Apple Pie Day

What a fun day!  This was our first time attending the homeschool Apple Pie Day.  Apple Pie Day is an opportunity for homeschool families to learn about state government and positively influence legislators.  We enjoyed a tour of the capital, visited with other wonderful families, and listened to a great choir. Jared and Jesse spent a good amount of the time in choir practice.

Unfortunately it started raining and hailing shortly after the choir started singing.  They were all real troopers continuing on through the unpleasant weather. 

The twins were tuckered out!

a day with little girls

Eddie, BJ's cousin, and Jocelyn asked us to babysit their two darling girls while poor Jocelyn had her wisdom teeth pulled.  I was thrilled to take care of these two....especially sweet Paisley who has taken a liking to me in the church nursery.  What's two more?  I think it is easier to go from 7 children to 9 than 1 child to 3! 

(Starting the day with family worship.) 

One of the first differences between boys and girls was noticed as soon as Eddie and Jocelyn dropped them off.   Rileigh followed me into the bathroom as I finished fixing my hair, and she talked to me non-stop the whole time. :)  I was thinking about it, because my boys talk a lot, but I think the difference is my boys run in to blurt out what they want to tell me and then run off again, over and over again.  They don't just calmly stay by my side and talk with me for an extended period of time.  :)  It was fun to carry on a conversation with Rileigh....she's a hoot!

Paisley really liked Jesse.

We were really blessed to have BJ take a few hours off from work to take us to the Evergreen Aviation Museum.  It was fun to explore this place again.

We had a great time and are looking forward to having them again. Hopefully Jocelyn will have a less painful reason to leave the girls with us next time.  :)

Beach Day

One October Friday was spent at Lincoln City.  This was such a special day for BJ and me. Our first stop was to a little picnic area right off the beach.  Neither one of us had ever been to this little spot, but the picnic sign caught BJ's eye and we needed to feed the boys lunch.  While there we were approached by a man asking if we were a homeschool family. (It being a school day and seeing our passenger van tipped him off!) They invited us to visit with them at the vacation home where they were staying.  We found out that Ronny is a pastor in McMinville and they homeschool their 8 children.  We were so encouraged by them.  It was as if God set up this meeting.  BJ has since met with Ronny and I saw his wife at the Above Rubies retreat a few weeks later. We are looking forward to getting to know this family better.

This is so Jesse. :)

This picture of Jesse gives me a glimpse into the future.  He looks old to me here. Then I just have to look at the previous picture, and I know that is still a few years off. :)

Judson loved the sand.

These boys are heavy now.  I can hardly hold them both at the same time.



Pumpkin Patch 2011

Earlier in the month of October our family spent an afternoon at the Willamette Valley Fruit Company's harvest festival.  We all had so much fun.   

Jared, our serious driver.

Brother bonding.

I am sure Judson felt secure having Johnny looking out for him.

We tried out two of the corn mazes as a family.  What an adventure!  Besides the muddy paths, it was hard!  The little guys and mommy finally wised up and sat the 3rd one out! :)

Josiah

Joshua

Justin rode this thing over and over again! I've gotta say...I tried it once and it was awesome!

 We can't wait for next year!

Tillamook Cheese Factory

A couple weekends ago my cousin came for a visit. We had told the boys we would visit the cheese factory in Tillamook before the twins were born. Since Big Justin had never been and our calendar was starting to fill up, this looked like our only opportunity. It is always fun to sample the cheese and buy a little icecream treat. :)

This is Judson as an adult farmer...with chocolate icecream on his face. :)

Too bad I don't fit in the bus! Actually, I am having trouble fitting anywhere these days.

AG Fest

AG fest is so cool!!! It took place the last Saturday of April. We were impressed with the amount of hands-on activities, educational info, and freebies. Our boys had a good time...and also enjoyed seeing Grandma Connie and Papa Ray.