Pumpkin Carving

We didn't end up going to the pumpkin patch this year because we successfully grew three pumpkins in our garden. Sadly they were not carving size, except for Cameron's, so we cheated and picked some up for the girls at the grocery store. They were oh so excited to carve them.

I think maybe Ella was confused about what holiday we were celebrating

Cameron had no reservations about getting into the guts. He also had no problem throwing them.

Eric and I have had this pumpkin carving kit for about 6 years and we have let the kids pick a pattern that they want. Every year it turns into US carving way too much of the pumpkin and kicking ourselves. Next year they will be drawing their own faces and doing it themselves.

my pumpkin face

Ella with her finished spider pumpkin. Notice the eyelashes (or as she calls them ashlyes) she gave the spider, so you know its a girl.

The finished products.

Now time to enjoy the caramel apples the girls helped me make.

Ella didn't want caramel apple so here is her "caramel apple with no caramel".

Natalie on the other hand wanted to make sure she got the one with the most caramel.

Oh So Tired

Cameron is an early riser. He wakes up pretty much every night about 4:00 saying he is hungry and wants breakfast. After crying and screaming he falls back asleep only to wake up at 6:00. That is early, but acceptable. This usually means that if we are in the car anytime that morning he will fall asleep. I try to lay him down when we get home but he never stays asleep. So that 5-10 minutes in the car destroys any chance of a nap and we end up with dinner ending like this.

And Then There Were Four

Cameron would like to announce that he will be a big brother early this May. We are excited for the new baby to join our family.

Grandma

My Grandma would have been 98 today. She was the best Grandma in the world. I loved that I grew up near her and have so many memories of her. How I would sleepover at her house and be served a breakfast of Fruit Loops with softened vanilla ice cream (because she never had milk) and cocoa in bed so that I could watch the cartoons uninterrupted. I remember how in 9th grade after early morning seminary my friends and I would walk to her house where she would have cinnamon rolls and juice for us before we caught the bus. I love how she adored my children and called them all "sweet baby" and even if it was 100 degrees would worry that their feet were cold. I love that my girls remember her and that she always had chocolate in her drawer to share, and no matter how many times they asked she would give them some. When my mom and I would say they had had enough she would respond with a smile and say "Well they kept asking me for some." The bathroom she used at my parents house will always be referred to by me as "Grandma Cindy's bathroom", old Volvos will always make me smile and I will always stop for the sweet Grandmas at the grocery store who want to ooh and ahh over my kids because it makes me think of you doing that. We miss you Grandma and love you so so much!

MAX

Last week Ella's preschool class took their first field trip. We walked down the street and waited for the bus. This was really exciting since I don't think any of these kids have ever been on a public bus.

waiting


here it comes!

Mom and Ella on the bus.

We rode the bus to the transit center where we caught the MAX (Portland's light rail transit). Ella was very excited for this because we often see the MAX when we are on the freeway.
We took the Max up to the Forestry Center where we

checked out the train

and ran through leaves and rain before heading back to school. Ella had a good time, I think. It started out as "the best day of her life" and ended up with her "sick of this". That's Ella for ya.

End of the Summer Outing

Right before school started we took a trip to the Children's Museum. The kids never seem to tire of this place and it always wears them out. Natalie and Cameron in the big picture frame. Ella would not be in the picture.

The magic of face paint. I sort of wonder if this is a good idea for a kid Cameron's age. Will he then think he can do this with makeup, markers, etc at home?

The water area is always interesting. Ella likes to play there until she freaks out because she is wet. While I am taking this picture of Cameron he is fitting this hose on the water. Just after I take the picture he gets it on and the other end is dumping the water onto the floor.

Calling for back up in the ambulance.

Serious grocery shopping.

First Day of 2nd Grade

We are into our second month but I have had the good intention of taking more pictures of Natalie since my battery died the first day, but it hasn't happened yet. Natalie was very excited to start 2nd grade. She has a few friends from last year in her class and her teacher seems great. We did have a rough week a few days into it when, like she does every year, has a difficult time adjusting. It suddenly seems better to stay home and school is too long. After a week of no crying she earned a family outing for ice cream and has been doing great ever since. Eric gave her a great father's blessing before the first day and we know she will do great this year! sitting at her desk on the first day

getting off the bus like a pro