Chambers Family: December 2011

Typical, I know, it has been nearly a year and a half since I have posted. I am determined to be better. So we will see how it goes, you may place bets now. We have gone through some big changes recently. We moved from Pocatello, Idaho (our home for the past 7 years) to Vancouver, Washington. We were extremely sad to leave Idaho, but have been looking forward to our new journey. Doug accepted a position with Columbia Credit Union and is loving his job. I am taking some time off from the work force and have been enjoying my time at home with the kids. When we first arrived, I was amazed at all the of the trees...everywhere, I felt like we were in a campground. I can never tell what is ahead of me, its all trees! Ava has done great with the move. She enjoys her new school and has made some friends. Maela is doing great as ever and reminds me every morning that I get to stay home with her.

This is a photo our our new digs. We are a little north of Vancouver in a town that resembles Mayberry from the Andy Griffith Show.

One our first weekends here, we ventured to the Portland zoo. It was a hit with the kids.

Before we officially moved, Doug and I spent a weekend at Cannon Beach, Oregon. It was beautiful and we are excited to take the kids back to the coast when it warms up. We are about an hour and a half away from the coast. Ava can't wait to go to the "beach". Doug and I have not told her that it is cold beach!
This is Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach. It was WINDY, but so neat!

This photo was taken while Doug and I were riding a tandem bicycle on the boardwalk in Seaside, Oregon by Doug himself. He informed me that he did this all the time on his mission, I was surprised to see us both in the picture. Something about his facial expression in this photo makes me almost wet my pants with laughter. I love it!

Most recently, we headed to Spokane, WA for Thanksgiving. Adam and Kassidy are living there while Adam attends law school and were gracious enough to host our crazy family for the holiday. We had such a great time!

The fellas watching what had to be an intense football game.

Dex and Ava built a fort to hang out in. They played so cute together.
Doug and Nancy were kind enough to get us all tickets to the North Pole! We took a boat ride filled with festive lights that lead to Santa. The kids loved it! Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!

I took more photos, but the majority of them were fuzzy or dark. We loved spending time with family and it was great to see where Adam and Kassidy are living.

Now, for the tougher part, I am going to try to review with some pictures of our family highlights. Here goes nothing...

Halloween 2011, Ava as a mermaid and Mae as none other than Minnie the Mouse.

The witch hunt at Gardener Village with the cousins.
Mae's first dance class. So stinking cute!
Ava's first day of FIRST GRADE. Where does the time go?!?!?!

In July of 2011, my folks were kind enough to get a cabin for the WHOLE family at Fish Lake. We had such a blast!

We spent the 4th of July in Pocatello and were able to get some quality time in with the Nelson family. The girls played so good together and it was great to finally meet baby Logan.

In June, Becky celebrated her 60th birthday. We had a huge surprise party where we partied hard and long. I love and look up to my mom so much! She doesn't look a day over 35!

We were able to spend some time with Grandpa Fisher and his cute wife Maria this summer as well. We enjoyed our time with them as we don't get to see them very often.

Ava turned 6 years old. I cant believe how time flies; however, Ava seems like a teenager to me so I am relieved that she is 6. HULA TIME!

Doug celebrated his 31st birthday this year. I surprised him with a SKYDIVING adventure. After a lot of stress and worrying, I joined him for the jump. It was insane. I don't think I will ever do it again. Doug enjoyed it and we both got dvd's of our flapping faces for proof of the jump!

What could have been our family photo!!

That was our reliable tiny plane.

Thanks to the Drexler girls for watching our kids!

Ava graduated from kindergarten. I'm embarrassed to admit it, but I got emotional during the program. It is so sad to think of her growing up.