Pumpkin Push

Pumpkin Push is a 5K race that was at Seward Park in Seattle yesterday. The money raised from this race went to help the homeless in the Seattle area! I got to take part in this....my first race of this kind. It was so exciting to run along side over 600 other enthusiastic Seattleites. Matt and the kids all came to cheer me on. It was so fun to see them as I crossed the finish line.

Asha caught this picture of me as I crossed the finish line.

Maybe next year I can get some of my kids to do it with me. =)

Jack-O-Lantern Fun

We have been doing A LOT of pumpkin carving the last few days. We didn't do much of this last year, so I guess we are making up for it. My favorite part is scooping out the insides. My daughter told me today that I should take that up as a job. Not a bad idea!

It was fun that we could share this activity with several of our friends...check it out!

The homeschooling resource center that we are apart of had a pumpkin hunt at a near by park, and then the kids got to carve the pumpkin that they found.

Asha and her friend, Abby, are getting ready to carve into their pumpkins.

Luke is digging in.

A few of the finished jack-o-lanterns.

The next day the girls had two of their friends over for more carving fun!

Wow! Look at those cute jack-o-lanterns (one even looks like a cat)!

Pumpkin Farm

At the beginning of this week we had several beautiful Fall days! One of those days I took the kids north to our favorite Pumpkin Patch - Bob's Corn and Pumpkin Farm. It is so fun to drive 30 minutes and be out in the rolling country! Every year we have gone during the week when there is no crowds, and we pretty much have the entire farm to ourselves. We love to take our time and explore the pumpkin patch! Here are some of the things we found on the farm this year......

This was my pumpkin find. Matt thought it looked like a pumpkin with warts, but I personally thought it had a lot of character. =)

Lana with her pumpkin find.

Jeffrey hitching a ride in the pumpkin wagon.

Asha adopted three little pumpkins this year. How adorable!!

Check out those cute farm animals.

On the farm....

Welcoming Aunika into the World

My two daughters and I had the privelege of welcoming baby Aunika into the world on October 1st. It was a beautiful birth: my sister looked radiant, the baby was healthy, and the whole family was there to welcome her (including my Dad and his wife Joyce).

Here are a few pictures from that special day (I say "a few" because I really took a ton of pictures):

At the hospital the girls wait eagerly for Aunika to be born.

The happy (and busy) parents of SEVEN! Wow!

Right after Aunika was born Tyler got to cut the umbilical cord. He did great and was so brave!

Mommy getting a closer look at her sweet new girl!

Proud Auntie Colette couldn't wait to hold her too!

Baby Aunika just a few hours after her birth.

We thought she had really long feet...but so small compared to our hands!

Big brother Trevor holding his new sister's hand. Awww!

Another brother (Tyler)...loving on his sister. Those boys sure love their new sister!

Dad and Joyce getting some time with the newest.

Everyone wanted to hold baby Aunika! Asha was excited to finally get her turn.

We are so thankful and praise God for Aunika! She is truly a gift!

My Trip to Bend!

Last weekend my dearest friend, Jenny, flew me out to Bend, Oregon to be with her and her family. Jenny and I have known each other since 1st grade!! So many memories we have together! It is fun to realize she has pretty much known me my whole life! She is one of those friends that no matter how long it has been since we have talked we always pick right back up where we left off.

It was fun to be in her world for three days (picking her kids up from school, garage selling together, and walking with her family on their regular walks). We also got to attend an auction for a special organization that Jenny's daughter was apart of called "Healing Reins". They connect riders with special needs to horses with special gifts. They are doing some super cool things!!

Thanks, Jenny, for making this possible. This was a wonderful pre-birthday gift!!!!!!!!

I was excited to find some fun cowgirl boots at Goodwill for $10 before I left.

yee haw!

At the auction Jenny and I got feathers put in our hair. So fun!!

We didn't plan to match....but that always seems to happen!

Love you, Jenny!

School Started.....

School has started (even though it still feels like Summer here in Seattle - with the weather being unusually warm). We have made a few changes in our homeschooling this year.

One of those changes is a new classroom set up. We are going to try to do most of our schooling downstairs in our family room. I got some desks, and even hung a little white board. Check it out!

Even Rusty wants to learn (can you see him in this picture?).

Asha is starting the 5th grade this year. She is excited because she will be getting her very own laptop computer thanks to the public school district!

Luke will be in 3rd grade this year. He says Rusty actually helps him to focus on his work. wink wink!

Lana is also a big 3rd grader this year. Lana is a hard worker! Her attitude inspires ME!

Jeffrey is officially in Kindergarten this year! He is much more eager to learn than I expected. Today he said, "Mom, can I do 10 pages in my math book?" We'll see how long that lasts!! =)

Homeschooling four kiddos seems a bit overwhelming to me at times. We definitely have our moments of utter chaos. My prayer is that God will give us the grace to love each other well everyday, and grow and learn in the process!!!!

Labor Day Excursion

For Labor Day we drove two hours north to the cute town of Bellingham. We have some friends that recently moved there, and thought it would be a good excuse to explore the area. It was a beautiful day, the drive was scenic, and we enjoyed some sweet fellowship with our friends! What a great way to end our summer (school has now officially started)!!!

We did some hiking and swimming around beautiful Whatcom Falls.

Lana enjoying the view from a bridge over-looking the Falls.

Our friends - Seth and sweet baby Jane!

The girls with Megan (now pregnant with #2). So fun!!!