Out of this World

So we had a really fun outing with grandma and grandpa Allen when we went up to visit them. There is a pizza place called "out of this world" and it is really cheap and the kids love playing there.
McKenna loved playing with the scooters and the cash register. She was playing with some kids and grandpa was there and she fixed some things and told him he needed to pay for it and grandpa said "i don't have any money" and Kenna said "well you have a credit card." He gave her his credit card and she slid it through and then said "ok I what is your last name?" I thought that was so cute and funny that she totally knows about credit cards.

She also loved climbing to the top of the big play structure and then coming down the big slide. Graysen liked it too although getting him up there was quite a challenge not only because he kept trying to go back down, but also cause I had to squeeze through tiny spaces and climb over lots of stuff. It was fun though.

Graysen liked playing in the little house and with the little kid toys too. He like just running around and looking at everything and trying to do all the things the big kids did.

They really liked the bouncy slides too. I think they could have stayed there all day.

It was really fun and I love seeing the kids have lots of fun and enjoying life. It was a nice day and we were glad we got to spend time with Grandma and Grandpa.

Firestation

We went on a field trip today for Mckenna's preschool to the fire station. McKenna was really excited and wanted to be the first to see everything. She actually stood still and listened to the fireman give his shpeal and was interested in what they were talking about. Graysen was enjoying it as well. He wanted to get down and touch everything, especially the fire truck. He kept saying "oh wow" it was really cute.
They had a fun time with all the kids and learned more about fire safety so now I think I know what our next FHE will be centered around :)
It is always so great to see the things that will entertain the kids. They are always so fascinated with anything new.
Graysen and Kenna got to climb into the fire truck which they thought was pretty cool. It was fun for them to see inside and to get to act like firemen. Graysen thought he was such a big boy for being able to be with all the big kids. I love my kiddos.

We of course got a big group picture with all of the kids that went. They actually were really good and stayed in front of the truck so we could get a picture. It was a fun activity and I think McKenna learned a lot. It is really good that they show kids what firemen look like with all their gear on so that they aren't scared of them if there was a fire. Anyway, it was very educational and fun for the kids.

let it snow

Ever since we moved back to Oregon from Utah I told myself that I wouldn't miss the snow but I would be happy if it snow for a couple of days so we could go out and play. Low and behold I got my wish :)
McKenna was so excited that it snowed, and her and Graysen would just sit and look out the window and watch the snow fall and stick to the ground covering it in a blanket of white. It is very beautiful and peaceful to look at.

We decided we would go out and build a snow man before the rains came and washed it all away. we got all bundled up from head to toe and headed out into the white wonderland.
This was Graysen's first time in the snow, and he was having a blast, although he seemed to be more interested in trying to play in the slushy puddles and wandering to the edge of the sidewalk than playing in the actual snow.

Kenna got right to work and grabbed a little garden shovel and started trying to make a snow man. We rolled up the snow and built ourselves a lovely snow man. McKenna decided to name him Bob after one of her favorite books "a Snowman named Just Bob." She was very proud of herself and had so much fun playing in the snow.

we couldn't stay out too long because are nose and hands and toes were getting frozen so we headed back in. We ended our fun time in the snow with a nice warm cup of Hot chocolate and lots of blankets and curled up and watched a movie together. It was very fun and I hope that my kids will add this to one of their favorite memories cause it is one of mine.
It started to rain really bad after we came inside and by the time evening came Bob was slowly melting. Kenna was so sad and kept saying "I don't want Bob to be gone, I want him to stay here." It was sad but I told her he would come back when it snowed again, so she will be looking out the window searching for the faintest glimpse of snow that will signify Bob's return.

Christmas 2011

It is sad to say that we got the flu on Christmas day. We got to enjoy some festivities and opening of presents but then it was all down hill from there.
We got to Travis parents house on Wednesday and spent the week with them. We had lots of fun and the kids loved going to Grandma and Grandpa's house.
Friday we went to the park which started the lovely string of events. Graysen got sick in the car on the way back and lost it, so grandma said she would stay home with him while we went with grandpa and Aunty Mel to John's Incredible pizza. It was actually really fun and McKenna had a blast! She got to play lots of games and go on some fun rides and we got to eat good food and as much of it as we wanted. We wish Grandma and Graysen could have been with us though, and Uncle Tyler.
Saturday we had fun hanging out but Graysen still wasn't feeling too hot so we didn't do much. Grandma and Kenna and Graysen made some cookies to leave on Santa's plate, so that was really fun and the kids loved it of course. The cookies were really yummy too. We went out to Stanford's for a nice dinner. The food was really good and it was nice to be with the family. We had a nice evening except for having to clean up after poor mister Graysen lost it a few more times. Poor thing was not feeling well at all.
Kenna put out cookies for Santa and an apple for ther reindeer and left Santa a very nice letter saying "thanks for bringing me and Graysen presents. We made you some cookies, we hope you like them." She was so excited.
Since church was at 9:30 in the morning, we decided to wait to open presents until after church which was pure torture for McKenna. She woke up so excited and just wanted to open presents so bad. She was so patient and didn't touch the presents until later. Unfortunately Grandma got sick too so she stayed home in bed and I stayed home with Graysen so I could take care of him.
After church Kenna came home and was ready to open presents, but we still had to have breakfast and all that good jazz.
Finally after breakfast and everyone was ready, we got to open presents. Kenna was so funny this year. She would just zip through all the presents wanting to open one right after the other. She must have had a lot of built up excitement or something.
She was very happy about her presents and I wish Graysen was feeling better because he didn't really want to open any presents and wasn't too into anything except the first thing we opened for him.
We got a lot of really nice things and I am so glad that we were able to have such a nice Christmas. Right after we opened presents McKenna said "mom I think I am going to throw up like Graysen did" and sure enough she lost it on the floor. Grandma and Graysen were out, Kenna was out, Aunty Mel was out, and then low and behold I get it that night as well. It was not a fun experience. Travis was so good though and took care of the kids and me. He was a real trooper. The next day we felt a little better but Kenna was still having a hard time keeping anything down.
We finally took her to the ER the next day because she was so dehydrated. She felt so much better after that.
I hate it when I get sick, but the worse is when the kids are sick. It makes me so sad. Traivs dad got sick the next day too, so Travis was the only fortunate one to escape the full on sickness. He was our super hero for a couple of days and we are so grateful.
I can't believe Christmas has come and gone. It comes quicker every year. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father gave us such a special gift on Christmas, his son Jesus Christ and that we are able to worship him and celebrate him. I hope that I can always have the spirit of Christmas with me throughout the year and I am grateful for the church who teaches us to have Christ at the center of everything we do and not just remember him at Christmas time.

Santa Clause and Carousals

We took the kids to see Santa clause on Saturday night at the Riverfront Park by our house. Last year McKenna cried and wouldn't take a picture with him so this year she kept telling me "mom I am not afraid, I will sit on Santa's lap so I can tell him what I want for Christmas. I won't cry." It was so cute.
True to her word, we got there and she went and sat by Santa and told him what she wants for Christmas. She said she wanted a barbie house with lots of barbies and a table and chairs. Graysen actually sat on his lap too but didn't really have an expression just a blank face. I think Santa knew what he wanted though without having to be told.
Santa gave them each a bell which they continued to shake for the rest of the night, and in McKenna's case swing it around so it almost hits everyone....good thing she was a good sport about putting it and keeping it in her pocket the rest of the time.
We got to ride on the carousal with the kids which was really fun. The kids absolutely loved it, McKenna was the very essence of pure joy and Graysen had fun even though he was holding onto the pole for dear life. They were so sweet and I am so glad we could create these special memories with them.

I love my family and am so grateful I get to spend time doing little fun things like this and see the happiness that it brings to all of us. I am grateful for the Christmas season and for the special spirit that is everywhere. What a wonderful time to celebrate the birth of our Savior and to create traditions that will last a lifetime.

Pumpkin Patch 11

We were up in Beaverton for the weekend so we decided to go with Grandma and Grandpa Allen to the pumpkin patch. We were so glad because Travis was actually able to come with us this year. We go to the Lake View farms one in North Plains which we love.
McKenna was so excited to ride the train and the barrel ride. It was so much more fun for Graysen too since he was just a little one when we went last yearThe kids had a blast riding the train, Kenna got a little scared when we went through the tunnel where there are scary things in there, but she still liked it.
We got to the pumpkin patch and Kenna and Graysen helped us with the wheelbarrow so we could get our pumpkins.
Graysen and Kenna both picked out the pumpkins they wanted and they did a great job!
Graysen would try to pick up the bigger pumpkins and would just grunt and get frustrated that he couldn't pick them up.
He was so excited about all the pumpkins and just kept running around and saying "ooh" It was really funny to watch. Kenna was content on rolling them all over the place and putting them in the wheelbarrow and trying to help push it.

They played in the hay bale maze which they both thought was pretty neat and loved just running around in there with all the other kids. They also climbed on top of the hay bale mountain

We took the boat back which was fun because there were sea monsters that popped out of the lake and a shark which McKenna thought was so cool.
Kenna got to ride in a barrel pulled by a tractor which was really fun for her. I loved seeig the esxcitement and joy on her face. She was so happy that grandma and grandpa treated her to a fun ride.

We had a lot of fun and will definately be going there next year again. It was so nice of Grandma and Grandpa Allen to be able to share this fun time with us too and we were glad they came with us.

Fun days at the Park

We have been trying to go to the park as much as possible before the rainy season begins and we are confined indoors. McKenna and Graysen love the park and get so excited every time I ask them if they want to go.
They have a lot of fun playing with eachother and it is so nice that they can entertain themselves for the most part when we are there. They each have their own thing that they like to do.

Graysen's favorite thing to do at the park (aside from trying to drink out of the dog water fountain) is to go down the slide. He will just climb up the stairs and go down the slide over and over again. He just loves it! His face is so cute and he tries to climb up it but he just falls down and laughs.

McKenna used to really love swings, but her new love is the Monkey Bars. She is so good at them. She used to be only able to do about one or two, but she just kept practicing and now can go back forth at will. She is so strong and so proud of herself. It makes me so happy that she has that kind of focus and determination to keep trying something until she figures it out. She does that with everything and I think that is so awesome.

I love my little monkey and my sliding man. I am glad they like playing outside so much and it is nice to be able to get out of the house. I can't wait to see what their new loves will be in a few months or if they will stay the same.