More weekend pictures

One of the reasons for Kiel and Cherise's trip to Portland was to spend some of their gift cards at Target and to pick up a few items at IKEA. It was the first time that Courtney, Hayden and Cameron went there. Har, Alyssa, Rowan and I have been to our IKEA before. Cherise had been to one up in Seattle. It was Kiel's introduction to the big box store. It is pretty impressive if you like Scandinavian designs.

They checked things out online ahead of time so they knew exactly what they were wanting to purchase.

I failed to put this adorable picture of Simon up on the last post. He and his mom and dad came over for Krystle's get together.

The following pictures were taken today at church.

Uncle Rylan enjoying interacting with Rowan.

Wyatt and Genevieve having some quiet play before church is dismissed.

Danika loves to be held and there are always willing arms.
If Bob and Lalita didn't have a great church already I'd love to have all of the grandkiddos in the nursery at Generations Church. We had 4 of them in there today. All eight of our kids were in attendance as well. We are very blessed.

Bon voyage and Adieu

Since Cherise and Kiel were in town for a wedding,
Alyssa and Rowan came down too and we planned a little get together to wish Krystle well in her adventure in the United States Navy.


She had already gotten her long hair cut, bleached and dyed pink a couple of weeks ago. I got ahold of it and trimmed it up. And she looks adorable if I do say so myself.

Aunty Cherise and Rowan went on a grand adventure too. To the mall.

Those kissin' cousins start pretty early.

Wyatt and Aunty Courtney have muscles.

My favorite place to be with some of my favorite people to be with.

Zoo Views

We took the morning to do some nature walking and take a peek at the newest zoo resident.

There are always cool places to take a rest.

Our boys. At the sheep pen.

Look who dropped by to come home with us.

Not the most attractive view of the little guy... but there he is.

September!!! One of my favorite months

Fall is my second favorite season. Winter being my first. Lalita blogged about the wonderful change in the weather that comes with the change of the seasons. Don't the fall leaves look beautiful reflected in the windows of the building across the street?

Something about the cool nights and brisk early mornings give me a new lease on life that the hot days of summer seemed to deplete with each night that refused to cool down to a sleepable temperature.

The fall humidity is usually rain or mist or fog. I love the rainy winters too. I think perhaps it has a lot to do with my personality and my bent to want all of my children snuggled and safe. Summer has them all wanting to run out and be out and do things that keep them away from home.

Fall starts the season of settling back into a routine of school, hot meals and shorter days that invite you to sit with a book, hot drink and perhaps a handcraft item. Cozy days are here again.

Danika Dolly is ONE!

It is hard to believe that our little Danika Dolly is one year old.

Here she is just after she was born last August 29th.

A couple of days later on her way home from the hospital. What a group picture!

Here they are one year later. Such bundles of energy and lot of hugs and kisses.

We crashed the back to school party at Pastor Gary and Joy's to celebrate the birthday with a bunch of our friends.

Wyatt and Genevieve decorated their own presents for their sister.

Here she is with some of her haul.

All three of them are big kids now with forward facing car seats. I'm sure that Danika is going to appreciate the new view.
Happy Birthday Dolly.
We love you.

Clean living

Joylynn came over to use the computer this evening. She brought the kids p.j.s and asked Courtney to give the kids a bath. So Courts rounded up the two big kids but I wanted to give Danika a bath in the kitchen sink.

Here is the little bathing beauty.

Wyatt and Genevieve love it when they get to take baths at Gramma and Grampa's house.

Here they are all squeaky clean. Can you tell which one started to eat "cheetos" after the bath?

Thanks Mom and more updates

I'm so thankful that my mother was able to come from Michigan for Cherise and Kiel's wedding. She flew in to Portland, we did the big road trip to LaGrande and then we motored back for her to be able to fly back home. She was only able to stay a week.

Here's Mom (Gramma or Muumuu) with Cherise.

She got to spend time with all of the great-grands. Here she is with Rowan (L) and Genevieve and Danika (R). I feel bad we didn't get individual pictures of her with Wyatt and Simon. She sure loves to mush those babies up.

Here are the kids that got up early to go to the airport to see her off.

We were surprised by the announcement that Rylan plans to take a semester off from school so he is going to be around for another 6 months. His plan is to work and do some independent study and then perhaps resume his studies in February 2009.

Wyatt and Genevieve spending Sunday afternoon at Grampa's and Gramma's.

Pretty Mama and darling Danika.

The girls are delighted by Uncle Hayden's antics. Wyatt is not so sure.

What a difference a year makes...

I am always amazed how much boys grow between 12 and 15 years old. They keep stretching up and eating like farm hands. Below are some pictures from this year and some from last year. Hayden has changed the most in this past year than he has in any year except his 1st.

It is hard to find a picture of Hayden that he isn't with someone else. Mostly find him playing with one of the "babies".

Here he is with Simon last August.Here is Simon last week.
Happy Birthday Buddy. Today you are one!

Hayden and Max August 2007

Hayden on the night of his 14th birthday.
We have only one more family birthday to document this month so keep checking for Miss Danika's birthday blog on the 29th.