Tickle Creek Trail

We didn't have weather on our side for a great January hike so we decided to go check out The Tickle Creek Trail here in Sandy, OR on January 29th, 2012.  Tickle Creek Trail is a trail that runs East and West along Dubarko Road between Hwy. 211 and 362nd.  It's path follows the Tickle Creek.  There is a rumor that there are plans to connect this trail with The Springwater Trail (which runs from Boring to Portland), and then eventually connect it to the Pacific Crest Trail up on Mt. Hood.  The total mileage of the trail in Sandy, OR is roughly 3 miles (down and back).  From our house, it made it a 4.5 mile trek. 

It was a rainy day, so we were all bundled up in our rain coats, and the babies were snug in their bear suits and protected from the rain with their rain cover.  (Above is Ryan with Owen, Lindy, & Marlee, and below is me with the gang.)  This is at the trailhead closest to Hwy. 211.

These are two of the places that the trail crosses Dubarko Road (pictured above & below).  You also have to walk on the sidewalk for a very brief moment.  You come out by a playground and stay on the side walk for about a block.  There is trail marker that always tells you where the trail continues so it is easy to know where the trail picks up again.

Above is one of the many views of the Creek from the trail.

You cross 5 bridges like the one pictured above on the trail  These were all built by the City of Sandy last year, and they are absolutely wonderful.

Here is a picture of our fearless hiking partner, Marlee.  She was a little soaked by this point, but was still in good spirits.

This is Ryan and the babies at the other trailhead closest to 362nd.  This is where we turned around and headed home (the same way we came).  To make it a shorter trip, you could park a car at each end of the trail, but I think it is nice enough to just go back to where you started.

This was a great trail to go explore.  It got far enough away from houses that you forgot you were in a city, and it was great for our jogging stroller the whole time.  This was a great trail on a rainy day, and would be even better on a nice day.

Big Things are Happening

Well, we now have two crawlers on our hands, and Owen can even pull himself up to standing on his baby gate and on furniture.  The following videos are of Owen pulling himself up to standing, and Lindy sitting up.  The video of Lindy was taken before she could crawl (she just started crawling last week).  I'll try to get one of her crawling up soon.

The video of Lindy starts out with a picture of Owen for some reason.  Something strange happened on the editing floor.  Sorry about that.

Having fun

We hung up the bouncer the other day.  Both kids really enjoy it, and it is a nice thing to distract them with when Ryan or I needs to get something done.  Here is a video of Lindy having a great time in it.

Owen has recently found the door stoppers, and he thinks they are one of the coolest toys ever!! 

Before/Mid-way Through Pic

I have been working on losing weight since the babies were about 4 months old.  I started off by just going to Weight Watchers, and then I started working out not long after that.  I gained 60 lbs. while I was pregnant, and lost 30 of it right after the babies were born.  Since I have started Weight Watchers and working out, I have lost 17 more pounds.  I thought I 'd celebrate this loss by posting a Before and Midway through my weight loss picture.   

The twins were 3 weeks in this picture.  It's not the greatest pic because I have a coat on, but believe me that coat was well-fitted. 

BEFORE

Below is my Midway through pic.  I think you can see the difference the most in my face.  Now I only need to lose 13 more lbs. to get to pre-baby weight.  Then I'll set my goal weight with Weight Watchers.  Look for my pic in April to see if I lose all the baby weight before the babies 1st birthday.

MIDWAY

Resolutions & Winter To Do List.

Ringing in the New Year made me come up with just a few resolutions.  I actually think they are do-able.

1.)  Go on a hike at least once a month with Ryan, Owen, Lindy, & Marlee.
2.)  Get more organized.

Now for the hard stuff.  Here is my To Do list for the winter.  Actually, I want to get this all done before Owen & Lindy's first birthday, so I get till April 5th.  This gives me a little extra time.

1.) Finish Owen & Lindy's 12 month frames to give to them for their birthday.
2.) Finish Owen & Lindy's baby books to give to them for their birthday.
3.) Pass the Middle Level Social Sciences ORELA.  (This test will give me some job security, as I'll be able to teach Middle School Social Studies if my position gets cut.)
4.) Finish decorating Ryan's office.  (We are very close to being done with this.)
5.) Finish our Wedding Book on Shutterfly.
6.) Get to pre-baby weight.  Then I can figure out what my goal weight is going to be with Weight Watchers.

Okay, I'll re-visit this in April, & I'll keep you updated on my resolutions as the year progresses.

9 month stats

Owen & Lindy are 9 months old!  Can you believe it?  The time has flown by, but I am really enjoying this age.  For the most part they are both happy & healthy babies.  I'll take this age over newborns anytime!!

 At Owen's 9 month appointment we learned that he is 17# 15oz, and is 28 in. long.  This puts him in the 10th percentile for weight, and the 37th percentile for height.  He can crawl like nobody's business, and will be pulling himself up on things very soon.  You can tell he is an observer of most things.  He wants to know how things work, and is a very inquisitive little boy.  I love watching him stare at a new object and really try to figure out how it works.

At Lindy's 9 month appointment, we found out she weighs 18# 10.5oz, and is 28.5 in. long.  This puts her in the 44th percentile for weight and the 78th percentile for height.  She is not crawling yet, but will be there any day now.  She is an independent girl who knows what she wants.  She loves to play with new things and jumps right into almost all situations without hesitation.  I really enjoy her adventurous and independent spirit, but am a little concerned about how this will translate into her teenage years.  :)

We had a busy, busy holiday season.  Here is a quick recap of everything that happened. 

 

 Owen and Lindy got to go and cut down their first Christmas Tree.  We've been very lucky this winter and have had wonderful weather.  That day was perfect, and we got ourselves a beautiful tree.

Amy and I received our Master's in Education.  Amy received her's with a Reading endorsement, and I received mine with a Methods and Curriculum endorsement.  It's pretty cool to be have a Master's and be done with that task.  Now onto the next one.  

 We celebrated Christmas Eve with Amy and her boyfriend (at the time, now Fiance!).

 We flew to Iowa to celebrate late Christmas and the New Year with Grandma & Grandpa Bradstreet!

 The babies received some great homemade gifts from Grandma, Grandpa and even Great Grandma.  In this picture you can see the cool caterpillar that Grandpa made for them.

 Owen and Lindy got to meet Great Grandma Bradstreet.  Great Grandma really enjoyed meeting the twins, and they had a fun time with her.  Especially Lindy, she seemed to form a special bond with Great Grandma on this trip.

 Here's a nice generational picture.  Four generations of Bradstreet's.

Here's the whole gang.  We clean up pretty nice.

 

And where was Marlee during our trip to Iowa?  She got to stay with Aunt Amy and Uncle Cross.  She even got to go on a trip to the beach with them.  On this trip, Amy and Cross got engaged.  Hooray for them!!

It was a busy holiday season, and I finally feel like things are winding down and getting back to normal!  We are very excited for the new year.  We have a lot of fun adventures planned, and we'll see what unexpected adventures pop up along the way.