Day 308

Buzz Lightyear and Satan had a great time trick-or-treating together this year. We made it to about 30 or so houses, which was twice as many as last year. Neither of the kids would actually say "trick-or-treat" but cousin Bailey said it loud enough for all three of them. They were really good with "thank you" though. Parker was very excited to be able to do some trick-or-treating" with Sean and Tobey, but since they were moving a bit faster he spent most of the time with Kaitlyn and Bailey.

As we passed by another group, some one shouted "Up and away!" to Parker. To which he promptly replied, "No. It's 'To Infinity and Beyond!'"

Day 307

So it seems that, perhaps, we will try actually carving our pumpkins next year . . .

Day 306

With Halloween approaching, Parker was a little nostalgic for last year's costume. So we pulled the Nemo costume out of the closet and each of the kids took turns wearing it. It was a little big on Parker last year and was just a little too small this year (when he had the hood on, he complained that his "boy parts" were squished).

Day 305

Last night's Blazer game was free hat night, so Les brought home a hat for each of the kids. Kaitlyn was very pleased (clearly) with her hat and wore it around all morning as we were getting ready to leave. Parker wore his to school for show and tell, but was having nothing to do with the paparazzi this morning.

Day 304

(So bear with me, the video is a bit shorter than intended, I'll try to fix that soon . . .)

Les had another Blazer game tonight and got some one-on-one time with Blaze the Trail Cat. He made a point of getting a video of it because of how much the kids were fascinated by him at the game they went to. And indeed, Parker was very jealous.

Day 303

A couple of details about this photo that you might miss, but that I see. The first is that Kaitlyn is barefoot - we all take our shoes off when we come inside, but Kaitlyn also immediately takes her socks off too. The second, she has the tag of her blanket between her index and middle finger. I think she originally picked that up from Parker; he loves the tag and she loves to do whatever Parker does. However, now I think that has morphed into something that she also finds comfort in.

Day 302

Les headed out of town early on business, so we convinced Grandma to go over to the Children's Museum with us. It was Kaitlyn's first visit and both she and Parker had a blast. After having lunch at the little cafe there, we went over to the Foresty Center and played on the enormous train engine that is on display outside. (I remember playing on the same engine when I was a kid.) Parker especially had fun pretending to drive the train.

Day 301

This year we went to a local farm to pick up some pumpkins for Halloween. We took a hayride around the property and much to the kids delight saw a couple of cows and a goat. Then Les pulled the kids around in a wagon and we picked out some pumpkins. There was also a large chicken coop there which we spent a lot of time admired. There was a goose and a duck in the pen too, whom the children kept referring to the Mama duck and the Baby duck.

Day 300

The leaves had all fallen from the trees and the morning light was so nice. I wanted to get a picture of both of the children standing together before we left for school, but Parker was having none of it. He is so grumpy some morning . . . just like another male in the family . . . who could that be?

Day 299

I went over to my mother's house to browse through her old photo albums. I was looking for some pictures of my father's mother who died when my father was a teenager. In addition to getting a wonderful photo album my mom put together for my father on the occasion of their second wedding anniversary, I also got another wonderful treasure. My mother's father fought in the Pacific during World War II and wrote prolifically to his new bride back in the states. So I have a whole footlocker of letters to help me learn about my mother's parents, who are also no longer with us. I can't wait to get started.

Day 298

We headed over to Fudrucker's for dinner and as always the arcade is always the favorite part. We literally had to drag Kaitlyn away from the race car game.

Day 297

Les ended up with two extra tickets to a Blazer preseason game and so the whole family got to head over to the Rose Quarter for the game. Parker was really excited and he and Les wore their matching Brandon Roy jerseys. The kids and I only stayed until half-time, which was just the right amount of time. They were just starting to get restless in the seats and it was almost bedtime. I think both Parker & Kaitlyn's favorite part was the Trailblazer's mascot Blaze the Trail Cat. They kept asking where the "Kitty" went.

Day 296

Whenever Parker is being helpful to Kaitlyn, he calls her "Honey." He'll say: "Here, Honey, let me show you." I swear it almost makes me cry every time, because it has to be the cutest thing on the planet.

Day 295

It was raining outside, but Parker really wanted to go to the park. So, he loaded his backpack with as many toys as he could fit and off he went. His park was behind the giant wicker couch by the back sliding door. He played there for several hours. He even invited Kaitlyn to come to the park too. As nap time grew closer he even brought his pillow and comforter to the park. I guess he figured if he couldn't be outside, he get as close as possible.

Day 294

Mindy and Carrie came over and brought some wine for a little birthday celebration. Kaitlyn quickly helped herself to a drink and then we practically had to wrestle the glass away from her. Hopefully this will be her last drink for at least 20 more years!

Day 293

Happy Birthday to me! Les always sends me flowers for my birthday and it is always something unusual. I like that he puts a little extra thought into choosing a seasonal arrangement - not that I don't like when I get roses too, but it makes me feel extra special knowing the thought that went into my birthday bouquet.

Day 292

Kaitlyn has really enjoyed feeding herself lately. She is always asking for a fork or spoon - even for her finger foods. This, of course, is only when she wants to eat something. She has also gotten quite good at shouting "NO!" when she doesn't want to eat what is put in front of her.

Day 291

So Les bought a season ticket for the Blazers this season - he and a group of four friends all have tickets. As part of the preseason, they played one game at Memorial Coliseum. Needless to say, the start of Blazer season has meant a drastic reduction in Les' poker playing.

Day 290

It looks so peaceful; like Kaitlyn, perhaps, is baptizing Parker . . . However, looks can be deceiving. Parker was "swimming" (which to him means floating on his back) and Kaitlyn decided to shove his head underwater. In the second following the picture: Parker screams, splashes Kaitlyn, Kaitlyn screams and then Kaitlyn demands "OUT!" Oh well, that's life with two kids I guess. The calm before the storm.

Day 289

This picture kind of freaks me out. It's like Kaitlyn has a storm around her and she's taken a quiet moment to have a drink of her smoothie . . . while things rage around in the background. Although her smile seems a little manic . . .


Now if only I could figure out how to do this type of thing on purpose instead of by accident. One of these days I'm going to take a photography class . . .

Day 288

Seattle Seahawks game - 50 Yard line

Les and Job took a trip up to Seattle and capped it off with an NFL game. Thanks to the Internet, they were able to score some pretty nice seats at the very last minute.

Day 287

Really, at some point, you think I'd run out of pictures of my children smiling at the camera. But come on, they are my best subjects. And they don't mind me taking pictures of them when they are in their pjs.

Day 286

I took the day off work to do another geocaching challenge with Mindy. We adventured all around the Mt Hood territory. We saw the dam spill at Timothy Lake, visited Little Crater Lake (which is freakishly blue), had an almost perfect view of Mt hood from Jonsrud Point in Sand (damn clouds) and saw assorted animals (deer, cows, alpacas and a dog that looked like an alpaca). We spotted the covered wagon at the Philip Foster Farm national historic site in Eagle Creek, which was one of the last stops on the Barlow Road portion of the Oregon Trail.

Day 285

Parker had been walking around with his pajama shirt unbuttoned for some reason apparent only to him. But then when I tried to get a picture, he took the shirt off entirely! Oh well, if it were up to him and Les they wouldn't ever wear pajamas.


(On a side note, I can't decide if I like this photo of Parker or if it reminds me of the 'Have You Seen Me" photos on milk cartons.)

Day 284

I am not quite sure what either Parker or the cat are doing in this picture, but both of them seem content . . .

Day 283

I think Kaitlyn is obsessed. "Mommy, phone!" At least she hasn't yet figured out how to sign up for facebook or twitter yet. And, as far as I know, she's not texting either.

Day 282

My first book signing ever and it was a great one. Diana Gabaldon, author of the Outlander series, was an excellent speaker. She managed to be very conversational with a crowd of several hundred people and even better, she was funny too. Did I also mention gracious? She signed up to 6 books a person! It's my first signed book!

Day 281

Football Sunday at Grandpa's house took a little time out to have a reading of "Where the Wild Things Are."

Day 280

Warning: This post will involve poop! Proceed at your own risk.





Parker pooped on the potty! At a restaurant no less. As his reward, earned a Rusty car from the Thomas the Train line of toys. I am pretty sure that in the picture he is just happy about the toy - but you would have seen a matching smile on my face . . . only one kid in diapers . . . I can't wait!

Day 279

Have I mentioned lately, how cute this boy is? Batman pajamas and all? Watch out 3 year-old girls of the world - one day he will turn those blue eyes on one of you and you'll be in trouble.

Day 278

Kaitlyn's all packed and ready to go - she's got her baby, her purse and a toy. What more does she need? She will quite frequently throw a bag over her shoulder and say "bye-bye" and head off - to where, we are not sure, but she seems excited to get there.