Sy's 36th Birthday

Celebrating his 36th with his crew on the 27th!  James helped me make a cranberry & pear pie that we all enjoyed together.  We love you, Daddy!

Christmas Tree 2013

Found!  The tree for 2013.

 

 

"What, Mom?"  Here are just a few of Hales's animated face :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

The kids decorated the tree all by themselves this year, after I put on the lights!  Merry Christmas everyone! 

Pumpkin Patch #3

I just found these from the Pumpkin Patch to add on so you can see the giant bouncy blob that was all-the-rage this year. 

 

It was difficult to get the timing down for a jump, especially with the other kids running by!   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hiking Wallce Falls

We spent our Veteran's Day together enjoying a hike up to Wallace Falls.  It's about a 45 minute drive East on Route 2 toward Wenatchee.  This picture is at the beginning of our almost 4 mile ascent...notice, all smiles despite the fact that everyone (except Hales) moaned and groaned when we said we were going for a hike that morning!  You'd think we told them we were going to spread mulch...which we've been doing a lot of these days, too :)


   

Finally!  We made it.  It was slow-going, but such a beautiful hike.  Not just the scenery, but the amazing weather.   There was no rain, and several level patches in the forest where there was even a warm breeze!  The scents of the evergreens and fall were lovely.

 

There is a covered area here where we ate lunch and watched as other brave groups continue to climb.  There is actually another look-out further up at the "Upper Wallace Falls," but our troops were d.o.n.e.

Coming down, there were still mostly smiles, and then there was this sweet moment where James asked Charlotte, "Let's walk holding hands!"  I don't know what they were talking about, but I know they'll remember these times.  It makes all the effort worth it.

And this guy crashed and didn't wake up til we got to the van.  This Ergo carrier is my absolute favorite because it is so comfortable and has lasted from infancy til now...I think the weight limit is something like 40 lbs. but as long as he's comfy and so are we, we'll keep using it for piggy-back rides!

Resting and enjoying the view.

 

What a skyline!  My camera phone doesn't do it justice, but it was a fantastic day.

Just another trip to Target...

Shopping is always an adventure with these crack-ups!  Love 'em!
I wish I had audio of Hales giggling. He couldn't stop and ended up with a mouthful of that "mustache!"  Ew.

 

Halloween

Our little Lion and his Zookeeper

 

His favorite Lion accessory was a pair of "nocalurs" (binoculars) ?!

And, it was easily decided that the boys would be Seahaks players!  #24 and #3 (you'll have to ask the boys who they are?  I'm horrible at keeping up with the names!)

 

We had two families over from the neighborhood for dinner and games before heading out to trick-or-treat.  Our neighborhood is usually quiet, so after walking to several neighbors' homes, we drove across the main road and visited a few more houses.  Then we came back and watched Charlie Brown's Great Pumpkin with some hot apple cider.  It was "the best Halloween ever!" said James.  I think so!

 

Studying Egypt

We're studying Ancient Times this year and enjoying Egypt.  We were able to visit the King Tut exhibit here last year and who doesn't love Ancient Civilizations?  So much interesting stuff, especially figuring out where the Biblical Events fit in. 

We made the "Double Crown" of the united Egypt and then acted it out. 

Of course, this ham did not want to be left out!  He loved being King Narmer and having his sister and brother bow down to him as he received the Double Crown :)

 

Making sugar-cube pyramids!