What we've been up to

Jumping to our hearts content at birthday parties.

Helping Dad paint the Master bedroom.

Attempting to take a Christmas picture where we both are smiling.

Playing ball with Dad.

Trying to avoid big hugs from my sister.

What have you been up to?

Tinkerbell and the Dragon

Are you ready to go trick or treating?

Let me fly away and get some candy.
Did I hear someone say candy?

LET'S GO!


I don't know what happened. The car just ate me. I guess I'm stuck with this bag of candy.

ONE!

Ali was convinced that Josiah wanted "a book about sheep" for his birthday. She went to the bookstore with me and picked out "Sheep in a Jeep". She had to give to Josiah first thing in the morning. He held on to it for most of the day.

Here Dad, try some cake. Mom says it's banana chocolate chip.

Hmmm, what is this on my hands? It sure tastes good.


Maybe I can suck the last bits of chocolate off my plate.

I LOVE CAKE!

Yes, yes, a year has passed. Josiah is now one!

How to pick a pumpkin

Check each one to see if you can pick it up.

Pick up every possible pumpkin, even if you think you have one picked out.

Consult with your best friend.

Rejoice when you find the right one!

Teach your brother to do the same.

The Terrible Twos are Nothing Compared with Three

Daddy: Ali, go ask mommy if dinner's ready yet.
Ali: (shouts) Mommy, is dinner ready yet?
Mommy: It's almost ready.
Daddy: Ask Mommy how soon.
Ali: How soon!!!
Daddy: Ask Mommy how many more minutes it will be before dinner.
Ali: That will be twenty more dollars.
Daddy: (Can't talk anymore he's laughing so hard.)

Later...

Ali: I'm going to step over here, and then (as she's crouching to jump off the toilet)...watch this Daddy, it's gonna be sweet!

Anna: (on multiple occasions lately) Guess what YOUR CHILD did today!

In case you haven't heard

Ali is now three! She was very excited to have a birthday, although she was a bit bummed when she discovered that she had to be three for an entire year before she turned four.

Her day in pictures:
Helping to bake her cake.

Getting ready to blow out the candles on her cake. She decorated the cake by herself!

Checking out her birthday balloons.


Showing Daddy her presents.


Opening more presents!

Let us count the ways...

that we love Oregon. We went up to visit the Strand family for a short little trip, leaving Sunday after church and coming back home on Wednesday. We packed our days with fun and we all fell in love with Oregon.

Our love affair with Oregon included:
blueberry picking

visiting the windy coast


as well as eating seafood, playing at the pool, and enjoying wonderful company.

Now, we are preparing ourselves for a birthday...and a little girl very excited about turning three.