A star is born...

Nora's adoring fan
First tap performance

Before her performance

Thanksgiving with Family

The cousins on the couch.

We spent the actual day of Thanksgiving with our wonderful friends the Fabs and had a great day. They are truly like family and we are so blessed to have them in our lives. The saturday after Thanksgiving we spent with my brothers family at my mom's to celebrate again. Below are some pictures of the evening.

Lucas with his best buddy
Nora loves to play with cousin Claire

Uncle Chris virtually tickling Lucas. He wasn't even touching Lucas' feet and Lucas was laughing so hard.

My oldest nephew Jack is so great with the kids. Very gentle and kind.

We are blessed to have so many friends that are like family and our own family to celebrate with. We are grateful for all of them.

Halloween..

Lucas was a vampire on Halloween night. We sprayed his hair black and white powder on his face.

His first victim, she looks pretty happy about it.

The Saturday night before was the carnival at his school and no "scary" costumes were allowed so he was a baseball player, of course.

Another year at The Farm...

Ted and I started going to this pumpkin farm our first year dating and have gone back every year except one or two. It's fun because it gets more kid friendly ever year. And our kids want to do more things. It's out in Snohomish near Ted's school so we drive into this little old down town and have gotten pizza for the last 2 years which we decided to add to our tradition. Lucas was super excited because the pizza place had tv and the playoffs were on. He's a super big baseball fan. Not just loves playing it but learning about all the baseball heroes of old and now.

Nora is our animal lover and even though she's holding a kitten she really wants a dog. We are thinking about it but trying to figure out where we will live next year.

First School Project

Lucas' class is doing the solar system this month. He was given a list of neat projects to choose from and he choice this one. He begrudgingly worked on it a little bit a fews days during this last week. It's due tomorrow. As he finished it he became so proud of it even though he hated giving up his play time to do it. Although some of his classmates will have nicer, neater ones because their parents practically did it for them, Lucas' will be his own that he did. And I'm proud of him for that.

First Day of First Grade

"First grade is awesome!" was the first thing Lucas said after his first day. Although, the next morning he stated school days were to long to be away from the family. He does like to be with us, which I need to treasure now because it won't be like that for long. Or it might be the fact he was to play the Wii at home.

Ted started the same day too. 2nd year as the music teacher at Emerson Elementary in Snohomish. Going pretty good so far. Got a picture of Nora that day too. Can't ever forget our girl, she won't let you if you try!

Franklin Falls redo

Our friends too our kids on a hike. They were proud to boast that they didn't complain on it. Anyway, we saw their pictures and decided to take the kids again (to hear that no whining thing they were talking about mostly). We all had fun and we all didn't complain. What a great end of summer vacation activity. We do have some great kids!

Catching up some...

Ted has been such a great dad this summer. I've been working fulltime or more and he has been watching the kids, planning outings, fixing meals and all the wonderful things he does. Quite impressive, he's a better parent than me, I must say. We had a busy summer. August- we went to the Oregon Coast and then to a fair with close friends. Nora did gymnastics, Lucas started his soccer team and then had soccer camp. Both played and played with each other and good friends. I've missed a lot working so much but knowing they are in good hands.

School starts in a week and 1/2, I can't believe my 2 boys will be off to school again. One more year with Nora before she enters the world of elementary. What a blessing my family is. Ted and I say over and over again that we have such great kids!

Sayings of the Wise

Last week we took a trip to Eastern Washington and spent three days with our friends Ben and Sharla and their kids and Phil and Rachel at a great cabin overlooking Lake Roosevelt. It was a great time for all with good food, fun times at the lake, fireworks, star gazing and playing games all day.

Here's Nora and me in the inflatable boat. Ben and I pushed the kids back and forth in it to each other.

Water battles with spray guns happened quite often.

All the kids played in the sand.

Lucas loved climbing the sand hill.

On the way home, Nora fell asleep in the car. When she woke up, she muttered (in the style of Alladin) "who disturbs my slumber?"

That night we went to the fireworks in Edmonds. The kids loved them and Nora didn't even use her earplugs. After they were done, Nora yelled, "Thanks for coming! Bye, bye!"

The 5th was our anniversary (8 years!) and the kids spent the day at the Roe's. When we picked them up we kept asking what they had done all day. Finally, Lucas had enough and said, "what else do you think we did? Pick chicken plants?"

Summer is upon us in full swing....

Happy Birthday Grandma!

Nora's Graduation...the first one...

Nora's preschool does graduation every year even if the kids are going back to that preschool the following year. Lucas went to this preschool and we love it. They teachers are awesome.

And every year it's a hawaiian theme graduation. Nora is a great little student. A lot of her teachers have told me what a great listener and good helper she is. We are proud of Nora and the great little girl that she is becoming!Nora with her godmother and godsister. Nora with the family.

Nora with her loving brother!

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Field Day

Remember the 3 legged race or the potato sack race? The orange drink that will always remind you of that day if you taste or even smell it. I'm pretty sure that's not legal to give kids anymore.

Lucas running the 50 meters, wearing his flaming converse.

Lucas doing the baseball throw

Lucas had his first field day today. It's a little different at King's. First of all 6th graders are in charge of running it while being overseen by the PE teacher Mr. Berg. They were awesome. Kept it all under control and very encouraging to all the kids. I was quite impressed with them all. They split the girls and boys up for competition which is great idea. But they didn't have the 3 legged race or potato sack race. Bummer.

With some of his buddies at school

Lucas was awesome though. He's a fast little kid. He came in 2nd in both his races (the 50 and 400 meter). Yes, he ran the whole way around the track. I'm pretty sure he was 2nd in the baseball toss too but they don't give out ribbons so I'm not sure. Well, they give out participation ribbons but I got him a 2nd place medal anyway.

Lucas doing the long jump

Our blest life is crazy but we have so much to be grateful for and a lot of great people to surround us. Lucas has 10 days of school left. Crazy huh? I can't believe that I will have a 1st grader. Teacher is winding down his 1st year of teaching. It's been super hard but they love him there and I think he does an excellent job. Nora has a few days of school left too. The kids are gearing up for a summer full of baseball and gymnastics, 3 different VBS groups, and we are going on 3 road trips. And a lot of time with Daddy since I will be working a lot. Good thing they have such a fabulous dad.

Ted directing his 6th grade concert
Lucas' AWESOME Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Uhrich, at his first soccer game.

Our beautiful girl!

(yes, that is sun shining on Nora, can you believe it?)

Lucas running for vice president...oh no, no, no going up to sing in his first concert for school.