Lunch with Ian

On Sept. 24, 2010, I got to go in and have lunch with Ian. We ate in the lunchroom and he showed me how everything works! We went back to his classroom and got to have a special celebration with his classmates. Ms. Carr is wonderful and I can tell Ian is going to have a wonderful year. Ian got to sit on a special chair and answer questions about himself, which helped the children make him a special page to put in his Birthday book. He got to wear a crown and pass out the doughnuts we brought to share. What a fun day!

Lunch in the lunchroom!

Look at that grin!

My Birthday boy!

Can you tell he LOVES Powdered doughnuts??

Going to 'The Farm' with Cousins!

Last Saturday, we had a wonderful time with Jensina, Freddy, and Bridget. We went out to one of our favorite pumpkin patches. It's called "The Farm". It was a gorgeous, fall day and boy, was it BUSY!! We had lots of fun, though! The kids went through the hay maze and played on the slide in the barn. Meanwhile, Jen stood in line to buy the kids popcorn--YUM! And Spence stood in line to go on the Hayride that takes you to the Corn Maze. Poor guy had to wait awhile as the kids were asked to judge a duck race! We finally got to go to the maze. It is planted in the shape of our State of Washington. Along the way are Points of Interest. We start on the Eastern part of the state and have to go clear across to get out. We split up into teams, but because the kids were so excited to go, we weren't all clear on what we were doing. One team: Jen, Emily, Erin, and Bridget, thought it was a race and was able to get through the entire maze in 7 minutes. They were quite worried as they waiting almost a half of an hour for the rest of us: Spence, Freddy, Ian, Katelyn, and I to get out. Our kids wanted to answer each question on the map which took us all over the state. (We spent quite a bit of time just going in circles as Spence was determined to let the kids navigate!) It was quite hilarious! We all had a great time. Oh, yeah! Before we left we got to hold the kitties and see the baby animals: bunnies, goats, piglets etc.... It was a great afternoon!

The kids ready to judge the duck race!

The following are in the Corn Maze:

Ian, Freddy, and Katelyn on one of the bridges.

In Kettle Falls, WA

We made it to SEATTLE!!!

Being goofy in Olympia, WA.

Our Family.

Jen, Bridget, and Freddy

Emily and Erin with the Kitties.

Bridget and Erin holding the Bunny.

Ian and Freddy were so silly!

Erin, Emily, and Bridget in the Hay Maze.

Ian finally loses some teeth!

We have waited...and waited...and waited! Finally, our 1st grader has lost some teeth! Two in one week! (and about 3 more loose!) We hope that they don't ALL fall out at once! Quite the thrilled little boy! What a great present near his 7th birthday!

Ian's 7th Birthday

I can't believe my baby is 7! He is growing up so quickly and turning into quite a sweet kid! Ian's birthday was on Sunday this year. He had to wait all through church to open his presents--he was soooo patient!! Ian has been begging and begging for a dsi and so we made a deal with him at the beginning of the year, that if we didn't have to do a friends party, we would get him a dsi for his birthday. I kind of thought he'd change his mind the closer it got to his birthday, but he stayed true. He was so excited when he opened it! He loved it!

As you know, Erin is our resident baker, so she also made Ian's birthday cake this year!

Patiently waiting to open gifts.

Yea, a dsi!!!!

A new jacket and pants!!

I love you , DAD!!!

Pretending to be grossed out by hugging Erin!

There's a sweet smile!

Here's the cake that Erin made him!

Happy Birthday, Big Boy!!

Katelyn's 9th Birthday

Our Beautiful Katelyn turned 9 on the 18th of September. She lucked out and Daddy had some car trouble, so he was home and able to surprise her with lunch at school!

That night, we were able to go to dinner at Azteca and then to see "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" at the Crest Theatre. It was such a fun evening!

Saturday, was actually her birthday. So, we got up and opened presents. Ian gave her some special rocks.

Mom found a special deal on some Star Trek Characters. Katelyn LOVES the new Star Trek movie.

Erin & Emily got her some candy and some special playdough that makes fart noises. Too cool!

Her final surprise was something that she had wanted since last summer, when she went with her Grandpa Moline... a fishing pole!!!

Erin loves to bake. She even learned how to make Fondant to do Katelyn's cake. On Sunday, Grandma Oliver, Jen, Freddy, and Bridget came over for dinner and Cake and Ice Cream.

We decorated!

She loves the attention!

With her siblings and cousins right before digging in!!

We love you, Katelyn!!

Grandma Oliver's Visit

We were so lucky to get to pick up Grandma Oliver from the airport the first part of September. She came up for about 2 1/2 weeks and we enjoyed every second we got to spend with her!

Here's Grandma playing ping pong with Katelyn, Emily, and Erin.

Doubling with Emily.

Figuring out the Wii!

We made Grandma's favorite Skor Bar Cake.

Helping us celebrate Katelyn's birthday.

We love you, Grandma!!!

On the day Grandma was going home, Theresa and Jacob came over and met Jen, Mom, and I at Anthony's Beach house for some Fish Tacos. Then Jen wisked her away to the airport! Come again soon!

Kayak Pointe Park

Before the summer ended, I wanted us to have a picnic dinner at one of my favorite places: Kayak Pointe Park. It is such a beautiful place. Spence even tried to get off early and we met him by the freeway and headed north. We fought traffic all the way up and as we got there the Park Ranger was closing the park. You can imagine our dissapointment. I asked Spence to ask him if it was really closed. The Ranger said he'd give us about 20 minutes. YEAH! So instead of a picnic, we just got out and played. It was such a GORGEOUS sunset and we loved every minute of what turned into 45 minutes that he gave us! We ended up eating in the car on the drive home. What time we had was fun and so peaceful!

I could sit and watch the water all evening! So peaceful!

Erin LOVES to climb!

My sweet boy balancing on the driftwood.

Can't you see the stress leaving him?

Taking a walk around the park.

Sweet Katelyn with her hands FULL of rocks!

Starting to get a little nippy as the sun goes down.

So beautiful!

Spence had them racing along the driftwood! Amazing no twisted ankles!

Ok, I'll be still but I WON'T Smile! (Ian)

Ignore me, look at that glorious sunset!

Erin wanted to do Shadow Shots:

T

THANK YOU, MR. PARK RANGER!!!!