Gavin turns 6!!

My boy is getting older as we speak! Gavin has decided he wants to take karate. It is all he ever talks about. Blayne and I decided to buy him a Gi for his birthday. He tries to wear it almost every day. We had the Moore family staying with us, he also invited Nathan and Ryan McNamee. It was pretty chaotic but fun.





Then, not even one week after his birthday he figured his tooth was loose. He found it Monday night and couldn't go to bed until he had pulled on Tuesday night. Then he was so excited to have lost his first tooth, he had the hardest time going to bed last night. He was so funny, I wish I could have gotten the commentary and pep talk he was giving himself int he bathroom mirror. Such and milestone, to lose your first tooth!!

Some stuff.........

The other evening while the kids were "sleeping" we went into the girls room to find Maddy awake. This wouldn't have been completely out of the ordinary had we not stumbled upon what she was doing.......







I couldn't attempt to wash it until we took some pictures. We asked what she was thinking and she told us she was drawing her family. I couldn't get mad, it was pretty sweet. Of course it was cuter before I took the paint off the wall while trying to remove it.

I took the kids to have their pictures taken today. I attempted to stop and take a few of my own before we got there. I found my camera with a dead battery. I was able to take the first picture right when I turned it on then it would die. I managed to turn it off and on then repeat the process before it completely died. Thankfully, I managed to get one.



On our way home from lunch with G'ma Mary, for Gavin's birthday, we managed to get a good picture of Mt. Hood. The snow is piling up and our family is getting very excited to go and play in it, Blayne more than anyone!

Halloween

Out with Halloween, now preparing for Thanksgiving and Christmas. The kids happened to have a very busy Halloween this year. It started with a neighborhood party, then the Ward Harvest Party, Blayne and G'pa Doug took them Trick-or-treating then they finished off the night by handing out candy to other kids. All and all it was a fun Halloween. We are thankful the weather held out and didn't rain or get too cold.




I hope everyone had a great and safe Halloween!

Cookies with Uncle John and Aunt Amber

Amber and John and thier family were at our house last weekend. We managed to make not one but two batches of cookies in that short weekend. All the kids climbed on the counter to be a part of the process. Amber was teasing the kids with chocolate chips. John makes great cookies. I was actually able to replicate his recipe after they had left.




Jonas caught on to us taking pictures and did his best to smile on cue. It was a busy weekend but all in all we have fun!

Fall has arrived!

Although I enjoyed the Indian summer we had I am happy to see fall and have winter on the way. I was driving home the The Dalles a couple of weeks ago and witnessed a beautiful sunset to guide my drive home. It was awesome.




Then today I was finally able to see Mt. Hood after the awesome storms we had over the weekend. I was with Mary and we had to pull over to take some pictures. "Blayne's Mountain", as my family calls it, is so majestic but becomes very inviting once you top it with 3 1/2 feet of newly fallen snow. It definitely makes you stop and take a second look.

Maddy's First Hair Cut!

Maddy got her first haircut tonight. I have been contemplating it for a few weeks now but wasn't sure I was ready to cut off her baby blonde curls. After a trip to the store today where she kept taking her hair in and out of her barrette I ended up with hair all over the place. I decided I was ready!

So off the tails came! Of course I saved it and documented it but there is no turning back now!


She looks so grown up! She loves having short hair, of course Victoria is in complete envy of her. If she could only remember the first time I cut her hair.....7 years ago!

The votes are in!

Victoria and Gavin's school voted last week on the school mascot nominees. This morning they had an assembly and announced that Victoria's idea won. They are officially the Oregon Trail Primary Academy TIMBER WOLVES!!! Victoria was so excited, slightly embarrassed but excited. To top it off they also announced that she was elected Student of the Month.

I am so proud of her. She is doing so well even though attending a new school was not her choice. WOOHOO! Good job Victoria!!!