Thanksgiving in Portland

This year we headed to Oregon to Steve's sister's house. They have 8 kids (4 of which are young boys) so obviously Luke and Carson had a grand time. Steve's parents drove down from Washington for a few days so It was good to see Grandma and Grandpa too. The drive wasn't bad at all. Our boys are pretty used to driving and did great. We enjoyed our yummy Thanksgiving dinner, inviting everyone to play in our hotel pool, Carson getting plenty of wrestling in, and the playing with all the toys in the basement. I only got two pictures at dinner:

Luke after eating his and Carson's mud pie. (In his defense he napped through dinner.)

Other than those the only time I remembered to take pictures was when we went to the Portland Zoo. If it looks wet and cold in the pictures it's because it was. It was pouring rain, but that's what is funny about pacific-northwesterners... It is always pouring rain, so you learn to deal with it. Despite the wet weather the kids had fun.

Luke, Joseph, Carson, Daniel, Caleb, Beth, Jacob, Michael, Rebekah)

Luke and Carson in DANIEL'S lion's den =)

He was DONE by this point

I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving and will have a wonderful time getting ready for Christmas!

Happy Birthday Carson!

Carson had his fourth birthday party on Friday and he was one happy kid. This upcoming party has been the topic of  frequent conversations and bedtime stories over the last few months. Seriously, for at least the past month he has requested his bedtime stories to be about his party. He wanted a Puss and Boots party, which was tricky because there isn't much Puss and Boots stuff out there. He made it trickier on me, having to hand-make almost everything, but it turned out great. Carson got off the bus from pre-school 15 minutes before the party started and was so excited to see all the decorations. He just kept saying "thank you mom!!" over and over.

I used pool noodles to make and beanstalk and found these character templates. They were a PAIN to put together, but they turned out cute.

Since Puss and Boots takes place in San Ricardo the party looked a little bit like a Mexican fiesta.

We had 12, that's right 12 kids come. Carson handed each kid a Puss hat when they got here. (I bought cowboy hats at the dollar store around Halloween and glued a feather to it.) For the first 45 minutes they could play outside on the bounce house and in the tree house, then the rain came and it was inside for all.

We had cake, which Carson and I made. (I am not a cake maker, as you can tell from the picture...but it tasted good and that's what really counts, right?)

Next was the pinata in the garage (because of  the rain.)

Presents followed.

All the kids got a "Treasure of San Ricardo  treasure box when they left. I put magic beans, golden goose eggs, Swedish fish, gold coins, bubbles, and a notepad with Puss and Boots crayons in each box. I think they turned out cute.

I wish I would have gotten more pictures of all the kids playing, but with the chaos it was hard. I also wish I would have gotten a picture of everyone with their hats on. Bummer =(. Here are just a few random ones.

Luke (still in his jammies) wearing his hat

Millie and Aaron

Amy and Melissa

Poor Kid

Last week we went to the park at dusk to get a little energy out before bed. Carson got a mosquto bite on his eyebrow. When he woke up the next morning this is what it looked like.

The kid is very sensitive to bug bites, just like his Mama!

A Halloween Visit from Grandma and Grandpa

My parents flew up for a few days to spend Halloween with us and we had a blast. Here are a few highlights:

• Trunk or Treat at the church

Luke REFUSED to wear a costume. All he would wear was Carson's fireman helmet. 

Millie and Carson making scary faces

I was dressed up like an indian. Steve was supposed to be a cowboy, but it didn't work out. Maybe next year.

Spencer and Carson (again with the scary faces). Carson is a Power Ranger by the way.

Their loot

• Carson’s pre-school parade

Grandpa and Luke waiting patiently...

• Picking out pumpkins Halloween afternoon at Larry’s

Corn kernel pit 

• Trick or treating Halloween night:

Change of costume Carson?? Yep, that's right. In September we got him an awesome fireman costume. Then our friend's gave us some hand-me-downs which is where the Power Ranger costume came from (love at first sight even though it needed 8 safety pins to keep it together.) THEN Grandma made and mailed the Dracula costume. So Carson decided he would be the power Ranger for the Trunk or Treat and for pre-school and Dracula for Halloween. Luke ended up wearing the fireman's helmet so I guess it all worked out...

Pre-Dracula hair

Posing with Grandma

Ready to trick or treat in the wagon

Other than the rain while trick or treating it was a perfect night. Thanks for the visit Mom and Dad. They boys are in withdrawals. =)