The Big # 1

So I know this post is really, really old-but I am still trying to play catch up from the summer. Please bear with me, this is pretty much the only journal I keep so I really don't want to loose any of these great memories.

On August 7th Autumn turned the BIG # 1. It was with a mixture of both excitement and sadness that I watched my baby celebrate her first birthday. It is hard to believe that just a short 12 months ago I held her in my arms for the first time. Where has the time gone? Soon she will be bounding around the house with her new found freedom and all of the cute cooing and cuddling will be but a memory. So for now I am trying to soak in what is left of her sweet baby innocence and forget about what comes tomorrow. It will be here all to quickly anyways-My 6 year old reminds me daily!!!!

I love this picture of Autumn. I was really trying to capture the 'vampire teeth' she had goin on. At this point she had only 2 bottom teeth, 1 upper front and two 'fangs' on the sides. Pretty cute kid- although at times I wondered if she were really mine and not a TWILIGHT baby!!!

The Birthday party was a blast. Autumn loved all of the attention and of course her BIG yummy cupcake. Nana and Papa were there along with G&G DePiazza, Auntie Joy and Carter, Auntie Crystal and Brenna and Kayla and Tillie and Ben.

We love you lots Autumn and are so happy to have you in our family. Your smile is so contagious and your big beautiful brown eyes are absolutely stunning. You are looking more and more like your daddy everyday although everyone still says you look just like your mamma and sister. Congratulations on your big day. We cant wait to celebrate many more with you.

First Grade Follies

Today He was a real Boy. Full of curiosity and confidence our oldest child, who shall remain nameless, walked himself home from First Grade. Proud as he could be, he came through the door nearly 1/2 hour earlier then he normally gets home. A little taken back I asked him how he got home so early. With a mischevious grin he told me that he had walked home that day.

(Insert side note-Parker does not walk home from school, he rides the bus!!!!!!!! We live much too far from the school for a 1st grader to walk home)

To his reply I wasnt sure if I should laugh or cry. The Boy had guilt written all over his face. He then said "okay Mom, I'll tell you what really happened." Evidently the night before he had written a note to his teacher telling her that he was supposed to walk home that day. And of course the note never made it to school- but that didn't stop him. At the end of the day he marched himself into the cafeteria where the 'walkers' meet before they are allowed to go home. Somehow he bamboozled 'Mr. Poole' into believing that he had left his note at home (true i suppose) saying he was supposed to walk home instead of ride the bus. And without another thought they let him go.

Thank goodness for my dear Friend Nancy whom was driving home from the bank and ran into my son casually and confidently walking his 6 year old self home. She asked him if he wanted a ride to which he replied that he was just fine walking. After some convincing she got him to get in the car with a stern reminder that he should never get into the car with someone he did not know. She then drove him home and dropped him off. Thank you Nancy-I owe you big time!!!!

Of course as any good mother would do I gave him a stern lecture about the dangers of walking home alone and that he was never to do it again. Many tears were shed and some privileges lost but all in all he came out pretty unscathed. I must admit Randall and I had some pretty good laughs privately about the whole ordeal. This is one that won't be soon forgotten.

Sunny SanDiego

June gave us the opportunity to catch some rays down in Sunny SanDiego thanks to the ADA New Dentist convention. It was a last minute trip that we just couldnt resist. We had actually planned to go camping that week but the weather was still too cold in the Wallowas. So.. we settled for some sun, and believe me it was definately the better choice. We started our trip at LegoLand per Parkers request and had a great time. It was perfect for little kids-with rides just their speed. They also just built a new LEGO waterpark where we spent an entire day. We were lucky enough to find this beautiful Condo in Oceanside with gorgeous views.

It was like our own private Paradise.
We also had the opportunity to visit the new Mormon Batallion Historical Site in Old Town San Diego. Our hotel was only 1 block from the site. We enjoyed an awesome interactive film and even got to pan for gold. We highly recomend if you are ever down that way.

We then went to Sea World and enjoyed all that they had to offer. Don't the kids just look thrilled? Our day at the beach was definately a highlight of the week. The kids were thrilled to actually be on a beach that was relatively warm and sunny. We don't have many beach days like that in Oregon.
Please excuse the bikinie bums in the background. I tried to crop them out but to do so I would have to cut off my head-and I'm not so sure that would be attractive either.
And lastly we enjoyed our night out at the Luau put on by the ADA. It was held at the Catamaram Resort on their private beach. It was a blast but it got a little chilly and kind of late for the kiddos.

We had a great time and will definately be returning. There are so many great things to see and do in Sunny San Diego.

My 3 little Miracles

1st day of School

It's that time of year again .

Back to School, and can I say thank goodness. This is my first year of an all 'dayer' and... (I hope this isnt too terrible to admit) I'm loving it. I did have a few tears in my eyes that first day but none since. Parker is absolutely loving the 1st grade. Mostly because he gets to have 2 recesses and eat lunch at school. He had his very first Hot lunch last week-and he was ecstatic. When he got home I asked him what he chose-his reply: "well mom I had chicken nuggets, but i did choose the regular milk, because I wanted to be healthy."

Parker is in a 1/2 grade blend this year which I anticipate will work very well for him. He is above grade level in most areas especially in reading and comprehension. We are so proud of him and cant wait to see how he progresses this year.

Waiting for the bus.

Abrianna also started Preschool this week and is of course, loving it. She is attending Zoar Lutheran again, and has the same teachers and exact same class as last year. She has moved to Monday, Wednesday, Friday, mornings which works out great. It gives me a really nice break during the week. Once I get Parker on the bus and drop Abrianna off, I have 2 1/2 hours to run errands or clean house with only Autumn at my side.

Life is so good.

Man Time

This last June Randall took a much needed break for a little "Man Time" at Magic Mountain. He had been planning this trip for several years, and finally the stars and everybodys schedules aligned just right to make it happen.

I'm not sure how hanging upside down and being tossed around for hours on end equals relaxing, but to him it was and he had a great time.

Randall and his Nephews Brad and Phil.

He keeps reminding me that he has a seasons pass and it would be such a shame to only use it once!!!! We'll see. He still owes me a girl getaway, I'm thinking-MEXICO!!!!!!

An Update-FINALLY!

FINALLY, a few moments to actually sit down and send a little update on the family. All is quiet at least for a few moments!!! Life is busy as ever but we are loving every moment of it. Well, since I am so behind and there is so much to post, I will just start with the most recent happenings in our family and they will eventually be followed by the last 5 months in no particular order. Hope you enjoy.


Wedding Day for Kim and Patrick!!!!

This past weekend we celebrated the marriage of my oldest sister Kimberly and her fiance Patrick O'Donnell. We were so excited to share in this day with her. She was absolutely radiant and we are so happy for them both, and excited to welcome Patrick into the family. The weather was absolutely gorgeous and only added to the stunning beauty of the Beautiful St Marys Church they were married in. We survived the hour long Mass without too much of a hitch thanks to a well stocked bag of tricks and lots of helping hands. The little girls looked beautiful in the dresses that my talented mother made for all 5 of them. They were tons of work for her, but they turned out great.

Parker also looked especially dapper in his suit and his spiked hair. He was able to help at the ceremony and pass out programs and bubbles. He took his job very seriously and was quite the little man.

After the wedding we continued the celebration at Abiqua Estates. As you can see Randall and I enjoyed our ribs very much, maybe a little too much. Well, I guess when it's your sisters wedding and she hired an award winning pit master to cater her special day-its okay to "pig out" a little!!!

My sister Kim and I.

And last but not least-In true Glenn fashion, Parker stole the show as he danced solo on the stage for nearly 2 hours straight. He boogied down to whatever DJ Ron was throwin down that night. He was quite the performer. We even got several offers from dance instructors at the wedding for him to join their performing groups. What a riot!! Everyone was clapping and cheering him on and enjoyed quite a laugh. We love this guy!!