Fall Is Here

Well, here I am after many many weeks. A whole month actually. I think that there is something about the fall that makes the days fly by, while feeling like you're not accomplishing much. The kids seem to continue to grow at the speed of light, however (that's counting the one in my tummy).
The last few weeks have been filled with lazy days, wishing for rain so I didn't feel bad about not taking the kids out into the beautiful weather, and then wishing it wasn't raining so I could take them out to release the energy in a less destructive manner! (Chris of course takes them out whatever the weather.)
Today we made a cave while it poured outside. And it was either the weather or the one piece of licorice they each had but they were quite wild. I tried to stay out of the same room so I wouldn't get upset about whatever it was that was evoking such screams and laughter.

At the entrance of the cave

Making wild faces while wearing the hoods of their coats.

Several weeks ago we celebrated Chris's birthday!

Yeah for mac n' cheese and carrot cake cupcakes!

Art has been another fall time passer:

Yeah for glitter!

One day at lunch Chris threw out the challenge to make the alphabet out of pretzels. 1/2 a bag of pretzels later we had all but about 6 of them. Abigail did several and then her name.

And lastly I just want to say, I am SO tired of being pregnant. I am now 35 weeks and the midwife said on Wednesday that its a big baby. Oh yeah. I know it feels big. I'm ready to be done with the heartburn, backache, cramps, heat flashes, inability to walk, raging hormones, sleeplessness, and many other pregnant joys. Bring on the bundle of adorable and cuddly (screaming, pooping, spitting up, keeps everyone awake) love. I'm ready. Ü

My view from the top.
One friend said about my protruding belly:
"I've never seen a baby more eager!"

While I Was Sleeping...

While I was getting up for my middle-of-the-night-bathroom-break Chris was getting up to go meet his dad for a sunrise hike. They drove out near Mt. Rainier to a place called High Rock, hiked the 1.6 miles of grueling 90 degree trail (ok- so I'm exaggerating a bit- but on the way down you can't walk if you wanted to...) and watched the sun rise.

This is the view from the truck-
see that little building up on the tip of the rock?
That is the old fire lookout that they hiked to.
It is apparently now infested with bees.

Chris's dad with Mt. Adams in the background.

Right on time!

Mt. Rainier from the lookout

Mt. Rainier
You just have to click on the picture to enlarge it.

Reunion at the Beach

The last weekend of August we travelled down to Twin Rocks Camp at Rockaway Beach, Oregon for our 5th annual GFU class of 05 Engineers reunion. We have 7 families that get together. We stayed in a big house right on the beach, ate lots of great food, got really sandy, and had lots of fun!

We are missing one family - and baby Reagan!?


The 'big' kids: Rueben (2), Asher (4), Benjamin (4), Joshua (2), Elijah (2), & Abigail(4)

Our group also has three babies (and of course one on the way), Reagan, Seth, & Daniel all who are (I think) 6months and under. So as you can see there are a lot of boys. Elijah wasn't quite ready to jump into all the pillow fights and wrestling - I'm sure he will next year. As for Abigail...she would usually play with one boy at a time. One of the boys once asked her "why are you sitting down?".

Playing on Sand Mountain

I of course took lots of pictures (well, until I got the camera wet when Elijah got ambushed by a wave...it still works pretty well...) here is a link to see most of them.

Do You Hear What I Hear?

While eating lunch the other day, we were sharing a Superfood Odwalla smoothie. Abigail was a bit unsure of this "gushing garden gulp", so I asked if she would like to hear what is in it. Elijah was making the point that he wanted some. However, when Chris was trying to give him a drink, Elijah kept turning his head to put his ear by it. It took us a minute to realize that he was trying to 'hear what was inside'.

If they were quiet enough they did eventually hear it whisper "...drink me..."

Having nothing to do with the drink-
we also shared the longest carrot we'd ever seen!

Mastering Two Wheels

For several months Abigail has been wanting to ride her bike with no training wheels. So, daddy took them off, however fear of falling kept them from practicing much. Recently however, Abigail has shown a renewed courage to try again. She let daddy help for a while but over the last two days she has been practicing 'by herself'.

Go ahead cement - make my day!

Today, I somehow happened to catch on video her first 'ride'!




An ever supportive brother who only ran into her with his car a few times!

Master of the road!

Discovering An Oldy But A Goody

What: Shredded Wheat

Ingredients: Whole Grain Wheat (note on box: Contains Wheat)

Dimensions: 2.5"w x 3.5"l x 1"h

Exibit A: Place 1 wheat biscuit in bowl.
Use hands or spoon to break into desired pieces.
Warning: Clean up required afterwards

Exibit B: If desired, sprinkle with brown sugar and milk.

Exibit C: Enjoy!

Thank you to our sponsor - Grandma Nita!

The Joy of Earning

About 3 weeks ago we went into Build-a-Bear with a friend and Abigail saw an animal that she HAD to have. Sorry Chica- not today. All that day and the next she kept talking about it. Having never been this interested in something Chris and I decided to make her earn it. So we set up a chart, explained it, and began the sometimes hard lesson of earning something.

Each job had to be completed to our satisfaction,

she then colored in the square and recived $1 to put in a jar.

Taking creative liberty with the folding of towels.
(notice it is a house complete with door and window)

Washing dishes with Daddy.

Not all jobs were met with the same enthusiasm.

Now 3 weeks later, the sweet reward has come.

The second her kitty was stuffed she pulled out her wallet for the lady.

Matching pink bathrobes (thank you Great Grandma Norine!)

So far her little gray kitty has no name- if you have any suggestions I am sure she would appreciate it. A few she has liked but not stuck: Mushy, C.C. (cute cat), Door Knob, Mussolini, Marigold, Tabitha...