Monday, October 31, 2011

Halloween 2011

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Halloween was a Disney Halloween around our house! No shocker there I guess. Abby was Rosetta (from the Tinkerbell Movies), I was Tink (ahem), Andy was Lightning, and Trav was Mater. It was like we have kids that are 2 and 5 or something... ;)




The Contreras Clan joined us again, and their kids (the Pumpkin Brothers and Rapunzel) were cute as can be - as always!




Also joining us this year was the Ratliff Ladybugs:




After some yummy dinner and more photos, we hit the streets.




Apparently, we weren't the only ones in the neighborhood that went with Disney Themed matching outfits!

We started at the neighbor's house. Doug made the mistake of coming home RIGHT as we were coming up his walk. I think he felt a little bombarded by our crew of EIGHT kids on his door step. He couldn't get the door unlocked fast enough.




The Big Kids had a great time, and Andy and Kayla were adorable! They were genuinely shocked and pleasantly surprised that people were giving them candy! And we were letting them eat it!!!




After they got back to the house, they were still in awe of their mass haul. They shared so cute and nicely. It was really sweet watching them try and figure this all out.

Andy was so cute. I took all his candy and put it in a Target plastic bag and gave it to him to hold. Later in the evening, this is what I found. Apparently, he really wanted his candy in his Lightning bucket.



Friday, October 28, 2011

Fall Family Photos

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Trav and I have a tradition of spending each of the kids' birthdays with just them. We take them for birthday photos, lunch, and then an activity of their choice. It is fun and we are really glad we started that tradition. It is a great opportunity to spend some time focusing on JUST them and to reflect on how much they have grown in the last year. The only drawback to it, is that we don't get family photos done at the same time - because we only have one kid with us at each time and I think that might be weird...

Oh well, we can work around it. We decided we would just go again at some point in August and get family photos done. So, a week before Halloween (heehee) we went in and got them done! I was really happy with them!




And the bonus to getting them done in October is that they could show off their costumes as well:




The next week Abby had her school photo done:




Then, a few days later, the gal at JCP suckered me into coming back for a free sitting in order for them to help train their new photographers. It was painfully slow (and a little embarrassing for me), but Abby and I had a GREAT time just hanging out and being silly. Abby was just glowing with the excitement that Mommy dressed up with her this year.




Anyways, lots of photo shoots within one week of time. But, really... Knowing me. Is that really that suprising? Didn't think so...

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Pumpkin Prep!!!

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This fall marked our 4th Family Trip to the Bauman's Pumpkin Patch - I just had to look that up! I'm feeling old, and senile. My mind is starting to melt. But, that is another post/rant...

Our family looks forward to it ever year. Abby LOVES the time with cousins, and I LOVE the time with Cider Slushies and Guilt Free Donuts. It is after all, calorie free if it is a tradition. It is! Look it up. Anywho... Off to Baumans we went. For the complete commercial on how excellent of a patch it is, see last year's blog! ;-)

The weather was AWESOME we all had a great time with Family:




and Friends:




After some fun, and food, we headed to the patch for Pumpkins and Pictures!




This was both Brookelyn and Colton's first trip - they did GREAT!
Lilly and Andy were a little distracted (what do they think they are, two!?!?). Thank goodness for our seasoned Grinning Girls - Cy, Belle, Abby, and E!




Sidenote: Wow is this family growing. I might have to start charging for my photography coordination! :)

A few more parting shots - what a fun day!




Later in the week, I went out for a MNO and Trav and Trev were put in charge of pumpkins and kids. I think they handled it great.




The finished projects:


Friday, October 21, 2011

Friday Family Fun!!!

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This was such a fun evening! The Dads headed out to SyKart for some racing fun while the Moms and Kids stayed home and shared in a dessert bar, drinks, and a Kiddie Movie Night. The kids watched "Gnomeo and Juliet" and the Mommies chatted it up - and ate yummy desserts! :)

We all had a great time and I'm glad Kati had the forethought to capture some of it on the camera - Thanks Auntie Kati!!





Friday, October 14, 2011

Papa Turns 60!!!

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Papa turned 60 on the 14th of October!!! The kids were VERY excited to celebrate and even managed for Papa to buy THEM dessert for HIS Birthday. Only grandkids... Only grandkids.

Happy Birthday Dad - Love you! ~Dani


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Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Bathtime Babies

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This is going to be a boring post. Because basically, I have nothing to say about these pictures. But, I felt the need to share them. It is tough having such cute kids I tell you, tough. Sometimes you just run out of things to say about their cuteness! Hee, Hee....

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Saturday, October 8, 2011

Beaver Believers!!!

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Well folks, it is that time of year again - Beaver football season!!! This season has started off a little rocky. Okay, a LOT rocky. But, we have enjoyed it nonetheless. The kids love to go to the games, and it makes for a great family day out. We will take it!!

Here are some photos of the kids (Abby, Andy, and Cousin Colton) a the Pac-12 (so weird typing that) home opener vs. UCLA. We lost, but the kids looked adorable!

I love how Andy looks like a "Big Boy" standing next to Colton. Like "Yeah, I know... I'm standing by myself all cool like". Either that, or he just looks really old standing next to a 9 month old - or both.





The next home game was against Arizona and I wanted to win that game BAD. They broke our James last year. Just a stupid, mean, tackle IN THE ENDZONE that pretty much derailed his career. Makes me grumpy. Seems like that was the catalyst that took away him, Jacquizz, Katz, and our ability to score. Damn you Wildcats. Damn you I say.

Good news? We WON! I was so happy on the inside - take that stupid Arizona. We might not be great this year, but we beat YOU - haha! :)

After the game we met up with Mark and Heather Johnson. They are family friends from Baker and their son plays, - ahem - starts for the Beavers.

Travis comes from one of those small towns in Eastern Oregon where everybody knows each other, went to school together, and lived by each other. The way I understand it, Mark and Heather used to live behind Trav's parents, Mark went to school with Uncle Russell, and they currently live in Baker and know with Steve and Marilyn. Don't quote me on all that. But that is what I got out of it.

Anyways, we met up with them after the game and visited while waiting for Grant to get out of the locker room.

You could say that Andy took to Mark pretty easily...




Mark is like a celebrity among the players and introduced us to a few. Above left is Kicker #7 Johnny Hekker. Andy wasn't sure of these "BEAVERS" up close and personal - they were tall!

Grant (#70) chatted with the kids for awhile after he came out of the locker room. He was really nice and brought them each a game day glove and signed it, etc. Abby was acting all shy, but Andy was more than willing to try on a glove and chat it up with Grant. He was really good with Andy and just a really nice kid to take the time to chat with him.

Here is Grant's Bio. Small town kid that worked hard and made it to the starting line of OSU:
http://www.osubeavers.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/johnson_grant00.html



Then, we made the mistake of thinking we could get in a "group shot" with everyone looking. This was the best one. Not too bad...




Anyways, thanks to Mark, Heather, and Grant Johnson. I think you made Trav's and Andy's days! It was really nice to meet you, and you have a great kid there!!!

PS Marilyn - Make sure Grandma sees these pictures!!! ;-)