"The Itse Btse Spider" by Margaret Moffat

October!

Eric and I went on a date.  (wow!!)  We went to go see a few thousand birds fly down a chimney.  Yep, you read that right.  Wanna read more about it?  Click here.  It was very cool, we're going to take the kids next year.

 Sam and Miles spent a lot of the summer running around shirtless, they are little boys after all....  Eric calls it "Lord of the Flies" and asks them where their Conch is.

 I'm providing after-school care for a friend of mine this school year.  Here is her son, Lucas, with Sam.  They are a year apart in age and sporting multi-colored foam facial hair in this picture.

 Sarah is in third grade, but so far she has been very gracious to Maggie and they've enjoyed their craft sessions in the afternoons.  They're sporting foamy 'staches too.

 ...and last but not least: Miles.....wearing the geeked out Harry Potter glasses.

Is October almost OVER!? Oopsies.

Well, here's all the good stuff you missed while I wasn't blogging in September...  ;-)

Eric and I ran Hood to Coast again.  I LOVE it.  I think I might have an addiction to the sleep deprivation and pain that comes with it.  I just love it.

 We hit the Oregon State fair with Eric's parents.  Here's a picture of Sam touching a pig and not crying.  It's a state fair miracle!!

 Maggie asked if she could have this donkey.  (What?!)  No.

 We anticipated going FAST.

 ...then we did.

 Gotta get that fatty watermelon in too....  We were able to pull a LONG day at the fair this year thanks to Mom and Dad Moffat assisting with Miles in the afternoon.  It was very VERY fun.

 Maggie and Miles bonded over popsicles.  Aren't they cute?

 We spent Labor Day at Wildwood Park with some friends.  Miles was happy the entire time simply because he was outside.  We joke that we're going to buy him a yurt someday....someday it may not be a joke.

 Happy, dirty, sandy, tired family.

 The twins TURNED SIX.  Am I old enough to have SIX year olds?!  I am?  oh.  Here's Rapunzel in her dress that Grandma Viertell made her.

 We coached (and are still coaching) some soccer...

 This pretty much sums up Miles' opinion on soccer.

 Honest, Sam doesn't share Miles' opinion....although his face would lead you to believe otherwise....

 Okay, more birthday pictures.  Here's a very happy girl opening her EMILY doll.  VERY.HAPPY.

 Very happy boy with his Hex Bugs.  These things are just super cool.  (Do you like my party-pooped parents in the background?)

This one is for you Great Grandma & Grandpa Viertell:  Here is Sam's dinos he bought with part of his gift card.  He still loves them.

Kindergarten!

Yes folks, we have TWO Kindergarteners in our house now!  And boy were they excited this morning.
Here is Sam with his first homework assignment.  Yes, due the first day of school.  Gee whiz.  If you can't read it, the things that make Sam special (in his opinion) are: funny dancing, playing with cousins, and baseball.

 Maggie's things that she said make her special are: singing songs, caring for people (Miles), and coloring/art projects.

 The next three pictures were a request from Sam.  He wanted pictures taken showing him "pretending to walk to school".  So here they are:

 And last but not least, our three beautiful - although somewhat cheesy - children.

Killin' me with cuteness.

Aw, MAN.  This is my favorite photo by far that Hannah (World's Apart Photography) took.  I just think my kids are so CUTE!

We....

...went for a day trip to Manzanita Lake in Lassen National Park...

 ...with my parents...

 ...while there we chased some geese...

 ...played in some mud...

 ...posed all cutesie...

 ...lounged while we stuffed our faces...

 ...attempted another dude picture...

 ...collected A LOT of lichen...

 ...failed to look at the camera...

 ...made it back to Chico and sunbathed....

 ...played in the swiss cheese at the park...

 ...hung out with Humpty...

 ...played in the cheese some more (it was a huge hit this go 'round)...

 ...ran a half marathon (Leah that is...)...

 ...see?  I RAN!...

 ...went camping at Silver Falls State Park...

 ...drank a LOT of coffee...

 ...roasted some bannak (sp??)...

 ...just goofed around...

 ...smiled even though we were tired...

 ...hiked to a ton of water falls...