Pre-Halloween

Yep we're breaking 'em out... now we just need to decide if we're going to use the costumes we have or go with the creative ideas the kids are coming up with??? Haha, we'll see ;).

Lion vs. Karate Kid... it was a tie, (big brother was being nice :).

Last Resort

Every parent has their own style of discipline. We tend to use the timeout area when needed. We usually put them in a corner, but yesterday Cami and Alex were going at it and I sent each of them to their room, just for my own peace of mind. Jeremy was home by then and I was getting dinner ready and going about my business. Well, I have to make a confession. It is not uncommon that Jer and I forget that we have put one/both/all of our kids in timeout, and they end up staying there... for a long time, 10-15 minutes... Ooops! They have, gratefully, learned to stay put, stay quiet, until they are excused. Yesterday, was one of those days that I forgot. Well Tanner came around the corner and I noticed he had something in his collar, "Tanner, what is in your collar??" You can hardly tell because of the lack of contrast with white n' white together, but it was a note to me from Cami...... "Can I come out yet?" it read.... I just burst up laughing! Classic, Cami! I finally told her she could come out and we all had a good laugh. She had called Tanner in her room, tucked it in his collar, and told Tanner, "Go get mom."... he dutifully fulfilled his messenger responsibilities. I just didn't want to forget this one... too funny. And yes, I remembered to get Alex out too ;).

Every Once in Awhile

Every once in awhile, I like to try something new. So the other day I went for it, a homemade key lime pie. It always sounds so enticing! I have decided key lime pies are to be eaten in slivers... it's strong rich flavor can be enjoyed in small doses :). I will have to conclude though, I am still a raspberry pie lover, through and through.

Weekend at.....

Grandpa's! Right after school on Friday we picked up the kids and headed to Corvallis, OR to spend the weekend with Grandpa Steve, Jer's dad. It was full of good memories and the kids were begging to stay longer. Darn school/work, haha , jk ;). On the way there we broke up the 5 1/2 hours of travel with a dinner stop at our favorite, Baja Fresh!, where Aunt Launa came to join up with us in Portland. What a treat that was! Now, In the event of this weekend I also participated in a marathon photo shoot, (aka I took many, many pics ;) So I hope to portray this wonderful visit with descriptive pictures that limit the need for words.After a good night's sleep we were off to the Oregon State Fair...The rides and the animals were the kids' favorite attractions. Can you imagine having THAT many hoodlems??? I don't know why but I love pigs.We had been walking all day so the kiddos and Gpa decided to check out the 'Jiggler Foot'... a nice rejuvenation for the next couple of hours.We ate fair food, met up with Uncle Dave, Aunt Sherri and her boys for a couple of minutes, looked at booths, kids went on some rides, ice cream, did I mention fair food??, and of course the tractors... what boy could resist the temptation to sit upon the throne of a real live tractor! ;)Stuffed Snake vs. Inflatable Squeaky Princess Hammer... hmmmm... eh, we'll take 'em both home, they earned it ;)What? Alex isn't riding that Dora toddler bike anymore???? Yes, Gpa Steve upgraded Alex with an early birthday present... a new bike! Grinning from EAR to EAR! (Which translates into, 'Thank you So much Grandpa!')Haha, of course the 'Real' big kid has to take it for a spin ;)Gpa didn't want Cami to feel left out so she too was gifted an early bday present. Necessities for her on a bike: 1-pink 2-streamers 3-bag or basket up front for needed travel size items :). Now the real question is, how in the world are we going to take them home?? (No worries, they fit, we got 'em home ;)Instead of trying to keep up with the big kids outside, Carson found a new love, Stair sliding, belly first.On Sunday Steve took us to a near by park. It had a real train parked in the middle of it! Thought that was pretty cool and so did the kids...Up on top, so adventurous :)It also had an area with big man made dinosaur bones, which created some fun climbing. Alex looks exhausted though, haha.And of course the swings... but these swings were even big enough for Jer....And me????Hahaha, not really. Just gave Jer a mouthful of hair. Sorry hon, hopefully it at least smelt good ;).In Oregon you will find many of these. Blackberries seem to grow freely in good ol' OR. Not my favorite, but man the kids like them! On the outskirts of the park they had a trail to walk along, lined with thousands of blackberries!S-T-R-E-T-C-H! Gotta get the good ones :)By the end of the trail this is what was produced, black fingers, black tongues, black faces... and well, I didn't take a picture of what was produced in Carson's diapers afterwards, figured it would be a little Too graphic ;)Gpa Steve not only spoils our little hooligans, but also our dog. Special food, special treatment... Jer caught a good picture of Tanner's little heaven :). On our last day, we headed to the coast. Newport Harbor, it was misty and still so beautiful. I loved seeing all the fishing boats docked on the harbor and the smell of the ocean! But not so much the smell of the fresh catch being gutted nearby, bleh. We even took Tanner with us shopping... haha, I was out-voted to just leave him in the car. But boy did he love all the attention from the other passer-by-ers! He too liked all the new smells the ocean harbor brought :).
Sea lions were everywhere! It was pretty cool to see them all. There were also several up close.One of Cami's main desires for the coast was to see and touch a Starfish, and so she did :). Inside a little aquarium, but still, she loved it just the same.After being downtown we found a restaurant called, Flashbacks. I thought the old classic automobile kids box was the coolest! Defenitely will 'flash-back' there next time we go the OR coast, wink, wink... haha, couldn't help from saying it... pulling a "Craig" there. :) (My dad is notorious for his little play-on words jokes). Then my favorite place here at the coast, the beach. The OR coast water, isn't all warm and cozy like Hawaii waters, but we still went to dip our toes in. I loved all the fog around us too, sure it made it even cooler, but it was just beautiful.Digging in the wet sand...And some toe messages :)As you can tell, Tanner isn't the biggest fan of water, haha. But he was such a good sport anyway. After awhile Jer, Tanner, and the kids made a little game out of the upcoming waves. They'd go wade out shin deep, (or for Tanner, chest deep :)....And then make a run for it before the next wave came to engulf them more!We all got a little wet. Cami actually fell all the way in and Carson wanted his shirt off despite the cool weather. It was a lovely day. He still swoops me off my feet... As Jer's dad puts it, 'Get a room' :)It really was a wonderful weekend. Thank you Grandpa Steve for making this weekend unforgettable.

His Turn

Today was HIS day. His very first day of Kindergarden. Alex is not my morning person, he LOVES his sleep... but today I didn't even have to wake him up. Alex had jumped out of bed, (actually the floor lately, I have NO idea why he likes to sleep on the floor :), and was ready to go! I love this boy so much. He is so ready, but I was not. I don't know why, but I couldn't hold back my tears as he was heading for the bus, (which is right at the corner of our house so I can watch them the whole time! :). There is something special about this kid, and I have grown an attachment to him, he's my boy.Waiting at the stop... This is when I really lost it... Cami took hold of Alex's hand and led him onto the bus and made sure he sat right next to her. I love her so much for that. Those two can really get into some battles, but this morning was a reaffirmation that they really do Love each other. Thank heavens for children, life wouldn't be the same without them.
Me and Carson are the only one's left at home... what are we going to do?? Everything, together!