Halloween

Getting ready for Halloween this year was almost as much fun as the evening itself. The kids tried on every costume we had in our dress-up box. This clip was not staged or directed in any way...especially the exit...really! (o.k. here's the first frame, I'm having problems loading it)



Trick-or-treating was a full family affair. After readying everything at Mamma and Pappa's house, we set out with Uncle Chris and Aunt Laura (the "Jock" and "Super Chic"). Eric provided the security for our entourage Secret Service style. (Can you see his earpiece?) I masqueraded as the camaraman ;-)

Sisters

I always thought that Anna and Abby were so different (and they really are in many ways). But these days, I am beginning to see more and more similarities. Like their brother, they readily say please and thank you...even if it sometimes means screeching "Milk, pease, milk, pease!" in Abby's case. They are very cuddly, but once they've had their fix, their off again in a flash. More often than not, they spontaneously do kind things for each other. Abby regularly delivers Tigger Tiger to Anna and when we are making a frantic search for Abby's lion (even though we have 3), Anna calls out, "Abby, here is your lion!"

The best change lately, though, is when I see Anna invite Abby to sit by her on the couch. Abby used to be a bit of a menace, poking Anna unexpectedly out of rough playfullness and a little curiosity. Now, she snuggles peacefully...and sometimes they even share a short book. Sisters are fun.

School days

We had a lot of changes this school year. Eric finished school (yeh!), Josh

started 1st grade at a new school, Anna started pre-K, and Abby and I

were left wondering what to do. Abby came up with an idea fast, though.

She brought me all the books she could handle and kept repeating,

"Read it, book, read it, book..." She must be looking forward

to her own school days.

Whohoo! School is fun!

Josh and Anna have their own version of carpool.

Anna is not a fan of first day photos, but gave me the thumbs up anyway.


Wasting no time, Josh is working on his first homework assignment: a birthday glyph.


Homework all around...Anna thought Josh's homework looked pretty fun
and made one of her own.

Summer Farm Visit

We had a great time at Grandma and Grandpa's this summer.

The kids loved being outside.

Josh spied this crane buried deep in the barn. He and Grandpa fixed it up.

Abby did some construction work of her own.

Abby loved the "Neigh, Neigh" and trusted Uncle Ken to keep her lion.

Josh never passes on a tractor ride with Ken.

Anna and Grandma out for a walk to the mailbox.

This boy really has a flare for public speaking. He must

take after his dad. He was so excited when he found this

snake skin with Grandma.

Oregon State Fair

A trip to the Oregon State Fair has turned into a tradition
while visiting Grandma and Grampa at the end of the summer.
We missed going with our cousins Kyla and Sydney this year,

but were glad that Uncle Ken joined in the fun.


Josh and Uncle Ken stopped by the tractor section to admire
the construction of this picking machine. (Josh made sure I described this just right)

Anna enjoyed her own fair ride for free.

No words needed :-)

Anna and Josh voted the motorcycle ride their favorite.

Where's Joshua? (Hint, he has a hat on and is

somewhere in the upper right.)

Abby needed a chaperone...I barely fit!