Turkey Bread Basket

Sam made the most beautiful turkey bread basket for Thanksgiving this year. He even choose Duck colors for the majority of the feathers. Every one loved it, even Molly!

Should have known

I have always felt guilty for not taking our kids to the football games. At the same time knowing that there is a degree of which it is not age appropriate. Well, this week I decided to take Sam and leave Chris at home with Amy. (date with Amy vs. driving to Eugene for a quick 20 hours = Chris giving up tickets) The game started at 7:20 pm. Knowing this I really tried to get him to nap on the way to Eugene. With no nap and lots of excitement we headed for the game at 5:00.

In the parking lot we met Duck Trooper...

After a trip to the Mo center we got some eye wear and some new duck toothbrushes and headed into the game. The fist touchdown happened with 2 minutes off the clock and I look down to my sweet Sam who is sitting (not standing and cheering like the rest of the stadium) with glazed eyes and very slowly clapping. I sit down and try to give him some food when I realize he is falling asleep sitting up. So I lay him on my lap and sure enough by the second touchdown (7 minutes into the game) he is sound asleep in my arms.

With the help of my family I was able to get him up the stairs out of the stadium and home to my parents where he slept wonderfully for over 12 hours and I was able to watch the game on TV in a warm house.

We had a great day in Eugene where we saw good friends, fed the animals at GG's house and then went to a Duck Basketball game. It was then he asked me, " Mom, it isn't going to start at my bed time is it?" To this I answered no and we had a blast.

Stay at home day!

Today was a stay home day...

We started the morning with donuts with our friends and a great bike ride, some yard work before it started to rain, and then time to watch the game. I am going to pretend that we won, because that would have made it the day perfect. So, during the game Sam began riding his pillows down the stairs into a pool of bedding at the bottom. Chris eventually showed him the luge video clips, he decided he better do some more practicing. Meanwhile Amy set up a pretend swimming pool (her blanket), got herself and her babies in swimsuits and splashed around. Once she dried off it was time for dinner where her and I decided to wear fancy dresses to dinner. (A bridesmaids dress and a sundress) We set up a runner, place mats, and candle light. It was a very lovely dinner. We then had our first fire of the season.

What a great day!

The first pumpkin!

We carved our first pumpkin last night...it really got us in the spirit. The first one was based on Sam's design, which he drew. Dad carved it because, well, knives are sharp and stuff... Here is Sam's sketch and the final product. Enjoy!

Kindergarten!

I used to tell people, "when your kid goes off to kindergarten they are virtually grown up and 18 and going off to college." I am so sorry that I said this to ANYONE. I am not ready for Sam to grow up and go to college.

The morning started very smooth, but alarming... I set and alarm for the first time in I can't tell you how long. We determined last night that we would all have a marble in our pockets all day in case we needed each other to feel better. (they were very helpful for ALL of us, even Amy who played with hers at the store today.) We walked to school as a family and then kissed Sam and sent him to his seat in the class. We were so proud of him no tears for him (a few for mom).

As we all picked him up after school, his class was (it seemed) the last to come out of the school. It felt like waiting for your child who has been gone to Europe for six months coming off the plane. He looked tired but so GREAT! A banana and ice cream and he was good to go until 7pm where he crashed and burned into a pile of tears where he needed his pillow and some good books and the eyes shut on a very memorable day...

Thank you all for your love and support! Here are a couple of great pictures from the day.

PS the most excited to pick up Sam was ... AMY! "ME (my) SAM!" with a huge hug to follow.

Congratulations TTLLP

Chris is the team captain for his Lawyer league softball team for his office. It is a time commitment and sometimes a pain in my side after a long day. After making it to the playoffs a couple years in a row, they finally won! I am really excited for them. Here is to another great year!!

Black Butte Makes Me Happy!

We got a T-shirt for Quinn two days ago that said "Black Butte Makes Me Happy!" Oh so true. Here are some things that help make us happy in Black Butte:

• Fun Dip

• Reading in the morning as a group.

• swimming.
  

More Happiness in Black Butte later...