The Garrison: Dad to Japan - Mum & Babe to Roseburg

It's not easy to compare Japan to Roseburg. I am feeling pretty lucky to get to go to Roseburg with a toddler rather than spend 12+ hours to get to a foriegn country. I am sure Ryan is glad I am not going too. I think I would starve to death and drive him crazy on a long flight like that. Not quite ready for that with Natalie either.

Ryan headed to Japan for work and Natalie and I headed south. We had a great, fast trip to the Burg. So many fun things have happened since we arrived. She is swarmed with love of family and Brinley is the coolest! They are big time buds.

Our first day/night in town, Brinley and Natalie partied late. They were pumped up while playing in their "Sweet House." This party like atmosphere caused Natalie to keep partying till far too late. Our first night in a new place is always a hoot. Lots of moving and shaking at night and the cloth diaper blow out is always my favorite. The other fun part is when Lilo wants to sleep on my pillow. Uhg. For us to be sharing a queen bed, I have run out of room. Doesn't make any sense.

On day two, we dined for lunch at a vegetarian favorite, The Lighthouse Bakery. No, it is not on the beach or even close, rather in a far out country road in a region called Umpqua. It is fantastic. All vegetarian and always fresh. Not to mention they have lots of goodies in bulk. They focus a lot on charity. http://lighthousecenterbakery.com/community-charity/ Even every tip given goes to charity.

Tonight we met second cousin Violet. Sweety-pa-teety! She weighs at 11 weeks what Nat weighed when she was born (she was born at 31 weeks). Natalie thought Violet was special too. Aunt Joyce and Uncle Jim hosted dinner at their home and we enjoyed the Reaney Sr.'s, Perham's Jr. and Sr. and Starnes. Sounds like a lot of old people, huh? Nothing but a house full of happy grandparents.

Although this is a random note, I have to say how nice it is to hear the crickets and frogs outside my window right now. They have quite the chorus going and then all of a sudden they stop. One frog will start with a quiet ribbit, and then they all start up again. Ahhh, the pleasures of living in the boonies.