Jeff Kinney Author visit

I'm so thankful that our kids love to read.  All of them, all the way down to Kenedi, love a good book.  Will is the most avid reader right now.  He LOVES books.  So when Aunt Anne invited us to a book signing at Powell's, we couldn't pass it up.  Jeff Kinney who writes Diary of a Wimpy Kid novels was there signing books.  They set up lots of fun games and activities for the kids ahead of time.  We spent LOTS of time wandering around Powells reading and laughing.  Will talked at lengths with the children's desk person and got great ideas for new books to read.  When I asked him about how he felt meeting one of his favorite authors.  He told me 'speechless'.

Adam. Soccer coach 2013

We did soccer camp twice this year.  Once, when I signed up.  And a second time because the kids missed hosting a coach so bad.  So the second go around we lucked out and had Adam stay with us.  Adam's from England and was so much fun to have.  The kids loved him and it's just fun to have someone new around the house that has never done all those things that we take for granted in Portland.  We did lots of fun stuff when he was here over the summer...  We went to Salt & Straw for yummy ice cream.  Ventured off to Cannon Beach.  Took him to Vernonia for the softball jamboree (that was a sight!)  Ate lots of yummy food, toured the Nike campus, saw some movies, ate at Benihana's, and just hung out.  I made lots of quesadillas (which he loved) and cooked lots of big breakfasts for the whole group.

Adam came back for one last short visit this past weekend before he headed back to England.  He fell in love with Kenedi all over again (who doesn't) and took the time to make Will and Addi feel special.  And then he was off.  Just like Daniel, our coach from a few years ago.  The good news is, Will is begging for a trip to England and I know we'll see Adam again soon.

We sent him off in style...with that magic pink box from VooDoo Doughnuts!  But not after we dressed him up for Halloween and let him carve his FIRST pumpkin ever!

Benihana's fun!

Adam showing the Littles around in Vernonia

Haystack Rock 

 

My Crew

Rob's been gone on a long business trip this past week.  I think when it's all said and done, it will be 12 days in length.  And he's a long ways away, across oceans.  It always seems more overwhelming than it actually is to me.  There's is something about me and the kids that finds a nice rhythm.  It's almost as if they have extra patience, listen a bit better, and know just when to help.  Addi and Will have both been asking so. many. questions.  Honestly, an abnormal amount.  Will says to me today 'I'm way more chatty than I usually am.  Wonder what's gotten into me."  Um... I don't know buddy.  Last night, after trying to explain what backing up an iPad meant, I gave up.  I said no more questions.  My little mind could take no more.  And Will says...'but you like questions don't you.'  Almost in the voice that makes it sound like I hurt his feelings.  Ah man.  I do like questions.  I don't like not being able to answer them very well though.  That's the part I don't like.

We've settled into a nice routine in the evenings.  Because you am I kidding, I am not going out with three kids in the dark and rain unless the house is on fire.  We've been exercising inside....I've been running the kids through kiddo boot camp.  We run around the island, up and down the stairs, do some sit ups, pushups and some big leeps across the floor.  It's been enough to break a sweat and it passes the time.  Will has been working SO HARD on is speech therapy.  20 minutes most every night.  He's ready to say is L's and R's without any problems...more on this later.  We've been reading a lot and doing anything to avoid TV and iPads which such the life out of the kids.  Tonight I gave in and Addi watched 2 shows and Will played a new game on the iPad.  I needed 30 minutes of me time!

When Rob's gone, I can usually get caught up on lots of projects that fall by the side.  Working to get caught up on photo books, writing on this blog.  I finally printed our blog from 2009-2011.  The book is going to be over 200 pages.  I used Blog2Print and I am so excited to see it.  I'm not expecting anything fancy.  I'm just eager to see us in paper and not on a screen that could potentially be lost someday.  I've made a vow to get the 2011-2012 book by the end of the year, and I'll order the 2013 book on January 1, 2014.  It feels good to get that FINALLY off my to do list.  I'm printing pictures for frames and organizing those last recipes.  

But man do we miss Rob.  He's so good about playing with the kids.  Wrestling and getting down on their level.  I've wished more times than I can count that I didn't have to see the dog outside and make sure he pees or poops.  On late arrival day I brought the kids home for breakfast instead of going out like daddy does.  It's the little things.  

We went to Target....

And then she peed on the floor.   OOPS!  She sure was cute before that though.  Dragging her cart around.  She picked up a handful of things, threw them in her cart and then casually followed Will and I to the check out stand.  Silly girl.

And potty training is in day 3.  This is D day.  If things don't start getting better... we're back to diapers.  

Potty training, fashion & Russel

Kenedi officially started potty training today at Katie's.  She peed through 5 pairs of underwear and 3 pairs of pants.  Successful?  Well...I'd say it's a start.  I'm happy to soon be saying good bye to this little diapered butt....

 But sad that it will soon be the last diaper that I'll change on one of MY babies.  They grow up so fast.  She's so ready to potty train so I guess that means it's time.

This gal is the best shopping pal you can find. We will be trouble when she gets older.  Unfortunately, our tastes are not anywhere similar (maybe that's good for her???) but we both love to shop!  I make her try on blazers and funny hats and she wants off the shoulder shirts in teal and neon.  Hmmm.

And meet Russell.  He's the newest addition.  I curse him everyday.  But he's so darn cute at the same time.

Halloween

A pumpkin, Ariel, and General Grievous from Star Wars.  And mom and Dad as Cubs coach and a Rockford Peach (A League of Their Own movie).  We had a great halloween!  Adam was in town and grabbed Rob's old fireman's outfit.  And Anne and the girls came over as they've done for many halloweens.  

We carved pumpkins before trick or treating because it was the only day we could fit it in.  At least we didn't have soggy, rotting pumpkins out front.  This was the first time Adam ever carved a pumpkin - not something they do in England.  

 

We went out to the neighborhood early, Kenedi has been scared of the yard decorations and they seem less scary in the dark.  We practiced her 'Trick or Trea' and had it down.  Here routine basically went something like this...See house.  Say 'I'm not scared' &  'no monsters!' and walk up to the front door.  Light knock. then a 'twick o tweat' followed by a very quick, sometimes early 'Thanks you!'  and she'd run back to the sidewalk saying 'I not scared.'  It was too much.  The big kids waited for her and held her hand and were so nice.  

Then the big kids went back out for more fun. 

Nana and I made soup for dinner which is kind of a tradition now.  Rob decorated the yard in full style.  This year we added a hug spider to the tree, bright lights and the scariest life size monster that hangs up side down and tells scary jokes.  The monster gave us, and our neighbors nightmares.  It was originally up a week before Halloween but when the kids refused to get into the car on the same side as the monster, it came down and made it's appearance just on Halloween.  

 

 

Pumpkin Patch {2013}

This year Aunt Lyndsey drove all the way up from Ashland to go to the Pumpkin Patch with us.  She could not have picked a BETTER weekend.  It was Beautiful!  Clear blue sky, warm, but not too warm.  We went decided to make a big 'ole family affair out of it so Stan & Krista and the boys came along too.  All the kids were in good moods.....It was just great.

Aunt Lyndsey

Rob strikes a pose!

The Pumpkin Patch had a boat ride to get over to the pumpkin Patch

 

 

I've tried to get each of the kids sitting on the pumpkins each year.  I don't always get it but this year the blue sky was too good to miss.  Everyone is growing up so fast.

 

 
We picked out the perfect pumpkins!

 

 

 
We took some family photos....and headed on our way.

 

 

 

We squeezed in the corn maze (perfect size for little ones) and got some Kettle Corn.  it was  really great day.