Trick Or Treat

This year we joined our friends the Swanson Families for a great night of trick or treating and some tasty enchiladas too!

Here are all the kiddos right before we hit the road to go trick or treating. Tatum and Owen had so much fun this year and were crazy with excitement. Even with several reminders to not run, poor Owen could hardly help himself and ended up tripping on his ghost costume at least 2 or 3 times. Oh well, it didn't seem to put a damper on his Halloween night.

Happy Halloween!!

Tonight will mark our 5th and final Halloween celebration. As much fun as we have all had this year, I am ready to move beyond Halloween. :-) Tatum and Owen both chose what they wanted to dress up as this year. Owen has known since August that he wanted to be a ghost. Tatum had a more difficult time deciding, going back and forth between a princess, a ballerina and a witch...she ultimately decided on a ballerina.

Grandma Cheryl and Papa's annual pumpkin carving party

Tatum's Kindergarten pumpkin carving and cookie decorating party

Like Sister, Like Brother

I always find myself running for the camera when I discover the kids sharing sweet, peaceful moments like these. I also think it's pretty cute that they are both sucking their thumbs.

Impromtu Family Photo Shoot

The other day Owen's teacher asked that each child bring a 4X6 family photo to school. Since all our family photos are packed away in storage right now, it inspired this spur of the moment family photo shoot in our beautiful, but temporary front yard. We put our camera on a retaining wall ledge, set the timer, and spent about five minutes trying out different poses. I was pleasantly surprised at how well they turned out...almost everyone is looking at the camera and smiling! Here are a couple of our favorites.

Oh, by the way, for those of you who don't know yet...WE'VE MOVED!! Our house near Kayak Point sold on the 22nd of September. We are headed South to the Everett area so we can be closer to the kids' school and pretty much everything (grocery stores, kids' sports/activities, etc)! While we house hunt we're living in a mother-in-law "apartment" on the bottom floor of my aunt and uncles' house at Priest Point in Marysville. We LOVE the view!!

Isaac's Bath Time

These pictures were taken a few months ago now, but I thought they were so darn cute along with the story behind them that I just had to share.

From about 10 - 13 months, Isaac was absolutely terrified of the bath tub. I'm not sure what brought it on, but Isaac made it quite clear he wanted nothing to do with a bath. Even the noise of turning on the faucet had him frantically scrambling for the door.

Prior to these pictures being taken, I had attempted once again to give Isaac a bath in the kids' tub. After seeing him hysterically cry and try to claw his way out of the tub, I decided I needed a different game plan. I gave the kitchen sink a whirl and the difference in Isaac's attitude was like night and day...he LOVED it (except for when I needed to rinse his hair...he still hates that part)!! I realized Isaac's hysteria mostly came from not feeling secure in a BIG tub and had very little to do with the water itself.

Now, at 14 months, Isaac does just fine in a bathtub. He's still not a fan of rinsing his hair, but we're working on it!

Summer Highlights

Here are a few of the highlights from the summer of 2010...

We love camping!

This summer we spent nearly a month in our trailer! I love that when we're camping we have no schedule and no commitments. I also love the time we get to spend together as a family of 5! One of our favorites trips this summer was to Ohanapecosh campground at Mt. Rainier National Park. I've never felt more away from it all than here...it was beautiful.

The falls we saw on our first real hike with all the kids.

Water Break

Tatum completed her first Junior Ranger Class and became an official Junior Ranger of Mt. Rainier National Park. She loved this and took her role as a Junior Ranger very seriously. I wish I had my camera rolling as she raised her right hand and repeated the Junior Ranger oath to the Ranger instructing her class.

Mill Bay at Lake Chelan

Our home away from home! This summer we made two trips to Mill Bay spending just over 3 weeks there and enjoying every minute of it. The kids were able to experience lots of firsts...our trip to Stehekin, tubing behind cousin Stephanie's boat and kayaking with Grandma. Here are some of my favorite pictures from our trips.

Issac's Sleeping Quarters

Isaac's First Birthday!

With Isaac's birthday falling in the end of July, I'd imagine he will have several "destination birthday" celebrations. This year it happened to be Long Beach, Washington.

Isaac's birthday cake was my very first cake baked in the trailer...yes, it came out of a box, but I was quite proud of how it turned out.

Oops...Isaac wanted to add his own special touches to his birthday cake.

Issac's first taste of cake and his eyebrows say it all...YIKES, this frosting is SWEET!!

I can't believe his first year is already behind us! Let me just say, the more kids you have the faster time flies. I'm trying to soak it all in as best I can!!

Stehekin

This was Scott and the kids' first trip to Stehekin. Our family along with my Grandma, Mom and Clint, auntie Rachel and cousin Stephanie made the hour and a half trip up to Stehekin. We split up into two groups between Stephanie's boat and my Mom and Clint's boat. I was worried about how the kids would do with the long boat ride, but have since learned that a boat motor can work wonders. All three kids conked out at some point during the trip...Isaac pretty much slept the entire way up lake and the entire way back down. Stehekin is a beautiful place and I look forward to taking the kids again when they are a bit older.

"Just Dance"

Here's a video I shot of the kids in the truck on a "3 stops" road trip this summer. We were leaving Ohanapecosh campground at Mt. Rainer National Park and headed to Mill Bay at Lake Chelan. The kids (especially Isaac) were dancing to Lady Gaga and cracking me up!

We did lots of traveling with the kids this summer and it went surprisingly well. It wasn't always smiles and laughter like in the video, but I'd say overall our kiddos are excellent travelers!

Back to School, Back to Blogging...

...that is the plan anyway! I really miss not blogging and hope to make it somewhat of a priority again. With the 3 kids now, time goes by so darn fast it's hard to keep it all straight. Blogging allows me to document the sweet simple moments of everyday life...here goes!

So long summer (you went by way too fast by the way), welcome Kindergarten and Preschool!! Tatum began Kindergarten on the 1st and Owen attended his very first day of Preschool today. Both kids were very eager for school to start and had fantastic first days...no tears from either of them. Tatum attends school 5 days a week, 6.5 hours a day. I was definitely emotional that first day as I walked away from Tatum's classroom. Full time school is a big step (I guess more for me than her), however, I am thrilled for what's in store for Tatum and Owen this school year.

Tatum's first day of Kindergarten:

Owen's first day of Preschool:

Happy 5th Birthday Tatum!

Our first born officially hit the 5 year mark yesterday...it is hard to believe! We celebrated at home with a nice family dinner of spaghetti, Tatum's choice of course. This weekend she is having a beach themed party at the Little Gym with her classmates and close friends, followed by a BBQ at home with family.

Tatum's snorkel gear was a gift from mommy and daddy. Yes, the snorkel gear was on her birthday list. She was so excited when she first opened her present that she immediately had to go put on her "surf suit" so she could try on her new gear.

Catching Up

Man, keeping up on the blog is sure a lot harder than it used to be! Most days I feel like every minute of every day is filled with doing something, but oh how I LOVE these hectic days (most of the time)!

I'm always amazed by the number of comments I receive from complete strangers when I'm out and about running errands with the 3 kids. It's usually Moms that stop me and tell me how much they miss those "early years", and then proceed to tell me how old their children are now and recollect with me about the past. The Moms tell me how fast the years go by and how they remember them just like it was yesterday.

These comments just remind me that time is not going to slow down, no matter how much I wish is would sometimes, and that I need to cherish these precious days at home with my kids.

Here are a couple of pictures of Tatum enjoying the beautiful sunny weather we've been having lately.

Sitting All By Himself

At just 8 months, Isaac is now able to sit by himself for an extended period of time and play with his toys. Every day he seems to be getting stronger and is able to sit for longer lengths of time. It amazes me how quickly an infant can go from barely being able to hold up their head to sitting and holding up their entire upper body.

Mommy was having lots of fun making Isaac smile!

I love my boys!

Isaac's Eating Solids

It's taken a bit of practice, but Isaac has recently become more comfortable with solid foods. Most days he will take two good meals, however, we still have days (like yesterday) when he's not interested in eating anything from a spoon.

I love this picture...it reminds me of a baby bird.

Isaac loves his thumb!! In fact, it is just one of very few things that can soothe him when he's super upset. Here he is sneaking it into his mouth between bites of squash.