Tip Toe Thru the Tu...maybe not.

My rose bushes were about to take over the house so Porter & I did some gardening.

Catching Up...Again

McNary High School in Keizer, won the State Baseball Championship yesterday. Dad, Al, AJ Maryanne, Porter and I spent a fun evening at Volcano Stadium watching the home team beat Roseburg 5 to 1. Porter stayed awake for the entire game so maybe he'll be a sports fan or a baseball player when he gets older.

Corban and Lauren at Michelle Gordon's wedding reception.

Porter wishing he could have some Mexican food with the rest of us.

My cutie pie great niece Lauran Bliss, plays softball for South Salem High School. She is their All-League catcher and her team made the State play-offs this year. After a fantastic game ending throw to second base, picking off a stealing runner, Lauran celebrates with Porter.

Memorial Day Weekend

Porter's not sure about all the wedding hoopla.

Corban, AJ & Maryanne

JJ & Jana and the gorgeous gardens

It as a busy and fun 3 days. The sun was shinning, it was warm and we had lots to do. Friday night, Al and took a long drive in the Spyder and enjoyed the gorgeous spring scenery. The hops are just starting to grow, the corn is about a foot tall and all the trees are in full bloom. We survive the cold rainy winters in order to enjoy days like this. On Saturday, we ran errands and worked around the yard. Al planted all our annuals and 5 big baskets of petunias and pansies. Everything looks so pretty. That evening we went to church and had dinner with AJ and Maryanne and Don & Cheri Suklis...always a good time. On Sunday, we relaxed until late afternoon when we drove out to the Oregon Garden for Michelle Gordon's wedding. The perfect weather and the beautiful gardens made a lovely backdrop for the event. After dinner and dancing, we headed home. Porter wasn't the only one who was pooped. Then today, our dear friends Jim & Paula Newman joined us for a picnic lunch at Schrieder's Iris Garden. If you've never been out there, pack a picnic and spend a couple of hours enjoying the beautiful flowers. They have lots of places to sit as well as plenty of picnic tables. Even if you just want to walk thru the gardens, it's worth the trip to Keizer. This evening, Maryanne's parents dropped by for a yummy BBQ prepared exclusively by AJ. He even made deviled eggs and strawberry shortcake. In my opinion this weekend was the perfect way to spend a holiday...surrounded by friends and family, celebrating a special event and enjoying beautiful Oregon in the Spring.

Paula and I enjoying a stroll thru the Lupine

Do Blondes REALLY Have More Fun?

As I write, Maryanne is doing Michelle Gordon's practice wedding hair do. Part of the look Michelle wants is achieved with hair extensions. Having been a blonde all my life, I thought I'd try a new look. What do you think?

Yikes!!!!

An Early 29th & 30th

Birthday girl Lauren with some of her lovely friends.

Last Friday night, Corban and Lauren invited their friends over for a combined birthday party. Corban was celebrating his 30th and Lauren her 29th. Both have early May birthdays but they will be out of town when their big days roll around. Corban grilled yummy flank steak and salmon and Lauren made her famous Ceasar salad. The rest of us brought side dishes. And I must say, we had some mighty good eats. Corban's sister Hannah took the cake (literally) with her amazing custom birthday cake. It was really great looking and it tasted fantastic. The predicted rain held off and we were able to enjoy the backyard and patio and some gorilla style badminton. I hope C & L had as much fun as we did.

Hannah's wilderness themed B-Day cake.

Corban, Jake and A.J

We're all waiting to pounce on the buffet table.

Enchanted Forest

This morning we took Sarah to Enchanted Forest for the first time. It was ridiculously cold. But we soldiered on and had a great morning. Sarah loved going down the slides, floating in the bumper boats and running along the paths. She did NOT like the 3 bears of Goldilocks fame. Papa bear growled very gruffly, "Who ate my porridge?" Fortunately, that particular experience happened toward the end of the "tour" because she worried the rest of the morning that we were going to see the bears again. However, nuggets, fries and hot chocolate diverted her enough that she could enjoy the rest of the "forest". I'd forgotten how low tech EF is, but it is a delightful place for kids and adults alike. Just go when it gets a little warmer.

Catching Up with Dear Friends

Last night Ruth & Morris Dirks came down from Portland for dinner and the Blazer game. It was so fun to visit with them & get caught up on the lives. They are special friends and it was a joy to spend the evening hanging out. Too bad the Blazers couldn't quite get over the hump. Hopefully, home court will bring about a better outcome.

Cozy Sleepy Baby

Porter snoozin' on Gramma's chest

Snuggled into the Pack N Play

Porter is now 2 days shy of being 3 weeks old. He has grown 2 inches in length and gained 1.1 pounds. So far his awake times are during the day and his sleep times are at night. Mommy & Daddy are so happy! He talks and coos when he's awake and we're quite sure he's brilliant. Or...he's just a typical noisy DeBacker.

A Tower and a Bridge

The New Patient Tower at Salem Hospital

The Red Cross drives this van to help at disaster sites

Yesterday, after a fabulous breakfast at Word of Mouth, Al and I visited 1 place where we hope to spend very little time and another that we plan to see often. The first place was the new patient tower at Salem Hospital. There were nurses and techs stationed throughout emergency, cardiology, radiology, surgery and patient rooms to explain the procedures and equipment and answer questions. It's a lovely hospital (isn't that an oxymoron) with original artwork and huge windows and all the latest technology. They have even structured the patient rooms with accommodations for the family. I guess studies have shown that people heal better if their loved ones are near-by. It is good to know that we have such a modern hospital in the city...I just don't want to go there again..ever!

Since 1914 there has been a railroad bridge over the Willamette near downtown Salem . Many years ago it was abandoned and closed, only to be used by delinquent kids (and you know who you are) as a place to hang out with friends and smoke cigars. Finally the city has refurbished it and it is now a beautiful bike and pedestrian bridge that links Riverfront Park and Wallace Marine Park in West Salem. Al and I took a stroll across it and enjoyed the warm weather and great view of the river. We joined families with strollers, kids and their dogs, spandex clad bikers and elderly folks for a delightful walk in the sunshine. It's so nice to have a beautiful park and walking path only 15 minutes away and I hope we go there often this summer.

Baby Deebs Finally Arrives

This morning at 6:50 a.m.

Porter Everett John DeBacker

came into the world.

He weighed 9lbs 1oz

And he was 20" long.

He has lots of auburn hair

and blue eyes.

He is a sweetie and we're all crazy about

him already.

I can't stop looking at him.

Precious Maryanne and baby Porter.

Porter nursed like a champ immediately.

The boy has his Gramma DeBacker's thighs