My little Kitty and Cow

For Halloween this year McKenna decided she wanted to be a cat.  I am just surprised she waited this long to be one since she has been obsessed with cats for a while.  She looks so cute though, and it just fits her.

Graysen wanted to be a cow, he picked he costume out himself.  I love it, and he looks so cute in it.  He has the perfect face for something like that.

We had a trunk or treat at the church and chili feed the night before Halloween at the church.  We ate and then headed out to the parking lot where they loaded up their pumpkins with all that sugar.  They had fun though and they loved seeing all their friends.

On Halloween grandma and grandpa Allen and Aunt Melanie Uncle Tyler and Connor and Kennedy came to go trick or treating with us.  We had pizza for dinner and they brought doughnuts for after trick or treating. the kids were all gunge ho and were having a great time looking at all the decorations and getting candy.  They were so polite and always said thank you which I appreciated.

They got tons of candy, but Graysen had it and so we decided to call it a night.  He didn't even want to finish the houses on the way to the car he was so tired.  He kept saying his legs hurt.  McKenna was pretty good but was ready to go home too.  It's nice when your kids are the one to cut it off then you don't have to and look like the bad guy.
Of course the best part was dumping out all the candy and sorting it and seeing what kinds they got.  We had doughnuts and visited and then it was time for bed. It was a really fun time and I am so glad we have family around to be able to share it with.

Surprise

So we found out what the baby was going to be, and boy was I surprised.  I went to the ultra sound appointment by myself since Travis had school.  My mother in law was kind enough to come down and watch the kids for me while I went.  Since the kids were really excited to find out what we were having, and the fact that Travis couldn't be with me, I decided to wait to find out what we were having until Travis got home from school.  I had the ultra sound technician put it in an envelope for me so I couldn't see it.
I gave it to Travis mom when I got home and she made a cake and put the corresponding color of what the gender was in the middle so we would find out when we cut into it.

When Travis got home the kids were so excited to cut the cake so we gathered around the table and Travis and McKenna cut into the cake.  When they pulled out the knife, there was blue frosting on the knife revealing that "it's a boy!" I was actually kind of shocked because I thought it was going to be a girl, so did Travis.  Graysen was really excited because that is what he wanted, but McKenna was very dissapointed.  It was so sad because she just put her head down and cried saying she wanted a baby sister.  She had her heart set on it being a girl and I just felt so bad.  I think I convinced her that being the only girl had it's up side, so she seemed to be in good spirits after that.

I am so excited to have another little boy though, even though I never would have pictured myself with two boys.  It is nice that I will have two boys next to each other too, so we are all excited here.
Now all that it is left is to decide on a name.

Oregon State fair

My mom came up to visit us for a week and were so glad we got to spend time with her.  The Oregon State fair was going on, so of course we had to go.  I remember going to fairs when I was younger, and I loved it.  There is nothing like the smell of fair food and hearing all the buzz and excitement of the people and the rides.  The best thing is the memories I get to make with my family.

We looked at exhibits and the kids were amazed at the big huge produce that was grown and the awesome cakes that people made.  It was really cool to see all the things people did.  The kids got to make their own quilts on a piece of paper which they thought was the best thing ever.

We got some yummy corn dogs and fries for lunch and then the kids had Hawaiian shaved ice while we had ice cream.  It was refreshing since it was kind of warm outside. We sat on the metal bleachers and listened to the band play as we ate.  The kids were enjoying their time very much.

Since there were so many animals, the kids had to see all of them.  There was a little petting zoo with baby pigs and goats, a huge llama, sheep and even a wallaby.  Graysen and McKenna could have stayed there forever brushing their hair and trying to chase after the baby pigs and goats.  The babies really were the cutest things ever.

In the arena there was some horse shows which we watched for a little bit and then viewed more animals, sheep and cows and we even got to see a Tiger.  We were very fortunate however because we came just as the trainer was telling us that Tiger's could spray up to 30 feet, and what happened but he lifted his tale and this unfortunate man next to us was sprayed and he was wearing a nice shirt and slacks.  My thought was thank goodnesss it didn't happen to me, that would suck, I am sure the guy it happened to wasn't too happy after that.
The highlight for the kids though and what they had been looking forward to the whole time we were there was of course to ride some rides.  They only cost an arm and a leg, so we opted to have them choose only two that they wanted.  They both rode on the plane together, and then McKenna wanted to ride the Tiger roller coaster and Graysen wanted to ride the Helicopter.

 They were both so excited and I loved the big grins they would get on their faces.  McKenna would put her hands up every time the roller coaster would go down, it was so cute.

We had such a fun time and I am so glad grandma could be with us to share in the joy and excitement of it all.  It is always fun when Grandma comes!

First grade and preschool

Well a new school year has begun.  I can't believe McKenna is in 1st grade.  She was so excited to go back to school, and frankly so was I :) We got to meet her teacher at back to school night and her name is Mrs. Tuttle.  I have heard good things about her and she seems to be really nice so I am glad that she has her.  It was fun that her Aunties got to be there on her first day of school.  Auntie Lindsay did her hair so pretty and McKenna picked out her outfit the night before.  Graysen of course had to be with her when we took her to school and even to walk her inside.  She just went right in and acted like she had been doing this forever.  I must say though the thing she was most excited about was to be able to take a lunch to school. I will definitely miss her since she is gone all day.

 Graysen is in preschool for the first time and he was so excited to be going to school just like McKenna.  He loved that he got to take his backpack to school and be all grown up.  He didn't fare so well when I dropped him off though.  He didn't want me to leave, but we negotiated and I was finally able to sneak out and he did great.  My little boy is getting so big.  He only goes once a week which is good because I would miss him too much if it was more.

 I love my kids and am so excited to see what they will do this school year.

Beach fun

My mom and sisters came to visit for a week and we had so much fun!  Since I have moved here 3 years ago I have yet to have a good day at the beach, but this one wasn't have bad, so I will take it.
We decided to go to Lincoln City which was nice.  It was somewhat warm, but foggy which as most of you know is just typical Oregon coast weather.

 The kids still had a blast playing in the water and in the sand.  McKenna got buried by Auntie and Isla. Graysen loved playing in the water with grandma and playing in the sand with the buckets.

  It was fun to be there with my mom, sisters and my niece and nephew.  It is so cool that the beaches and places we used to go growing up are now places we can take our own kids.  It makes it so much more special.

Graysen's 3rd birthday

I can't believe that my little man is already 3 years old!  He is such a wonderful little boy and is such a character.  The things that come out of his mouth are just so funny. He is so smart, and he pretty much potty trained him self a couple of weeks ago.  He loves everything and wants to be just like his big sister.  He is so fun and such a sweet little boy.  I love how he has so much energy, but can entertain himself.  If you give him a stick or rocks he is a happy camper.
For his birthday we had some yummy cinnamon rolls and eggs when he woke up, and he got to us the special birthday plate.

 He was so happy it was his birthday and he felt so special.  I made him a sign that said Happy Birthday and hung it on the wall.

After we got ready, we headed up to Beaverton to go to Pump it up, or as Graysen says "pump a dump." That is where Graysen wanted to go for his birthday so we wanted to make him happy.  We went to lunch first when we got up there with Grandma and Aunt Lynette, and then we headed over to pump it up.
The kids had so much fun there!  There were not a lot of kids there which was so nice because they had the big slide all to themselves.  They pretty much spent the whole time going down the big slide, but I didn't mind because then I don't have to follow them everywhere :)

After a couple hours they got tuckered out so we decided to head home. Daddy couldn't come to Pump it Up because he had surgery on his hip and he wasn't feeling too well, so it was nice to see him when we got back to Gram and Papa's, and Papa was there too.
We got some pizza from costco and had dinner outside on the deck which was really nice.  I love eating outside when it is nice.  I like that Graysen is old enough to tell us what he wants, it makes planning so much easier for me.  He wanted pump it up, pizza and a spider man cake; easy!
Graysen got open his presents after dinner, and he was so excited!  He picked out which ones he wanted to open first.  He got a lot of neat things.  He got a light up pillow pet because sister had one and so that he was he wanted, a spider man doll, clothes, planes, a dinosaur stuffed animal and a puzzle and a book, and a tool set.  He was ecstatic about all the toys and things he got and wanted to play with them right away.

We sang him Happy Birthday and had spider man cake and ice cream which was sooo good! He kept digging into the cake and eating all the frosting off the sides of the cake and the middle, he loved it.  I am glad he had such a good time and that we could share it with family.  I love my little man and am so happy with the person he is and becoming.

McKenna's Princess Disneyland party

The family vacation was planned perfectly so that we could have McKenna's birthday while we were at Disneyland.  She was so excited to be going there for her birthday, and more importantly that her cousins were going to be there for it.
In the morning we got up and wished her happy birthday then got ready and went to Disneyland for a little bit.  Around lunch time we came home and the kids ate, and then the party started to commence.
All the girls had princess dresses which they had brought, and we gave McKenna's to her for her birthday.  They got dressed up and then I did there hair and put some princess makeup on them.  They were all so excited and they all looked so cute! They played together for a while and showed everyone how pretty they were.

Then we sang to McKenna and had cake and ice cream.  Since she was princess Aurora, we had to get her an Aurora cake, and she was so happy about that.  After cake and ice cream, she got a special call from Prince Philip.  He asked her lots of questions and told her to look for him at the castle when she went back to Disneyland because he would try to be there to meet her if he could.  The girls kept giggling and were so excited to hear him on the phone.  It was so cool to see how much fun they were having.

She opened presents and got some really fun things.  She got a Ken doll which she has been wanting forever, a light up pillow pet, some cute clothes, some princess jewelry, and of course her princess dress. She was so thankful for all her presents and so excited to play with them.
After that we headed back to Disneyland to ride more things and go on the Radiator Springs ride which we had been waiting for all day.  It was such a fun time with everyone. We had a blast, and McKenna said she had a wonderful birthday.

They had fireworks at night which we told McKenna were just for her for her birthday, and she was so happy when we told her that.  They all sat and watched the fireworks while eating ice cream bars.  It was such a fun day and I am so glad we could make it a magical birthday for her.
McKenna is such a sweet and wonderful little girl. She is always so willing to help others, and watches out for her brother which I love.  She is getting so good at reading and writing and is such a smart little girl.  She amazes me everyday with her joy and her love for life.  She definitely keeps me on the go, but I couldn't have asked for a better daughter.  We love her so much and are so blessed she is a part of our family.  She is going to do great things, and I am excited to have a front row seat to her life.
 She was tuckered out at the end of  the day though, she couldn't even stay awake.  My wonderful sleeping beauty :)