26T11:11:00.001-05:00

Well, here we are at the beginning of what will be quite a journey. Lindsey and I are ecstatic over the arrival of Annalise--which is now only about three weeks away! We plan to keep you all updated about goings-on through this blog. We hope that you enjoy sharing them as much as we will.