Happy Birthday Daddy Bob!

It's our beloved Daddy bob's birthday today. Ikey's been singing to him all morning, so I thought I'd try and capture it on camera. He's quite the little entertainer.(:

Halloween...

It's become somewhat of a tradition these past few years that on Halloween, we all gather together at Nina's house for some yummy food and the dressing up of many children before we head over to Beaverton Christian Church for their Harvest party. It's fun to see how the gang grows each year... which makes me wonder how it will look different next year?! Thank you again Nina, a woman I admire in so many ways. We all love you!

This is all the kids, (from left)

Ikey, Nate, Henry, Jack, Abby, Wyatt, Ethan, Sydney and Spidey "Carson"

... and soon to come in Dec. is baby girl Bunch, Jack's little sister...

This is my memory from last night, a glimpse of green out of the corner of my eyes, running, and running from us as fast as his little dragon legs could carry him. Something about that costume or the sugar in his veins turned him into a real to life "dragon!" He was nuts but obviously had a blast, Sam and I ... were a bit worn out!

Nate supposedly golfing, however his stance looks more like he's playing hockey. My Canadian family would be proud.(:

The dragon trying to work his charm on Abby, who was born just three days before him.

This is Nate at Preschool, they had a dress up day, where they could wear their costumes to school, it was so much fun! Mommy got to stay too!

The class of three year old's, with one big sister princess in the mix...

One happy train. He was often asked "Oh, are you Thomas!?" and he'd answer quickly, "no, I'm James, look at me I'm red!!" ... like, don't you know your trains!!

A very cute Tigger, who even posed for this picture. Tigger sometimes gets a little camera shy.(: It's actually our buddy Henry, who Nate has grown very close to now that they attend school together.

Oh how I love boys!

I just have a few random shots of the boys from this past week. I can't quite get enough of my boys... well, I suppose there are days when I've had "enough!" but overall, I am so in love with everything about them, especially their "boyness!"

Nate was watching a movie on the computer when Ikey climbed up for a snuggle...

Dinnertime is always a messy event, especially when you add blueberries!

Kodi taking the daily "beating," good thing he's a big love and puts up with the abuse... However, note the bit of grey on his chin, I think the kids are aging him faster!

They must of caught a glimpse at a squirrel.

This is the "cheese"y smile we get most often from Nate, you have to be sneaky in order to get a natural smile.

A visit from cousin Benjamin... and his parents...

It's funny how you sometimes feel a bit like "chopped liver" when you have kids and visit family because mostly the big excitement surrounds the kids and not so much you anymore. However, I really don't blame people because I am the same way. I couldn't wait to see my nephew Ben and well, it was awesome to see my brother and Dana too.(: I think with kids, they are just changing so fast so you want to catch up on all you've missed. Since I saw Ben last, he's learned to walk, to eat on his own(and eat he can do), to say words(well some) and to be busy, well... I suppose that one hasn't really changed. I don't think I know anything different, in my world, being a boy equals being busy.

It was so fun to have Jeff, Dana and Ben visit and fun to see how all the cousins did hanging out together. Nate really wanted Ben to sleep in his room and for already having a brother, he was quite interested in his little cousin. Even the other morning he woke up and asked me if we could go to Benjamin's house. I hope and pray that one day they will all be great friends. Three boys, somewhat like stair steps and a Grandpa and Gaboo that couldn't be happier. Here are some pictures from our visit.

I just love this shot because it just captures my boy. He's been into bringing his favorite toy to bed since he was 18 mo. old. It started with a basketball and now it's trains, and this one is the latest. Oh, I love this boy!

The dads looking over the boys...

Such a beautiful family...


Jeff always has a "leg up" on something or someone.(:



Ikey and Ben, little trouble makers...

so cute!

Super Nate!

I love Ike's expression here, like "I don't know about this?!"

Happy boy...

Mr. Blue eyes...

Rub a dub dub... three naked boys in a tub!

story time with auntie Dana... (see mom, your dream may be possible!) The dream of reading to all three of them at once... and having them sit still (well, sort of!)

So this year on Sept. 1st, Sam and I celebrated our 8th year of marriage. To celebrate we got the opportunity to go to the beach for the weekend, without the kids! I have to give a huge shout out to Grandma Toni, Daddy Bob and auntie Lissa. If it weren't for such a great team of helpers, we wouldn't be able to have such wonderful breaks and both Sam and I are so grateful for their help in these matters.

Back in May or so, my good friend Steph invited me to a party for these special wipes, called "boogie wipes." I was happy to go, because it was free food and some good girly time with my buddy. At that party they had door prizes and the last prize of the night was for a one night stage at the Ocean Lodge in Cannon Beach. Low and behold, my number was called and I won the night away. I then upped it to two nights and we had a blast. There has since been a few hectic days (i.e. food coloring incident)... I may blog later about.... that has caused me to cry out... "I just want to go back to the ocean lodge... wah wah!!" It was so lovely, so fun and just about perfect in every way. Not to mention the weather. Here we are middle of Oct. on the Oregon coast, Sam in a t-shirt and shorts and not cold at all. It was amazing. I felt so blessed. Mostly blessed because I am in love with my man more than ever and feel that my heart is full. God is good!

Sam had to kill his dinner before he ate, good thing he's a hunter.(;

Hair cut time...

My little Ikey is becoming quite the little mischievous independent man these days. Even as I sit here, I hear some cries coming from the living room where he and Nate are playing. I recognize the "cries" to be of the manipulation sort, the kind that aren't ones I truly need to respond to. So, I continue to sit here and I type. Well, those same "cries" continue and get louder and closer as my little man comes storming into the room where I am. I look over at the pathetically sad face and say in a very "concerned mother" type way, "Oh honey, what's the matter?!"... to which I get a very sad response.... " Nay Nay push..." I have to squelch the smile I feel rising as I hug my little buddy and finally give him the response he's craving but also laugh a little at my boy who at 20 months, has learned the art of tattling. He keeps us on his toes from all the climbing he does, whether that be up onto the computer desk, onto the ledge that separates our living room from our family room, or the kitchen table, which seems to be a favorite. He's a monkey and a charmed one at that because I find myself so easily ensnared by the darling and yet mischievous smile he possesses. Here's some photos from a recent haircut. A little dramatic as always...

The long blonde locks I was having a hard time saying good-bye to..

Happy for the moment...

As you can see, the mood quickly changes...
Trying to remain calm in the midst of such trauma....

And the finished look, so cute and so "grown up!"

Ah...pul...sauce!

Ikey says "applesauce" so cute that I couldn't help but video tape it. I love this age when they are learning words so rapidly and understanding and communicating so much. It's so fun and so hilarious at the same time. I also have to smile at big brother trying desperately to be the center of attention. What a pair of monkeys we have!