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....