{Patch #1 2010}

I think everybody in the area will agree with me that Lake View Farms is the BEST pumpkin patch ever!They have farm animals: pigs, ponies, rabbits, and goats.
A train ride which transports you to or from the pumpkin patch.Ponies to ride once you get over there. 3 Hay Mazes to get stuck in, depending on your age. A boat to transport you to or from the patch.And other various things to do like get your face painted, take a caterpillar ride (both on weekends) and stand in front of wood cut outs. Although this place is my favorite, I am pleading for more sunny days so we can make the rounds to the numerous patches in the area!

{Mad Science}

Maisey is REALLY into science these days. Last week she attended a "Mad Science Chemistry Camp" at a nearby Girl Scout Lodge. She was so excited because she has her first overnight camp out there with her troop this December. We will see if she lasts all night since she's never been away with friends and has only been away two other nights (non consecutively) in her 7.5 years of life!

Working on her experiments.Here is picture of the bunks which fill the entire top of the giant lodge.

She is growing fast and I can't believe we are entering these new phases of childhood already!

Last week after Hip Hop Maisey was dancing in the back of the car as I drove and I couldn't help but tear up. It wasn't the Justin Bieber song that made me cry (although it was pretty bad), it was the reality that she is no longer a little girl. The "fight" is on with clothing, hair, music, all media, and to teach her how to live a virtuous life.

{No School}

This past week Maisey had 3 days off of school. We made a regular trip to "Chuck E Cheese" since my family absolutely LOVES going there. Really, I don't know who like it best because Chad is always printing off coupons from his e-mail each week "in case" we happen to be near there. He cracks me up, as if he didn't have enough fun as a child. Some of us never grow up! All three of them say "There's Chuck E" every time we drive down HWY 217.This Ryley's favorite game.

{Frame}

I found this picture template on a blog that I'm loving these days so I decided to print it for my bathroom.

{Hair Accessories}

Maisey informed she's not into big bows anymore, so this was probably her last.

{Wreath}

Lima Beans... And a whole lot of glue!

{Room Re-Do}

Maisey got a new room (literally, new location, color and carpet).

Okay, I hate the dolls in the picture below but I went through the same stage so I felt I was obligated to work them into the space. I am still looking for curtains and I am thinking something like these:
The window is enormous (90x63) so it hasn't been easy or cheap. I won't settle on anything though. They can wait, cuteness cannot be sacrificed.

{Why}

For all the people who wonder why I iron everyday. Ry has at least 15 button ups.

{fabric hair clips}

Aren't these cool? The one on the right is mine but it didn't have a center yet when I took this picture. Perfect as clips or on headbands. More to come. Many, many more.

{G-Sale}

Me and five of my friends spent last Friday and Saturday putting on a garage sale. Although we had tons of cute stuff for cheap garage sale prices, none of us did too well. I was especially let down since I am use to selling big; however, it was fun to just visit with friends and watch the kids play- or not! They pretty much kept to themselves in the backyard. I rarely had to check on Ryley in the back yard because he checks in regularly and I know he doesn't hit. Neither he nor Maisey were aggressive and I have to say it is relieving. Not that I don't have concerns, he is tremendously timid and that in itself can be consuming and embarrassing.
I have to thank Michelle for hosting this sale and for putting up with the mess!

Ryley's new "white" shoes. I'm still not use to this dirt = boy thing and I am just thankful I bought him two pairs of identical shoes (1 for play and 1 for when we're out and about). Lesson learned!!!

{Tigers}

This is our 6-7 year old team. People laugh when I tell them I'm coaching. They usually chuckle and say something along the lines of, "Herding packs of animals." But, I get defensive and tell them these kids have skill! True, some timid personalities are afraid to follow through at times, but nonetheless, they are only 6 and 7. Just imagine how good they will be when they are teens.

{Octoberfest}

Due to major road construction at this time, the Guenther family did not hold their annual Octoberfest with a crowd of 300 people. However, even after the in-laws recent month long trip to Germany (which they usually take in April), they weren't going to let this year pass without a celebration (well, Jill wasn't anyway)! We headed up for a quick, wet Octoberfest, and we still had a great time! Pictures were impossible to take with the rain and I was able to catch these few in the dry house we first got before people really arrived. 2 little boys waiting for 1 big boy. 3 busy boys yields 9 tries for a picture which = 1 semi- good shot!The little girls minus Michelle who was caught up in a game of Washers.
The last girl dancing late into the night with one energetic Opa! The rain didn't stop Maisey when the other kiddos retreated inside.

{Soccer}

Hopefully, they won't look like this at the end of the season... But they are as adorable as can be
and they are having a great time! They improve every game and it's so fun to see.
Coaching has been so much fun. Believe me, it is not as easy as it seems. League or no league, these kids are 6 and 7 and they think they know how to do everything. After games I always take a poll from the parents to find out if I sound like I'm nagging throughout the whole game. I've never heard a "yes," but I have felt as if I may lose my voice!

{Family}

This past weekend we went to Eugene for Lily's baby shower. She is due in two weeks and will be the first child to Tyler and Katelyn. I am so excited for these new parents. They amaze me. In June Tyler will graduate from OHSU as a dentist and Katelyn will be graduating from there as a doctor. I'm sure it will be a tough year with a new little one and traveling for interviews for Katelyn's surgical residency, but they can do it. The best news is OHSU is opening a new daycare so they will be close to work, school, home (also on the hill), and little Lily.

Me, Katelyn, and Sheena (both my cousins' wives). Little Sally and Big Sally also flew down from Seattle for the shower. It was great to see them, especially little Sally who I have seen in about 4 years, since Tyler and Katelyn got married.

While we were there we celebrate my dad's birthday which was the day before. I made him a good dinner which he enjoyed intermittently with the Duck game. My family is full of Duck fans.

Although the kids can get pretty bored sometimes visiting the "small" town of Eugene, they did a good job keeping themselves occupied outside with my parent's dog Chloe. We are looking forward to next summer when Ryley isn't eye level with her tongue. She is a very sweet dog for being so big.
We had a great relaxing time and can't wait for the holiday's when we will go visit again.

{School}

Maisey was so excited to start school. I wasn't so much. We had a great summer and we miss her when she's not home. I also wasn't as eager when I found out she was being placed in a 2nd/3rd grade classroom. I mean really, this girl thinks and acts old enough without the constant influence of 8 and 9 year old's. But, she's doing great and loving every minute of it. Working on her first project already.
She was presenting to the class that she wants to be a Doctor when she grows up, she has brown eyes and brown hair, a perfect little family, and that she loves Watermelon.

{Enchanted}

A couple of weeks ago we capped off the summer by visiting Enchanted Forest. It was a summer incentive for Maisey as she worked through pages of "homework" each day. I like to keep her working and ahead rather than deal with the possibility of facing the "backward slide." She thought 4 pages was too much until she found out two of her cousins had to do 10 a day (they have a great reward system)! I have visited Enchanted Forest since I was a kid and I seriously love it- even more than Disneyland!
The grounds keepers do a great job, you would never know how old it is. Seeing these old rhymes made me feel a little guilty (or a lot) because I may read to my kids each day, but not enough of the classics. I don't even know how familiar these stories were to them. But I sure enjoyed it. Hansel and Gretel's house (my favorite).The witch and her slide (not pictured- but the kids loved it along with the other many slides throughout the park.

The 10 minute water show that plays to music (here's a snippet). A great place to sit down, eat lunch and cool off.

Now make sure you go and visit!

{Family 2}

Our niece and nephew came and stayed the night with us this past week.

The kids, as well as Chad and I, adore these well behaved little personalities. But seriously, Ryley was in heaven with Colby in the house. He was his shadow. It was so sweet to watch. Colby was so patient for having a two year old with him for every breath and move!

Ryley was right in the middle of everything. Here the kids are interested in a Wii game, and Ry planted himself right in the middle.

Playing at Wilson Pool.

Maisey and Peyton

The boys