Uncle Brandon...

Uncle Brandon came for a visit back in October over Halloween weekend. He came up to get some dental work done, so it wasn't exactly a vacation. But we did manage to take a little side trip to Cannon Beach. It was so windy, but still beautiful, even though there wasn't an ounce of blue sky. At least it wasn't raining. The kids had a great time wrestling with him, and I liked the free entertainment he brought...thanks uncle Brandon. Hopefully the next time he comes for a visit it won't be all dental related.



Kate wasn't really having it in the windy conditions.

Paige's Baby Shower...

Last night was Paige's baby shower. So, it being her first baby, I thought it would be nice to make her a quilt. When my mom and I were up visiting Marnae this summer we ran over to the Stitching Post, our favorite frabic store in Sisters, OR. My mom and I spotted this line and I knew it would be perfect for Paige.

The last quilt I made came from a kit, all nicely pre-cut, so this was a bit harder trying to figure out just how much fabric I would need. The poor lady at the Stiiching Post probably thought, with all the questions about measuring I had for her, that I was in over my head. And I very well could have been, because If I needed more I would have to travel 3 hours to get more. Luckily after cutting it all out I had just enough. After sewing it all up I sent it off to have it quilted by my wonderful friend Cami. She lives in Utah and her mother-in-law has a long arm. She did an amazing job! I love the way it turned out...so much I wanted to keep it for myself. I think this is going to be an ongoing problem if I keep making these.

My mom and I also made our first Diaper Cake. These are so much fun! You definitely need two sets of hands. I made the little owl topper with my Stampin'Up stuff. Click HERE to look at all the other stuff I have been making.

A lot of good friends came in support for Paige, and I think she is ready to pop this little guy out. We are excited to meet him and maybe a little more excited just to see how Paige parents' this little guy. She has lots of ideals as most new moms do, so we all are wondering how long it will take before she throws them out the door and just does what works.

The Rugrats...

That is the name of Zach's Soccer Team. Now that it is all over and done with, I am finally getting around to the pictures..which are sadly not many. Well, I guess I have more but they didn't make the cut for the ol' blog. Anyways, he loved soccer yet again, did you have any doubts? Instead of one game a week though he got to play two. At every single game with the exception of one, Zach scored a goal. Can I get a Whoot Whoot? Thank you 3 on 3 for giving my kid so many opportunities to score a goal, and feel such accomplishments on the field. I have to give a lot of credit to his coach. He was so patient and extremely positive with all the kids, seriously he was so great! Zach really improved a lot. He is way more aggressive than he ever was before and instead of running around the kids to get the ball, he runs staight through them. We can't forget the best part...the trophy! Zach received his first out of all his teammates, which he claims is because the coaches thought he was the most valuable player for scoring all the goals in their last game. SO humble right? I wasn't there to witness because we were in Kuaui, but I like to believe what I hear. He made some great friends, Noah and Adam. These three on the field together were quite the threesome. They are first graders, so the chance that Zach might play with these kids again won't be until high shool. Sad huh? That is unless we all sign up for the same club soccer...which could happen.

Halloween 2010 Presents...

Mario and Princess Peach! Or should I say "Pimpess Peach", as Kate would say. Zach spotted this costume back in August while looking through the a Costume catalog. He just had to have it. It only made sense to make Kate be his Princess Peach. I don't think she minded it much. We had a great Halloween, filled with a trunk-or-treat, scavenger hunt and loads of candy and treats!

The Other Pumpkin Patch...

Well I can officially say the rainy season has begun here in Oregon. Ugh... I don't remember growing up thinking that it rained a lot here, but this week I was reminded. My brother Andy was on the phone with me the other night and I was complaining to him, and all he could say was "Ashley, this is Oregon...from the middle of October to July 4th, this is Oregon, with a few days here and there of nice weather." One would think I could remember this...afterall it has only been 15 years since I last lived here. On the brighter side at least it is mostly a light rain and not a down pour, and the amount of green I get to see all year, instead of brown, makes it all worth it, next to the no sales tax.

So every day this week has been rainy except for Wednesday and yesterday. Not too bad right? To take advantage of the dryer day on Wednesday I took the kids out to Sauvie's Island to The Pumpkin Patch. I went with some friends from church earlier this month(when the weather was 80 degrees and bright blue skies), but Zach wasn't with me, so I wanted to give him the chance to go.

I love this patch. You can see Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens and all the colored leaves on the trees of Forest Park, even though you are so low in the valley. The kids love it for the cow train ride, the tractor ride out to the actual pumpkin patch, and the hay pyramids they can crawl through and climb on top of.

Last night I surprised them with their glow-in-the-dark Halloween jammies. They ran around the house "Glue-ing", as Kate called it. The skeleton snow angel was by far the favorite glow-in-the-dark action. Why is Halloween so fun? It is becoming one of my favorite holidays.

Plumper Pumpkin Patch...

A couple miles down the road from my parent's house is the Plumper Pumpkin Patch. It doesn't get more festive than this place. My sisters and I took all our kids and stayed for 3 hours. From running through the corn fields to racing rubber ducks down PBC pipe, the kids love this place! I am hoping the weather clears up again so we can hit this Patch once more.

Multnomah Falls...

Up until this week, the weather here in Portland has been amazing. While it has been mostly sunny and between 65 and 80 degrees, we have tried to make the most of it. The first weekend in October we took the kids and went up to Multnomah Falls, with Aunt Marnae, Uncle Brian and the cousins. This was Zach and Kate's first real hike. I assumed that when we got to the bridge we would stop and turn around. Instead we walked all the way up to the top. Zach made it all the way to the top and back down with no problem, Kate was in and out of her stroller, but didn't cry once. What troopers!

Kate Turns 3...

Kate's birthday was quiet in the sense that we just celebrated with family, but was just right for her. She felt special and considered having all her cousins, that live in Portland, up for presents and cupcakes a party.

Here is my annual birthday list about Kate...
She loves the color purple.
Is never without a purse, or two or three.
Loves "Pimpesses" and her babies Abby and Suzie.
Sings all day long, and especially loves to have music(The Doodlepops) on to accompany her playtime, or can be caught singing Follow the Prophet, I am a Child of God, or Book of Mormon Stories.
Is obsessed with Lady Gaga, and has the Glee versions played over and over and over while in the car.
Loves shoes and clothes, and asks for new ones at least bi-weekly.
Loves getting into make-up and can make quite the mess, especially in Grandma's bathroom.
Is never without a band-aid somewhere on her body.
Has a preference about her hair, and tells me how she wants it styled every day...lately in pig tails like her cousin "Brookie".
Loves "Gynastics", especially the trampoline.
Loves watching Olivia, and can't wait to start pre-school.

Happy Birthday Kate! We love you!

Coming Up...

This Sunday is Kate's 3rd birthday. I have sort of an idea of what I want to get her, but thought I would ask, just to see what she would say. She is a girl after my own heart I tell you...when I asked her what she wanted for her birthday, she answered right away "Shoes!" I love my little bug.

A Little Reunion...

Last week I met up with some of my girlfriends from high school for dinner. Most of them I have not seen since we graduated. It was so fun to see them and to catch up. I loved seeing them as moms. It made my babies not so baby. Which then made me feel old, even though we are all the same age...sheesh! Anyway, they all looked beautiful and are all loving married life, babies, and everything that comes with it...so great to see.



From Left to Right: Zach, Me, Kate, Claire, Lyla, Nicole, Colton, Shelly(two weeks until due date, Charlie, and Morgan