young padawans

It has been a blast watching the cousins, and now finally we have one ourselves.

You say its your birthday.....

Recipe for a fall birthday party:  

*One little pumpkin stew

*One big plate of meat (what do you mean you don't eat no meat?!)

*One apple, dijon, walnut salad

*Many lemon, ginger cupcakes from Martha's 

Everyday Food magazine (yummo!) with rainbow chip frosting (birthday boy's choice)

*A little Enya playing in the background (Meagan's addition)

*A few family members; immediate and extended

*An exchange student from Taiwan

*A couple of laughs

*And a partridge in a pear tree (wait.. I'm getting ahead of myself)

Harvest Party

We went to Kingston for a harvest party on Saturday. It was great, there were activities for the kids, and adults, dinner, and treats.

It was a potluck barn party hosted by a friend from work. It was a beautiful day and evening. The kids had fun on the scavenger hunt, playing in the barn, and just generally running amuck. 

Meagan was very persistent at the apple bobbing station, she wouldn't give up until she had succeeded.

Isaac cheated, then tried to give Alex pointers on the finer art of bobbing.

Alex tried a couple more times then decided to go poke a stick

 in the fire pit. He also made a killing during the scavenger hunt, but was also sweet enough to give some to a little girl who hadn't done as well. He is really a sensitive guy at heart.

Bottoms up!

We had a great time at our niece's b-day party. There were cupcakes, and root beer. Isaac really wanted some so we pulled the ol' switcharoo, and put water in a bottle. He didn't notice, and it seems he's a natural at bottle drinking.

( He doesn't get it from my side.) He was hilarious. We were lucky Rachel had her camera ready. 

What we do on Sunday

We had a wonderful fast and testimony mtg this last Sunday. One Sister, who is from South America and speaks in a thick accent, got up and apologized to her husband for "eeting deelicious food en front of my husband". Shari didn't understand a word she said until I "translated" on our way home, at which point Shari, a nursing mother, looks at me and laughs. 

Seconds later at home as the rest of the family is having a feeding frenzy she takes a bite of homemade bread and says, (chomp) "man, this is so good." (chomp) Then she looks at me and smiles. No apology. No tears. Just crumbs.

My wife supports me so much, without her I wouldn't be half the man I am, I would be a little heavier.

Yes I know everyone thinks that their children are the cutest, and I do fall into that category. I also noticed Isaac has been getting all the attention lately, we do love Meagan & Alex very much, so here are some shots of them.

Another sunny day, another outing

Shari, Isaac and I went to Flower World, a nursery in Maltby, that has a walking path, goats, chickens, geese, and rocks to throw into a pond.

While Isaac and I threw rocks into the pond these geese came flying in from across the park, they're big. They flew right up to us, not more than 10 ft, Shari was ready to run, I grabbed Isaac and started kicking, then noticed they were not hissing, they thought our rocks were food. Oops! 

After we settled down, saw some caged animals, played Pooh-sticks, we ended up having a wonderful day together. We have had some great weather lately, and intend to take full advantage of it.

Here is a classic example of how my family treats me,

a) if I make the kids laugh for a photo, Shari gives me no respect, and laughs at my stupidity.

think "snort"

b) if I try not to look stupid in front of Shari, the kids want nothing to do with me.

breaks a dads heart

I'm going to need therapy. 

Issac in the "Zone."  He loves blueberry, banana protein shakes.

We have had a busy fall.  After our trip to Prosser, we went to Hood canal to visit with Grandpa Gary. We had another lovely weekend where we went out on the boat, went fishing off the dock, played frisbee, took walks on the beach.  It is fun to see the kids playing where I played when I was there age. 

Alex pulling in the "big one."

There are two places we have taken all the kids when they are young:  The tulips in the spring and the Japanese Garden in the fall.  It has been rainy lately and so on the first sunny day this week we took off to be outside.  Meagan and Alex were at school so Isaac got a personal photo shoot.  He was very sweet.  He got very excited seeing the large koi (about 3 1/2 feet long with big fish lips), an average rock and a green shrub. We had a great, peaceful time.

Isaac set up the shot on this one and we went along with it.

Isaac and I taking in the view.