He's Lost It

Harrison happily jumped into the van after school. He was so excited to show me that he had lost his first tooth at school. While he was eating lunch, a friend turned to him and said, "Harrison your tooth is all bloody." Harrison has been waiting along time for this tooth to come out. Finally it has happened. He says it feels so much better. It doesn't hurt so much when he eats now. Gavin commented, "Harrison looks older without that tooth." I'd have to agree. In the blink of a eye my kids are not babies anymore. I love seeing them go through these different milestones.

Fun Friday Night

Tonight we had our niece, Kelly and nephew, Nicholas for the evening. Our wonderful neighbors the Dezzani's were painting there house to get ready for a move next week. We had there kids over too. We had a great time playing outside for awhile. Then headed inside to watch 'Diary of a Wimp Kid', a family favorite.
It was a great night.

Hunter missed it all because he was off having a sleep over with the other 12 year olds in the ward. He's having his own fun.

Annie and Gretch

We love our neighborhood. There's a great path along the river. a park two blocks down the street and so many wonderful people. Some of those great people are our neighbors and friends the DeRoss', Jeff, Tanna and Annie. We share about 3 feet of fence with them. We have taken down some of our fence boards so we can have them come through to our yard. So Annie can come play with the kids and Jeff and Tanna can come hang out. Annie is 1 and loves our kids, Gretchen especially. Annie squeals with joy when she sees her.

The two girls.


One of Annie favorite things to do with Gretchen. Can't you tell by her face? (Even though it's a bit blurry). What a blessing to have great neighbors.

Doernbecher Day Today and Tomorrow

Hunter and I headed to Portland this afternoon. His numbers were good so he was able to get the chemo for today. We head back tomorrow for another chemo. Today was short tomorrow not so much. I'm grateful that Hunter is feeling so good. He has been going to school all day and is not too tired at the end of the day. Hunter had his last physical therapy last week and his left leg strength is still improving which is what we want to hear. Also his balance is getting better. All and all things are good.

Good Air

Graham just slipped on his new boots and headed to the backyard claiming, "I need to get some good air." I thought it was so cute so I had to follow him. We all need good air, don't we?

He realized that there was a little water on the slide. He assured me that only his boots got wet.

Maybe not.

Graham loves his boots. The freedom he enjoys with them. Getting them on by himself. Walking through a puddle and not hearing me say don't go in the puddle.

Saturday Aaron and I found some new boots for him since his frog boots from last year wear thrashed. Upon bringing them home and showing them to Graham he replies," Those are not perfect. Do they have girl stuff on them?" Then he realized there were footballs, basketballs and baseballs all over them. He couldn't wait to get them on.

GO BEAVS!!

For Father's Day and his birthday I got Aaron season tickets to the OSU football games. Needless to say he was extremely excited. Along with his tickets, I got tickets for 2 kids.

This Saturday was the first home game. Hunter and Gretchen were the lucky ones to go. Waiting for the shuttle downtown. It is such a deal, $2 for Aaron the kids were free and they didn't have to fight traffic close to the stadium.

They walked around some and enjoyed some of the pregame stuff.

The seats. They are under the jumbo tron, so they can't see the replays during the game. But they stayed pretty dry.

Aaron had to take a picture of the band playing at halftime. He played in the band before we got married.

The kids say the "S" of the OSU chant.

A view of the game.

They had a great time plus we won!!

The other boys and I had a great time watching the game from the comforts of our home. We made soup for the game goers so the could warm up when they got home.

Umbrellas

After school the boys headed to the backyard. It started to sprinkle. So of course the umbrellas come out. We don't use the umbrella for much but playing with. We're Oregonians. We are used to rain.

We are all so glad it's Friday. This first full week of school has wiped us out.

While The Kids Are At School

Yesterday we, Graham and I, were lucky to have Alice and Baby Carter come play for the morning. Well part of it. Graham and Alice headed outside to play. They found the slide to be a little wet from the rain the night before. Alice was more than ready to head down the slide. Not worried that her bum would get wet. Graham on the other hand was worried about her getting her bum wet.

Graham running to the door so I could give him a towel to dry off the slide.

Graham handing Alice the towel.

Graham make sure Alice was getting it all dry.

Graham helping at the bottom to get it all dry.

Finally all dry.

Today I noticed it was very quite. I was off cleaning bathrooms. (The glamorous life I live.) I went to find out where Graham was. I was pleasantly surprised to find this.

I think he is enjoying the time without everyone around.

I know the bathrooms stayed clean all day. But at times it is a bit to quiet around here without the other kids.

Fun Mail

Hunter got some very fun mail yesterday. It was from Make-A-Wish. He was excited and loved that on the envelope there was a sticker of Mickey and a cartoon bubble saying "See you soon Hunter". He really got a kick out of it and it made it more really. Inside the envelope was our flight itinerary. We leave December 20 and return on the 24th. It's a little shorter than we had first thought but we are so not complaining. Hunter needed a picture of him with one of our pets for school. Just thought I'd put it on here and share how much he really loves this dog.

Bubbles

Today was the first day Graham and I were home together. It was very quiet. After the fog burned off this morning, Graham and I headed outside to blow some bubbles.





We had a pretty fun day. I know I'm going to enjoy this one on one time with this little guy.

Grandma's Birthday

Last night we went over to the Cole's to have some cupcakes for Aaron's mom's birthday. She is one of the sweetest women I know and loves to be surrounded by her family.


Some of us chattin' it up. We always have a great time with family.

He's Off!

Harrison is off to his first day of kindergarten. He has all day kindergarten and is extremely excited to be finally going. I'm sure going to miss him.

Doernbecher Day

We dropped Gretchen and Gavin off at school for their second day and headed to Doernbecher with the other boys. There was just no time to get the boys anywhere else before needing to get going. They did really well and luckily the visit wasn't too long.

Hunter's counts were good so he was able to get his chemo like scheduled. We were able to see one of our favorite doctors today, Dr. Russell and we were able to see an other favorite Dr. Thomas.

Hunter was a little bummed about missing the second day of school but he's over it. He was very excited about school yesterday because he didn't get as tired after the whole day as he did last year after a half day. We hope that continues.

First Day of School

It's finally here, the first day of school. Gavin was so excited for school he was ready to go at 7:13a.m. this morning and wondering if we could go yet. School doesn't start until 8:10. Gavin is in the second grade. He has the same teacher, Mrs. Kreta, that Hunter had for second and Grechen had for first and second. We love her!

Gretchen also up and ready to go bright and early this morning. She is in fifth grade and has Mrs. Kaye-Waggle aka. Mrs. K. She is very excited to be with her friends again.

The two ready to go.

Hunter ready to head off to seventh grade. He wasn't really excited to get his picture taken, especially at the school. I forgot to at home. Hunter is also very excited to be going back to school and see his friends and learn more.

Harrison had his home visit with his kindergarten teacher this morning. He is so excited to head to school on Monday.

Graham and I will be doing whatever we want at home. I was going to send him to CHS preschool, but changed my mind. I want to keep him home for at least another year.

It's going to be a great year!

Last Day of Summer

Today was the last official day of summer for us. The weather reminded us of that. It has been sprinkling all day. Gretchen, Gavin, and Harrison were able to go check out their classrooms before starting school tomorrow. Before going to the school the kids weren't so excited to start school. Afterwards they kept saying how excited they were and have even made their lunches.

The rest of our day spent building lego vehicles (Hunter, Gavin and Graham), building a birdhouse from a cardboard box (Gretchen). She came up with this idea on her own. After seeing a hummingbird in the backyard.

Harrison spent some of the day just playing in his room. I surprised him by taking his picture above. Tommorrow he doesn't start kindergarten, but his teacher gets to come to our house for a home visit.

Lazy Days

We have had a great week before school starts. After Wednesday it was just some swimming, Harrison got back on his bike. The no riding his bike or doing anything where he can fall ban has been lifted. Harrison was so excited to be riding his bike again. He had just learned to ride with out training wheels before he broke his arm in April.

Today we had some wonderful guest come by for the afternoon. My Aunt Cappy, Uncle Lyn and their boys and wives were in town because Jeff, their second, got married and had an open house in Tualitin. I love seeing them. We always have such a great time together. The kids absolutely love their boys too. (Sorry no photos. I was too busy chattin' it up with the fam.)

My brother, Shannen, also came by to visit with them and stayed for dinner with us.

Shannen and Gavin in the backyard after dinner playing catch.

Gavin got some receiver gloves at Target yesterday. He was so excited as you can see. He could wait to put them to use.

Shannen and Gavin were both throwing with their left hand. Trying to challenge themselves I guess since they are both right handed.

This was Gretchen upstairs enjoying some time by herself. This doesn't happen to often in our house. You gotta take advantage of it when you can.

Harrison having to have gloves like Gavin.

Graham following suit.

We have been so grateful for these last lazy days of summer and wish we had a couple more.