Day 1038

Once again we headed out to Les' sister's house for trick-or-treating this year.  Optimus Prime and Snow White were joined by cousins Little Mermaid, Minnie Mouse, White Ninja and the bad guy from Scream.  For the fifth year in a row we had cold but dry weather.  (As we were walking back to Susie's house it barely started to sprinkle.) Both Parker and Kaitlyn got pounds of candy and had a wonderful time.

Day 1037

For the second year in a row we headed to Disney on Ice the day before Halloween, this year we brought Daddy with us.  It was a Toy Story 3 show and we had amazing seats very close to the ice.

Day 1036

I walked past the den and the kids had picked up a couple of Les' baseball hats and were each wearing one.  I did a classic "don't move while I get the camera" move and managed to get this cute shot of the two of them.

Day 1035

So with Les traveling, I sent him a note that says "Take some pictures."  So he takes a picture of the shower cap box . . . because we are both 12 year old boys and find things with the word "douche" on them funny.

Day 1034

Les had to travel to White Plains, New York on business this week.  Here's a self-portrait he snapped in his hotel room.  Suit up!

Day 1033

Kaitlyn brought home a lovely butterfly drawing from daycare.  In the upper right hand corner, it looks like it says "wnow" but that should be translated into "Mom" - Kaitlyn's Ms get away from her every now and again.

Day 1032

A picture of Kaitlyn, from daycare, working on her letter "F" collage.  I love it that they occasionally send home photos of the kids.

Day 1031

Parker brought home a drawing of himself and two of his friends from Kindergarten.

Day 1030

Parker's newly discovered ability - he can raise one eyebrow at a time.  Kid's got talent.

Day 1029

The morning was sunny and dry, so I took the kids over to Hammerle Parker to do some running around.  The kids were very well behaved, but I could tell by the time we left for home that I was getting Kaitlyn's cold.  I felt horrible and slept all afternoon.

Day 1028

Carrie came over to hang out with me and the kids (while Les was out playing poker) and she brought me some lovely flowers for my birthday too.  One can never receive too many flowers.

Day 1027

I went to Parker's first Kindergarten Parent/Teacher conference (Les was sick).  The teacher had very nice things to say about Parker and said he was right on track for his age and a little ahead in his reading skills.  That's my boy!

Day 1026

While I was hiking on Mt. St. Helen's last Friday, Les stood ran over to the Apple Store and picked up our new iPhone 4S.  I took me until to day to get mine all set up how I wanted.  I am so excited about the new camera on the phone - prints up to 8x10 photos!  I stuck with the black phone but Les picked out a white one this time. 

Day 1025

Kaitlyn was running quite a fever and so she and I stayed home today.  We hung out on the couch resting and when she was feeling a little bit better, she played beauty parlor on my hair.  Poor Sissy.

Day 1024

Birthday lunch with my co-workers at the Red Coach - I got my cheeseburger with a candle.  The whole place joined in singing me Happy Birthday.

Day 1023

Flowers for my birthday from Les and the kids.  I also got the Star Wars blu-ray disc set - just what I wanted.

Day 1022

This may be the best photo I've ever taken.  I was driving out to Mountaindale for ICAN training and pulled over on the side of a country road to snap this photo.  The fog and the sun rising made for a spectaular vista. 

Day 1021

I played hooky from work to go on a Columbus Day adventure with Mindy.  We drove up to Mount St. Helen's and headed for the Lava Canyon Trail.  The canyon was carved out from the lava flow of the 1980 eruption, revealing a whole host of geological wonders.  The hike back up to the top of the canyon pushed me to my limits, but it was totally worth it.

Day 1020

Every since participating in the Week In The Life project in July, I find myself tempted to take a photo in the mirror in the elevators at my office - fortunately I've only given in when I am alone int he elevator.

Day 1019

On the Fourth of July, Mindy came over and made guacamole and for fun we put the avocado seed in some water.  It took about six weeks to sprout but now we've got a good sized plant growing.  It might be time to actually put it in some dirt.

Day 1018

Have I mentioned that I love when the kids' artwork has their hands in it?  It's a reminder that they were once small.

Day 1017

Each week Parker's teacher puts out a little newsletter of with classroom news.  Parker was front and center in both of the cover photos this week, which were from last Friday's Fun Run fundraiser. 

Day 1016

The deck is officially closed down for the year.  Les bought a cover that fits over the chairs and table to keep them out of the weather. 

Day 1015

It was one of my favorites, Chang's Mongolian Grill, for dinner tonight.  One of the reasons it's a favorite is because we are usually guaranteed that the kids will actually eat!

Day 1014

Parker's first field trip today and I got to be a chaperon.  We drove out to Wilsonville to visit the school district's Earth science facility.  We toured the orchard and the gardens and then got to visit some animals that live there.  This is Parker making friends with a corn snake.

Day 1013

Parker's school picture turned out pretty great too.  I love/hate that he's got that little bit of hair sticking out.  It's just so Parker.  

He really killed with his smile - he gets that from Les.

Day 1012

The kindergartners are working on letter writing at Parker's school and today he wrote this letter to his cousin Tobey:

Translation: When can I come to your house?

Day 1011

The school photographer really nailed it with this photo.  I love how the photo even showcases her matching socks!  And thanks to Rebekah for the hand-me-down outfit.


Kaitlyn Charlotte -  Age: 3 years, 10 months

Day 1010

Kaitlyn's Snow White costume arrived in the mail, so we had both her and Parker try their costumes on.  Les couldn't resist jumping in the picture too. 

Day 1009

We had picked up donuts the night before, but Parker woke himself up and went into the kitchen and set out napkins, juice and two donuts for both him and Kaitlyn.  He was so proud of himself.

Day 1008

I was up bright and early to drive out to Camp Mountaindale to help my mom train Girl Scout leaders basic outdoor skills.  It was a great group of women (including an old camp friend, Calliope).  When the alarm goes off in the morning, I always wonder what I've volunteered myself for, but then I get there and it's so gorgeous and I have such a good time . . . and I volunteer all over again.