Half Birthdays

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My Favorite Little Man is TWO and a HALF:

My FIVE and a HALF year old Princess:

My Loves:

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.

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...

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 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!!

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

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....

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!!! ;-)

Road Trip! Oregon Coast Aquarium

Awhile back, we headed to the Oregon Coast Aquarium for the day. I had bought a Groupon for a cheap admission(s), and we needed to use it before the first part of October. It was hard - given our hectic fall schedule - but we found a Sunday to head down there.

It was a fun day. I can "take or leave" that Aquarium, but my kids love it. Andy is at the PERFECT age to take right now. I remember going when Abby was this age and she was adorable and just drank it all in. Same thing this day. Andy was just in awe of it all and Abby was excited to "show him around". It was fun. I guess that is about all I have to report on that one - guess, I'm not feeling "wordy" these days re: blogging! Which, some of you might appreciate... :)

We started at the Sea Otters and the Sea Lions. Abby was ALL about showing Andy around and being the big sister - it was pretty cute. He was just happy she was paying attention to her!




There were having so much fun together, they were willing to sit and pose for some pictures before heading off to the "Passages of the Deep" exhibit.




Andy LOVED this. It was pretty cute watching both of them check it all out...

Andy wasn't too sure about standing in the massive Shark Mouth - but he did it! :)



Quick stop at the kiddie play area... Funny to me how much fun two kids can have on basically rocks sitting in an empty flower bed. Strange.




We broke for lunch, hit the inside exhibits, and then left town before the rain started.




Fun Day. Cute Kids. Nice Weather. Score.

Raised by Wolves???

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On first glance, the title of this blog will make no sense. Bear with me. Or is it "bare"? I always forget. No, that means naked. Please read this fully clothed!

Sorry. I digress. Anyway...

Labor Day Weekend we were invited by the Lewis Family to join them at Great Wolf Lodge. We are not ones to miss a chance to 1. Head to GWL or 2. Hang with the Lewis Family. So, we headed up that way...

Our first stop was at Aunt Megan's house for some Brown Family Fun. We got to see Megan and her Family, Russ and Helen, Mike and Jordan, and Cousin Jessica even made the trek from Hood River to come up and join in the fun!

The kids had a great time playing in the back yard and the adults had a really good time catching up and eating and drinking and eating and drinking and laughing. You get the point...

Here are a few photos I captured of the evening. Cute kids - if I do so say so myself!!!







Andy soon (well not really it was after 8pm) tired of all the fun and decided to cuddle on the couch w/Jordan and watch some Football. She was nice and let him believe it was a Beaver Game even though it was the Seahawks.




Cousin Jess and us stayed the night there and we attempted to get some cousin photos the next morning. Not as good as last year. Better than the year before. At least they were all in the same place and looking?




They did liven up a little when I let them make "crazy faces". All I have to say is 1. Lorenz better hope they don't ask Aunt Dani to provide the Sr. Class slide show picture for him, and 2. Andy was adorable. He had no idea what they were doing, but eventually caught on - see bottom right photo - priceless!




The adult cousins were a little more cooperative. But, they did give me a little bit of lip as well! ;)




Our final attempt at a family photo. Again. Everyone in the same place. Someday they will all thank me for making them take these photos. Or at least they had better! :-)




After a fun-filled time at the Lotuaco Home, we headed to GWL. I honestly don't have a lot to report on this one. We went. It was awesome - probably one of my favorite trips there. But, we didn't really take any photos.


Abby was finally tall enough to go on the "Howling Tornado", or as she calls it, "The Corn-nado". It really was too cute to correct. Her and her friend Kaitlyn were a really good match-up. They both were tall enough to go on all the rides and they even went down some of them sans parentals!!! Big step, but they had so much fun being granted that privilege!


Andy was a trooper - like always. If he was tired, he found a towel, a chair, and took a nap. It was super cute.







Us in our "ears". Andy was a "howling" fool.




So, that is is. Nothing too exciting to report. But at least now you get the "wolf" tie in, right?
No?
Really?
The kids were acting crazy for pictures and then we went to GWL. See? Clever. Right?
No?
Oh well...
I tried...

Andy: 25 Months and Potty Trained!?!?!?!

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Have I told you lately how much I love this sweet, sweet boy?




No? Well, let me fix that... I love this sweet, sweet boy. I love that he can fall asleep ANYWHERE and actually prefers to cuddle up on me while doing so. His sweet cuddles and loves and kisses are priceless. Just priceless. I love that he loves "Cars" and "Thomas" and "Elmo" and Rocks and Dirt and Animals and Bike Riding. I love all the "little boy" stuff about him - so far anyways...

But. The whining. The whining is about ready to send me over the edge. Jump off the cliff, lock myself in a room, run away type crazy folks. This child is going to be the one. He is going to be the one that sends me to the nut house.

A few weeks back (August 24th) in fact. Andy turned 25 months old and mastered the whining. He spent the majority of the previous 24 hours whining. Just whining. I could have given him away. I'm serious. You laugh. But, I'm serious.

I think he sensed my frustration. What? My mood was readable by all around me? Me? Not good at hiding my emotions? Not good at being "fake"? Me? Never. ahem.

Anyways... where was I? Oh Frustration. Yes, the brilliant child of mind sensed that he had to do something. Something to right this wrong. Some men send flowers. Some gravel. Some buy gifts. My little man? My little man PEE-PEED ON THE POTTY!!! Yep, you read right. He peed on the potty and never turned back. Not once. Not once.

The next day we got out the Elmo and Thomas and Lightning underpants and spent the day drinking fluids, peeing on the potty, and calling everyone who would listen to share our excitement. Andy WAS POTTY-TRAINED!!! A 25 month old BOY. "They" said it couldn't be done. I had my doubts as well, but in the bottom of the 9th he knocked it outta the park. It was definitely a "pee or get off the pot" type situation in our relationship.

The following morning him and Daddy did some lawn mowing. Apparently, he was on the potty, heard the lawn mower start up, and took off. He was so excited to help daddy he might have forgotten to pull up his underpants. Oh well, give him a break. He is new to this! ;-)





So, anyway... Andy is 25 months old. It seems like FOREVER since I have done an "Andy update" post. What is Andy up to besides relieving himself you ask? Honestly, I don't know. I'm so overwhelmed with that excitement and new found love for him that I can't think straight! NO really. Let's see...

I think the whining is 1. He is two, and 2. He is teething. Not sure which it is more, but I don't really care at this point. Why you ask? Well, because he is potty-trained!!!!

Since turning two, he learned to ride his strider bike. He is a make-believing fool. Loves puppy. Loves all things "Lightning/Mator". He is SMART. He has an arm like you wouldn't believe. He has a girlfriend (ha-ha). Loves Camping. Sleeps like a champ. Travels well. Loves swimming. Is a "Mommy's Boy". I could go on and on. But then no one would feel bad for me about the whining. What? You don't. Well... humph.