Avery Update

Avery has been more and more fun lately and I am told this is not a stage but real life fun! I am so excited. Her imagination is going absolutely crazy and it is so adorable to watch. The park has now become a farm with real animals everywhere. She and Ethan have quite a set up that includes cows, horses, kitties, pigs, sheep, donkeys, blackberries and raspberries. A milking barn for the cows and a pink cow train was added by Avery this morning. (Thanks to Bob's Corn for that last addition.)

This dress was worn by me when I was, well, about her age I suppose. I have been waiting for it to fit her. I remember wearing this dress and I still love it!

Having a tea-party and reading/singing to her babies. (Most of them are her "daughters.")

Here she is getting a drink of water from the sink. Good thing we have a tall stool in there!

Mater!

While driving to our friends last week we found this new guy in town. All the kids seemed to be so excited to see him in REAL life. Welcome, Mater to our neck of the woods.

Workin' for a cause

Ethan has been trying to earn money for his mission team at church. I suggested that instead of just asking for money from people, (which I don't really find a good idea) that he think of jobs that he can to for a donation to BGMC. So together we thought about raking up our neighbors leaves. He worked really hard and kept asking me to ask more neighbors if it would be ok. Next, he said he would wash my floors again if I that that was ok. So, next week I bet I get some clean floors! I love it!

I am so proud of you Ethan, you really make a difference.
(Especially since one neighbor did not even pay him.)

The Zoo

On this trip to the zoo we got to bring along Auntie Martha. We really had a lovely day and enjoyed getting to spend some time with her for a few days.

All ready to get going!Making a plan.

The bears were so much fun to watch! This time of year the animals seem more active. I am sure the cooler weather helps. This bear came right up to the glass to say hi. It was really neat...until it turned and looked right at Avery. I am pretty sure she thought it was going to eat her and I am pretty sure most of the other visitors left the zoo with impaired hearing.

The new penguin exhibit is fun too. The kids get to see the animals much better now and it is fun to watch them play. Ethan had fun with this one...it would follow Ethan's finger where ever he pointed. Pretty neat stuff.

The City Bus

Every day a school bus drives by our house. This is very important to Avery to watch and then one day she asked if she could ride on the bus. After explaining that she was too little to ride the school but she was a little disappointed...until I then told her she was big enough to ride on the city bus. After that conversation EVERY time we saw a city bus she wanted to ride on it. We finally made a day trip one Sunday to ride the city bus. She was soooo excited, as was Ethan. (He went through this stage too when he was about her age.) We enjoyed being out and about together seeing Seattle from a bus. We also noticed that we could ride a train, a horse drawn carriage, a monorail, and..and...and...the list could go on forever. I don't think we will run out of things to see or experience for awhile.Waiting patiently for the bus.

Finding a route.

The end destination did not matter, today was all about riding the bus. For me, that is a fun way to travel. Go where the wind blows...that is my kind of day.

Our little city girl.

Shoe shopping.

Enjoying the moment while waiting for the bus home.

We got to lay down in the bus, that was quite amazing for Avery.

Enjoying the ride.

I am still not sure why kids don't need car seats for the bus. It feels so not right, but the kids sure do enjoy the freedom.

Fall Fun

One day last week we were inside for much too long in the day. When we finally got ourselves outdoors the kids ran to the leaves in the yard. Ethan immediately made "leaf" angels. Then of course the leaves had to be thrown in the air. The kids really got dirty so after about fifteen minutes when it started downpouring rain we ran inside and they warmed up in the bath.

Each morning Avery has now announced that our trees are naked. I assure her that they will grow new leaves in the spring.

U2 in B.C.

Our friends, The Brossards, invited us to join them on a trip to Vancouver, B.C. to see the band U2 (ever heard of them??) Ken has been saying for a long time that this will be one of the best concerts we could ever attend and I was a little skeptical but was hoping to be proven wrong, and I was. If you ever get a chance to see them do it!! We had a great time and cannot wait to see them again with the Brossards next summer in Seattle. Enjoy!!

Leah looking beautiful as always!!

The gigantic stage that requires 120 trucks to transport from show to show. WOW!!

Who's the lucky guy?

Nikole and Ken rockin' out!!LARRY MULLEN JR.

BONO

Halloween 2009

Tonight we had the privilege of having a few friends for dinner, crafts and then heading to our church for Trunk-or-Treat. Really enjoyed the time with the kids. Unfortunately Gary had to work tonight, but we stopped in to see him for a surprise.

decorating cookies for the big event. I think Avery only sprinkled this one about five or ten times. Just sprinkle and lick, sprinkle and lick....

Transformer Bumblebee showed up at our house this year. His amazing transformation was outstanding!I asked Avery if I could take her picture and she posed like this...how could I not laugh! What a pretty princess!Casting her spell on Ethan. I hope it is a good one.Heading out for CANDY!Don't mess with this duo.

Best buddies, I can't believe they are getting so big. It was awesome that they were both transformers...we didn't even know it!Princess Avery found Princess Riana at church. They are so fun.
What a fabulous evening with great friends.

Pumpkin Carving

Last night we got to work carving our pumpkins. The kids had fun scooping this year, instead of being grossed out! Fun times for our family.

I made a pink flamingo pumpkin for Avery. A bit out of season, but fun.

Decorating

The kids enjoyed making pictures to hang up in the house for Halloween. I like how they helped each other with the process. Trading stickers, markers and paper...it is so nice when they work together.

Ethan made a scene out of his window clings. He also noticed when they got moved because we had little friends over who wanted to take them down. "Why did my story get ruined!?!"