Go Panthers!

Natalie played soccer for the first time this year. She was on a team with her good friend Madelynn and I think they had a lot of fun together. I was really excited for her to play because I have so many great memories of my soccer days. I think Natalie's favorite part was the social aspect. There were times I would have to say, "Natalie stop holding Madelynn's hand and go after the ball." She became a bit nervous around the ball after it smacked her in the face one game, but she did really well at throw ins and kept trying.

Mr. Mischief

Cameron has lots of fun getting or trying to get into things. The other day I was in the bathroom fixing Natalie's hair for school. Cameron thinks it is a treat to be in there since as soon as he starts playing in the toilet I put him in the hallway and close the door. On this day he had skipped past the toilet and climbed into the tub. I was thinking well at least he isn't in the toilet and no big deal. Guess what he figured out how to do. Yep, turn on the water. You will notice he is only half dressed since getting his diaper on is enough of a challenge so usually the pants get on a bit later. He was having a blast splashing in the water.

The look he gave me when he realized I saw what he was doing. "Dang, she caught me!"
This is so fun mom! You would think he never had a bath. Maybe it is more fun with clothes.

Making sure he gets his feet washed. He also did his hair.

Misc. Disney Photos....

in case you didn't get enough! Ella intently studying the map.
Both parks were decorated so cute for Halloween.

All of us at California Adventure.

I was trying to recreate a picture I took with Tiffany when I went with her to Disneyland in 5th grade. Didn't quite work out as I planned and there were actually people in the exact spot, but this was pretty close.

Dumbo was a big hit, but always had long lines.

Ella and her pillows. I think there are seven!

The girls watching a movie back at the hotel.

Mr. Toad's Wild Ride

The Rides

The girls loved the rides and since I am not a "thrill ride" type of girl Disneyland is my level. I love all the mountain rides because they are just enough for me with out giving me a panic attack. The girls seems to be more like me when it comes to rides, but Natalie did go on Thunder Mountain with me and Ella went on Space Mountain with Eric (she held on for dear life the whole time, but only teared up at the end). Other than that we stuck to the easier rides. Eric and I went to Disneyland a few years ago and I thought I would try the California Screamin' roller coaster because Eric loves those kinds of rides. Yeah, thought I would die! So when my 8 year old niece wanted to go I was impressed. She was awesome and went on it twice! That is not a Randall trait. We did keep to some of the Randall traditions: riding the train around the park first, the Tiki room (which the girls loved!) and the Jungle cruise. Unfortunatly Small World was closed. The carousel- Ella's favorite aside from Dumbo.

The worlds slowest bumper cars!

The girls LOVED the tea cups. We did them many times!

Alice in Wonderland

The new Finding Nemo (the old submarine ride)

I love this picture! She was just in awe on some of the rides. So cute!

Disneyland- The Characters

At the beginning of October Eric and I took the girls to Disneyland. My parents were so nice to keep Cameron with them for the week. The weather was great (80's and 90's) and while it wasn't summer busy, it was still pretty busy because it turned out that it was Arizona's fall break and southern California schools had Thursday and Friday off. The girls had a great time and are ready to go back. After many failed attempts to see characters we finally were able to get pictures with many of them. Ella didn't want her picture taken at all and especially not with the characters, but there were a few times we lucked out. We were able to have dinner at Ariel's Grotto and had 5 princesses come to our table. Ella would only get in the pictures if I held her. She is for sure my daughter that way. :)

The Pumpkin Patch

There is this great pumpkin patch that is seriously about 2 minutes from our house and we have gone there the past few years. It has a play structure, hay maze, corn maze, tractor rides to the patch and the patch is actually a field where they bring all the pumpkins so you aren't tripping over the vines and your kids aren't picking up the rotten pumpkin. On a gorgeous Friday I decided that we better go that day before the rains come. I call Eric and he decides to meet us there after work. While I thought my idea was genius apparently everyone else had the same idea because there were a MiLlIoN people there. It also seemed to be "Every girl scout in the Portland area meet at Baggenstos at 5:00 to get your pumpkin" day. There were so many Girl Scouts. I really have nothing against them since I was a brownie for many years, but they were not the politest of girls and their leaders didn't do anything about it. I was a bit annoyed, can you tell? I was also frustrated that I didn't get any good pictures. The kids were running in opposite direction and I obviously didn't hold the camera very steady since many of the pictures are blurry. In spite of it all the kids did have a good time and we got some great pumpkins and isn't that what is really about? Natalie balancing on the hay bails.
Running through the maze.

Swinging from the play structure.

I know this is a horrible picture, but I want to point out the Christmas trees in the back. That is were my kids kept running. They seemed to lose interest in finding the perfect pumpkin and decided to find the perfect tree instead. I hope they are that enthusiastic in December.

Look- all three in one picture!

Little Cam man picking up pumpkins.

The beautiful view from the tractor. I wish I could have made it translate a bit better in the picture.

Trick or Treating

My pictures are a bit out of order, but I wanted to get them up before it is Valentines Day. We had a really fun Halloween (except for Cameron and Eric missing out since Cameron had a cold). We went to our friends the Kelly's for their annual Halloween party. They are so nice to feed us dinner and then we all take the kids out to Trick or Treat. It turned out to be great weather for Oregon. The girls didn't have to wear their coats over their costumes which leads to people asking (What are you?) and no one needed an umbrella!

For some reason Ella was scared to go up to the door so I had to hold her pumpkin and say Trick or Treat. I asked if she wanted to go inside, but she wanted the candy so we kept moving. There were a few houses that just put bowls on the doorstep and she wanted to get the candy from those house. I love that girl!
Natalie with some of her friends. Ella refused to be in the picture.

Most of the group.

The girls and I before heading off to the Kelly's.

A shot of the Cinderella hairdo.

A cute bee and beautiful Cinderella. They just thought it was great that they got to wear makeup.