The Oregon Eschens

2011-08-11T17:33:00.001-07:00

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2011-08-11T17:05:00.001-07:00

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In the heart of the Oregon Caves

2010-11-10T16:15:00.000-08:00

While visiting friends in Cave Junction (Oct. 23, 2010), Jeff and I took Andrew, Gwen & Leah to the Oregon Caves. Our GREAT friends watched Luke & Naomi while we enjoyed the short hike through the heart of the mountain. The above rock is termed drapery: my personal favorite.

Andrew really enjoyed the different cave rooms we went through- "the Ghost room" was his favorite.

Leah stood next to a column in the darkness- she is in a lot of pictures because she walked next to Mommy.

Jeff liked this formation that looked like a set of jaws.

We were all brave and climbed a VERY steep ladder to "Paradise Lost"- my favorite room filled with drapery!!

Here we emerged from the cave... we had our picture taken by some nice people who said, "perfect picture for your Christmas card!" Little did they know we were missing two of our family members.

After the inside hike, we did an equally long hike outside- to the top of the mountain. Leah stops for a quick photo-op.

Gwen poses in the Cave Coffee Shop. We enjoyed hot chocolate, fries and cinnamon rolls- FOR LUNCH!! It was fun eating side-by-side on the swivel chairs.

17 Days in Paradise to Celebrate 10 Years!

2010-03-26T13:10:00.000-07:00

For our 10th anniversary we went to Maui, Hawaii for 17 days (10/31/09-11/17/09). We took Andrew, 8 (who would remember the trip!) and Naomi 10 months (still nursing). My parents, Scott & Sue Goetchius went with us for the first week. Gwen, Leah & Luke enjoyed a vacation with Uncle Brian & Aunt Teresa in CA.

One of the best times Andrew enjoyed was boogie boarding... Dad, the pro, shows Drew how it's done.

Our first condo (Polynesian Shores) had a salt water pool. We were assuming it would be fresh water & a little chlorine, but to our surprise it was salt/chlorine water. My Mom loved to hang out with Naomi, even in the pool.

Here we are coming back from our first snorkel trip to Black Rock (in Kaanapali-we took two trips there). Grandpa, Andrew & Mom jumped off a 15 foot cliff into the ocean. Andrew landed wrong... poor guy. We saw 2 white spotted eagle rays (& got there picture!) Dropped the camera to the bottom of the ocean and Grandpa dived down 30 feet to fetch it. My hero! While trying to figure out the underwater camera, I wasted the battery life just in time to miss a turtle 3 feet away from us. He just floated there looking at us for over a minute... Jeff and I were in awe. He was up to catch his breath, then he dived down and hid under rock. After that, we were on a mission to get a good turtle picture.

On the winding path to the blowhole.

Andrew relaxed in a pool by the blowhole, waiting for the shower to come.

Cute little gecko on our lanai (patio). Another gecko was not so fortunate... he lost a tail by Andrew. We got a great little video of the tail... it was still moving after separation from it's body!!

Dad & Naomi take a stroll to the tiki deck.

Mommy tries on a plumeria flower for size... beautiful smell. We had a tree outside our condo.

Like Mommy like daughter... cuter behind her ear.

Dad steps out of the condo... a low-stress Jeff.

Downtown Lahaina outside Bubba Gump's

We met a cool Hawaiian dude (trying to get us to go to a time share presentation). He told my Mom & I we had our plumerias behind the wrong ear... we were single until we met him.
Our first snorkel/sailboat trip was with Paragon to Lanai. We snorkeled in a bay, had a picnic lunch on the island and sailed back to Maui (Andrew helped steer). We also jumped in the blue water on the way back... beautiful!
Here's the happy crew, ready to shove off. All except my Mom, she got sick during the trip.

Here's the captain... Aye aye captain Drew!

The blowhole... not in full force.

My good-lookin' hubbie of 10 + years!

One of my personal favorites, the Olivine pools. Pools not directly connected to the ocean and protected from the strong waves. We jumped off the rocks on the right. Andrew gained confidence snorkeling here.

Naomi & Mom happy as can be!

Jeff, Grandpa & Andrew... The Three Amigos!

Iao needle... here a bloody battle was fought.

Still in the Iao needle looking down into the valley.... we went from beautiful sunshine to fog inland.

Naomi's new boogie board diaper changing station

Took a trip up to Haleakala... Andrew hangs on for dear life.

The crater on Haleakala. People go camping inside the crater (CRAZY! It was cold and dry).

The whole crew close to the Haleakala summit.

Dad snorkeling...

Mom snorkeling...

Andrew's first time snorkeling... with the help of a boogie board (he got more experience in the Olivine pools...pictured before).

Here are those white-spotted eagle rays. I was following one ray when I lost sight of it and two more were coming from the opposite direction, right at me. I freaked out and almost did not get the picture. I wasn't sure if they were aggressive.

Here is a lovely sunset outside our condo...

Here is a nice daylight shot... pool right out our door!

Great picture of my Mom!

Naomi samples a big rock, then a little rock, then back to the big rock... so many rocks so little time.

Gotta love this shot of Naomi... she must be waiting for some flies.

Grandpa & Grandma gave us a Luau date night. Here our children sport our leis from that evening. We enjoyed the show, food and the comfortable chairs (we felt sorry for those on the ground with nothing but a flat pillow). Jeff bought me a beautiful shell necklace (made into the shape of a plumeria).
Here we are at our second condo (Worldmark Kihei), thanks to Uncle Brian & Aunt Teresa! We waited by the pool before check-in.
Road to Hana- we boulder hopped to our own private waterfall! Naomi in the Ergo carrier on Mom's front... I felt like a gorilla with babe in tow (using my arms and legs to maneuver).

Andrew poses before a lava tube (road to Hana). The tube led to the ocean.

Here we are on a black sand beach (Road to Hana).

Inside our condo... Andrew plays so nicely with Naomi. They have a wonderful relationship.

The Kamaole III beach park. Drew being a good big brother.

Dad let me try the Ergo carrier on him... it's nice to have a break from being the pack mule.
Here we had an amazing experience watching a hawksbill turtle nest being excavated. The park services people make sure all turtles have exited their nest & not suffocated to death. Here we got to see one little guy left behind. Really cute & little (resting on her blue glove... not a great shot because no flash photography was allowed).
Andrew & Daddy snorkel @ White Rock. They were following a big turtle when a turtle the size of a small car caught their attention... I talked with a native & he said he had seen the VW beetle-sized turtle.
Here is the Humuhumunukunukuapuaa (the state's unofficial fish)... say that 10 times fast!
Our second snorkel/sailboat trip was with Paragon to Molokini. As you can see the water is soooo clear. It was beautiful! Jeff was disappointed we did not see a shark... I did not mind one bit! Although, to live through the experience would have been awesome.

Great fish shot... don't know what kind.

Dad & Drew boogie board @ White Rock (Wailea)

Naomi & Mom hang out in the white sands of Wailea... I was protecting Naomi from an aggressive crab (the little guy was 2 inches wide!) while she crawled on the beach.
I found a gigantic cowry shell... the size is great compared to Naomi's hand.

There is a rule in Hawaii... don't remove the shells from the beaches. I should have listened... some crabs died because I thought they were uninhabited.

Naomi sends a shout-out to all her peeps back home!

Cute snorkel hair dude!

The BEST turtle picture! Jeff was relieved to get it. He wished it was the car-sized turtle.

Dad treated us to a very nice dinner @ the Five Palms. Very pricey, but great food and atmosphere (right on the beach... open windows next to our dining table).

We thought about moving to Maui, but there were no jobs available. We'll have to wait until our 20th anniversary to visit again.

Let's Hear it for the Boys

2009-10-14T22:27:00.000-07:00

Grandpa, Luke, Jeff & Andrew. Nice 3 generation picture.

Andrew has been teaching Grandpa some new songs... he's a good student.

Leah & Gwen love to play dress-up & pack Naomi around, sometimes in the doll's stroller. She usually cooperates, but sometimes she gets fed up.

Luke is going through the "use anything as a gun" phase. He sometimes uses a toy hair dryer. Here is a favorite, the Nerf ball gun.

Luke likes to play dress-up too... here he is trying on baby doll clothes.

We found this swallowtail caterpillar in our back yard. He had false eyes... creepy!!

Everyday life

2009-10-14T21:32:00.000-07:00

Mom & The Naomster hangin in the kitchen.

Dad & Naomi- she is so alert!

Luke & Leah can have so much fun together... when they're not stealing toys from one another.

Grandpa Scott bought Andrew an electric guitar- a Squire Mini by Fender. Grandpa bought one for himself too. Now they jam together- Sweet Home Alabama & Up Around the Bend.

Luke loves to be our entertainer... if he knows we are laughing he continues... to be the pig boy.

Yes she is the muffin girl, the muffin girl, the muffin girl... who lives on Drewrey lane.

At the end of a game of Life, Andrew had 2 cars and 7 children! He hopes one day to live up to this scenario.

Luke can wear safety glasses like the pros!

An evening of family Bible time... the children all sit on their pillows on the floor listening to Daddy read the Bible.

Andrew gets baptized!!

2009-10-14T21:06:00.000-07:00

Our Pastor Shawn Magoon baptized our son Andrew this summer@ Bible Baptist in Lafayette.

Andrew was very excited to have friends & family come for this special occasion. He wants everyone to know he is a new creation!

Papa Marty Eschen holds his little granddaughter Naomi- the iPood shirt is from Uncle Brian & Aunt Teresa. Papa loves his iPhone & his iMac so his little iPood fits right in.

Nana Janet Eschen truly has fun with her grandchildren- little Naomi eats it up!

Wildlife Safari

2009-07-01T16:11:00.000-07:00

They offer an elephant car wash...guaranteed not to get your car clean.

I'm glad these guys were not aggressive.

His guy had a really cool spot between 2 trees...plus he was staring at us.

I caught 2 brown bears chasing each other on video...this is the chasee.

I loved how close this tall drink of water was right next to the road just munching on a leafy bough.

This little guy & his siblings found a spot in Andrew's heart. He said, "Mom can we take a picture of them, PLEASE!"

The pom pom deer- or so they call the Black Buck. We like our name better. It reminds me of the tennis ball some people have on their antenna.

I, Jessica really liked this guy...I think it's his big brown eyes. He started straight for our Suburban, so I drove away not wanting to get spit on.

Almost all the children LOVED the monkeys. Who doesn't they are very entertaining...this guy needs some deodorant.

We didn't see any tigers, but we loved the sign...

Gwen, Leah & Andrew rest under the shade of a bush in the parking lot, waiting for Mom to get everyone ready to visit the Wildlife VILLAGE (is that where every animal looks after everyone else's kids?)

Andrew, Leah, Luke & Gwen in front of...

This crazy looking monkey...Andrew liked him, of course.

Andrew took Naomi & Mom's picture (yes, Mom was there too, but you don't usually see me in the pictures).

Truly wild life

Leah the Lamb

Upon entering the park we saw this God glorifying sign...Yeah Wildlife Safari park!!

Our Work Vacation

2009-07-01T15:12:00.000-07:00

The Beautiful Log House we rented in Roseburg, OR. Jeff had a job in Roseburg, & we got to "vacation" with him. The place had everything, including slivers for our feet. We, as a family, only paid for 1 dinner out, gas to get there & back and a trip to the Wildlife Safari.

Our little ones played safely in the Umpqua river...there was a drop-off, so there was a lifejacket rule.

Naomi & Mom rest in the shade while the other children enjoy the "to cold for comfort" river water.

We caught, took pictures & then released our baby crawdad. He was so cute. Andrew & I tried to catch an older & very much wiser crawgrandad...he was very elusive. No boiling water for him...yet!

Mom, with Andrew's help, caught the little guy...we struggled trying to find the right container with which to catch him. A tuna can and a holey plastic pot did the trick.

We made friends with the neighbors horse Debonaire & poney Shiannie, by feeding them carrots & grass. Leah enjoyed the freedom to go visit them by herself.

Inside the beautiful log house: we ate, slept, did some school work, played card games & watched a little cable. It was a lot of fun.

Gwen on the back porch, the lawn leads right down to the Umpqua River.

Our beautiful Naomi turned 6 months last Sunday, the 28th, on her sister Gwen's 6th birthday.

Big brother Luke & his beautifully big blue eyes.

Dad, Leah (who donated her hair to locks of love) & Gwen watch a little Wipe Out on TV. All the children's favorite show...all the children includes Dad & Mom too.

Leah stylishly shows off the really nice potty.

Never a Dull Moment

2009-02-28T15:16:00.000-08:00

The sweet Naom-ster...2 months today!

Andrew loves Naomi & talks to her in a VERY high pitched voice...so she can hear him better of course.

Gwen is ready in her turn-outs...where's the fire? We visited Grandpa (pictured in the background) @ work (the Belmont Fire Station, transformed into a museum) on a safety day. All the children, minus Naomi, slid down the fire pole. We also got to see Grandpa's office.

Leah has some of the BEST faces

Luke enjoys the tunnel & especially looking at the pictures Mom takes. Every time I take a pictures he says, "see, see." It's a good thing we have a digital camera then isn't it?

Guitar Hero

2009-02-28T15:00:00.000-08:00

Andrew received a guitar from Grandpa Scott for Christmas. February 3rd he started lessons in our home (his teacher, Chris Guerin, is part of a Portland band called... A Fifth of Funk). He's learning the ABC song, Jesus Loves Me & Flood by Jars of Clay (a little more challenging). He is doing remarkably well for a 7 year old...or so his teacher says.

Life with Five Chillin's

2009-02-13T11:55:00.000-08:00

Here is one of the few pictures of all seven of us. Jessica, Naomi, Leah, Jeff, Luke, Andrew & Gwen. It looks like Leah & Gwen have electricity in their systems (just white hair ties).

Beautiful Naomi Amelia- resting peacefully on Daddy's lap.

The Fabulous Five.

Naomi- post baby acne

A little surprised look... big nostrils, might be a Goetchius nose.

Lukie helps Daddy make sandwiches.

Luke our little skater dude- wearing Drew's hat.

The girls play baby doll with a real live subject.

Great pic of Dad, Gwen, Luke & Andrew!

Mommy & her pumpkin pie... ok, so you have to make up silly, goo-goo names for your children. There is some unwritten rule.

Often asleep...

...but when she's awake she's SO ALERT!

Luke being his wild self.

Brothers who love each other...from wrestling to feeding eachother.

Girls who love THEIR new baby sister.

Leah, 3, now dresses herself...isn't it odvious?

BIG awesome NEWS: Andrew believes in Christ for his salvation (2/1/09)

Mom & her little Luke-Mo

Already trying to fill Dad's shoes.

The masked bandit...he will steal your heart & hit you with a kiss.

Leah doing another one of her interpretive dances... ok, it's just a crazy position she wanted Mom to take a picture of.

A CRAZY side of Andrew...

...but under control & oh so gentle.

Naomi & Dad... he often gets a little spit-up on him in this position.

Grandpa's little fire fighter.

Dad braves playing Monopoly with the children... Mom's least favorite game to play.

Naomi smiles!

2009-01-20T21:35:00.000-08:00

Here is an actual smile (not just gas!) from our little Naomi. She is a great baby. She sleeps well at night, is nursing well & growing like a weed! We love her very much.

SUPRISE it's a girl! Naomi Amelia Eschen

2008-12-29T22:03:00.000-08:00

Naomi Amelia was born on December 28th @ 1:10 pm in our bathtub @ home. She came after a very odd labor consisting of contractions every 5 min or more apart. Some of the midwives thought I wasn't in labor & wanted to go home. They stayed the night however & were not disappointed when she arrived just after lunch. She weighed 8# 4 oz., 20 3/4" length, 13 1/2 " head & 13 7/8" chest.

Luke likes Naomi, but he's a little rough (he tried to sit on her). Just as long as he can have some Mommy time (suck his thumb & hold my hair) he's fine with her. He can say what sounds like her name. In the above picture, he is playing with a CLEAN wet wipe.

Biggest brother Andrew was almost threatening the midwives (before he left with Grandma while I labored): It better be a girl...he was right. He's very happy to have Naomi in our famiy. He thinks she looks a little like a boy if she doesn't have girl clothes on.

Gwen is very excited to have another girl on the force...she loves to hold Naomi.

Leah, our little nurse, helps Mommy & Naomi while we lay in bed. She covered Naomi with blankets & kisses & gave Mom a drink of water. She promises to share her toys with her & not hit her.

Proud papa Jeff. He envies the time I get to be with Naomi. He wants to hold her whenever he gets the chance. He is an awesome father.

Snow week!!

2008-12-24T14:40:00.000-08:00

Aunt Amy (middle), visiting from Tennessee, enjoys the snow with us.

Leah loves to eat snow & icicles...she tries to share with Luke but he will have none of it!

Snow angels are the big-to-do!

Andrew loved cleaning off the suburban

Big, still-pregnant Mommy (2 days late)

Andrew and his icicle rifle...WATCH OUT bad guys!

Gwen and her petite icicle rifle (or maybe a wand)

Andrew enjoys acting like a boy...throwing himself into the snow.

Carm & Wozy Leah (read Runny Babbit by Shel Silverstein)

Mom & Lukie...he needed a little help in the huge snow drifts....

see...he fell flat on his face

Aunt Amy poses with the children on a neighborhood corner...we took a very long walk (snow angels & lots of pictures).

Luke is now really enjoying falling and letting us pick him up.

Andrew is BURIED IN THE SNOW...we just finished a book by the same name.

Our house in Canby...atleast 1 foot of snow!

Relaxing with Jeff and having some laughs with Aunt Amy (she dressed up in the girls dress-up clothes & danced for us...I nearly wet my pants).

Dr. Luke listens to my heart at our prenatal visit. The snow is so crazy the midwives came to us (12/24/08). We'll keep you posted about baby and her/his arrival!!

Baby # 5... Joel or Naomi?

2008-12-11T21:40:00.000-08:00

Our little one from the outside. Maryl, our assistant midwife, drew his/her first portrait.

Leah loves our baby... she kisses my belly every chance she gets.

Our midwives: Marina, Celeste & Maryl

Our family: Mommy, baby #5, Gwen & Leah

After the beautiful belly art... the children put their touches on the drawing.

Leah really getting into her work!

Camo Kids...Thanks Uncle Kyle & Aunt Amy!

2008-09-25T21:28:00.000-07:00

Uncle Kyle and Aunt Amy are hunting fanatics...deer, ducks, squirrels?! Thanks for the cool camo! No one will SEE our children are outside playing in the snow...

Gwen & Leah have come to know the wonderful world of SIT & SPIN, spider-style (or rather half a spider). Boy does Mommy remember those good times!

Luke like every good boy LOVES Hot Wheels...he is really obsessed. He even drives them around with the vroom vroom sound effects. I've even caught him using my leg as a road.

Hot PINK! Wheels....he's confident in his boyhood...enough to drive a pink car

Fort Stevens BEACH BASH!

2008-09-25T21:12:00.000-07:00

Dad was auditing in Warrenton, OR (really close to Fort Stevens) for a week and we got to stay with him 2 nights. One day we spent at the beach, right near the famous wreak. We played in the ship, dug a hole (almost to China), ate snacks, chased seagulls (Luke) and of couse we played in the water. People visiting the beach wanted to take pictures of the crazy pregnant mom and her 4 boisterous children. It was a beautiful, WARM?! day on the Oregon coast.

Gwen makes a beautiful sand pie.....

...Luke has a taste, yuk!!

I couldn't believe he actually did it, but then I guess I can. Andrew did the same thing when he was about that age.

Four little monkeys sleeping in OUR bed!

2008-09-16T18:31:00.000-07:00

Luke, Leah, Gwen & Andrew cuddle with Mommy in the morning...usually about 2 min. max.

Luke...before his BIG haircut...or shave rather. Photo by Gwen.

AFTER...poor guy now he can't play with his hair while he sucks his thumb...he has no hair.

Luke will sit on our neighbors 4-wheeler for several hours...waiting for someone to give him a ride. What a BOY!

Family Reunion: Camping @ Dorena Lake July 1-9, 2008

2008-08-01T14:36:00.000-07:00

We joined Jeff's extended family for our 2nd annual camping trip to Dorena Lake. We did get the better end of the deal...2 hours drive vs our relations from California (5-8 hours).

Robert and Jenny brought their 6 children (including their 4 mo. old twins!) from the Eureka, CA area, Brian and Teresa brought their 3 children from Pleasanton, CA, Papa and Nana from Danville, Gramma Edy from San Leandro & our family of 6 1/2 (baby #5 due @ Christmas!) All together there are 22 of us...13 children all under 10. We have so much fun!

Micah & Grace Upton, Gwen & Leah (ours) Eschen & Josiah Eschen

HIGHLIGHTS:

*Gwen learned how to ride her bike without training wheels!

*3 all-day trips to the lake

Mommy & Luke (16 mo.)

Gwen 5 years old

Daddy Jeff...the same age as his twin brother Brian

The LUKESTER

Leah 3 years old

*Smore's, songs & being smoked out around the campfire

Aunt Jenny and Isaiah (4 mo.)

*A nice dinner out at The Cottage

Uncle Brian and Faith (4 mo.)

Our sweet Leah

Dad and Lukie

Luke...the guy with the cool hair

*Gwen & Leah want to be Riverdance girls...they practiced one night

*a BIG birthday party (we have to have big parties, because our family is growing so BIG! 22!!),
*hiked through poision-oak infested trails,
*suffered through a "sermon" from a camp church (he read from a book, not the Bible the whole time)
*the boys learned to play Mille Bornes @ 6 am each morning

We're hoping to go some place warm for a future reunion...Hawaii!!