Puzzling?

Not for us! Ava and I love puzzles. I remember doing puzzles with my GG (Grandma Grace) when I was little. Ava's Nana bought this 100 piece puzzle for Jonah, and while he hasn't really been interested, Ava's been tackling it often.

Complete with Cheetos on the side.

Pumpkin Patch Kids

"Ricolaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!" (I made baby Samuel this sweater and hat and this was the first time he got to wear it)

Boo was a little grumpy that I wouldn't let her run to the farthest field...

BFF Makaena and Clara. Both so sweet and such a privilege to watch them grow together.

The four girls together (L-R: Paigey, Ava, Jolie, Audrey "Rosie")

The three boys together (L-R: Aidan, Tim, Jonah)

Our very own homeschool co-op! Gone are the days when we can all pile into two minivans... :)

New Photos

Brynne at 19 months. Nana (Louise) made the smocked sweater and bonnet--aren't they beautiful?

I love this one!

Sisters in their cute ballerina outfits!

Ava on Herself

Yup, They Look Alike

Last night Jon and I babysat Aidan and Joshua Durias. This is a conversation I had with Joshua (nearly 3) during dinner:
Joshua (Pointing to a picture of Jonah): That Boo-Boo (Brynne)?
Me: Nope, that's Jonah.
Joshua: That Joe-Joe?
Me: Yup, he's a boy. Boo-Boo's a girl.
Joshua: Oh. (pauses, then points to the picture again) That a boy Boo-Boo?

Oh, Man

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

Yes that is applause that you hear. Brynne was dancing so funny after this video. Maybe we should go back to no dancing in churches.

My Creative Sister

My sister Jamie is one of the most creative peeps I know. She can draw well, write well, sing (well, maybe not--click here--just kidding Jam), and is a wonderful cook. She's even started a new blog with the motivation to instill the love of cooking into our children. It's called Taste Buds & Blossoms. Check back often as they are always adding new stuff and delish recipes.

Apple Tasting

The kids and I joined the Durias' for the annual Portland Nursery Apple Tasting yesterday. It's one of our favorite things to do in Portland during our favorite time of year.
Click here for photos!

Did I Miss Something. . . ?

Since I have to bring a dessert for the moms in Friday School tomorrow morning, I thought I would utilize some of the delicious D'anjou pears that are in our garage and whip up a Fresh Pear Cake.
It was looking so good. . .

But it fell (insert dum dum dum music here). . . Jon came home right as I was making it. . . and I started talking to him. . . I think I might have forgotten to put in the baking powder. . . Or maybe put in only half. Oh, well. At least Jon's not a picky eater.

Oregon Berries in Sept

Louise planted ever bearing strawberries this past Spring and boy oh boy are they ever-bearing...this is a 2 pint container and we left some on the plants...

Three Days at Nannie-PopPop's

We spent three days at Nannie-PopPop's house while Daddy and Momma went to the beach. We watched movies...

Went to a chili cook-off where they had lots of contests...

I got to climb the rock wall..

And Boo-Boo got to try on some new hats! It was lots of fun!

She's A Going Concern...

Brynne is 19 months and into everything. She is actually pretty smart and knows when I tell her not to touch something but often she will just look at me and touch it anyway. That's when the "mommy-finger-flick" comes in, but then she moves on to something else and it starts all over again (note to self: flick hand harder).

This would be all fine if it were not for the fact that she moved from two naps to one the day we started homeschooling this fall. So, consequently she is up and with us during school, trying to get to Ava's markers, glue sticks, and scissors, and tearing up Jonah's worksheets. I had to talk to Jonah about saying "Bad Boo-Boo!" to her this morning ("Does Momma say 'Bad Joe-Joe to you?'")...

I have made the Little Terror a school box and a bean box that only come out when we do school. Nope, she plays with them for about three minutes (if at all) then goes on back to menacing the Living Room Homeschoolers. I guess school in the afternoon may be our lot for the time being...