Pumpkin Patch

It's that time a year again, the air is crisp, the leaves are changing colors, it is getting dark early, time to go to the pumpkin patch, yep it feels like Fall.

Despite our rainy, drizzly day we headed out in search of our pumpkins. We had a great time going through the straw maze, petting the animals, going on the hay ride, picking out our pumpkins and then eating some yummy sweet corn. A fun family day!

Gracie: "Ty have you ever seen so many pumpkins?"


Gracie must really love pumpkins because I can never get her to smile for pictures. She was so happy to see all the pumpkins.


Ty: "What about these mom?" "Let's see how many I can throw..."


Daddy and the twinners just about to enter the maze. Gracie and Ty led the way.


Couldn't resist taking a picture of these cute pigs!


Ty especially loved the goats, and was very soft and gentle with them.


Gracie thought these cute little kittens were the best. She kept trying to hold them. Don't even think about it Gracie girl, Daddy would say no way!


Our fun little hayride. Ty didn't even mind it, even though he was apprehensive at first.


Ty: "These pumpkins aren't that heavy!" "I found mine!"


Gracie: "Ok, I am done looking for pumpkins Daddy, I want to go on the pony ride!"


"How about this one!"


The CUTEST


PUMPKIN


FACES!


Ty: "I think I will just take a rest, this pumpkin looks good."


A successful trip to the pumpkin patch, we came home with two big pumpkins and three smaller ones. And two very happy two year olds!

The Big Easy!

So, I realize I should have done this in multiple posts, but then I might not get back to finishing it. There are lots of pictures!

When Kev told me a few months ago that he had a work conference in New Orleans in October, I said "I want to go! ". And thats just what I did. This last week Kev, Zac and I had the opportunity to visit the very neat city of New Orleans. Kev didn't get to play as much as I did, but together we had a great trip. I wish I could say I brought back a southern accent because I love them so, but I didn't just some mardi gras beads and pralines for my mom.

Alright so here is our trip in pictures.

My mom was wonderful and came and watched the twins for us. I got to see what it was like to have just one baby. And Zac loved it! We had some great one on one time and he was the BEST traveler.


We arrived in the evening, checked into the Marriot and then headed out to find us some dinner.


We of course had to go check out the infamous Bourbon street. Let me tell you this street is exactly what you hear, loud, crazy, full of entertainment, and people.


This is Kev looking off the balcony at the restaurant we ate at. The later it gets the more "hoppin" the street gets.


Kev eating his first real southern dish. This was some good ol' jambalaya. We also had alligator for an appetizer and I had a po' boy sandwich for dinner. All very good.


How sweet is he? Zac was so tired from the traveling and despite how loud Bourbon street was he decided he had had enough excitement.


So, you have to go there to say you did. But to be honest, I don't need to go down Bourbon street again. After walking it and seeing what it was all about, its not for me. I got the feeling from the locals that they don't really dig Bourbon street either, it is a tourist trap not at all what it use to be. Basically it is a stinky, dirty, full of clubs, with drinking and nudity street.


While Kev went and learned about renal dyalisis, I went shopping of course! Zac and I walked down to Canal Place and enjoyed some lunch and did some looking around. It is a very upscale mall, therefore we did not come home with shopping bags.


When Kev was done for the day, he came up to get us and we went out to explore the French Quarter.


Our hotel was right next to the French Quarter so it was very easy for us to walk everywhere. We didn't need the car we rented. On our walk to find us some dinner we came to the Mississippi River. Beautiful! The river was real low too.


Side Story: So when we came upon the river, we wanted to make sure it was infact the Mississippi so Kev approached this older couple next to us along with their friends another older couple. And come to find out he was the temple president for the Baton Rouge temple. He and his wife had been serving there for the last three years and were showing their daughter in law's parents around who were from Utah. He said he saw us and thought we might be members because our faces had the countenance of Christ in them. That made my heart feel so good! We talked for a few more minutes and enjoyed hearing their thoughts on Lousiania. And they confirmed what Kev had thought the night before, missionaries aren't allowed on Bourbon street and even the whole French Quarter.

I wanted me some Fried Chicken! Kev asked what I wanted for dinner and I said some real southern fried chicken and that is just what we got. Yum! It was delicious. Absolutely worth all the calories I am sure it was.


On our way back we walked along the Mississippi River. It was real quiet and peaceful until I saw a rat scurry across the boardwalk. I hate rats!


Again while Kevin was absorbing all he could learn, I went on a tour to the Laura Plantation. It is a creole plantation. And full of history! It was so cool to hear about the family's memories, lives and business. A sugar cane plantation and it was so interesting to learn about the slaves.


I thought these banana trees were so neat.


Zac and I after the tour had ended. He did amazing.


I loved seeing the southern homes in the arts and garden district. We took the streetcar trolley through town and got to see all the mansions along the way. Beautiful homes!


Kev and I took the City/Katrina tour and it was amazing to hear all the history of the city. This was at one of their cemetaries we stopped at.


It was neat to hear how they use to do above ground burials. Some of these gravestones went back to the 1700's and were family plots. They all get cremated and share a burial space. So interesting!


This park is bigger than Central Park. It is huge and has so much to do! I wish I would have been able to stay and explore it longer.


Another picture of the City Park. We stopped and got some praline and cream ice cream. There was also a wedding taking place here.


This house is so cool. We met the owner while we were stopping to take a picture. She has lived here for 30 years, super nice. Loved the decorations.


Zac is a ladies man! I swear he was the only baby in all of New Orleans while we were there. Everyone wanted to say hi and ohh and ahh at him. I am fairly certain that not many babies are brought to the big easy.


The most photographed cathedral.


And our last dinner while in town, delicous food while listening to some great jazz music. Very appropiate setting for where we were.


Other things we loved but I didn't photograph, the French cafe where we had beignets (french powdered donuts). I loved them, so yummy! Cafe Oliver where we had the best pecan pie. Oh so scrumptious! The superdome where the Saints play. Everywhere you look there is Saints merchandise. We went down to the lower ninth ward and saw the devastaion of Hurricane Katrina. Six years later and they are still re-building and trying to overcome that catastophy. It was amazing to see the history and culture of this city. It is also said to be the most haunted city in America, full of ghost stories and legends. And of course all that jazz! As they say in the big easy, let the good times roll...and we did! It was a great trip. Hope to go back someday.

Time for an update...

I can't believe I didn't post anything in September. Now I am so behind. I need to get what we did in September written down so I won't forget.

September has come to be one of my favorite months. It is usually one of the most beautiful months for the pacific northwest too. We had a very busy, full month. The sad part about it all is that my camera broke at the beginning of the month. So I don't have any of my own pictures to show. But like I said I need to get some of the journaling done before I forget it all.

For Labor day weekend we were so lucky to have our friends Rick and Sarah Shumway visit us with their two boys. Kevin and Rick met in graduate school and have remained good friends since. We loved doing things with Rick and Sarah when they were living here, and we have missed them since they moved. It was great to have them come visit. They did the drive from Utah straight through in 1 day. I was impressed. We went up to the Edmonds Farmers Market and I think it is the best little market I have been too. It is such a cute, charming town. I want to go back next year. Kevin got me a beautiful bouquet of flowers, the twins got balloon animals and we tasted some yummy kettle corn. Then we had lunch and went to the beach/park nearby. I loved it. The weather was great and the beach wasn't crowded, their were lots shells, and the kids got to run and play. We then took the ferry to Poulsbo where we did some more walking and shopping, and ate some goodies from their Norwegian bakery. We went and sat on the grass along the water and the kids ran some more. What a day! We then had dinner in the harbor at Anthonys. The views were great.

The next day was Seattle, up to Ballard to see the Locks and more fish to eat. Another great day, Kev smoked us some delicious ribs for dinner and then we went into the harbor and walked around downtown. The following morning the Shumways headed back to Utah and did their drive all day again. A short, quick visit but we had so much fun! It was great to catch up and see how much thier boys have grown and go explore Seattle with them again. Thanks Shumways for coming! Sarah please email me some pictures from our weekend!

The next weekend we went to Portland and it was HOT! It was in the ninetys the entire weekend. We had such a great time seeing my dad and sister. The kids love their Grandpa and their auntie! In their prayers the whole time they blessed "Bumpa" and "Auntie", it so cute when they pray. We went to the Oregon Zoo, which was awesome. I haven't been there in like 8 years, and it has more animals then our zoo at home. We loved the bears, elephants, zebras, and rainforest animals the best. The twins got to run around the whole time and they had a blast. Daddy got them new bath toys from the gift shop and they have enjoyed them lots since we have been home. After the Zoo we went to the Duck store and I oohhed and ahhed at all the green and yellow things that I wanted. We also went to the famous VooDoo Donuts and tried a variety of their very popular pastries. My personal favorites were the ones Kev got for the kids, the ones with chocolate and m&m's.

We also went to the beach with my dad. It was absolutely beautiful! It was warm at the Oregon Coast! That is amazing. We stopped at Camp18 for breakfast on our way, they have the best hot chocolate. Then we went to Seaside, their was a car show going on, so it was busy. But the beach wasn't too crowded. We went and had a little picnic and the kids played in the sand. Gracie loves the water, she had a great time getting wet with Daddy. Zac did awesome and Ty loved to chase the seagulls away. I just need my dad to find his camera so he can send me some pictures from our day. After the beach we went to the outlet mall and did some "back to school" shopping. I tell Kevin I want to go down to Portland and do some back to school shopping and his reply is "Ok, but nobody in this house is going back to school." After shopping we went on a wild goose chase to find some good fish and chips, my dad's gps on his phone led us to some back woods road on the outskirts of Astoria. We decided to turn around and head back to Portland to get dinner, we ended up at Red Lobster, where yes my dad and I had fish and chips.

Kevin headed back home on Sunday and I stayed for a couple more days to get more time with my sister. I got my hair done, which always makes me feel like a new woman. And I got to meet up with my dear friend Alexis and had a great time catching up with her. The kids loved seeing her too. And then I did some more "back to school" shopping. I love it because I feel like I am saving so much on the no sales tax.

No sales tax, gas attendants that pump your gas and the DUCKS, three reasons I LOVE Portland! Well then their is my family, friends, smaller, cleaner city, weather is slightly better and that is why I tell Kev I will move to Portland in a heartbeat.

Ok, so that is only half the month. And I am too tired to journal more.

This picture has nothing to do with what I blogged about, but it is the last picture I took before my camera broke. Love this little guy to pieces!

Staircase Hike

We've been trying to get out and explore where we live a little bit more on Saturdays. So for this last Saturday family outing we drove to the Olympic National Park and did the staircase hike. My friend who has a son the twins age said it was an easy hike and her two year old walked most the way. So we did it. And had a great time.

Kev was so great to pack us a picnic and the twins had a great time eating their lunchables.


Zac was excited to be carried by Daddy for a change, he had so much fun looking at everything.


Gracie was on my back in the ergo and Ty was leading the way.


This just makes me laugh, Ty was seriously growling. At least he was looking at the camera, thats a start. This ledge scared me because there was a sharp dropoff and Ty went right to it.


And now he is laughing because I tickled him trying to get him to smile.


It was the most beautiful day and absolutely beautiful scenery.


We thought this huge rock was so neat. A great family picture stop, if only my kiddos would smile.


Ty was such a trooper! He walked the whole way, 2 miles roundtrip. I was so proud of him. At the beginning of the trail you cross the bridge over Cushman Lake to start the trail and once we got to the bridge on our way back, Ty through up his hands and said "All Done". It was so cute as if he had been working toward that goal the whole time. Thats when he jumped in Daddy's arms and rested his head. He was tuckered out.


It was a very, fun family outing. We are so grateful to live in such a beautiful place. It meant a no nap day for us, but it was worth it to have so such a great time together.

Gracie Girl

I haven't been great at blogging about the twins since Zac was born. Mostly due to the fact that they don't pose for me and want nothing to do with the camera. Well actually they would prefer to be behind the camera taking the pictures. So I wanted to do some catch up.

Gracie and Ty are still best friends, however they know exactly what make each other mad and often times will do just that. On occasion Gracie has been known to take things mostly toys that she knows Ty wants and she will go throw them in timeout or other places where he can't get them. I have found many of Ty's toys behind our loveseat in the corner. Of course she loves her brother like nobody else too and when Ty is crying or having a difficult moment, Gracie is quick to say "Ty sad" and bring him his comfy bunny. People always comment on their special connection and the way they communicate with one another. It is so neat to watch them have a conversation.


Gracie is such a sweetheart. She loves to read books, color, draw, go outside and do chalk. She loves to blow bubbles especially when you let her do it all by herself. She loves water and enjoys playing in the hose and riding her bikes. She is my ultimate climber! And she scares me to death...the girl has no fear. She wants to do all the things that are too big for her at the park but she tries anyway. If she falls, she gets back up and tries to do it again. She is very stubborn and determined.


Sweet but definately has some sass! It hasn't been too bad lately but she tends to talk back to me and gets real upset if she doesn't get her way. She gets mad and yells or just screams and then has a fit. I am hoping this is normal two year old behavior otherwise...yikes! She has become quite the talker, well she has always loved to chat but now I am understanding her so much better. She throws out new words and phrases every day. It's been such a language explosion at our house.


I think she knows she is the only girl in between two boys. She likes to use this to her advantage I think. She is a good big sister though and loves to help me take care of Zac. She loves to give him kisses and gets excited when he wakes up from sleeping. She also loves her baby dolls and especially loves to feed them their "milk". Gracie seems to really enjoy nursery now and always seems to make a new friend at the park. It is usually an older girl that has taken to her and wants to help her out. Gracie has shown a little interest in potty training and I really hope this interest grows!


We just love our Gracie girl! She is growing up so fast and is such a smart girl. She loves her blankets, apple juice and is still addicted to her "night night pie". She has the best laugh and I just love watching her learn.

6 Months

Here we are, my Zac is 6 months already! I say it every single month, where does the time go? The time I have with my babies while they are babies is so precious to me, yet I feel I have been slacking on recording these moments with them.

Zac is still an amazing baby, again I am not sure if it is just because having one feels so different then having two. But really he seems to be so mellow and happy to go along with whatever we are doing. Thank goodness because the two year olds in the house keep me busy! They love their "baby Zac-ee" though.

We just had his 6 month check and am happy to report he is very healthy!
Weight: 15 lbs. 5 oz.
Length: 26 inches
Head Growth: The doctor said this is where all his calories go :) Its big!

He can roll over both ways, however he doesn't seem to enjoy it very much. He gets on his tummy and wants me to help him. He does like to sleep on his tummy though. He laughs and coos and grasps his toys. He has great head control and good strength on his legs. And is still very bald.

He has started really liking toys this month.


Oh the cuteness! He just makes me smile, my baby is getting so big!


He caught a virus this last month and all he wanted to do was cuddle with mommy!


The question is, will his eyes stay blue?


He has started using the jumper, and seems to like it.


This is how Zac rolls very often! We go on lots walks.


My sweet boys, Ty loves to hold his baby Zac.


How happy is he! Love this little boy.


We are eating solids now...yum yum squash!


Zac you bring so much peace and joy into our home! We have had so much fun watching you grow these last 6 months. I love waking up to hearing you coo and talk in the morning. And I get a kick out of seeing you suck on your toes each time you do it. You are the sweetest baby and we are so lucky to have you in our family.