Sunday Afternoon

The Ryan Family, Eitzen Family and the Lomas Family all got together for a bit of food, fun and frolic in the Fall weather...(sorry, couldn't help it!) We ate some great food and chatted and laughed and watched the kids play. I think the first highlight of the afternoon was watching Carlos, Steve and John play a bit of the Rockband (see center picture of the rockers) Later it was a friendly game of football between the dads and boys. Miraculously not one single injury, no crying and no arguing. It was fun to watch and see them have so much fun. Hopefully next year we can do it all over again! Fun times!

Before a Week Goes By

Whew! This week has just flown by. How about you all? Crazy around here. I am crossing my fingers, doing a keep-the-sick-away dance and anything else I can do to NOT get any sickness in our house. I know it will come, but I am not ready for anything prior to the end of November...anything before that might just put me over the edge.

We have officially started soccer season. CJ now plays on the big field with 4th, 5th and 6th graders. (I will see my first game tomorrow) He likes it and come home from practice really, really tired. He has settled well into the first weeks of 4th grade and loves, loves his teacher. She is a friend of mine who has been over to our house many times so he knows her personally and now as a teacher. She has high expectations and is a really caring person. It is going to be a great year for him. He also has gotten soooooo tall. He is filling out and of course has this attitude that is most unpleasant. But...it can be/will be NOT happening too much longer. Let's just say some consequences have been put in place.

Carlos has been working as a handyman here and there for friends and family. It has been a relief these past few weeks. He is so good with household projects and working for people. I feel so blessed to have a handy-guy!

And of course my baby Zac...he is such a fun kid! He laughs, runs, plays peek-a-boo, chases, "talks", his attitude is cute (most times), past the baby food, might start giving up the bottle soon, takes "swim" lessons with Carlos or I on Mondays and Wednesday and is into everything we leave out, in his reach or near him. He can destroy our house in about 5 minutes.

So, now you know why we are so busy, why I have not called or made lunch plans with you! I have been so busy at work that when I am home I just want to be home, in my own space with my kids. (Hopefully some soccer pictures soon and swim ones too...hopefully)

Playground Fun

Stevie and his brother Jakie...Stevie was acting a bit like a bear and Jakie was free as could be!

Zac had a blast in the gravel...he would put in on the slide then Jakie would slide down and wipe it clean. They had a great time!


Here is my big guy...and he wanted me to take the picture.

This is just too cute...I wish you could see he is wearing shorts and short socks with white tennis shoes. He looked so preppy! Super cute...my baby Zac.

Friday nights can sometimes be a bit of unexpected fun. Bethany and her boys came over for a bit of fun at the school playground. It was a warm night for the end of September, but you could smell the Fall air...just a bit of rain coming. Love that smell. Zac thought he was one of the big kids! He ran, jumped, slid, teeter-tottered and kicked the ball like he had been playing on a playground his whole life. I was amazed at his willingness to just get in there and explore and also a bit sad...he is not a baby so much anymore. We might be moving into toddler hood! Yikes!

Vrooom! Vrooom!

There was a play date planned...very last minute but still planned. It was going to be the regular crows: Amy, Davey, Brianna and a new face Samantha. As the Saturday morning weather went from lots of rain, to a little bit of rain to bright blue skies (only in OR folks) the play date group kept texting to cancel (not feeling well, still shopping and out with friends) so the newbie Samantha came over and we took the kids to the park. They had a blast. Big brother CJ also rode his bike down with us for some fun in the sun. It turned out to be a very nice day with a quick trip to the park. Here you see Emma watching Zac take the "car" for a spin. They had a great time and it was fun to catch up with Samantha.

City Fair

After watching the police dog do a demo on attacking...I was not too sure about CJ going in for hello and pet the dog!


Jakie and CJ getting quite the show and tell from the firefighter. Way cool!

We went to the fair and had a marvelous time! I am not sure if that is from a movie or not, but it sure sounds familiar. It was a gorgeous day in old Mac, sun shining, no clouds and a blue sky. CJ, Zac and I headed to Discovery Meadows for the City Fair. Firetrucks, police vehicles, water/light booth with free water bottles, hot air balloon rides, free hot dogs and ice cream, recycling news and electricity demonstrations and much, much more! Way to go city of McMinnville.

First Day of School

I was not ready. This time last year I was at home with a newborn. Not worried about anything at school. Loving the fact that I was home being a mom. Did not miss the hum of a new school year at all. This year it was a slow denial that moved into a forgetful denial and this morning when my alarm went off I was in full memory lapse..."what is that sound?" So I was very surprised when I actually got to the school and saw all those bright and smiling faces, classroom ready for them and all my teacher friends greeting me with smiles and seemingly so happy to be back at school. The day started well and finished well. I have a great group of kids! They are awesome. I think they are ready for me and I am more than ready for them...it might just take a few more mornings for me to be out of the summer-fun-fog. As for my giant, super smart, witty, social 4th grader...he is loving it! He finished his first day HW on his own (and did marvelous writing and responding in his journal). He was so excited to see his friends and really liked his teacher. To brighten my day just a bit...Carlos brought me lunch! As for my little baby boy? He spent the whole day with the sitter. Don't get me wrong. He loves her. She loves him. Her whole family loves him! They really do have a great time together. But when we packed him in the car this morning and he was crying...let's just say that I was ready for some more summer days with both my boys! So another first day has come and gone. Day two (and three and four and...and...) I am ready for you with a smile on my face. (There are no pictures but my boys did look great today) CJ is classic khakis with blue t-shirt and tennis shoes and Zac in his new Nike shorts/running outfit from Auntie Anna! Tooo cute!!!!! Love my boys!

Last Day of Summer

CJ and Cole

Taylor and Zac
Taylor and Cole walked over for a quick visit today. The cousins have not been together for quite awhile and it was great to hear their laughter and hellos coming down the street as they neared our house. Cole and Taylor immediately got all over Zac "he is so big", "we missed him", "he is so cute" while CJ and I got the "hi", not even a "how are you?" so typical and so cute. I love how they love and spoil the youngest cousin. Carlos took them all for a walk downtown for some pizza then it was boardgames, card games, wii and riding bikes. Taylor is the BEST sitter! Zac just loves all the attention and she loves giving it to him. They are a good match for each other. She even changes diapers and feeds him. We did do a little change of clothes for this pictures (1st b-day Nike outfit from Auntie Anna we had to use for the photo shoot)! Today was fun, low-key and relaxing around the house with all the kids. I loved hearing their laughter, conversations and overall excitement in being around each other. School will start in a week and I am sure that with soccer schedules, homework, new/old friends and Fall craziness it will be a bit before we are all together again.