Dubland

Chloe the party girl

2008-11-03T22:41:00.000-08:00

My birthday party

2008-10-20T22:47:00.000-07:00

We had a party at my favorite Mexican restaraunt, Lorenzo's, for my 36th birthday. Kinsey brought a karaoke machine, and while not many participated, I believe it will be an annual event. Start practicing now on a song for 2009!

New post

2008-09-24T23:28:00.000-07:00

My sister blogs. She writes things. I guess that is a big part of blogging; the writting. Me, I cut and paste pictures. I know that no one really wants to read what I write, they want pictures of the kids. They want adventure. They want smiles. Words- we have plenty of words. Every now and then, though, I think I should write something.

My friend Sam has been back and forth at the hospital for a month with his four year old son Max (www.maxmiddlebrook.blogspot.com). I love them, and am so thankful for friends that have dealt with this in such a wonderful way. His wife Shannon is awesome, the way she has dealt with this. Chloe has prayed for Max every day, and it humbling seeing that.

I have really been contemplating the pace of life. It moves so fast for me. Chloe turned four this summer, and it went by so fast. Court will be done with school in two and a half years. Devyn is crawling, and it seems as if she was just born. She is nine months old on Monday.

I have spent my life trying to take care of others. I love serving and helping but don't want to miss the next few years. Please pray as I try to embrace the pace God wants for me. I don't want to get ahead or behind. Is this blogging? Dani, let me know.

Wrapping up Summer

2008-08-30T17:11:00.000-07:00

So it's been a busy summer for the Archers. We traveled to the East Coast (VA, MD, NC, DC). We had weeks of cheer camp. Devyn started crawling. And now school is starting!

Summer Girls

2008-06-08T21:34:00.000-07:00

Courtney is easily Devyn's favorite family member. Chloe wants to be America's Next Top Model.

Back yard

2008-06-07T21:31:00.000-07:00

We get baby deer in the back yard every summer. Chloe wants to feed and pet them, but they usually stay about 30 yards away. The blue cones are protecting the trees that have been planted.

Chloe Faces

2008-05-27T22:23:00.000-07:00

Some pictures just need to be shared.

2008-05-23T21:36:00.000-07:00

Chloe's Spring Choir performance. She is not a shy girl.

Devyn is dressed to cheer her on.

Devyn is kissable

2008-05-17T21:53:00.000-07:00

Photo shoot

2008-05-07T21:47:00.000-07:00

A day at the Tulips

2008-04-17T22:08:00.000-07:00

I simply love my girls, and enjoy every moment with them.

I got lost on the way down, and acted like I wasn't. We then walked around a lot of flowers, and tried to keep Chloe from picking them. Then we drove into LaConner and got Kettle Corn. Very relaxing, very fun.

2008-04-10T22:01:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, when Daddy is watching the girls, Chloe will sneak off for a few minutes of fun. In this case, she found mom's eye liner and painted her face like a lion. She love the Lion King movie. Let me ask you this- who do you think was in more trouble with Mommy, Chloe or Daddy? You guessed it.

I got to have a great craft day and make a lion mask we could take off on on a little easier than the first one.

Gpa and Gpa in Orlando

2008-03-28T21:23:00.000-07:00

One of the great things about competing with the cheerleaders in Orlando, is getting to see Christina's parents. They love to drive down and spoil the girls. Courtney was with the other cheerleaders the whole time, but we got to go to Epcot with Devyn and Chloe. Christina and I tried to find some sushi (of course) and then Grandpa got to go back and rest with the girls. And at Epcot, there were more princesses....

Chloe the Princess

2008-03-27T21:08:00.000-07:00

Our trip to Orlando was to compete with the cheerleaders- but Chloe was there for one reason: to meet the princesses. She did not want to ride rides, but waited hours to see Belle, Cinderella, Ariel, Snow White, Jasmine along with Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofey and Mary Poppins. As a dad, it was worth the wait seeing her eyes light up. Grandma and Grandpa Rice took her out as well, and again waited in lines. Interested to see what she wants to do for next year.

Prepping for Surgery

2008-01-06T18:20:00.000-08:00

We arrrived at the hospital at 6:30AM. We were atmitted to our room, Room 6, right away. In the first picture, Christina is pointing to the empty cradle we will be filling in a few hours.

We had a series of tests, and because Christina was having sugery, she was not allowed to eat or drink anything. By 9:30, she was both pretty hungry and thirsty. It was then we got the results, and she got to drink this splendid beverage (she is grimacing all the way down) that is shown in the second picture. She had an IV put in as well, which you can see the connector in her left arm.

You can tell in picture three that I am extactic to model the hospital blues, and the last picture the nurse took as we were walking to the surgery room. Not long now!

Birth of a baby

2008-01-06T18:07:00.000-08:00

After we walked down the hallway, they took Christina into a sterilized room to prepare for anethesia. Here she is walking into the surgery hallway. Chloe was born in the room on the left, and she is entering the room on the right, at 9:40AM. (Once we got the test resuts, things happened very quickly!)

I sat in the surgery waiting area, and made a quick phone call to my mom to let her know we were going in. They came and got me at 9:57AM.

When I walked in, Christina was hooked up to oxygen, and had a curtain over her belly. I was trying to comfort her, and get up the courage to look around the curtain.

Things happened very quickly. We were speaking with the anesthesiologist, and making a few jokes. Before we knew it, our doctor was saying she saw a head, and that she had dark hair.

This is the first picture of the new baby- from where I was seated. I looked around the curtain for a shot of the clock- she was born at 10:04AM.

This post contains nudity

2008-01-06T18:00:00.000-08:00

Here is my first up close picture as I approached our newest family member. And you guessed it, she was born nude. The two nurses (the male nurse on the left was named Gaylord Focker) cleaned her up, a bit, and put a clamp on her umbilical cord.

The second picture shows my extreme talent. Notice how I am cutting the cord with my right hand, while taking the picture with my left! If you are a future dad- it feels like you are cutting through rubber. Pretty sweet.

I then got to take her, and present her to mommy- our first photo with baby and parents! Thanks Dr. Anesthesiologist!

Getting all cleaned up

2008-01-06T17:26:00.000-08:00

The baby got her feet stamped, had her first bath, got a visit from her doctors- surgeon Dr. Tu, and mommy's doctor, Dr. Shapiro. Mommy got to hold her for the first time, and daddy was so proud!

We were not able to have guests yet, as they wanted to monitor Christina for an hour and a half.

Our first visitors!

2008-01-06T17:20:00.000-08:00

In the waiting room room was big sister Courtney, Grandma Rita, and "Auntie" Rebecca. They met the baby, but baby still had no name...

We have a name!

2008-01-06T16:51:00.000-08:00

Devyn Marie Archer was born at 10:04 AM on Thursday, December 27rth, and weighed 7 pounds and 2 ounces. She was 20 1/2 inches long.

We are a very proud and happy family and very thankful to God for Devyn! Welcome to the family!

Thanks for visiting!

2008-01-05T20:51:00.000-08:00

Christmas

2007-12-26T22:03:00.000-08:00

Christmas eve morning the Nordykes invited us over for brunch. Chloe and Charli love each other, and it is great to visit. Christinas eve I worked at CTK for the services, and Courtney helped. Christina's family (folks Rita and Stewart, sister Jen and nephew Keven) flew in late that night. I spent Christmas day sick in bed- but was awake for presents. Chloe and Keven had fun unwrapping everything.

Cookies

2007-12-17T21:59:00.000-08:00

The girls made Christmas cookies. I am going to like this whole "raising a house full of women" thing! Cutest girls ever!

Santa

2007-12-17T21:53:00.000-08:00

Chloe and I were playing in the house on Saturday morning when we heard a ton of sirens. The fire department came through our neighborhood to collect toys, and brought Santa. Chloe went nuts. We ran down the street, and she jumped on his lap. Happy Chloe, happy dad. He asked, "What do you want for Christmas?" and she said- "A little sister!" That made a really happy dad- and Christina pulled up just in time to hear that too. Happy mom as well.

Chicago Bears vs. Seahawks

2007-11-19T20:41:00.000-08:00

Got free tickets to the Bears game. Courtney's first NFL game. She took her friend Jessica, and I took my friend Seth. Great game- very loud! Great seats! Seahawks beat the team that knocked them out of the playoffs last year.

Favorite Pic

2007-11-07T21:20:00.000-08:00

I took Christina and Chloe to a Tacoma Rainiers game two summers ago, with my mom and step dad Chuck, in an attempt to get Felix Hernandez's autograph before he made the bigs. I did not get the autograph (Christina chickened out asking him) but we did get this picture. The funny thing is- every time we download all the pictures off our camera- this picture remains. It is stuck. A great reminder to me that my life is about teaching my girls to pray.

Trunk or Treat 07

2007-11-03T21:33:00.000-07:00

My nephews (Christian, Jonah and Max) kept asking what I was going to be for Halloween- so I dressed up as a Rabid Seattle Fan to honor them- with a fro, and an old school Seahawks jacket and M's visor. The boys, particularly Christian, are huge Seattle sports fans. I wore the outfit to work, and people got a kick out of that. CHloe was the Star of the show- as she dressed up in a cheer uniform for the first time. Charli hung out with us again, and was a great scarecrow, and our old neighbors Christian and Tatum stopped by as well.

Lace

2007-10-07T22:11:00.000-07:00

Sometimes when Chloe dresses herself she puts on yellow lace tights and brown boots. Nuff said.

Stoney Creek Farm

2007-10-07T20:35:00.000-07:00

Chloe's pre-school class had a field trip to Stoneybrook Farm. We took the girls, had a hay ride, picked out pumpkins, visited the animals, and got some hot apple cider. Going again next year!

Camping

2007-08-17T22:13:00.000-07:00

Got to camp with my sister, her family, my folks, my youngest brothers kids, my fam, and Courtney's friend Phoebe. Was great fun. We celebrated Jonah's birthday. He loves Spiderman.

Chloe turned 3

2007-08-17T10:02:00.000-07:00

Had a three year old party for Chloe. Lots of her friends, and cheer friends came, and a few of Daddy's friends as well. She is a riot- "Oh my goodness" with every present she opened! Last pic is a few days later, in a dress she got from Adam and Danielle.

8th Grade Grad

2007-06-30T20:27:00.000-07:00

Christina and I took Courtney to her first Mariners game, and a dinner at 13 Coins to celebrate her graduating from Fairhaven Middle School. Then we headed to Pike's Place for a bit, and then the game. The M's won, and she is now officially a high schooler!

Cabo Adventure

2007-06-01T09:38:00.000-07:00

So, the trip ruled. We played in the pool- a lot! Went to the best desert place ever, called Senor Sweets twice. Christina and Courtney went parasailing. We went out to dinner a couple times. The girls had a blast. I payed some guy $2 for Courtney to hold a lizard. We bartered for jewelry. Did I mention we played in the pool?

Heading to Cabo

2007-06-01T09:31:00.000-07:00

Mark and Rebecca invited us to join them in Cabo again this May, and this time we got to bring the girls. Chloe was very excited on the plane! We flew in to the airport on a smaller plane, and exited from the outside. It was about 90 degrees when we landed, but felt like 115 to me. THe gils are happy for sun! Rebecca's mom and step dad own the timeshare "La Playa Grande" which is just beautiful. We will be celebrating the renewal of their vows, and getting some R & R.

2007-03-17T20:31:00.000-07:00

Here we are on the Universal Studios Boardwalk in Orlando after winning our trophy!

Christmas Card Pic

2007-01-03T06:38:00.000-08:00

So, everyone keeps asking us about our Christmas card, and Chloe's stone cold smile. The deal is, we got all dressed up for our photo shoot, and headed to CTK to take the photos in front of the Christmas trees. By the time we got there, we didn't have a ton of time to take the photos, and Christina and I took a few with two to three of us in them. Then, my friend Ryan was taking the group shot, and we could not get Chloe to smile. First time in her life. Christina thinks Chloe is going all "high fasion" and trying out new looks for the camera (as displayed in the last picture here with all three girls). We then had to run to Courtney's school for parent-teacher conferences, and so the first picture above was about the only one we could use for the card that had all four of us in it. We concluded the day with a trip to Win's Drive In, which Christina is now addicted to (for those around Olympia, Win's is a lot like Big Tom's). Hope you liked the picture and had a wonderful Christmas!

2006-12-27T09:59:00.000-08:00

Had an interesting Christmas afternoon...We planned on having Christmas lunch with the Millers (Baron and Cristina live next door) but they decided that they would rather be airlifted to Seattle, and have their baby ten weeks early than have lunch with us! Here is baby Calix Miller- healthy and well! Our prayers is that he will be home with the family soon.

2006-12-26T09:52:00.000-08:00

Christmas this year was a blast! Courtney got the big stocking- someone gets it every year, and it is a treat, because it holds the most. Chloe loves opening everything- "Oh my goodness!". The big surprise was that we are taking the family to Cabo- for sun, sand and pool time in May.

2006-12-17T14:42:00.000-08:00

Our friends Mark and Rebecca got matching Christmas dresses for Chloe and their daughter Charli Kate. Here they are in all their splendor!

2006-12-17T14:25:00.000-08:00

I just got these, so thought I would share. My nephew Jonah is a rockstar.

2006-12-02T11:29:00.000-08:00

For Thanksgiving we went to my sister's house to visit her and her husband Chris and their three boys, Christian, Jonah and Max and Trevor was there also. Chloe loves to play with both Jonah and Max. (Christian was being a big boy watching football games with Dad and Uncle Derek- he will be nine on New Year's Day.) Max and Jonah showed Chloe the ropes- what is fun to play with, helped her get extra snacks- the three of them pretty much had the run of the house (the picture on the right shows them doing horsey rides.)

I must say, my sister put together quite a spread. The turkey was incredible, and we had 4 pies, and homemade cranberry sauce. Wow. I remember when she couldn't make mac and cheese...

Well, right on cue, Chloe got fussy needing a nap, so we loaded the family in the car, and went an hour south to Olympia. My youngest brother Dallen and his wife Chrissy, and three kids, Kaiden, Kailee and Kairah (allpictured with Chloe) were all at my mom's house, along with two foreign exchange students that are staying with them. My mom had made a full spread as well, and since we were full from Dani's, we waited a bit for a second dessert, and then ate turkey, stuffing and potatoes the whole next day (well that was my breakfast- the girls had pie).

We watched movies all day long with my mom, (her husband Chuck works graveyard, so he got up around 2PM) and had pretty much a wonderful holiday.

2006-12-02T11:18:00.000-08:00

The girls seemed to have quite a bit of fun putting up the Christmas tree last weekend. Christina and Courtney unwound all the lights, unpacked all the ornaments, set up the tree, unwound the beads, hung the ornaments, thebeads, the ribbons and bells (yes we have a festive tree) and put up the lights.

My job was to keep Chloe from touching the above mentioned items.

I had the tougher job.

2006-11-20T15:34:00.000-08:00

I took Christina to Vancouver to go shopping for her birthday. We wanted to go overnight, to have a bit more time, and to be able to find a sushi place. Our friends Mark and Rebecca went with us, to celebrate a weeklong birthday extravaganza, since Rebecca's birthday is a week after Christina's.

We also brought Courtney's friend Phoebe, who is adorable and the two of them had a blast in all the scary stores that I now feel way too old to enter. Mark and Rebecca brought their daughter Charli. Six girls shopping, two dads (Ok, Charli was kind of sleeping and hanging out, but it is still a lot of estrogen in a mall).

The trip was great, and we had arguably our best Sushi meal ever. We got Chloe a zip up fleece jacket and some boots, a couple of shirts, and a hat (shown) which are adorable. I think Courtney and Phoebe made out like bandits. I got a cool jacket. The only two that didn't strike it rich were the two birthday girls (although Christina got two shirts).

Last night we decided to start our Holidays. Courtney watched "Elf" for the first time. We got the cutest picures of Chloe in a Santa hat. Photos coming soon.

2006-11-07T22:25:00.000-08:00

The rain is a problem. Our roof started leaking, there is flooding all over the state, and my sister's house is in the Snoqualmie River (which is the river I proposed to Christina at).

Yes it is wet. And a bit cold. But mostly it has hindered Chloe's social life. See, in the summer- all she had to do was say "ssside", and we would open up the door to let her outside, so she could run over to the neighbors- Christian (6 1/2) and Tatum (5). She doesn't understand a need to bundle up, wear socks and shoes, and put on a hat or hood for a 20 foot trip. Besides that, she like the rain. She laughs, and giggles (which is a little laugh) and gafaws (which is a bigger laugh). And when mom and dad don't feel like bundeling, then Chloe is left inside- dry, unbundled, and bummed.

Christian and Tatum are great- and they love Chloe. They keep each other busy, and always seem to find new adventures. It is a lot of fun seeing Chloe so happy and loving the neighbors so naturally. we are proud of the little one carrying out Jesus' instructions to "love her neighbor as herself". Way to go Chloe!

Trunk or Treat

2006-11-04T09:23:00.000-08:00

At our church we had this great event- Trunk or Treat! People parked in the parking lot, opened their trunk, an handed out treats from there. OVer 2000 folks showed up, and we ran out of candy several times. Bought everything out of Cost Cutter! Chloe was a Shooting "Silver" Star, and Charli was a pumpkin. Jury is still out on what Mark was.

2006-10-27T02:07:00.000-07:00

Here are my three girls:

The love of my life Christina- who drove all the way across the country from North Carolina to my church in Bellingham to answer my prayers and be my wife (I am sure I would have gotten lost somewhere had God called me East!). We are absolute best friends.

My precious daughter Chloe, who is as cute as can be, and full of energy and life. She looks innocent in this picture, and will win you over with her sly ways, but she knows exactly what she is doing. We are worried about her taking over the world when she grows up.

Our wonderful Courtney, who we have known for five years, and staying with our family for a while. Courtney has fit right in, loves Chloe, is on Christina's cheer squad, and seems to enjoy my warped sense of humor (or at least tolerate it).

This picture was taken at a trip down to Burlington for a lunch at Chucky Cheese's. Sometimes we just need to get away for a bit of pizza, and "play" as Chloe would say.

2006-10-27T01:45:00.000-07:00

Chloe Marie

My daughter turned two in August. She is at a brilliant stage, that is everything she does amazes Christina and I.

We were sitting at the dinner table, and I decided to try and book a weekend day away in Vancouver. She asked what I was doing, and when I told her, she replied "Oh, nice!" Such enthusiasm. Such innocence.

I delight in watching her. It is amazing being a dad, and what I learn from the world through the eyes of a two year old. She is playful, curious, determined, caring, sensitive, stubborn, and loving. Like her mom. Like me. Like us. We love being parents.

She dances. Every morning she will eat her breakfast, and then usually wait a half an hour before asking for "music" or "dance". We turn on a CD or the stereo, and she mimics moves she has seen by the cheerleaders, and makes up some of her own. She is thrilled by her own creativity, and fearless in attempting new physical feats. She climbs in her dances, and bounces and jumps off the couches and chairs. Our desire for her safety conflicts with our desire for her courage and physical developments- and the primary caring parent determines which wins (Christina leans more towards safety).

She has recently found that mom and dad put stuff in their hair (Christina mouse and I use a gel) and so any bottle she gets her hands on becomes hair cream. This has been frustrating, yet funny at the same time- because she is so proud of her new hairdos (or hair don'ts!).

I will try to keep up with Chloe's new adventures...

2006-10-27T01:32:00.000-07:00

Intro to my new life

My name is Derek. For years, I imagined that my life would be total termoil, for that is all I knew. In fact, I did not understand what it meant to be content, for my life was a continual pursuit of peace, hapiness and contentment. I was not looking to settle- but I did want to be happy with the cards I had been dealt, and had a lack of confidence in that that caused unrest by me always trying to get something that I wasn't even sure existed.

God revealed himself to me slowly. It was not a grand or great vision- there was no parting of the clouds in the sky. But I recognized that the thoughts in me must be inspired by a Creator, and the the answer would only lie in His created plan.

Now, it seemed to me that there were an unlimited amount of plans to choose from- much like picking a cell phone service and plan, or picking a city to go to for vacation. Yet I was consistantly struck by the idea that perhaps the Creator had one specific plan...

I did not want to be a Christian. Honestly, I thought there was an arrogance about the attitude of the whole "grace" and "personal relationship" thing. And being that the country I am born in has recognized Christianity over any other world religion made my desire for uniqueness want to look somewhere else.

Yet in the words of Christ I was completely changed. Transfixed. Purplexed. Challenged. Terrified. I knew my life had to change. Outwardly I was a good guy- got good grades, had a bunch of friends, succeded at work and in sports- but I knew inside that everything I did was an attempt to self satisfy. And every other religion I looked at was some form of that very thing. Then there was Jesus. Dang it. I seemed to know in His words and presence that I needed to change.

So I did.

I have never regretted it- although the timing seemed inconvenient when I wanted to do my own thing. How many people wish they could completely do their own thing in college? Yet Jesus saved my life by revealing himself when He did. I am sure I would have self destructed.

So now I sit, it my house, surrounded by a loving family (my wife Christina, daughter Chloe and cared for daughter Courtney), with great friends, and a great job. I do not deserve or understand. But I am thankful, so thankful.

This is the story of my life, my family and our adventures.

Welcome to Dubland.

Chloe is One

2005-08-27T14:30:00.000-07:00

Family Pic on the Beach.