Our pumpkins

The boys planted, watered, and watched our pumpkins grow. They were so excited it was finally time to carve one.  D came up with the drawing.  They all helped scoop out the guts.  Daddy used the drawing and Darth Vader (D's name) came out so cute!

Soccer

 All the boys played soccer soccer at the Y this fall.  Derek enjoyed being goalie and playing forward.

Will and Nate had a hilarious season.  The first few weeks Mike has to be on the floor with them and holding their hands. Then they would only play holding a coaches hand.  By the final few games they would go without holding hands and without each other!  Mike even made the team picture as they would not go without him.  Will scored a goal once.  The coaches were brilliant and used sticker to motivate the young and very reticent team.

We had a blast watching our boys learn some skills and have lots of fun!

Lee farms

 It was a beautiful fall Saturday so we were off to the pumpkin farm.  We enjoyed a hay ride, the hay maze, and playing on the tractors.

Picking apples

 We went to the apple orchard several times.  The boys really enjoyed picking apples this year. We also picked quince.  Will was very proud of himself and wanted to eat his juicy apple.  Everyday he ate on of his juice apples that he picked himself!

We made applesauce, pie, and quince jam.  What a great time enjoying the beauty of God's creation!

First school trip

Derek had his first class trip at SSA.  Daddy went as a chaperone to the apple orchard.  We are so pleased with D's school and his hard work there.  The kids enjoyed the apples.

The top bunk!

Derek got promoted to the top bunk!  He loves it and is very safe.  Will and Nate were sharing the bottom bunk. Then a few weeks later Nate decided he wanted to sleep alone.  So D is on top, Will is on the bottom, and Nate is using another twin bed. They are still in the same room and loving it!

Will and Nate's first day

Will ( right)  and Nate started preschool.  This is their second year at preschool at Lake Bible Church.  We really enjoy our church and it has become a huge part of us liking Portland.

Will and Nate were very sad that they started a whole week after D went to school.  They have teachers Clara and Dawn.  D had them both as teachers and has been telling them now nice they are.

There were no tears and cupcakes to mark the first day and I forgot their glasses (oops).

Will and Nate- WE LOVE YOU!

Derek starts Kindergarten!

 After lots of prayer and discussion over the past several years, we decided on a school for the boys to attend. We are so excited to be a part of the St. Stephen's Academy family.

Derek has not been excited to start kindergarten. He was not anxious or worried, he was simply not going (in his head). Hmmm...  Well we went to meet his teacher (Mrs. Briley) and meet his new classmates and everything switched.  D was excited to go to school and be with his buddy Cole (from church who is in 1st grade).  

D started kindergarten on September 3.  Mrs. Briley is amazing and D really likes her.  He was looking forward to using the playground.  He looks like such a big kid.

D as you start kindergarden, please remember,

WE LOVE YOU

We think you are fantastic and enjoy playing legos with you and watching you grow.

Staycation

 We did a mini-staycation.  We went to the beach and got rained out grr... The next day we went to Evergreen.  The boys loved the museum.  They enjoyed the spruce goose, SR-71 Blackbird, and the space building.  We had a picnic by the awesome playground.  Then.. we went to the new indoor water park.  It was a blast.  The boys had loved the water park in WI and were eager to try another one.  D loved the slides that started in the 747 on the roof. Will and Nate enjoyed jumping into Daddy's arms and showing off their swimming skills.  It was a full and fun day.

For fun and after hearing our stories, Gammy and Gumpy sent the boys space helmets. The helmets even were sent in a rock ship (the box). There have been many space adventures with the helmets.

As usual Nate is in a Packer jersey and athletic shorts.  This has been his summer outfit.  WIll loves these plaid shorts.  Silly kids :)

Cookies and more...

The boys wanted to make cookies.  D made most of the batter.  Will and Nate did an expert job of adding the m&m's.  They were yummy.

We celebrated my birthday.. my 40th birthday. GULP.  Who would have thought 10 years ago I would be living in Portland, married to the most fantastic guy, and have 3 fantastic kids?  Oh God you are so kind to me!  We had fruit tart (for me) and cupcakes (for the boys to enjoy).

 The bunk bed saga... so we bought bunk beds a while ago but have not been using the top bunk- the littles share the bottom bunk and D is in a twin.  Well... we found the littles on the top bunk during quiet time.  Mike asked them how they got up there and Nate showed Daddy how he climbed up (without the ladder).  We decided that they needed to climb safely and added the ladder. We also gave D the opportunity to sleep up there. He loves it.  They have all been safe with the ladder (usually) and it seems to have been a good decision.

Swim lessons

After our trip to WI, the boys were very motivated to work on swimming so for the month of August we had swim lessons twice per week.  Teach Esther was delightful and the boys adored her.  D is floating on his back and working on his strokes.  Will and Nate are both more comfortable and putting their faces in the water.

As a reward, we promised the boys a to a local water park for listening and behaving. Plus Daddy was able to watch a lesson on his vacation day which was a huge hit.

WI part 3

 We went the day in Chicago at LEGOland.  We met my college roomie Jill and her family. What a great day.  Alli went with us and was a huge help.  The boys loved the 3D movie and the laser ride.  It was great to catch up with Jill and watch the boys enjoy the legos.

WI part 2

 While by my parents' house we did lots of fun things.  The boys loved tractor ride, water bocce. water fights, and lots of laughs.  They even got fun bunk beds to enjoy!

We were also blessed to go the Richter family picnic (my mom's side). We celebrated my Grandma's 92nd birthday and enjoyed catching crayfish in the creek and swimming.   It was fun to see extended family.

Green Bay

 WI Summer 2013!

During part of our trip, we all went to Green Bay for a few very hot days.

The boys loved the railroad museum.  There were lots of big trains and a fun kids area.

The giant bust was Bay Beach.  I loved this little amusement part as a kid. They have quarter rides.. yup still 25 cents for a ride.  The boys all choose the airplanes that go up and down.  Before the ride starts, Will screams and we take him off.           

Then Nate screams.  D loved it and the littles did not.  The little train was at least a success.

The boys loved Lambeau field.  Nate and Will walked though the pro shop yelling Lambeau field.  There were lots of giggles.

We also enjoyed the wildlife refuge that was free.


The hotel we stayed had an indoor water park.  The boys LOVED it.  D loved all the slides as did  WIll and Nate. They all enjoyed the lazy river.

D really enjoyed "scaring" Geema who was "napping" in the lazy river.

We had lots of fun and lots of great memories!

Heat wave

  We had a heat wave for a few days. It was in the 90s.  We got out a pool I got last year on clearance.  It has been a huge hit.  It connects to the hose and has sprayers that the boys love to aim.  It has been a fantastic investment.

Now the count is on.... not too many sleeps until we leave for WI!


Happy 4th of July!

Snuggling

Bucky is our snuggle buddy!

Fun changes

 We needed to repaint our house so we chose a new color.  The house is green but it changes with the sunlight.  The door is a deep orange- brown.  We changed the hardware for our address and added a new light between the garage doors. We are quite pleased with the results.

Happy Father's Day

 Happy Father's Day to a fantastic Daddy.  Mike is a hero to his boys.  The boys know he adores them, loves them, models Jesus to them, and has lots of fun with them.

They boys made these fun things for Mike at school.  They are very sweet. As usual we made a stepping stone for Mike to put in the garden.

Mike you are a fantastic Daddy.

Derek's graduation

 Derek had his preschool graduation. It was very cute.  They sang songs, recited Bible verses. and showed some of what they did each day.  We are proud of our D and the big helper he has been at school.  Of course his favorite was the cupcake with his name on it.

The smoker

 After much research, Mike found a smoker he wanted.  We got it as an early Father's Day gift.  We have had great brisket and ribs so far.  Will and Nate are huge fans of the meat.  With the warm weather, we have been eating may meals outside. We are enjoying the picnics.