Tidewater Barge Lines

While my husband and I were dating he decided to apply for a job at Tidewater Barge Lines...thankfully he got the job! Although when he said he was applying I had NO idea what a tug boat or barge was (eastern oregon farm girl...) or what he would be doing at this new job. We get questioned alot with...so what exactly do you do? When I say he is "on the boat" some people assume he is fishing or that a tug boat is the one that helps the big ships (which it does!) but what my husband does is transport barges up and down the Columbia and Snake Rivers. He is technically on a "Tow Boat" (although commonly called a Tug Boat) and his company has around a dozen boats the push different materials (fuel, wheat, containers, garbage, ect...) in barges up and down the river. Tidewater Barge Lines has been in operation since 1932 and they are basically a transportation company that operates from Astoria, OR (the mouth of the Columbia) up to Lewiston, ID on the Snake River.

Kevin loves his job but does miss home while he is gone. He lives on his boat while he out. He is typically on a different boat every month and works with a new crew, most boats have a four man crew. Their company takes very good care of them! They cook all their own meals (their company buys the groceries) and he eats better on the boat then he does at home. And has learned to be quite the cook! He job title is a Deck Mechanic - so he works on the deck and in the engine room but does not operate the boat. That is the captain and pilots job.

It is a wonderful job and we are so grateful he has a job. Especially in this economy...He took some pictures this summer while he was working. The first ones are just some views of the river. He grew up on the river and he loves it! He could spend every day out on the Columbia. It truly is a gorgeous and amazing piece of nature.

Here is one of their boats pushing some fuel barges and containers (I think?!)

Their company has a yellow smiley face on the barges...so if you see the smiley face you know it Tidewater!

These are pics of "The Chief" - one of their boats. All the boats have a different name. And this is what Kevin's home away from home looks like. They are taller boats so they can see over the barges. The wheel house is in the top and the living area is towards the bottom.

This last picture is of one of the dams and the locks that they go through. I still don't totally understand how it all works but it is very interesting and intriguing. I am so thankful for this job and that I will be able to stay at home with our baby boy. My husband works hard to support us. I know its hard for him to be away but when he is home we have so much quality time together.

I don't even know if anyone will read this but I hope it is a little informative in explaining my husbands career =)

Shery and Jeff's Wedding Pics...

A few pics from the big day...they turned out beautiful!

McCall...

We got to spend New Years in McCall, ID with my family and my Uncle Steve's family. We had a great time. There was lots of snow...which I LOVED! We went ice skating, snowmobiling, made a snowman, feed some elk, played games and ate lots of wonderful food! We have been going every winter for twenty years...it is a wonderful family tradition! Can't wait until next year...

Merry Christmas!

We had a fabulous Christmas. The best part was my hubby got to come home! He was here for about 40 hours...so we got to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day together! We were very blessed. We started the morning opening presents together at home. He got me a new vacuum (Which I am so EXCITED about!!!) and I got him a tool box for his truck and some nice rain gear for work. Then we opened presents from my parents - which included a Wii (Kev has destroyed me at bowling everytime - I need to practice while he is gone!) Thank you Mom and Dad...we appreciate everything so much!

Next we headed to Kev's parent's house and opened gifts with his family. A big thank you to them as well! We were definately well taken care of this year. We all went in together and got my father-in-laws elk mounted for him. He was so surprised!! Then Kev's mom made us breakfast (Yummy french toast and bacon!) They let the dogs in the back room and let them open their santa presents. It was pretty funny! I have never seen dogs try to open presents before...they loved it! Then we headed back home to put things away and get ready for dinner!

Dinner was down at Kev's Aunt house. We had a great dinner and fabulous dessert. I was so full and tired! But we stayed late playing board games...Grandpa Corkey and I dominated in the first game of Scattagories! Actually we barely beat Kev and his mom - but we still won! Not that I am competitive or anything?! It was a great day filled with family and great food! I can't wait until next Christmas when we will have a little one to spoil!

Now we are looking forward to going to McCall to spend time with my family over New Years!

Baby Room Inspiration...

I am quite excited to decorate our baby boy's room. I love decorating and little kids things are so cute...its twice the fun! I have been looking up ideas online. I have white furniture from my mother (Shaylee's old stuff) and we have super cute green and white stripe (and polka dot) crib bedding. So here is my "vision" so far...

We are going to paint the room like this above picture and put in the chair rail. We will do brown (not a dark chocolate brown but a lighter tone) on the top and then green, brown and white stripes on the bottom.

I also am in love with the wall decals. Etsy = my new favorite site!!! I could spend all day on there looking at cute things. I love this saying and want to find somewhere to put it.
As many know...my husband loves fishing! And I thought these next two decals would be perfect. Still baby cute but have the manly little guy look and theme.

I want to get the decals in white to go on the brown walls. I can't wait to start painting and setting his room up! I know I get a little anxious and I will wait a little longer to start the project but I have been enjoying looking up ideas!!!

Between ETSY and baking I have managed to consume most my time. It isn't raining, which is fabulous and I even took Molly on a walk today. It doesn't really feel like Christmas though with this kind of weather. I can't believe it is two days away! All my presents are wrapped, I have made WAY too many cookies, two pies and a perppermint cheescake. I love getting asked to bring desserts - baking is so much more fun then cooking!

Well I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season!

And the results...

Its a BOY!!! Here are a few pics of our little man and a few from my little sisters wedding this weekend!

Anticipation...

Sometimes I feel like I am always waiting for something! There is always something to look forward to. Lately the anticipation of finding our what we're having has been the number one thing on my list! Well...tomorrow is the big day! As long as the baby cooperates and lets us get a good look down there. Oh I can't wait...seriously more excited about this then Christmas (And I LOVE Christmas!!!) Hopefully I will be posting soon on whether little bean is a little he or she!

Also...I am still quite excited and anticipating Christmas (and Christmas Break - the greatest part of working at a school!). We got our tree last weekend...I love Christmas trees. And I love having our own tree to decorate and make our own.

Another major anticipation has been my sister Sheryden's wedding. It too has finally arrived...this Saturday her and Jeffery are getting married! I know she is beyond ready for the big day to be here and I am so happy for her. Not so happy that my dress wouldn't zip and we had a small crisis finding a bigger one and getting it altered in a week (and I still don't have it!) But lets pray it will be done in the morning and it will fit for the big day!