First Birthday Favorites

I love first birthdays! Even though Paige will never remember it, it was so much fun. I made her a crown cake.

We took a few moments to relax before the Hatch's, my mom, and Jeff came over for soup and salad. She was so excited and didn't even know what was coming.
First she played 'Pat-A-Cake' on her cake.
Then she tasted it realized how fun this really was (but I couldn't keep everyone else away from getting a slice).

After a while so went straight for a lick. She just sucked on it! It was adorable.

There was no shortage of help opening the gifts. She got a stroller walker from Grandma and LOVED it. It was 1 1/2 hours past her bedtime but she wouldn't stop walking with it back and forth across the family room dozens of times. And she wouldn't let anyone near it or she would start squalking.

She has been in heaven with her new found upward mobile freedom since. It only took a few days; now she can turn and maneuvere that thing all over the downstairs enhancing her ability to discover all sorts of new things (yeah for me!).

Happy 1st Birthday Paige. I love first birthdays and I love you. What a sweetie.

Fall Sports

For being the littlest guys on the team, Tyson and Bradley are doing great this year in sports. I've truely enjoyed watching them play. Tyson is playing fall ball Little League with 10, 11, and 12 year-olds. He has played mostly 2nd base, catcher, and pitcher. He's had some nice hits too. My favorite moment... watching him hit off his friend Christian, who was on the opposing team.

Bradley is playing soccer for Kent Parks on a Second Grade team. Hehas been aggressive again this year. He does really well at defense and midfielder because he's not afraid to get in there and get the ball away from the opposing team (even when the kids are a lot bigger). He's played all positions including goalie. But the best part about this year is that he has learned to dribble, instead of always kicking it away. My favorite moment... watching him dribble up and shoot a goal right over the goalie's head in a scrimmage.

Fair FUN

After some pressure I finally succumbed and we took the family to the fair with my Mom and Jeff. I was worried about the begging and whining about food, rides, games, trinkets.... Amazingly, we had very little of that. We just enjoyed the animals, pumpkins, Weird Al's Brain exhibit, and the hypnotist.

We had a really great evening. And with coupons to get in, we only spent a total of $11 for the family. (We only captured a few pictures before my battery ran out).

Princess Party

Happy 4th Birthday Kate! Like all the 3-4 year old girls, Kate was so excited to have a Princess Birthday Party.

We were lucky enough to have another beautiful September day to celebrate with several of her friends, and cousin, Megan.

We played 'girl, girl, princess', 'pass the slipper', 'pin the crown on the princess', and 'princess and the pea'. Then we had a princess treasure hunt to find the party bags of girly goodies. The girls loved the games and Kate loved all of her presents.

I made a cake full of princesses per Kate's request.

What a beautiful, fun girl. We love you Kate, we hope you always stay this sweet.

School Days

The strike finally ended and school began 10 days late (the kids will have shortened Christmas, Mid-Winter and Spring Breaks). Kate was so excited to start her second year of Mom's Day Out. She has an awesome teacher, Miss Molly, who is so animated and fun. And she has already starting reviewing the letters with them. There are only 9 kids in her 3 hour a week class. Next year she will be in pre-K.Kate's teacher asked her what her mom does for work. Kate replied "she works at the hospital and makes people feel better by telling them to eat their vegetables." I loved it!

During Kate's first day of school, we went on a hike our neighborhood friends.
It was a lot of fun except for the soreness that ensued because the several flights of stairs with 24# Paige strapped on.

I had to work the first day of school, but Rick captured the moment well. It was my first day of a 3 week stretch (Mon-Thurs). Thanks to Mom for helping out with the kids, and thanks to Dad for going to Africa so she could!

Tyson is in 5th grade, in Mrs. Anderson's 5th/6th combo, after having Ms. Pak two years in a row-and a total of 3 years (he also had her for Kindergarten).

Bradley is looping with Ms. Lutes again in 2nd grade, hurray, we love Ms Lutes.

I made it to greet the bus after school, it was a beautiful sunny first day, even though it was the middle of September.

Christian, Tyson, and Zac.

Bradley, Dion Ray, and Tyler.

Final Moments of Summer Fun

The snails were out one night, more than we've ever seen. Bradley, Kate and Jeff caught 14 easily. They had a great adventure in the dark. Luckily we snapped a few pictures, because by morning they were all gone, but not forgotten.

Kate recently learned how to write her name, and thus is autographing everything. This being our cooler.

I let her play in the van one day during a baseball game and when I got back in she had written 'mom' on the steering wheel. Great. When I inquired she replied, "well, it's yours." What could I do but laugh (to myself of course, as to not give permission for future misdeeds).

It was a summer of nighboorhood hot tubing. All the boys would throw on a suit and go from tub to tramp, back a forth. It was great to keep them active and busy.

Then there was the afternoon that Bradley let Kate do his hair. It was actually quite cute. I'm sure he'll love this picture in 10 years!

It was definately time for the Kent School District Teachers Strike to be over. Get these kids in school!