Weitzel Family

Puerto Rico

2010-10-01T18:29:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Puerto Rico!
Fort El morro, that kept Old San Juan safe from intruders.
Bananas anyone? We went to the fruit market everyday for fresh fruit and smoothies.
Us saying goodbye to our "home" for the past 4 days in Puerto Rico
And us saying hello to our new "home" for the next 7 days at sea.

The Golden Girls were back at it, another adventure which included 4 days in Puerto Rico and a 7 day cruise on the Carnival, Victory through the Caribbean. We stopped off and visited St. Thomas, Dominca, Barbados, St. Lucia, and St. Kitts. We were headed to St. Maarten, however hurricane Igor was on our tail and did not allow us to dock. So we spent an extra day at sea being re-routed to San Juan, Puerto Rico.

This was an amazing trip, there is nothing like soaking the rays of the Caribbean and being able to swim in the warm ocean.

I had a relaxing time, what a care free way to recover from the last two years. Now that I am relaxed I am ready to get to work!

The Caribbean

2010-10-01T18:23:00.000-07:00

I'm relaxing in the Caribbean Sea.... on the island of St. Thomas
Sarai, Jen, and I putting our toes off the coast of Puerto Rico
In the pool at the Ritz, on St. Thomas
Jen and I soaking up the rays on the island of Barbados
Sarai, Jen, and I took a ride on the Gladiator, what a rush. The water felt so amazing!

RDH

2010-08-25T11:59:00.000-07:00

Well, it's official I am a registered dental hygienist in the state of Oregon!!! I am now in the process of applying for my Washington State license. Now I just need to start working!

Our Jungle Trip

2010-07-08T17:49:00.000-07:00

While snorkeling, Nick dove down trying to catch some fish.... almost!

I am wading in the ocean, trying to cool off. We spent the day on the island of Las Calaitas.

This is the view from the back of our hotel.... we truly are in the jungle.

After dinner photo... we enjoyed a yummy meal with ocean view!

This is the view from our balcony, looking out on all the pools, ocean, and beach. We were on the 8th floor.

We were in Puerto Vallarta for 6 days, 7 nights, and enjoyed every minute of it! This was an excellent way to end the school year. We were there right in the beginning of the rainy season so everything was very green. The sun was hit or miss and it rained a few times but it was warm and enjoyable. We visited the site were the movie The Predator was filmed, we snorkeled, layed on the beach, swam in the pool and the ocean, hiked through the jungle, and ate lots of yummy food! We can't wait to go back!

Love, Ash and Nick

Christmas 2009

2009-12-07T11:34:00.000-08:00

Hi family,
Nick and I got our first Christmas tree this Saturday... we were dressed for warmth and headed out to the tree farm. We thought this would take us awhile to find the "perfect" tree, we walked in and found the tree within 15 minutes. Talk about luck, we packed up the car and headed home. I am so excited for spending Christmas this year with everyone! See you all on the 19th!
Love, Ash and Nick

Operation Jen 3.0

2009-09-02T09:09:00.000-07:00

Me practicing my "free fall" position.
Golden Girls all geared up!
The airplane that took us to 13,000 ft.
That is me with my legs straight out, coming in for the landing.

WE SURVIVED!

This year has been an eventful year for the "Golden Girls". Whitney, Sarai, and I wanted to surprise Jenny for her 30th birthday. After some thoughtful planning and juggling of schedules we planned to kidnap Jenny on August 29th, have a slumber party and say goodbye to her 20's. The next day we woke up (August 30th) to say hello 30. At breakfast we told Jen about our adventure we had planned... were going SKYDIVING! We headed out to skydive Oregon, signed our life away and prepared to board a plane. The adrenalin that was pumping through us was unreal, free falling at 13,000 ft. is unexplainable, and floating through the air with wings on our back was a dream come true. This was an unforgettable adventure that I am blessed to have shared with these three amazing women. If your feeling up to it, I highly recommended this adventure! Happy Birthday Jen! We love you!

Injection day!

2009-06-09T16:25:00.000-07:00

Well it's official, I gave my first injection yesterday! I have never been so nervous in my life. My partner was great and she even got numb!! My instructor said I was a natural, so folks I think I made the right career decision! Wish me luck tomorrow... stab lab is back in session!

Happy 50th Birthday!

2009-06-02T21:02:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pictures from dad's surprise party... I have tons more that I will get to mom on a c.d. so we can pass them all around. Happy birthday dad... it is crazy to think you turned 50 this year. We all love you so much and are thankful for all that you have done for us! Here is to the next 50. Cheers, Ash

Belize pics

2009-03-03T09:50:00.001-08:00

Here are a few more pics of the island...

Belize it or not!

2009-03-03T09:31:00.000-08:00

My dear friends Megan and Josh decided to get married in Belize on February 27, 2009. Megan, Josh, Angie, Larry, Nick and I arrived at the Portland airport on Feb 23 at 4 a.m. We began our journey to Belize by flying into Fortworth, Texas and then to Belize City. We then transferred to an island hopper plane that seated 10 people, this small airplane took us to the island of Amberguise Caye, we landed in San Pedro and then caught a water taxi that took us up north to our resort. The weather was about 85-100 degrees with the water about the same. We snorkeled with sharks, stingrays, barracudas, eels, sea turtles, and many more. We canoed out to the great barrier reef and floated in the ocean. We then went to the other side of the island and into swamp land where we found crocodiles, which we fed! We spent another day in San Pedro where we wondered the street. Then the big day finally arrived, Friday morning we began the day by sunbathing and then we got the bride ready. Megan and Josh said their "I do's" on the beach, barefoot and in love. We then had a 3 course dinner on the beach about 3 feet from the ocean, the d.j. began playing some tunes so we danced the night away on the beach. This trip was amazing, the weather was perfect and the people were friendly. My heart did flips when I landed in San Pedro and I did not want to leave. I am thinking I may find my way back there within the next couple of years. Again I hope you guys get the opportunity to travel this magical world we live in. There is something about stepping outside of "our" world and seeing the simplicity and happiness that exists!

Hayden's Baptism

2009-02-12T11:12:00.001-08:00

Anyone feel like posting some pics from that day? I would love to see what you got!

Sunday Dinner!

2009-02-12T11:10:00.001-08:00

Just wanted to let you all know that you are invited to our house on Sunday for dinner. We will plan on eating around 3pm. If you want to contribute some food then let me know otherwise everything will be taken care of. Love you all and hope you can make it out!

January gathering!

2009-01-11T21:54:00.000-08:00

I thought I would help mom out by posting this info for her. In order to celebrate Hayden and Taylor's birthdays this month we are getting together on the 25th at 3pm at mom and dad's. Hayden's baptism will be that same day at 5:30. Hopefully everyone will be able to make it out! See you all then.

2008-10-31T21:48:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to post a picture of the newest baby in the family! Isn't he just a doll. I am so excited about this little guy. I know all of you are so anxious to meet him. Sunday we are all getting together and also there is the baby shower at Chelsea's next Saturday.

I just love this picture of Andrew with Jonathan. I know I posted it on Toshia's blog but it is just to precious.

And of course, the new grandparents! We are so happy and know that this is just the beginning of a long line of grandchildren waiting to come to our family! Love you both Andrew and Toshia for bringing little Jonathan into our lives!

October Birthdays

2008-09-21T20:38:00.001-07:00

On Sunday October 19th we will be celebrating all the October birthdays. I thought this would be good because it is right in the middle and not on any one particular birthday. Also some people will be gone and this I hope will work out. I will be making a big dinner with lots of goodies so this is one dinner you don't want to miss! We miss you guys and really miss it when you we don't see you on Sundays. Anyway, all have a wonderful week and hope everyone is healthy and can you believe Toshia only has 37 days until Jonathan joins our October birthday list? Are just as excited as I am? Love you all!

Pictures

2008-09-18T11:20:00.001-07:00

P.S. I just used our family pics from last summer (2007) to get individual photos of us for sidebar... if you have one you would rather have up email it to me and I can swap it out! (If you want a "couples" pic up I can do that too, if that is the case let me know the birthdays so I can add them--i.e. when are Paul and Danno's birthdays?) Also, I can set it up so that if we click on our pics we can link up to our blogs/myspace pages. If you want me to set that up for your pic let me know, I will only do it for those of you who want that!

Family Business

2008-09-18T11:01:00.000-07:00

We were doing so well and then the craziness of summer hit us and we kind of dropped the ball on this! Lets give it another try shall we?

Some informational updates so that everyone is on the same page for a few items, if I am incorrect in what I have been told leave a comment and let us all know what is correct!

October 11: Happy Birthday Chelsea

October 13: Happy Birthday Chloe

October 18: Happy Birthday Ashleigh

October 21: Happy Birthday Seth

October 22: Happy Birthday Chad

***When are we planning to get together to celebrate everyone's birthdays this month?

October 28: Baby Jonathan is due

November 27: Thanksgiving dinner at the folk's house, Grandma Ardee will be visiting this year! (Any food assignments to follow...)

December 21: Big Weitzel family Christmas celebration--whose house? Rich, Steve, or Dad?

December 25: Christmas day at the folk's. Those who want can stay over for Christmas Eve. Christmas brunch will be served... 10am? earlier? lets talk about that! (Any food assignments to follow...)

Also, one last thing for now: how/when do we want to draw names this year for Christmas? I have an idea, just a suggestion, but as our family grows things can get extremely complicated! Andrew's family came up with something a few years back that works for them, the only change I would suggest is that they do it by family groups instead of individuals and as only one of us has kids to include that would make it unfair for someone to have to buy for that whole group! Aunt Kelly's family does a drawing that puts everyone in together, seems to work for them. So here goes: option #1--we plan on drawing names every year around Christmas that includes the whole family--us, spouses/boyfriends/girlfriends, and children (possibly when more grandkids come along have them be separate, but for now just do one drawing) OR option #2--rather than draw names every year we could have a rotating list of sorts so that we always know who we have next and can have more time to get gifts, figure out what that person really wants, etc. There are positive and negative aspects to both options, but generally they would be about the same. If anyone else has any ideas feel free to share and we can discuss further.

I love you all and I hope that this new year of school (for all you students) has started off great and will continue to go well!

A Mexico Adventure!

2008-07-10T17:06:00.000-07:00

After a long year at Portland State my friend Whitney and I decided a much deserved trip was needed. We planned a 7 day adventure touring a small portion of Mexico. After weeks of planning, 4 girls with passports and plane tickets in hand headed for the great unknown. Whitney, Sarai, Jenny and I landed in Cancun June 17th, caught a public bus and arrived in Playa Del Carmen later that night. We dropped our stuff off in our hostel and headed out to town, we walked up and down 5th Ave. grabbing some dinner and then headed for the sand! Believe it or not the beach is a beautiful place at night, with the cool breeze and the water against your toes. Day 2 included laying on the beach, reading and catching up with each other. Day 3 was a tour through the Coba ruins, where we repelled into a cenote (underground fresh water supply), zip-lined across a crocodile infested river, cannoned, participated in a Mayan ceremony and then road our bikes through the ruins only to reach a tower that we climbed. Day 4 we took a ferry to Cozamel, snorkeled and then rented scooters and drove around the entire island, only to find the most beautiful beaches I have laid my eyes on. Day 5 was a day of travel, we packed our things up and caught another bus to Tulum, which is where we found peace and relaxation. All the days blended together, we eat, laid on the beach, slept, got massages and attempted to boogie board! We spent one day touring the Tulum ruins which were breath taking and very empowering. After meeting many new faces, seeing unforgettable sites, staying up late talking on the beach, laughing tell tears came we came home refreshed, relieved and with our new friendships are ready to conquer our next big adventure!

New blog

2008-07-08T06:36:00.000-07:00

Hey kids check out a new blog I have started http://thesmallplatesofbrass.blogspot.com/ Add it to your favorites! It is my personal history of when I was growing up. I want you all to know about my childhood and thought this was a good way to do it. When I am done with all the questions in the journal jar I will put it into a book for us. Anyway, thought you would like to see. Love you all and hope you are having a great summer!

***address corrected in case you tried it earlier and had no success, give it a try now!--Toshia

Reunion Update

2008-07-01T18:55:00.000-07:00

We are now going to Kahneeta. We still have our reservations for the house boat. We will do that next summer. The dates are the same and we are going to have a blast! There will be lots of swimming, sun and games! We are staying in a tepee. Dad and I will be going down on Thursday night and we are going to be able to swim all day on Saturday.

Girls please, please post your pictures from your recent trips. I really want us to keep up with this and everyone would love to see a couple of pictures from your really fun trips to Mexico!

Love you all and hope everyone is having a great summer!

Day one down

2008-06-11T11:12:00.000-07:00

Just thought the family might like to know that Andrew has succesfully completed day one of the testing/interview process to ge tthe job at the firestation. He will have his oral board tomorrow morning, wish him luck!

A belated thank you!

2008-05-04T20:31:00.000-07:00

We just wanted to say thank you to everyone for coming out to the temple for our sealing. It was so nice to have us all together there for it. I meant to mail out cards to everyone and I still just might, but one thing led to another and before I knew it the calendar said the month we are in is May! Happy spring and I will see you all on mother's day :)

Prom night

2008-05-04T19:29:00.000-07:00

Prom Night. I thought you would all like to see pictures of the girls with their dates!

2008-04-13T00:10:00.000-07:00

one word, Bob James, if you dont got some, get some.

Who thought at 26 I would be doing "Spring Break"

2008-04-07T09:03:00.000-07:00

As you all know I am attending PSU and working two jobs, life has been busy but worth living! To celebrate all my hard work Paul and I went to Arizona to get away, enjoy the sun and do some sight seeing! We had a blast, the weather was 90 degrees and the shorts and skirts were out! I would say the most memorable part of the trip was getting to go to the Grand Canyon! We were lucky to spend the entire day there, hiking around and watching the sun set! We missed you guys and wished we could have gone to the beach but this trip was well worth taking! I hope all of you get a chance to go on this mini adventure and discover how AMAZING this world really is!

update

2008-03-20T10:19:00.000-07:00

Dad got the house boat for the family reunion so it is on. Stay tuned for updates as to where you will meet us. We have to go a day earlier than the rest of you guys. Also we had a great time in California! Everyone there said to tell all of you guys hello and that they wished they could see you all. They remember the older of you guys the most. Hope said that she was going to come and see us with her three little kids. That would be so fun. Also Melissa is planning on coming next summer in August and meet us at the beach house again. Her kids have not stopped talking about the reunion and want to come back. I think it will be fun and we can plan a few day trips on the coast. Maybe we will have that for our reunion time next year. Anyway Happy Easter to all of you and maybe we will see some of you at the beach this weekend. Love you, Mom

We got him!!!!

2008-02-26T13:46:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to share the most exciting news in the whole world about our little family. Andrew now has full custody of Adrian! As soon as he gets here we will plan a get together so everyone can see him who can. Stay tuned for details...

vacation times

2008-02-21T13:25:00.000-08:00

Hello children, we just want you to know the following dates that we are going to be at the beach house in March. It will be spring break week. The dates are March 20th thru the 26th. We have the whole unit. Dad will only be down over the weekend part so I will be there with the little kids if anyone has time to come down. Even if for the day it would be fun. Also to update you all on the family reunion in August. It will be the weekend of the 8th, 9th, and 10th. We are still trying to get a boat house on Lake Billy Chinook. (dad's spelling?) We have to have a $400.00 deposit so we are waiting for our tax return. So until that time we can not for sure know if we have a boat house reserved. The one dad is looking at sleeps 14. The little kids can sleep on the floor so I am sure there will be plenty of room. Thank you Toshia for doing this it will be fun to keep everyone posted and updated. Love you all and enjoy this summer like weather before the rains come.

Hello Family!

2008-02-21T11:22:00.000-08:00

I know that mom and I have our own blogs, but I just thought that it would be fun to have somewhere for us to keep each other up to date on what is going on in the family and around the Portland Metro area! We have thrown the idea of a family newsletter around before, but this would be a lot easier to do than that. Start posting when you have something to add or share, have fun!