{Guenther Octoberfest}

This past weekend was the 6th Annual Guenther Octoberfest. This year brought in about 250 people, which was less than expected, most likely because of the illusion of rain. That's right, illusion because it never rained, contrary to the city weather here in Portland!
Chad and Ryley taking a break from the fun.
Maisey posing so I'll leave her alone.The German band.My brother and sister in-law Tod and Jill (Chad's oldest brother).Their youngest daughter Ruby will dog Wallie- also wearing his German attire.Eliot- Tod and Jill's grandson in his cool duds!

The four of us- a picture I'm not fond of! My German speaking brother and sister who came up from Eugene- Erin (16) and Chase (19).

As always, it was a great festival. We also enjoyed time with family and friends on Sunday before heading home. We are so glad the rain didn't follow us to Hood River and we can't wait until next year to dress up again!

{Too Fun}

After a busy Saturday morning we were able to go out with our good friends and enjoyed their new ski boat! Let me say now, it was such a blast and we are thankful for their endless hospitality and friendship!

Here is a shot of the kids and me- because I couldn't crop me off! I will appear again (Melissa) even though I'm "camera shy!"
Here is Ciara tubing with the girls. She was such a sport since she's 5 months pregnant and couldn't do a whole lot this summer with the boat.
She was the best driver ever- but that comes from growing up as a boat owner since childhood.Along with tubing the kids enjoyed jumping off the swim deck to Chad.

And the guys, mainly Chad who was the "water hog"
of the day, enjoyed tubing, knee boarding (kind-of), and wake boarding (Ok, only Herb was able to enjoy that because Chad never made it up)!

Here is Herb with the wake board.
Ryley and I (I know, I must have been having the time of my life if I'm going as far as to post pictures of me- especially in a swim suit)!

Ryley and Daddy at the end of a long day and after a good little nap. Ryley passed out when I was tubing and he slept on the boat floor for a bit!

The perfect way to end summer and we're already excited for next year!

Thanks again!

{Lions}

Today was the 1st day of the new Lion exhibit at the Zoo. It was pretty cool- even though this picture says otherwise!I really liked the Cheetah's the best- they were fierce and almost scary!
Ryley on the other hand- well, he liked the statues of the Lions.
The baby.

The cutest part of the morning, was watching him get so excited over the Sea Lions- and the other little kids who were just as excited as he was!

{hide}

Where is Ryley?There he is!
He will definitely get his sister with this new one when she gets home today!

{September 8}

Tomorrow is a BIG day. There are so many BIG changes happening in our home right now. However, at this moment I will only focus on one BIG thing- Maisey beginning 1st grade!

Since she was born just over six years ago, she has been securely attached to my every move. She loves to be with me and I love her company as well. It is going to be an adjustment now that she will leave my side for much of the day, especially since I am enjoying her company more and more. She is still strong willed, stubborn and decisive, but I know we will always be close. She tells me everyday that she's glad I'm her mother and it makes me feel so joyous- I hope she always feels that way!

Most people sweat over Kindergarten, but for me, it was purely exciting. On the other hand, those feelings I thought I was missing, were just dormant until now. I have to say, this day is a little sad. It makes me realize more than ever how quickly children grow and how you can never get time back.

I am so thankful I have been able to be with her and keep her out of day care during the span of her life. I think she also knows how lucky she is to have her parents around to play with her all the time, take her to and from every lesson and activity possible, and love her like "crazy cakes!"

I know Maisey is going to have a great year. She tested 3 levels ahead in reading at the end of Kindergarten and she has been reading to us everyday throughout the summer. She still loves to learn and she's still the funnest girl in her class (so the boys say- she was the only girl at so many boy-only parties last year)! Her personality is fun and she knows when to be serious. I am so proud to be her mother and so blessed to have her for a daughter!

To another great year full of growth Maisey!

{getting there}

This girl may scream and freak out over a fly, but she certainly is beginning to take after her dad when it comes to having a curiosity over all other types of pets. At the start of summer she wouldn't touch anything that wasn't human, and now she is busting out of her 'shell!'
Pretty darn surprising... Now I just have to warn her, like I have her dad for the last 9 years, that we are not going to be a pet family!

These pictures were taken by Chad at the recent Reptile and Amphibian featured exhibit at Omsi.

{New Love}

I love this food blog http://www.favfamilyrecipes.com/ that Jamie showed me. Everything I've made has tasted and looked so good! You should try it too!

The first thing I made was the Chicken Parmigiana.It wasn't much fun peeling these tomatoes, but it was well worth the hassle. However, next time I will be leaving the peel on.

I also made Chips and Salsa Chicken, with their Guacamole recipe, but I didn't get a picture. And the latest, BBQ Chicken pizza- Yum!

{Back-to-School Pool Party}

Before the weather changed in to this (rain), we had to have an "official" Back-to-School party! Since it was too warm for cool summer treats, I had to improvise and replicate ice-cream.

Note: If you EVER make these cupcakes, do not plan on transporting them elsewhere. This pictures was taken before they fell together.

Jamie and Wendy in the hot tub... Are you kidding me, it was like 104 degrees in that water!

Sage exercising her muscles and holding Herbie.
Wendy and Bryce- he looks so relaxed.Kristy and Jazlyn- so photogenic. Mallory and Courtney kickin' it on the noodles.
Ciara- oh so small at 5 months pregnant- and believe me, this is with her showing!

{Busy Boy}

Ryley is a busy boy these days. When he's not hiding from us, or climbing up on something, he's putting things in the toilet! He is also the reason I haven't taken many pictures lately! Seriously, he is too quick for me!!! He wears me out the 3 1/2 hours we spend at church on Sundays!

{Family Time}

Today Adam and Carey hosted their annual Guenther pool party. As always, there were lots of greats. Great company with great laughs, great food, and overall great fun. Here is a picture of the cousins minus Eliot. (I am in need of some direction because I can't enlarge this collage because I have no clue)!

The kids LOVED this new pool toy called "The Cube" and they spent hours floating on it, in it, and flipping it. All the flipping reminded me of an hamster exercising.

This is a little clip thrown in for The Finnan's per Chad's request!
When everyone was done swimming Coach decided it was his turn to take a dip with Adam and Opa. He jumped in time and time again with little to no tire. The person who tired the most was Adam since he was the human shield, protecting the kids from getting pounced on!
____________
Cousin Sleepover
A couple weeks ago cousin Colby stayed the night with Maisey and the two played great together. They are only 5 months a part, and that is usually the case, but their time together was precious because there weren't any other girls to steal away the attention with the curling iron and make-up. These two played a little bit of everything and it was sweet watching them interact. I think they will be friends forever. The following week cousin Peyton (Colby's sister) stayed the night. The first thing on the agenda was going to the fabric store to pick out material for pillows. The girls wanted to take a shot at sewing and things went well. They enjoyed their soft flannel pillows all night long.
The following day we saw the movie "Kit Kittredge: An American Girl" and swam before taking Peyton home. It was an exciting day because Peyton missed out on a lot of swimming this summer since her arm was casted for about 5 hot weeks!
We love our family members all so much and we hope they know it!

{Changing}

It seems like each time I blog the posts are more and more spread out and there are two reasons why: (1) I joined Facebook and (2) I keep forgetting to take pictures! The new thrill of Facebook has worn off and I've decided to stay loyal to my blog, and to stay on top of it.

During the hot spells we've enjoyed lots of pool time! If you haven't been over to swim, your missing out on some fun catching up.These days Ryley is VERY much into animals, reptiles, and anything that moves and looks new. We went to the zoo last week and I can already tell our zoo pass is about to get a big workout in the upcoming months. Maisey also loved the zoo at this age and I enjoy watching little ones' faces light up in excitement. The kids have been doing what little ones do best and that is growing. Mine have never been 'right' on the charts and it has always been annoying but the gap is slowly closing. Ryley has maintained his average 75% for height and 11% for weight (I am worried about the upcoming seasonal change to Fall because 12 month pants fall of his bum and he needs 18 month length). And Maisey, she is still 50% for height! She has grown up a lot over the last year, and it is bittersweet to see her develop into a young lady. She may only be 6, but she acts 14... I'm hoping when she is actually 14 she might act even older and we can just 'skip' the teen years all together!
Here is a picture of the kids before the doctor appointment began.
Maisey is enjoying swim lessons right now and is eager for soccer, dance, and Girl Scouts to start back up in the Fall. Maisey is the youngest one in her swim class by a couple years (at least 3) and she is doing a great job with her side breathing and isn't at all intimidated by the fact all the other students are much bigger and male.
Ryley isn't talking much and seems to be following in his sisters footsteps. However, according to the pediatrician, he is 'on track' and is where he should be. He thinks he can talk and constantly looks at you, points, and mumbles on and on. He is a busy climber and was so happy in the picture above that he could mount this pony and rock it back and forth without help.
My kids are the joy of my life and I treasure them so much. I feel so blessed to be a mother, wife, and woman.

{4th}

This year we had the most relaxing 4th of July ever! We went to Eugene for 4 days and celebrated the 4th of July like most Americans, with a BBQ.I failed to get a complete family photo, but here we are in our Red, White, and Blue.Maisey spent lots of time in the water since it was so hot and we just baked.
She loved the fireworks my grandparents set off and I loved that Ryley slept through them.One day we took the kids to my favorite kiddie pool at my favorite park. Grandpa stayed home but Grandma, Uncle Chase, and Aunt Erin came too. I was sad to find out this is the last year any of the outdoor kid pools will operate since under a new ordinance they would be required to put in an expensive new filtration system... I guess we better enjoy it all we can this season!
Four days is never enough time to see everyone and I can't wait to go back again!