Lauren's 5th Birthday

On October 6th Miss Lauren turned 5 years old. Hard to believe, but it's true! She wanted a Chuck E Cheese party so we made it happen this year. She had a lot of fun!

All ready to go with her tokens!

 Doing some pony riding.

 Even Miss A got into the action.

 Uncle Kyle, Franki and Noni made the trip up to help us celebrate!

 Brownsville friends Evelyn and Amelia helped us celebrate too!

 Lauren riding a fake roller coaster.....you'd think it was the real thing!

 Evelyn taking in a ride...

 The cake. The best part about Chuck's was the fact that all we had to do was show up!

 Lauren getting her birthday hug from Chuck. I was a little shocked, but Chuck's had a make over! Looks different and definitely shorter!

 The party theme was something in regards to being Rock Stars. There were only 2 parties going during the time frame we were there which was nice.

 Adalynn taking it all in. She liked everything....at a distance.

 Chuck E high five!

 Cake time!

 Ticket blaster!

 Pictures with Chuck.

 Evelyn didn't take her eyes off her dad!

 Noni was a little unsure as well! The cousins were too cool for pics with Chuck.

 Amelia enjoying her chocolate fix.

 Thumbs up from the Birthday Girl!

 And finally Miss A being independent and feeding herself.

 And even cleaning up!

It was a great time. We are so thankful for everyone that attended. Lauren still talks about her party and how much fun it was. She definitely scored in the gift department too. We sat for a few days and I wrote thank yous as she dictated them! Next year maybe she can actually write them!

First Day of Preschool....take 2!

 I don't know what to call it. It's not her first day of preschool because she went last year. Maybe "First Day, Second Year"? It is a new school, so it was still exciting for her! This is the last time you will see this white shirt clean, she came home with paint stains. Who let's preschoolers paint without washable paints? I tried everything, the shirt is toast!

 Hanging up her coat. She was extremely independent. Come to find out she is the oldest, so I shouldn't be so shocked.

 Her cubby, next to her friend Evelyn! Couldn't have made her happier!

 Playing puzzles, waiting for the other children to arrive.

Can you tell she's annoyed?  She did not want to be interrupted for a stupid embarrassing picture.

 Back at the puzzles with Teacher Rebekah!

Park day in September

The last day of upper 80 degree temps we spent at the park down the street.  The wasps made it impossible to enjoy a few of the areas, so we didn't stay too long. But it was nice to get some vitamin D while it lasted! (I write this as I sit in my under armour staring out the window of fog)

Professional Pictures

In early September, I had some pictures taken of the girls at Avery Park in Corvallis. Here are a few of my favorites to share. They turned out super cute! Actually got Adalynn to smile and Lauren to not be tooooo cheesy!

Oregon Zoo 2013

The girls and I went to the Oregon Zoo for their first time in September. They loved it.  I, on the other hand, miss our little Tacoma Zoo.  I'm sure once the construction is done and we do NOT go on $4 Tuesday, I will feel differently! But the one thing I missed were the knowledgable people available for questions! It's a Zoo with animals my child hasn't seen but on tv and I'm not a biologist! Help!

 The sea otter were extremely entertaining!

 Adalynn loved them and was entranced!

 Pointing out a starfish....

 Loving the sea lions too!

 I thought this picture was pretty darn cool of Miss Lauren.

 We made it over to the elephants and saw Rose Tu and baby Lily.  However the small one is Lily and she's not even a year old yet!  So to tell Lauren that was a baby elephant did NOT work!

 Mama Rose Tu

 Mom and baby

 Lauren's smile was taking a nap on Zoo day.  None of them are very genuine.  She was annoyed with mommy and the picture taking and just wanted to get back to looking at the animals!

 One lion had just had babies, so it was pretty quiet around the lion area.

 Cheetahs were napping....

 Meerkats were off exhibit....BOOOOOOOO!

 This was Lauren's favorite part.  The giraffes!  We did not have giraffes at Point Defiance, so this was a new experience!

 We took a little time out on a train ride to Washington Park and back.  A little boring for Lauren but Adalynn enjoyed it.

 The penguins were quite humorous.  Lauren wanted to adopt one but I had to tell her that the movie Mr. Poppins Penguins is just pretend!

 One last stop with the mountain goat before we left. It was hot that day, so after 3 hours at the zoo and little legs, it was time to hit the road.

 Both girls scored a small stuffed animal from the gift shop. Lauren got a giraffe in a purse and Adalynn a little sea otter. And then lights were out before we ever got close to I-5. Close to home we got stuck in traffic from a horrible accident. After talking to truckers, about 20 of us crossed the median and headed north to find an alternate route.  My girls wanted to get home and a 2 hour closure was NOT the answer! 

And for those of you who think they don't look alike.....I think they look exactly alike while they sleep!

Hotel stay

 In September we went with Daddy to Wilsonville and stayed in a hotel with a pool!  The girls and I were planning on going to the Oregon Zoo the next morning and Daddy had to be in Astoria early.  So it worked out for all of us!

The girls and I made it there before daddy to take advantage of the pool!  They were so excited!  Safety first!

Lauren was excited!  She was nervous too though. But once she relaxed a little in was enjoyable!

 Adalynn on the other hand was super apprehensive and this is the farthest she got in the water!

After the pool, we went to dinner at the Ram across the street. Daddy was running later, so this is what happens with a one year old waiting for her dinner: she uses electronics and takes funny baby's perspective pictures!

Beaver Football

We managed to take the girls (plus one) to the Beaver Football opener. Sydney was with us that weekend and it was a HOT one. 90 degrees and our seats were in the sun. At halftime the sun was getting to everyone and the Beavers were actually losing to EWU, so we took off for home and watched the rest of it at home! 

 It was Adalynn's first OSU football game and she did great! Even if everyone was sweating!