Cody's BBQ....at our house!

So Cody calls me the other day and said "I think we should have a bbq on Saturday because the "gang" hasn't had a get together in a while." So I said "yeah, that does sound like fun" and he said "ok great! We'll have it at your house!" Sucker!!! I of course complained because I haven't had a ton of energy lately and even though I love a good party I always hate the fact that you have to clean BEFORE everyone comes over and then you have to clean AFTER everyone leaves! So how did I solve that problem....I told Cody he had to come help me clean before the party! So here's some of us in the backyard---Jed was busy grilling on the bbq. I was thinking last night how funny it is the original "gang" of about 10 friends that started about 10 years ago and turned into almost 25 just in the last 4 years with marriages and kids added to the bunch!

















I had to wake Payton up for the picture below to show off the cute outfit she was wearing.......yes, I bought it for her! Isn't she so stinkin cute! I just thought it was so thoughtful of her to wear my outfit to my party to make me know she likes it. That Payton is just a real sweet girl like that!






















I love the picture of Chase below. Can you say "wide eyes". I'm thinking we should have entered Chase in Rylee's staring contest she as having with all of us---he would have won for sure! And of course I had to include the last picture of Missy and her new "friend". We were laughing last night that he's been in the "gang" for a few weeks now so he is now "blog-worthy" and can be posted on our blogs! His name is Joel and we think he's a keeper.

Oram Family Reunion

So I had a major tragedy this week---I lost my camera! But no need to worry---I found it tonight so I can now update my blog.....so stop sending me hate mail! So this past weekend we took a little roadtrip up to ole homestead of Blackfoot, Idaho. Maile and Nate drove down from Portland, Kami flew in from Cali. and my parents drove down from Seattle. We pretty much did what we Orams do best.....ate and chatted for two days! All of my dad's siblings were there and only a few cousins were missing. The purpose of the reunion was to celebrate my grandpa's 89th birthday! Cody was our photographer and he took the picture above of just my siblings and then below is my dad (front row-first guy on the left) and all of his siblings.
















Like I said....you can see below...us chatting and eating! Please take note of my Uncle Kent's bald spot......now you know where Cody get's his!!! (they're both going to kill me when they read that---truth hurts!) I feel I need to share a little story about this weekend........my grandpa Oram had me come sit next to him and he took my hand and in his best old man whisper (you know how old people think they're whispering when really it's louder than most people's real voice) anyway, he said to me "now Dutchie (yes, that's my nickname), I want you to never forget that you are one of my FAVORITE grandchildren." and I quickly corrected him and said "no grandpa....I am THE favorite!" Of course all my aunts were listening and they all started laughing and my Aunt Kay said "some things never change with you!" I guess I should give you a little background and tell you that I really did think I was the favorite until about 5 years ago when I realized he told every grandchild they were the favorite! I'm to the point now that I've decided the only way we will really know who is the favorite is when my grandpa dies and his funeral plans are revealed and we see which grandchild he put down to speak at his funeral. Morbid I know, and even more pathetic that I've spent time thinking about it!
















Here's a cute picture of my niece Chelsi! This ball was the hit of the reunion with the kids. Go figure.

And the winner is......... LANI!!!!!

That's right----Lani won her own contest! She guessed the exact weight of her little girl Payton Martineau! Jed and I just went to see the Martineau family at the hospital and I already want to go back and hold her again! I think she is by far the cutest little girl that has been born in a while! (no offense to anyone else who has little baby girls.) Jed will hate me for telling you this but when we were at the hospital Lani was telling us how hard her labor was and how Craig was so great to coach her along and tell her she could do it (she was in a ton of pain because she was right at the end and something went wrong and her epidural stopped working!). So right at the worst part of the story I look over and Jed's eyes are all welled up! It was so sweet!! He is so tenderhearted I love it! So check out Lani's blog for some CUTE pictures!!!
http://www.martineaumoments.blogspot.com/