Hood River

For our anniversary this year, Morgan surprised me with a trip to Hood River. Yes, you might be thinking, Hood River? Really? But its actually SUCH a cute little town. We stayed at the Oak Street Hotel

which turned out to be an adorable little bed and breakfast.  The room was tiny but clean which was fine with us because we didn't spend much time in our room.  The view from our window was worth the price!

We had planned to attend the local Harvest Festival but got so caught up visiting all the breweries that we ran out of time. Fine with me! Give me beer over booths of arts and crafts any day!

We walked the length of downtown (about 5 blocks) and decided on sushi for dinner followed by a movie in a theater that served - you guessed it - more beer! It was a perfect end to an excellent day (I did fall asleep during the movie but I'm not used to drinking so much beer nor am I used to staying up past 10PM. Yes, I'm a fantastic date.)
 

 We enjoyed spooky cupcakes

 We enjoyed beautiful scenery.

But most of all, we enjoyed each other.

 (Um, did that sound ridiculously cheesy?)

(Yes, I think it did.)

Pumpkin Patch

Every year we go to the pumpkin patch.  The same patch on Sauvie Island, called Columbia Farms that we;ve gone to for the last four years.  Its smaller (much) than some of the other pumpkin extravaganzas on the island but we like it because the pumpkins are actually on the vine and the crowds are not quite as intense. The first year we were back in Oregon, looked like this.

2007

 That's Conor in there

 No kids, just pumpkins

See how young and refreshed we look?

The next year we added a participant.  We had a good time that first year, but Conor made it so much more fun.

2008

The next year Conor was a little bigger and had a blast climbing the haystacks.

2009

 Kristen and I are both pregnant here but I don't think either of us knew it at the time.

 Sucking on his traditional honey stick.

This year was a whole different ballgame though.  With the addition of our two babies, our family pictures keep getting bigger and bigger.

2010

 Once there were four, now there are seven

 Whoa.  Daddy got a biiiiiig punkin.

 Conor picked this pumpkin himself.

 A Finley sized pumpkin

 A family of four

 He's always loved the tunnel

 Big girls

This year I got to play on the top, too.

It's fun to develop traditions like this as a family.  While Sauvie Island is a bit of a drive, and there are many pumpkin patches closer to home, I really like the continuity of four years at the same pumpkin patch.

Five

I do not believe in soul mates, a fact which wounds Morgan's more romantic sensibilites. I'm far too logical to believe that, out of the billions of people in the world, there is only ONE right person for each of us. I am not romantic at all. In fact when someone says romance the first thing I think of is schmomance. If you want to woo me, don't get me flowers, empty the dishwasher.

Morgan, on the other hand, believes that I am the one person in the world who was meant for him. Its interesting that we can have two such differing opinions and yet still be so happy together.

Today we have been married five years. And every day with him makes me believe just a little bit more in soul mates.

Happy anniversary, Morgan. I love you a real whole lot.

Run!

I've started running again. I was running quite a bit when I got pregnant with Finley and continued to do so for a few weeks into my pregnancy with her. but then I felt I needed to stop and I've just now started back.

Man! Its hard! Its hard to find the motivation to go for a run or spend 20 minutes on the treadmill. Its physically hard on parts of my body that are not currently in a position to accomodate running.

But I really feel good about myself after a run. Even if I can only run for about 10 minutes at a time today, I know next week I'll be able to run 12 minutes and the week after that...who knows?

My goal is to be ready to run the Run Like Hell 5k on October 24th. I ran the 10k last year and while I'm not quite ready to attempt 6 miles, I think I can be ready to log in 3 miles when the 24th rolls around.

I've been posting on Facebook each day that I run and I'm finding its helping to keep me motivated. Its like 200+ online "friends" are holding me accountable.

Wish me luck! Or, if not luck, than the emotional fortitude to keep on running.

Out front

We don't spend much time in our front yard. We have a big beautiful backyard and just spend most of our outside time out there. Not sure why but we ended up out front earlier this week. Its a whole new perspective out there.

Blue eyes

Brown feet

Small grins

Big eyes

Big kisses

Big yawns

Family shot

Off center

Tasty fingers

Peek - a - boo

So quiet

Just cute

Conor-isms

I did this once before but I think it bears repeating...

I love how Conor loves his little sister.  She has stolen so much attention from him yet he always wants to kiss and hug her and always (mostly) so sweet and gentle with her.

I love how he still calls raisin jzu-jzu's.  I actually don't know how to spell it so I so hope I will remember just the way he says it.

I love the way he watches Monster Jam on tv and then makes his monster trucks perform the same moves on the couch.

I love that he sings!  Everything from the Wheels on the Bus to the Black Eyed Peas Boom Boom Pow.  I got that boom boom pow, them chickens jackin' my sty-ulh.

I love how he is mostly fearless but still will hide behind my legs if he needs a little more time. I love how he still NEEDS me.  I love that Daddy is here for fun but I'm here for love and comfort.

I love how I can get him to say anything.  Anytime!  From "I love you, mama" to "Say, HISTRIONICS, Sweetie", he'll say it.  I have Michelle to thank for this fun game.

I LOVE how he gets so excited about BIIIIIIIIIIG TRUUUUUUUUCKS!  Still!

I love how he has memorized all his favorite stories.  He hardly needs me around to read stories anymore.  This also makes me a little sad.

I love how everyone loves him.  He's such a sweet, kind, friendly little boy.

I love his enthusiasm for sports. Soccer, golf, baseball, he wants to play. I love his enthusiasm for his friends.  Zack, Wyatt, Gwenie, Taylor...he loves them all.

I love how SMART he is.  Letters, numbers, shapes, colors.  So, so, so smart.

I love him!