As many of you know, a hard thing about living far from family and close friends is missing out on huge life events. I've missed a few weddings, family reunions, and milestone birthdays (happy 80th to Grandpa and ma Boersma!). You can imagine my excitement when someone told us about a GREAT deal to fly to Portland! I had already accepted the fact that Caleb might not get to meet family and friends for months or maybe years, so it was a blessing beyond explanation to realize we would get to go!
As you can see, Caleb did wonderfully on his first airplane ride!
A HAPPY reunion with Grandma!
My aunts, uncles, cousins, sister, parents and grandparents all came to see him! He's one famous little boy...and very loved!
A highlight and main reason we decided to spend the money to visit was for Caleb to meet GREAT Grandma...
...and Great Grandpa! Caleb is the first great-grandchild on this side of the family!
FOUR generations!
Since time was short our main focus was to see family, but we were able to get some time with at least a couple good friends as well! Of course Caleb had to meet the Olsons!
I remember holding Allie in the hospital when she was born! It was pretty amazing to see her, Riley and Evan so grown up and holding Caleb!
Caleb had an especially good time with Aunt Wendy!
I can tell she has her own Granddaughter!
Lots of smiles and laughs! I'll never get tired of them!
Another highlight was visiting our church in Portland! SO GOOD to worship with everyone and catch up a bit! Of course Caleb was the celebrity of the morning! He slowly got passed from person to person so that by the end of the service he had almost made it to the other end of our pew!
Thanks to the Ruters for letting us stay with them! We love you guys!
I think their son Anders is the happiest boy I've ever seen! It was fun to see him interact with Caleb!
GOOD TIMES!!! We're so thankful we were able to visit!
(If you're in PDX and we didn't get to see you, we truly wish we could have! Hopefully next time)
My aunts, uncles, cousins, sister, parents and grandparents all came to see him! He's one famous little boy...and very loved!
Since time was short our main focus was to see family, but we were able to get some time with at least a couple good friends as well! Of course Caleb had to meet the Olsons! 
I remember holding Allie in the hospital when she was born! It was pretty amazing to see her, Riley and Evan so grown up and holding Caleb! 
Another highlight was visiting our church in Portland! SO GOOD to worship with everyone and catch up a bit! Of course Caleb was the celebrity of the morning! He slowly got passed from person to person so that by the end of the service he had almost made it to the other end of our pew!
I think their son Anders is the happiest boy I've ever seen! It was fun to see him interact with Caleb!
Here's the outcome! Of course Caleb is who makes the costume look good! I'm pretty sure he's the cutest mouse EVER!!! All I had to do was make the ears, tummy and tail- which is all out of two pieces of felt which only cost 60 cents. I used a fake flower stem from our house to make the tail bend, and Caleb already had the pjs and hat!...lastly, i painted on the nose and whiskers , which was quite funny to do with a wiggly little baby. :) 
I bought a shirt from a thrift store and cut holes (maybe too many...was having fun) to turn myself into Swiss Cheese! Matt ended up not having to work so he threw his outfit together right before we left- Kramer from Seinfeld. Maybe Caleb is the mouse that lives in his apartment.
People constantly stopped to look at him and say how adorable he was all night! How could i not be a proud mommy?! But I'D be proud even if he was an ugly duckling! :)
I'm pretty sure that if she was allowed to, Zoe would spend hours with her baby cousins- she has 3 others besides Caleb! I think she'd already make a great babysitter, but I think for age-sake we'll have to wait a few more years. 
It's been fun to watch Caleb start to focus in on specific people and things around him instead of just randomly looking everywhere. He's also starting to respond to what he sees and hears. With all that he's taking in now, his favorite things to stare at still haven't changed- the blinds and pictures on the wall! I think he broke a record the other night by staring at one picture for almost an hour while I watched TV waiting for him to get tired. 
