Happy 3rd Birthday Ty!

Katie's boyfriend, Tyler Rose, turned 3 at the beginning of October.  I was working, so I missed the first part of the party, but Kristin captured some great pictures.  Apparently my kids are quite the scavengers when it comes to pinata candy collection.  It was an adorable fireman themed party.  Thanks KP!  I look forward to many memories of our kids growing up together.

 





BENefit

We had another wonderful experience at the Ben Towne Foundation's annual BENefit.  Reflecting back to a year ago, Kyle had one ear sewn into his scalp at this event after 10 surgeries to remove his melanoma.  This year I was at 32 weeks with baby #3.  What a difference a year makes.  We are thankful - and continue to be humbled by the work Jeff and Carin are doing.

Portland Marathon

Betsy ran the Portland Marathon on Sunday.  She not only ran it - she rocked it.  She finished in 3:21 and qualified for the Boston Marathon.  She looked so strong the whole way and I am so proud of her.  She trained hard and it all paid off.  She also raised over $2,500 for the Ben Towne Foundation and her team raised over $16,000.  Nice work B!

We decided to make a family trip down to Portland to cheer Bets on.  We had a fun time and enjoyed a beautiful weekend.  It was the kids first time in a hotel room and they were pretty excited to have a "slumber party" as a family.  We had two queen beds...one for me and one for Kyle and Andy.  Katie slept in her pack and play.  I slept like a champ...Kyle joined me around 3am after multiple hits and wake-ups from our restless sleeper, Andy.

So proud of you Bets!  I love her expressions.  You would think running around 7:45 minute miles, you would be completely focused the whole way.  Betsy was all smiles, even when she was hurting at the end.  You would never have known it!

 

Cozy in the hotel bed

We went out to dinner to help Betsy carbo load - and then we went to a nearby park to get pumpkin ice cream

Ready for the slumber party!

Getting cozy while watching the Husky game

Cheering on Auntie B!

So excited!!

Mile 11 - full of energy

Katie wondering...where did B go?  I think she thought that she was going to stop and chat for a little while

Right before the big hill...we spent most of the race playing where's B???  I think she was digging into her gummy bears at this point to get some energy for the hill.

We crossed train tracks, almost got hit by a few cars (Ka)...it was a fun adventure!

Where's B???

Love this picture.  Brendon is focused on calculating Betsy's times, making sure we were at the right spot.  Bapa is focused on the runners, Ka has her classic finger pose, and the kids are hanging out.  Kyle was ready to step in at any point to run with Bets if she need a running buddy to get her through the end...but she did fine on her own.

After the big hill...looking strong and focused.

First sign of being tired around mile 21.

But a few steps later...all smiles!

Brendon would run a few yards with Bets to make sure she was okay and to synchronise watches.  Such a good husband!

All done!!!

Proud sister.

The finisher!!

 

Farmer's Market in October

We made a family night out of the Farmer's Market last Thursday.  It was the first night that it actually felt like fall.  We bundled up, but the kids kept warm by dancing.  They were the entertainment of the evening.  They both LOVE to dance.  I was standing in line to get our pizza, so Kyle captured them dancing - they were moving to quickly to get them on the phone camera...but Kyle and I were both in hysterics.  So fun to see them enjoying themselves so much.  It was such a beautiful night - we stayed and enjoyed the people watching and sunset.

 

 

Scone Dates with Katie

Katie goes to preschool from 9 - 12 on Mondays and Wednesdays and Andy goes from 9 - 1 on those days.  After I pick Katie up, we have an hour to spend together.  Usually we run an errand or two, but lately it has become our routine to go to the "scone store" (Starbucks).  Their petite vanilla bean scones are the kids favorite (they are pretty darn good!) and this pregnancy I have been craving the bacon breakfast sandwiches - so it's a win-win.  I don't know if I am becoming more emotional or sentimental with the arrival of baby g #3, but I LOVE this time with Katie.  She is in such a fun stage right now.  She has a LOT of energy, but she is so fun.  We sit and can have full conversations and she is my buddy.  I am so thankful for this little time together - just the two of us.  It's crazy, but she just seems to be growing up every day.

 

 

 

 

Andy's New Routines

As we are getting ready for baby (coming about one month from today!), we have been trying to transition Andy and Katie into the routines that they will be in when she arrives.  Also, this pregnant lady is pretty physically exhausted at night, so Kyle has been so wonderful at taking over after his long days at work.  So, he's been in charge of getting the kids down at night.  Andy loves this time with his daddy.  He often times with ask me to leave if I try to join them.  Their routine is bath, brush teeth, pick out a book, prayers, and bed.  Nothing fancy, but Andy loves it.  I have to say, Kyle is a MUCH better book reader than I am.  By night time, I am more focused on how many pages are left, whereas Kyle gets very animated, reads slowly and carefully, and is quite entertaining.  No wonder Andy prefers him to read stories.  Here's a shot of them comfy in bed.  And they are reading the "world book," Andy's favorite these days.  Yep, my 4 year old chooses to read the encyclopedia before bed.

We also moved our car seats around.  Andy gets his own special row in the back of the Suburban.  He's pretty excited.  He's almost able to get himself totally buckled...well, he can, but I usually am in too much of a hurry to allow him to take the time to do it.  So he buckles the top buckle and I buckle the bottom.  The most exciting change for Andy is that he has his very own cup holders.  Usually these are used as a home for one of his monkeys.

 

 

I don't want to be a big girl...

After a weekend of prepping Katie, we decided Sunday night was going to be her first night in her big girl bed.  When we asked her if she wanted to go sleep in her big girl bed...she was all smiles, excited, and positive.  Hence the picture below:

 

 

After we read a story and said prayers...we started to sing her "night night song."  She figured out what was happening...that we actually were going through with this big girl bed thing...and she interrupted us and cried with big alligator tears, "I don't want to be a big girl."  "I want crib."  "Tomorrow big girl."  It broke my heart, but we really want her to be comfortable in her new room before baby comes, so we were persistent.  After about 30 minutes of songs and conversation, she finally agreed to let me leave her room...not without telling me many, many times that she doesn't want to be a big girl.  Oh Katie, you have no idea how much I don't want you to be a big girl yet either.  Every day she seems to grow up before our eyes. 

 

One week later - she has been a champ and loves her new bed.  Thank goodness she's always been a good sleeper considering sleepness nights are looming around the corner.

 

We love you big girl!

Endless Summer

The end of summer/beginning of fall has been beautiful.  This is the reason we live in Seattle...warm, sunny, fall days.  It has been great to be able to let the kids enjoy time outside.  Last week, we were waiting for Kyle to get home and decided to have a dance party/popsicle party in the courtyard.  Of course, both kids wanted to be naked, but I convinced them to keep most of their clothes on.

 

 

McDonald's Picnic

What do you do when you caught the "back to school cold/flu," you're 8 months pregnant, and your husband is taking a well deserved night off to watch the Huskies beat Stanford?

McDonald's picnic while cheering on the Dawgs!!

 

Things that make you smile...

Andy and I were having a mommy/Andy afternoon while Katie was sleeping.  Andy really wanted me to trace his body and draw in it.  So...that's what we did.  While we were coloring, Andy and I were chatting about preschool, how his hair is the color "golden" and normal 4 year old stuff...like which cars are his favorite and what he wants Santa to bring him for Christmas (more cars).  While we were chatting, Andy was filling in the features on his face - his mouth - a big smile.  I asked Andy, what makes you smile?  His response...Huh?  So we talked about what makes him smile, laugh, feel happy inside, etc.  Here is his list:

1.  Playing with my cars.  I have lots of cars.  (This actually came up every time I asked him what makes him happy...but I had to try and get him to get off the car topic).
2.   Looking at flowers (really?!?)
3.  When daddy gives me hugs.
4.  When Katie and Daddy tickle me.
5.  Going to the scone store (Starbucks).

Well, there you have it.  The simplicity of what makes a 4 year old boy happy.