Catch Up

Wow, I'm so lame. Here are the last two months. I'd make excuses, but my husband always says not to ruin an apologize with an excuse. Good advice!
Eli was Optimus Prime for Halloween this year. His helmut kept flying off, though. It ended up being a really warm night and the kids actually got to show off their costumes this year. Raechel was a fairy ballerina (of course). Kaela was a witch. Ethan was a green alien (thanks Anda). And, Eli was a transformer.

Attack of the Green Alien Boy

A friend of mine started making a costume for her son. Unfortunately, it turned out a little bit too big and she stopped making it. I saw it and thought that it might fit, Ethan. I asked her if I could finish the costume and just give it back when we were done. She agreed and now Ethan is a green fuzzy alien for Halloween. Here's how it looks so far:

Da-nah ... da-nah... da-nuh, da-nuh, da-nuh.

He's closing in...he's about to attack.Mom, what the heck are you and Ethan doing?What...me...I...um, Ethan, quick let's get out of here!

2009 Fall Orchestra Concert

Raechel had her first violin concert on Wednesday. She is in the intermediate orchestra at Curtis Jr. High School. She worked very hard and earned 2nd chair for the concert. The whole evening was amazing. I've never heard a Jr. High School orchestra sound so good. They were the best I've ever heard. Good job, sweetie!
Right above the big bald head in the middle; to the left of the microphone; that's Raechel.

Consider the 'Lily's' of the Field

Eli and I played at his best friend's house and Eli was cracking up at their hamster, Lily. Too cute! Thanks, Anda, for sending the pic.

Congratulations!!!!

Raechel auditioned and was just promoted to a full-fledged member of the company corps. Her first performance as a company member will be Dec. 3-5 at Curtis High School Performing Arts Theater. She will be in a number of dances and would love to have you all attend.

Way to go, Raechie!

E-I-E-I-O On the Farm

Last weekend we went to Royal City to stay with our good friends, the Andersens and Toftdahls. They live on an apple orchard and own a few hundred acres of farmland. We had the most amazing time. We did a lot of fun things with the family. The weather was perfect and the first day we went swimming in a really well-outfitted irrigation pond with a zip line, rope swing, slides and sand volleyball pit.

Although the Toftdahls own the land, they lease it out to other farmers. We were able to see them right in the middle of the potato harvest. We watched the potato harvester in the field and then the trucks taking them to the potato cellars down the road. When we visited the potato cellars, we were in complete awe. They were nearly a football field long and four stories tall. We watched as a conveyor belt shot the potatoes onto a huge pile. It was amazing.

Here are some pictures of our adventure:

Score, I found some potatoes.

Check out these babies.

Ok, I know there here somewhere.

This is a good haul.

No Labor on Labor Day

I'm posting this a little late, but life has a way of getting in the way. That didn't make a lot of sense, but all the mothers out there know exactly what I'm talking about.

We went to China Lake Nature Area. It's just a little getaway spot just down from Tacoma Community College on 19th st. It's like a different world when you get in there.

We stopped and snacked on some blackberries before the trek into the woods.

We played hide and seek. Eli made it really difficult by skip counting. 1..2..3..4..6..8..9..11-teen..26..10..2..here I come.

Shhhh! Don't give me away, Mom!

My kids are experienced outdoorsmen and very serious about their nature explorations.

Well, mayble not that serious.

No, Ethan, you can't have a spoon to drink the lake.

Crazy Coreys.

Tadpoles in the water.

Queen of the Rock and the Sire of Silliness.

Big brother -- little brother bonding.

Ethan bonded with the ducks.

Too bad for, Eli.

Taking a break; too much energy output for me.

I wonder where the bark went?

I told Steve to smile.

Then I told him to show me his 'real' smile. Much more realistic.

I asked if they had a good time. I guess so!

Eli, it's time to go.

Eli! It's really time to go!

Lots of fun; lots of memories.

First Week of School for '09

Well, we survived the first week of school. All the kids love their teachers and their school. That's a big plus. The only sad one is Eli. He misses his brother and sisters.

Pay It Forward

I'm paying it forward from my sister in law's! This sounds like tons of fun and it will be interesting to see who checks my blog often :)

Here's the rules:1.Be the first blogger to leave a comment on this post, which then entitles you to a handmade item from me - something crafty or yummy, who knows?!

2. Winners must post this challenge on your blog, meaning that you will Pay It Forward, creating a handmade gift -anything!- for the first THREE bloggers who leave a comment on YOUR post about this giveaway!

3. The gift that you send to your 3 Friends can be from any price range and you have 365 days to make/ship your item. This means you should be willing to maintain your blog at least until you receive your gift and have shipped your gifts. And, remember: It’s the Spirit and the Thought That Count!

4. When you receive your gift, please feel free to blog about it, sharing appropriate Linky Love! If you are not one of the Top Three Commenters on this post, you can still play along. Go ahead and start your own Pay It Forward chain, and encourage your blogging friends to do the same!SO, REMEMBER...Pay it forward!

The Last Day of Happiness

We spent our last day of summer vacation at Jefferson Park with good friends.

Come on, Buddy, you can do it.

She's a crazy girl.

"I think I'm going to fall."

Around and around they go, where they stop...nobody knows.

Goodbye, summer, until we meet again.

The Ward Campout

Our family went camping over the weekend and we had a wild and rainy time.

We camped at Zion's Camp over in Belfair at the ward campout. We camped in the Teancum Loop with a bunch of other families that we know.

Day One:

We shared our campsite with our good friends, the Steinackers. And...we're still good friends, but I won't tell you what I overheard Anda say ;)

It was a pity we could only stay one night, because the tent to sooooo long to set up.

We had one of the nicest campsites there. This is where we ate s'mores and Steve was swallowing flaming marshmallows. His burn is healing quite nicely. :)

"Look, Ma, I'm camping."

"Raechel was bored, bored, bored, bored."

Kaela, I think that swing might be a little too big.

Nice farmer's tan, honey.

"I'm swimming, Mom"

"What? Do you have to take a picture ?"

We're the cool treehouse gang.

Day Two:

Wake up sleepy head.

Raechel was quick to get seconds.

Ethan looks mighty cold, huh?

Well, that's not surprising. Look what he's wearing!

Ethan, didn't you pack any warm clothes??

Nope, just toys and pjs.

We had a great time and hopefully will camp again soon. But, this time I'm checking the backpacks.