Pumpkin Patch 2010

Despite having a cold, the Dr said the cool air would be good for Mitchell's croup. So we headed to the pumpkin patch. We normally go to Lakeview Farms in North Plains but this year we stayed local to Albany. We went to Grandpa's Pumpkin Patch. Although there wasn't a boat and train to ride, they did have wheelbarrows!

Soccer

This is the first year our kids are playing soccer. They are both #4. Madilynn and Mitchell are loving the sport. Its more involved which is good for Madi. T-ball was way to slow for her attention span. Mitchell is getting an early start since he is only 4 and playing on a team of 6 and under boys. He loves it and thinks he is a superstar. (and of course mom thinks that too). It has been so much fun spending our Saturdays at the fields watching them. They will play again in the Spring on the same teams so I can't wait to watch them again.

Fall Family Trip

Since we didn't get any family vacation this summer we did a mini trip to the coast in September. We spent one night in a yurt at Umpqua Lighthouse State Park on the central Oregon coast. We had a blast despite the cool, cloudy weather. The kids still played in the ocean and on the beach, they are true Oregonians! We had fresh fish & chips for dinner on a floating dock and then had a campfire outside our yurt.

1st day school 9/7/10

Home depot 9/4/10

Fall is here!

School has started. Madilynn is in 2nd grade! She has Mr. Stanfield at Sunrise Elementary. This is her second year at this school so she was excited to get back to see all her friends. Mitchell and Mitchell go back to OSU on Sept 27. Soccer started for both kids and they are so fun to watch! My job has been very busy but I love it. We are just excited for fall. I have been baking more and burning my fall scentsy smells. I love Pumpkin Roll and Christmas Cottage scents! I even got the kids their Halloween costumes already!

The Kind Diet

Currently reading The Kind Diet by Alicia Silverstone has brought forth my desire to eat more vegetarian and vegan diets. I already know all the stuff she talks about in the book. Between all the health classes and nutrition classes I took and my love of documentaries you would think that I would be more of a macrobiotic person, but I love sweets and sometimes a good burger I just can't pass up. I have flirted with going vegetarian in the past but never can withstand more than a few weeks. So this week started well. Four days of eating mostly vegan. Slipped up with the sour cream one day and some ice cream the next. But then Thursday was the crash. My work buddie and I ate 5 Guys Burgers and Fries for lunch. At least it was worth it! I had been wanting to try it for a long time, the one in Beaverton opened last year. But now there is a new one in Salem. So maybe it was the lack of meat for 4 days that made it taste so good or maybe it was just that good of a burger. But at least I got it out of my system and now we will try again. :)
And I strongly urge you to read The Kind Diet. I think its a good beginner book to exploring the food industry in America and getting excited about eating healthier.

10 Year Reunion

Well it finally came: my 10 year high school reunion.
Century High School Class of 2000.
Although not as many people came as I was expecting and certainly some people I was really hoping to catch up with never came, it was still a fun night. Here is a picture of me with my girlfriends Sara, Emily and Lyndsay. All married with kids and we are all still friends.
Mitchell and I had fun too. A night out on the town with friends in downtown Portland is always a fun and interesting break from suburban family life!

Family Photos

The Denniston Family took photos 7/24/10.

Summer Fun

Jamison Square on a hot day in July. This was after swimming in a friend's pool and playing in the sprinkler at Grandpa's house. All on the same day! This last week of July, Madilynn is staying with Grandpa Mark and Grandma Claudia to go to Cheerleading camp. The boys are going to Grammy Kathie's house for yard work and house labor. I get the house all to myself. Still have to work but only a 3 day week. Grammy Kathie will watch the kids this weekend while Mitchell and I head to Seattle for a wedding. This will be the 3rd wedding of the summer for us. It has been busy and I can't believe its already going to be August! Only one month left before Madilynn will be in 2nd grade. Mitchell is eager to get back to OSU for fall term and I know Bubba is missing his play buddies at preschool. Busy Busy!

Wedding Bells

Me and my little Mitchell getting ready to walk down the aisle at Chrysti & Randolph's Wedding. June 12, 2010

On the way to chrysti's wedding