Yaquina Head Lighthouse staircase



I love lighthouses.   I envision a handsome lighthouse keeper and his buxom bride standing in the lighttower, embracing ala Jack and Rose style, wind blowing their hair and sea mist moistening their brows.  In reality I know it must have been a lonely life of hard work in unforgiving elements. Still, I can't help but feel romantic whenever I see one of these sentinels of the past. 
This photo is of the staircase leading up to the lighttower at Yaquina Head lighthouse in Oregon. Can't you just see that handsome lightkeeper and his beautiful wife ascending the stairs, hand in hand, blanket and bottle of wine in tow.....ahhh.



Bird on the beach

We noticed lots of dead birds on the beach after the big storm.  Sad.

Helping hand

Sometimes we all need a little help.

First and second cousins

Ok, ok, sorry...so many baby photos from me lately...but I just can't help myself!

Took this photo at my neice, Ashley's baby shower, just one week before she gave birth to the fourth Ellis grandchild.  My two daughters and another niece gave birth earlier this year.

Beautiful moms...beautiful babies!

Ashley (with Brooke invitro), Jessica with baby Julianna, Brianna with baby Xavier, and Michelle with baby Baylor.

Aaaannndd....a few more photos from the same day (I promise next photo I post will not be a baby photo!)

X and Julianna...almost holding hands.

X, Julianna and Baylor and a few mommy hands.

Grandbabies = best medicine ever!



Jessica, with Julianna and Brianna with Xavier...cute, cute, cute!



I had surgery late last week.  Nothing too difficult or serious, but enough to keep me home not feeling too great.  My daughter Brianna, who lives in Seattle, decided to take the train down to visit/help and she brought along my three month old grandson, Xavier (X as we like to call him).  He's a smiley, happy baby, who chatters up a storm.  Although, I couldn't lift him, I could have him set on my lap so we could have a nice conversation with each other.

On Saturday night, my daughter and her husband Jesse, brought over my other grandbaby, four month old Julianna. How wonderful to have my two grandchildren sitting on my lap with their sweet baby smell and soft downy hair.  Chubby little thighs, wobbly bodies, and drooling mouths....really, who needs medicine when you have not one, but two sweet angels on your lap.

Grandpa Eric holding little X man.

Julianna had a little cold and was a bit fussy, but has soon as she got in her Daddy's lap, she was out like a light.

X's big brown eyes.

X and Mommy Brianna.



As I turned around at the train station to wave goodbye to Brianna and X, I noticed a strange woman holding my grandson in the window.  Since I haven't gotten a call from my daughter saying someone kidnapped her son, I'm going to assume the lady was holding him while Brianna stowed her luggage and got settled in her seat.....Right, Brianna?



Snow at Otter Rock

Gull Rock seen from the Devil's Punchbowl path.

Woke up at our beach place a few weekends ago to find a dusting of snow.  So beautiful!

Lonely picnic table at Devil's Punchbowl.

Section of sea stairs leading to Otter Crest beach.

Path at Devil's Punchbowl.

Xavier's Baptisim

The Hanks Family, Xavier, Brianna and Ken.

My grandson, Xavier, was baptized on Thanksgiving weekend. The gown he wore has been in my son-in-law's family for over 100 years.  Such delicate fabric swathing my adorable little robust grandson.

Receiving a blessing from the Priest before entering the church.

Xavier gets holy water poured over his head...amazingly he didn't cry!

Beautiful smiles for their beautiful little boy.

Brianna, Ken and Xavier with Godparents, Sara (Brianna's sister) and James (Ken's brother).