It's Back! My Blog That Is!!

Jai and I giving Taeya and Julius piggy-back rides.

Taeya and the boys ready to roll, Jaiden walking the dogs

Taeya, Julius & Jaiden swimming... The water was very cold; I was impresed sitting on the bank

Ahhh, Summer has been good so far, but we really can't seem to get enough weekends to fulfill all that was planned at the beginning of the season. Recently, Jill and I have kept very busy trying to live up as much sun as we can. This last weekend "The Four Ladies" and I drove up to Timothy Lake to go camping with "The Four J's". We had a blast, especially Taeya. We went on a few walks around the area, cooked hot dogs, sang songs, went swimming and played with the dogs... Pretty much Taeya's perfect weekend. Sunday morning we packed up the truck and cleaned up the campsite, meanwhile I found a pack of wild animals in the bushes... (see video below). We made one last stop at the lake to play and then it was back to Portland. All together, one of the best weekends yet!

A Long Time Coming...

Ahhh, it has been a long while since my last post... What can I say, lately I have not been in the mood. I have been real busy at work and home. Since my last post we have had fun at home working in the yard and enjoying our cool (temperature) basement. This photo was taken by our friend Haley, we attempted a family picture. After a good portion of the morning was spent in the park trying our best to get all in one shot, we had many photos like the one above. It was a real group effort and despite Taeya's unwillingness to participate, she had a really good time. Afterwards we all had a bit to eat at Di Prima Dolci.

The Pizza was delicious... After the lunch Jill, Taeya and I headed out to Jill's parents to drop Taeya off for the night. From there, Jill and I went to McMenamins Edgefield with Craig and Katie for some par 3 golf and beers (I of course had some fresh squeezed screwdrivers). After that, some BBQ action back at the Greeley house and an early bedtime. Good Times!

I'm Out

A Case of the Fridays....

This morning I was pretty excited to come to work and finish off the week. What I didn't plan for was the debacle I was going to get myself in. As usual, I started my morning by coming in and getting my computers on and printer started. At about 9am it was time for the work-start meeting. I came out into our meeting area and closed my office door behind me. The meeting was great, it seemed that all the hard work payed off, Friday was looking pretty chill. On my way back into my office I found my door was locked from the inside. Uhhhhh...... Oh yeah, by some fluke I had tapped the locking mechanism inwards and locked the door.... From the inside, where my computers are that run the printers, that keep me busy all day. For a second I thought I was going to get to go home. My fellow workers got on the phone to attempt to track down the key while I tried to take the door hardware apart. My carpentry skills would only get me so far... The door is interior but surprisingly has a lot of security. The key is with our boss who is on a cruise in Alaska and the previous owner who actually did have a key, was in California. Just when my co-workers thought we were calling the locksmith, my "Office Macguyver" skills came into play. I grabbed a ladder and crawled into the ceiling. From the ceiling I climbed over an ac duct and used a long stick to push the handle of my door and it swung open. My co-workers were pretty impressed, I was kind of mad that I had to get back to work.

Two Years!!!

Taeya turned 2 years old yesterday. To celebrate her actual birthday, we had a pizza party right after work at our house. Taeya was in a great mood, she had a three hour nap before the party. Although she was not too crazy about eating pizza, she did enjoy the fact that she got to play "outside" with "bubbles". Taeya's Grandma and Papa were there as well as Poppi. Mema was at work and could not make it.
Taeya's buddies Jaiden and Julius attended; they are quite the team and Taeya really enjoys being so close in age to them. Jaiden and Julius always start off a little shy, but quickly warm up as they find new things to play with around the house and outside. They were both pulling eachother in the wagon and doing a good job of taking turns. Jaiden and Julius are just 5 months older than Taeya and it crazy to think how different that 5 months makes them.

All three kids were playing with bubbles and running back and forth between the slide and playhouse when Elly and Trevor showed up. They had a gift for Taeya that occupied her for the remainder of the party. "Balloons" was all that was heard out of Taeya's mouth from that point on...

After the boys left it was time for the birthday girl to go to bed. She was tired and fought going to bed for an hour or so. All together the celebrations of Taeya's birthday were a great success, I feel like all our friends and family got to see how much Jill and I love and care for our little angel. As the years pass we can all look back on these times and smile that the biggest deal at the party was balloons and bubbles. I love you Tae-Tae! Daddy

Taeya (Balloons in hand) with Jaiden & Julius

Jaiden & Julius in the wagon with Taeya (trying to escape the picture perfect moment)

THROWBACK!!!

This Video was taken when Taeya was just a few months old... I warn you that the video is borderline obscene and may be disturbing to a few people out there. Watch this at your own risk.

I hope that wasn't too bad.
Have a good day!

More Awesome Pics!!

Jill putting on (fake) lipstick for Taeya.

Taeya's Cousin Brooklyn, looking very mischievous.

Gross Mom!!! Delicious cake all over my fingers.

Taeya trying on a "Dora" B-Day Hat... It didn't take.

Taeya wearing a ring-toss ring like a tiara...

Taeya walking away with purse in hand.

Taeya and Max Reimer hugging.

THROWBACK!!!

Yet another lil' Ninja throwback. This was taken when Ninja was almost 3 months old. Ninja is at my parents house in this picture with Max (Taeya's fav. feline) stalking her every move. This was a time in Ninja's life where she slept in a shoebox that sat on the headboard of our bed. She weighed in at a whopping 3 pounds and we attached a bell so we wouldn't step on her.
This August, Ninja turns 9 years old... That's 63 in dog years; Ninja is not the little black dog she once was... Now, at about 5-6 pounds, she has a lot of grey hair in her beard and mixed in with her coat. I can't help to think about all the years that have past and the fact that Jill and I are going to be in our late 30's when Ninja goes to doggie heaven. When that day comes... Look out doggie heaven, the bitch is going to rule that roost!

Taeya's 2nd Birthday

This weekend was Taeya's 2nd Birthday party... Great Success!!! Jill and I had practiced the birthday song the week prior... At home, Taeya danced in circles clapping her hands and saying, "HAPPY HAPPY". At the party, Taeya bashfully stuck her fingers in her mouth and would not preform the routine she had previously.
Many of Taeya's friends and family attended the celebration. Unfortunately, we were still missing her cousins, Olivia and Mia; and her buddies, Jaiden and Julius. Fortunately, Taeya did not seem to know the difference.
Throughout the party, Taeya played on the playground and spent a good portion of the party making bubbles. Makayla (Marcellous' daughter) and T played "ring around the rosie" with a variety of people (whoever had the energy to fall down and get up over and over).
After cake we sat down to open a few presents... One of the first gifts was a little pink purse filled with all sorts of girly stuff from my Aunt Terry. Once Taeya got a hold of it, all the other presents were void.When it was time to pack everything up and head home, Taeya was still ready to party. We continued the celebration at home in the backyard with Mema, Poppi, Grandma, Poppa and friends. After Taeya layed down for the night, we had yet another Greeley house BBQ. A couple beers and a few screwdrivers later, I was tuckered out and ready for bed... What a day it was!
**(Top-Left Photo taken by Haley Lovett**
*(Additional Photos by me)*

Brooklyn's 1st Birthday

This weekend we went to our nephew Brooklyn's 1st Birthday. It was a lot of fun and it seems crazy to think a year ago, he wasn't born and Taeya was only a year herself. Being the older cousin for a change, Taeya had a good time playing with Brooklyn.
Throughout the first part of the party Taeya wanted to do nothing but sit in her Mema's lap and snack. After some cucumbers w/ dip and some cheese and crackers she was ready for anything. She was extremely happy to see some of her old toys that we had handed down to Brooklyn.
The party's theme was "dress up like an animal"... However, I did not see many animals. Nathan, Grace & Brooklyn were dressed up in a nautical theme; Max Reimer was dressed as a Ninja. While neither costume reflected an animal, they were pretty sweet.
To follow tradition of Chambers' parties, no bash is complete without a good ol' pinata smacking. They always seem like a good idea and everyone is always excited to get it started; the results are usually the same. Someone ends up beating the pinata while it lays on the ground, this time it was the "Shadow Ninja"!
After the pinata, presents were brought out and Taeya was quick to lay her claim on the wagon, which she sat in the rest of the party.

A Tea Party With The Cousins

Last weekend Jill & I packed up and headed over to her parent's house for breakfast. Taeya's Cousins Olivia & Mia were there with their Mom. The three of them had a breakfast tea party. Taeya being the only-child that she is, didn't really want to share the teapot. But they all had fun of course and post-breakfast/tea party they all played with some "bubbles" (one of Taeya's new favorite words).
Jill and the girls (minus Taeya & Mia) went shopping and Jill's Dad and I entertained Taeya & Mia.
When the ladies returned home, Jill and I went to Walmart to buy Taeya a pool for the backyard. Taeya slept the car ride home and refused to try out her new pool. Jill & I rounded out the early evening with some yard work. The Chihuahuas lounged in the backyard as per usual weekend.
Overall a pretty good Saturday, however, we did not have enough time to get to home depot.

THROWBACK!!!

Another throwback photo... Taken originally on my previous cell phone. This pic shows Rhonda, Ninja & QP. QP went missing a year ago, her daughters (Ninja & Rhonda) miss her very much, as we do. QP was the best Chihuahua ever... Well behaved, motherly, obedient, happy, healthy and Taeya's bud throughout Taeya's first year.
Every morning Taeya looks at the pictures hung on our bedroom wall and names the people and animals... When she gets to the picture of QP and says "Roo-Roo" I say "yes" but really want to tell her about the mother of our two dogs who was always protective of her when she was just a newborn.
I hope that QP found a new home where she is loved as much as she was at our home.
QP, we will miss you always
Love,
The Greeley House

Ninja Dog Back In Action!!!

Well, It has been over a month since my last entry; I figure it is time to get this going again. Previously I was unemployed, thirsty to find work and a little down in the dumps. I am happy to say that things are really turning around for me and the family. As Taeya nears her second birthday she has created quite the personality. Her favorite things to do are play in the back yard, watch the disney channel and harrass her favorite two dogs (Ninja & Rhonda).I have finally found a job in a field that has some relevence to my college education... It only took 4 years! It is keeping me very busy but I enjoy the work and see myself staying there awhile. With Jill and I both working, we were forced to have two cars. Last week we found the car (truck) that we had been looking for. Let's just say it is 10 years newer than any car we have ever owned. Jill has it most of the week as she is the one transporting Tae to daycare. But Thursday and some Fridays... "Picture me rollin", i really can't put in words.
Uh, yeah! What a step up from the past cars we have driven... Me: 1978 VW Rabbit, 1979 Volvo Wagon, 1981 Nissan Datsun, 78' Rabbit again, 1986 Cutlass Supreme... Jill: 19?? Ford Escort, 1987 Honda Accord Coupe, 1997 Honda Accord.

Our new truck is not new, but new to us in the sense that it was manufactured in the last 5 years. 2006 Toyota Tacoma 4DR 4WD. Times are good and gettin' gooder every second; expect more to come from a much happier "me". Love to all, EBO

Job Market, Shmob Market!!!

I know that I am not the only one having a hard time finding work these days, but, "come on already!?" Because the jobs are few and far between, I have recreated my resume for every job I apply to. I do this so employers believe that I am the perfect fit. Unfortunately, unlike times in the past, I get zero responses. Feeling like my emails are getting tossed aside I generally wait a day and follow up. When I do not recieve responses to my follow-up emails, I begin to wonder if I am just 1 of a million applying for that job or I am getting something wrong.

Throwback!!!

This is one of the many "Throwback" blogs I am going to write... This is a picture taken when Ninja was less than a year old (2001). Jill and I spent the better part of a weekend driving around Corvallis trying to find a few clothes items for our dog. Because of her small size, we couldn't find any actual dog clothes that fit. Instead we came across a little doll hat that was at the craft store; we customized it with an elastic band to keep it on and a black ribbon and feather to make it look like a pimp hat. The fancy sweater tied around her neck is actually a glove that we cut apart to give her leg warmers. Jill and I obviously had a lot going on that weekend

Happy Birthday Jill!!!

To my lady,

Happy Birthday, for the next 1o days you will be two years older than me. It seems like just yesterday that we were celebrating your 18th birthday... Oh wait that was over 3000 days ago. It has been the best of times! Thank you for being the best girlfriend, mother, friend, fiance and love of my life!!!

I Love You,

ME

Taeya loves her Chi-Chis

Taeya is becoming more of a dog-lover everyday. Recently she has been showing her love with extended hugs, which usually end in the dogs telling her when to stop.

In this pic, Taeya was pretty much holding Rhonda in place... You can see the love in both their faces.