"God made me really good."

I often wonder how to explain God to kids (Godparents? Any input?).  Honestly, aside from going to church, saying prayers and roughly explaining why we celebrate certain holidays, I don't really know how to do so.  Our little conversation on the way to church today assured me that for a 3-year-old, Owen is somehow starting to get it.

A: "Remember to be kind and gentle to all the kids at the day care."

O: "Yeah cause some kids are small."

A: "God made everyone and we are all a little different... some people are boys, some are girls, some are big and some are small."

O: "God made me really good.  He made my arms so I could throw rocks and he made my legs so I could run so fast.  He made my bones.  Teeth are bones and God made a toothbrush so we could take care of our teeth."

Little swimmers

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Helmet Party

This week we got together with some of our neighbors to celebrate Baby Sam.  Sam is our 6 month old next door neighbor.  His skull is a bit misshapen so he has to wear a helmet for the next 3 months.  We decided to throw a "helmet party" for little Sam where everyone came wearing helmets!  It was a great excuse to get together with our neighbors-we do not do it often enough.

Making the invitations

The "big kids" loving their pizza and applesauce

Clara, Carmen, Mya, Sonya, Owen, Brady & Sam

Lesson learned...take the group pic at the beginning of the party, not at the end when it is past bed time for all!

Walla Walla

What a beautiful fall weekend to catch up with our Zags in Walla Walla, WA!  We came from Seattle, Portland and Missoula and met for wine tasting, dinners and time spent together.  I doesn't happen enough and is always a treat.  Thank you all! 

(Andrea, Clara, Christy & Nora)
The girls at the first winery

They found time for a little baseball in between tastings!

And who knew wineries kept chalk on hand for the kiddos?

Brian, Nora, Tyler, Christy, the Felton's and Dom

Tyler and the wine maker at Rulo

A private tasting at Balboa-thanks to Christy's  friend, wine maker Tom

We could have spent a whole week visiting more wineries, exploring Walla Walla, and laughing together.  Next time we would love to see Cassie, Aaron and Lis!  

The last bowl

This is the last bowl of apples...and I'm tempted to give them to the 4 deer in my yard right now! But, I won't. I'm thinking apple bread in the morning.


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Happy Birthday Auntie Lis!

The Felton's wish a very happy birthday to a very special Auntie and Sister and Sis-in Law.

We love you Lisa!  

Jack-O-Lanterns and Pumpkin Run

Friday night pumpkin carving was an ideal way to spend a fall evening (the smell of applesauce filling the house was a bonus).

 Saturday morning we ventured out in the rain for the Pumpkin Run.

400 meter kids run finisher!  A pumpkin and fruit snacks at the finish-what more could you ask for?

5k for the adults...I ran with Jenna, Flora and Lydia.  Thanks girls it was a blast!

When the neighbors give you apples, make...

 Apple Carrot Muffins,

 applesauce (lots of apples in crock pot, a few cups of water and cinnamon),

 Apple Oatmeal Cookies,

 Apple Carrot Bread,

 and even Sausage, Apple, Sweet Potato Bake!

Good thing these two love coring apples!

They also love the apple treats!

We have also enjoyed apple crisp and apple salads too and we still have a cooler full of apples in the garage!  Apple recipes anyone?  Send them my way:)

Papa Hearts Me (and so does Grandma)

My mom and dad came to visit last weekend!  We all enjoyed their company and a little fall sunshine too.  Thanks to both of them for coming to visit and for the chores they did while they were here (inside and out)!  They found work to do in addition to checking out First Friday, the Saturday Market, and some shopping...what a great weekend.

Thanks to the Fraser Fam, Clara greeted Papa in this adorable shirt!  He loved it!

Making apple crisp

Enjoying time with 2 Grandmas

Carving a pumpkin with Papa

Playing at the park

Thanks Callie!

Callie is home for fall break from Carroll College and we hit her up for babysitting! She was happy to spend the afternoon/evening with the kids while the office team took the Youth Homes kids bowling. Brett and I went out to dinner and enjoyed apps, wine, dinner and dessert...and made it home by bedtime. We came back to happy kids and an awesome Lincoln log cabin that Callie made with the kids.


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"marching shoes"

Our beautiful October weekend was spent finishing yard work and enjoying the Grizzly homecoming festivities.  

Our little helpers

After helping Brett load the trimmings,
Owen was thrilled to go to Eco Compost with him to drop it off!

En route to the Homecoming Parade

Brett made this sign for our friend Jenna and her sis Amy who got roped into being in the parade with their girls' daycare!  

Cousin Ryan marching in the Red Wave (Brett still has his Red Wave shirt from his marching days)

Brett went to the game and Brynn came home with us for a craft project-she is always up for crafting with me and she is also a wonderful extra hand with the kids.  I just love her! And look at that cute banner!

 After dinner, Owen built an instrument out of legos and was marching around humming the fight song on his instrument.  It was very sweet and we were quite impressed that he nailed the song.  We headed out for a walk shortly after and guess what he wanted to wear?. . . "marching shoes".  Adorable.

Fall Sunshine

We are eating up every last minute of sunshine!  Brett and I have put in some hours on the yard (jobs that were on our Summer To Do List and we are just getting to), and we are all playing outside every chance we get.  

On Thursday we stopped by Brandy's house for lunch and a stroll in Greenough Park.

Brandy let us pick apples off her tree!

Walking in the park... 

Throwing rocks in the creek