Visiting Santa

 Mean Mommy!

Nice Mommy...much better...but still not thrilled...

First Promotion

Henry completed his first promotion test today and earned his next Taekwondo belt (white with yellow strip).  He was so proud of his accomplishment.  It was a delight to share in the experience!

Happy Halloween

Turns out that Henry is a great pumpkin carving designer. It exciting to watch his creativity play out.  He now wants to take an active role in these types of activities, rather than sit and watch.  So much more fun!

 Here are his designs implemented. I think they turned out pretty darn good if I do say so myself.

 Henry practiced some of his ninja moves before trick-or-treating. 

Those brown eyes are nothing but trouble...he may have convinced me to feed him chocolate on multiple occasions today...

 Cousins!

I think it's super sweet that Henry is looking at his sidekick in this picture.  He's such a good big brother!

My niece Stella was a zombie Cleopatra.  Her idea!  I think she nailed the "look."

Pumpkin Patch

Our annual family trip to Lakeview Farms to pick out some pumpkins was a hit as usual!  We picked a beautiful day to enjoy the farm and some quality time together.

 Baby Russ LOVES his Daddy! 

 Henry LOVES his Nana O!

Silliness.  He only has one or two posed pictures in him before he gets super silly.

 Henry navigated the hay maze all by himself this year.  He was so proud of himself.

 Russ preferred to just snuggle up to Dada rather than romp around like his big bro.

 Watching my mom love on my boys warms my heart in the sweetest way.

Family selfie...still haven't mastered it. 

First Board Breaking

A few weeks ago, Henry broke his first board in Taekwondo (with his foot).  He was so proud of himself!  Taekwondo has been an awesome addition to Henry's schedule.  It has helped provide additional structure, discipline, and exertion that he craves.  I am so very happy we started this new adventure.

First Day of Pre-K

Today was Henry's first day of Pre-K.  He's attending school 5 days a week this year, and seems thrilled about it.  He was so excited to start school this morning that he began counting down the minutes until he could leave for school from the moment he woke up!  Watching him mature into a little man is so fascinating and fun. When I picked him up he said he had fun and wanted to go back tomorrow (a good sign that he enjoyed himself!).  He also eagerly told me that "one boy was violent, but not me!"  We are constantly working on controlling our bodies in our house, so he was proud to let me know that he was successful in this regard at school today.  It earned him a trip to Subway and a sticker on his good behavior chart.

Here are some of Henry's favorites these days:

1. Legos
2. Imaginex
3. Books about Superheros
4. Ninjas
5. Running
6. Spaghetti
7. Scooby Doo
8. Hide-n-seek
9. Jumping
10. Jake and the Neverland Pirates
11. Transformers
12. Pizza
13. Monster Trucks
14. Pepperoni
15. Music
16. Tag
17. Tinker Toys
18. Ice Cream
19. Playing in the dirt
20. Batman
21. Baking cookies
23. Wild Kratts
24. Camouflage
25. Bouncy houses
26. Crunchy snacks
27. Jumping waves
28. Strawberries
29. Stomping on sand castles
30. Puzzles

Little Warriors

Henry started a new activity this past week, taekwondo.  It is so freaking cute to watch these 4 year olds!  I have been pleasantly surprised by how obedient Henry is during class. They earn tape notches on their belts if they work hard in class and after his last class he came bouncing out so proud to show me his new tape on this belt.  Then he exclaimed, "I am going to show my Dad!  He is going to think it's cool!"  Who knows if the interest will stick, but for now, Henry is having a great time trying something new.  I love that in the process, he might pick up some lessons on discipline, respect and self-control.  And, it's also a nice little bonus that taekwondo is part of his (1/4) Korean heritage. 

8 Years!

For our 8th wedding anniversary this year, we headed out of town to Hood River for a couple of nights without the kiddos.  THANK YOU Grandma Sherry and Grandpa Keith for chasing after our two wild rugrats while we enjoyed some delightful couple time together.  We started our trip with a libation.  Might have been 10am in Portland, but it was 5 o'clock somewhere, right!?!

On our way to Hood River, we hiked up to Triple Falls.  With our abnormally warm weather this year, the falls were a bit small, but still very pretty.  We love being out in nature!

 We also checked out Upper Horsetail Falls.  Love this man!

A little afternoon pit stop at Thunder Island Brewery.  We were less than impressed with their beer, but the view was beautiful.  Worth a trip for the view alone.  During the weekend, we tried out six new-to-us breweries (Ryan's favorite part), ate great food (my favorite part) and casually strolled through the city throughout the weekend. We actually didn't drive our car the entire time we there.  Awesome.  A few days of being unplugged from our everyday responsibilities, simply enjoying each other's company, was so very lovely.  One of favorite little adventures in our 16+ year love story.  Hoping for another great year to come of adventure and memory-making!

Wallowa Lake

For our annual family summer vacation this year, we went camping at Wallowa Lake.  It might have been a little nutty to drive across the state with a baby, but he was surprisingly patient and well mannered.  9 hours in each direction!  Big Brother Henry did amazingly well too (every penny spent on our portable DVD was well worth it).

Baby Russ and Nana O getting ready for the first trip out on the lake and Russ' first trip out on the boat ever.  He was not a fan of his life jacket, but he humored Mama and wore it just long enough for one trip out on the boat. 

 Henry was promoted to co-captain.

 Henry was thrilled when the first fish of the trip was caught.  That smile never gets old!

 First trip out on my new kayak.  Best birthday present ever (from my favorite man ever!).

 Love my fishing partners.

 Henry reeled in his first very own fish!

 All the toys and dirt in the world to play with, but he preferred his brother's shoe.

 Cheesy smiles!

 The view here is breathtaking from my kayak.  So much fun!

A rare family photo with all four of us.  A bit dark, but I will take it!  We took the tram to the top of Mt. Howard.  Henry was such a trooper, walking around for nearly two hours without a complaint. 

 Russ liked the tram, but mostly he liked cuddling up to Daddy.

We went into the town of Joseph one afternoon and Henry found a tiny little shop with his FAVORITE toys...Legos!  Nothing makes him happier than a new Lego.

 Russ discovered the swing at the playground.  He LOVES to swing!

Looks like we have two water babies.  Russ loves the water just like Henry.  He sat there for nearly thirty minutes straight just splashing with his stick.

Summer Portraits

 I may be partial, but I think these boys are gosh darn cute!

Fourth of July Celebration

A rare treat of shirtless weather for the Fourth of July at the beach.

 In Orange is the New Black fashion, Saundra was crowned (tampons and all!).

 Girlfriends, for life!

 FRIENDS!!!

 Uncle Mike and Aunt Sondi joined the barbeque festivities.

 Chuck and Saundra. We love them like family!

 Hugo and Grandma Saundra.

Bros just chillin'.

 First fireworks.  Their expressions were priceless!

 Party poppers!

Sunglasses are so fun to play with (and break!). Grandpa Keith is daring to permit Russ to manhandle his shades.