Family Picture Time

Andrew's school (Woodridge) had a professional photographer come and do photos for a fund-raiser, so we figured we would take advantage of the deal. We're pretty pleased with how the pictures turned out. The kids redeemed my faith in getting pictures done (last year was not fun)! They were so cooperative and we managed to get a few shots with Abigail smiling. Most of the time, she was twiddling her fingers and acting shy.

Halloween Fun

Andrew and Abigail had a lot of fun helping carve pumpkins this year (even though I had to pull out most of the pumpkin guts)! Andrew picked a skull and Abigail picked a "meow meow". I'm starting to wonder if she'll ever use the word cat.


Finished products...



Halloween night was fun too. Andrew was a fireman and Abigail was a fairy princess.

The 2009 Version of the Pumpkin Patch...

You might be asking, "Is that an Albertson's sign behind Abby?" Our trip to Greenbluff on Saturday to pick pumpkins got cancelled. Instead we took Abigail to the ER to find out she had the Swine Flu. She was running a temperature of 104.5 degrees, had a terrible cough and we were concerned about her breathing. Until last night, when we took the big trip to the Albertson's "pumpkin patch", she's been cooped up in the house recovering. Abby is doing much better with the exception of the cough and getting tuckered out pretty quick. After losing over 3 pounds, she's finally starting to get her appetite back. Hopefully the rest of us stay healthy and I can go back to work next week. Mommy is feeling a little cooped up too!





Guess what we woke up to this morning? The first snowfall of the year. Of course the kids were thrilled and Matt and I were not. Luckily it didn't last long and then it turned into rain!

The Joys of Fall...

Is there anything better for kids in the fall than playing in the leaves and picking pumpkins? We've had some wet and dreary days around here, but yesterday was dry enough for the kids to play in the leaves when I picked Andrew up from school. Many of the schools around Spokane have beautiful maple trees that surround them and in the fall, they are filled with amazing colors.






Andrew's class took a field trip to Greenbluff last week. It was Andrew's first time on "a real school bus" as he put it and I was fortunate enough to share in the experience with the 51 kindergarten kids. Andrew picked his favorite golden delicious apple and took his time finding the perfect pumpkin in the little pumpkin patch. It was a fun morning.

Leavenworth

As many of you know, September was a tough month for us. I was 10 weeks pregnant when I went in for my first ultra sound and we couldn't find the heartbeat. I ended up having a D and C surgery and it was a very difficult few weeks. We know the Lord has a master plan and for some reason this pregnancy and little one was not meant to be. Thank you to all of our family and friends for their support.

So...when Matt and I had the opportunity to go to Leavenworth for a couple of days, it could not have come at a better time. It was a wonderful get away for the two of us and a much needed time to relax. We went hiking, ate a lot of good food, Matt went golfing (I got to drive the cart) and we slept too much! Leavenworth is a beautiful little town with a lot of character.

Labor Day and Andrew's First Soccer Game

We spent part of Labor Day weekend up on the Pend O'reille river with our friends the Bauernfeinds. Matt tried the air-chair, Abigail went on the jet ski for the first time, and both of the kids had a fun time playing outside in the water, in the boat and on the trailer behind the 4-wheeler. Andrew even slept in the tent with some of the kids. Only when it started pouring down rain at 5 a.m. did they all come trudging into the cabin. My most exciting part of the weekend was a run-in with two skunks while out on a walk. Luckily we made a quick turn around before any damage was done!







Andrew had his first soccer game on Saturday. His team is called "Blue Thunder" and it was pretty fun to watch. Andrew really enjoys soccer, but I think he got a little more tired from all of the running than he expected. After the game he told Matt, "My body is burning up!" It was a beautiful day for the soccer season to begin and Abby had fun playing with grandma too!

Andrew Starts Kindergarten and Abby Turns Two!

My little boy has started kindergarten at Woodridge! Andrew loves school and is excited to go everyday.


Under the coconut tree during kindergarten orientation...


Andrew's first homework assignment!


Abigail turned two on Sunday and she was so much fun on her birthday. She had different little squeals for every present she opened, and you could tell she genuinely loved everything she received. Abigail is quite the talker and loves her baby dolls!




Abigail's new wheels...