best in show

No, they're not scary Halloween cats. They are some fancy Devon Rex kitties that we saw at the cat show that we went to today.
It was fun to see all of the fancy felines, but I have to say that the people who are involved in the showing didn't seem to be the most socially skilled people. They're all about their cats---
My favorite part of the day was when we were cruising the aisles, admiring the cats, and meeting the cats. We would often times see the cat's name on the front of the cage. Well, there was one lovely cat and I told the boys that his name was Toyger. The cat lady on the other side of the aisle must have thought that I was a total dumb-ass.
"Um, that's a Toyger cat....he's not named Toyger," she said with attitude and an eye-roll.

Oh, silly me! and on we went.

so handsome

Such handsome boys in their official kindergarten school pictures.

They've sure changed from a year ago!

Wiley Kraut Fest

Yesterday we went to the party of the year---the Wiley Kraut Fest. Who would have thought that a party where about 50 people sit around and smash cabbage to make sauerkraut would be so much fun....but it was. It was top notch, and I bet that everyone else in attendance would agree with me. Not only was there this really fun and unique experience of making sauerkraut, but there was amazing food, great beer (Guinness...my favorite!), fun new faces, perfect fall weather, and activities to keep the kids busy and happy.
This was the first round of kraut makers. We sat on a long bench with a 5 gallon bucket and a wooden mallet in front of us. Pound, pound, pound the cabbage. The cabbage was added 5 lbs. at a time, for a total of 40 lbs. per bucket! (and a very carefully measured 3 Tablespoons of salt per each 5 lbs. of cabbage) Dan is down at the end with the orange bucket, while Mike Wiley supervises.

Nate and I take our turn at smashing the cabbage.

While some were busy working their magic at the cabbage smashing, others did the prep. There was a whole other area set up with cutting, slicing, and weighing the fresh cabbage. The back of Mike's truck had 800 lbs. of cabbage!

Everyone helped. Nate carries the cabbage.

Chris watched the scale--5 pounds exactly. The kraut-master of this event was VERY picky about having the exact weight measured out.

Chris and the kraut-master. They were a good team once he realized that Chris really did kn0w what he was doing.

Mike finally gets his turn to make some kraut after being quite the busy host. He and Mary sure know how to throw a party!

There were even awards at the end of the night. The salt lady was acknowledged for her great ability to salt each bucket without missing a beat. She really was good at her job!

The other fella won a kraut award for being such a hard worker. I saw him chop more cabbage than anyone else there! The teamwork at this event was awesome.

Here's some video of the second group in action. Thanks so much for the great party, Wileys! We sure hope that this was the first of many kraut fests to come.

pumpkins!

We had a very fun pumpkin carving party last night with Mike, Kishra, Phillip and Alex. Nate's pumpkin is one the left, and Chris made the one on the right. The biggest thrill was using really sharp knives...and of course, the fun food, exotic drinks (grenadine/7-up which was 'blood'),tasty desserts, and great company.

What a beautiful day it is here today! This morning we raked all of the leaves in the front yard. Well, I raked all of the leaves in the front yard. My helpers peetered out quickly.

This cute banner was made by my crafty neighbor Autumn. She also made this one, as well as one for each boy with their name. Want one, or something personalized? You can check it out here.

rough morning

You know how we adults spell things out in order to prevent kids from understanding what we are talking about?

I overheard this conversation taking place between Chris and Nate on this particularly rough morning of getting ready for school. I guess I was a bit grouchy towards them, having to give too many reminders of what they needed to do.

Chris: "Hey Nate, she's M-E-N."

Nate: "No...she's M-A-N".

Chris: "Yah, you're right, she's M-A-N."

If you're going to say that I'm MEAN, there's an E and an A.

funny cat video

Well maybe Harry doing 3 big jumps is funny, but it pales in comparison to this video that I saw on Facebook this morning. It must be played with the volume at a decent level. Harry heard this and has been zipping around the house trying to find what is going on. Enjoy!

Oh, Harry!

Christopher colored a picture of his cat. Complete with stripes and spots.
We love Harry. He really is a cool cat.
Here is Harry doing some tricks. This cat cat JUMP! He definitely provides fun entertainment to our household.

Fall at it's finest

This weekend all of the colors really popped on the trees of Portland. Red, yellow, orange. This little ghost that the boys made hangs in one of the trees out front. So frightful!

Our trees (Scarlet Oaks) are starting to get some red leaves. These leaves will be the last ones standing in the dead of Winter.
Nate and I took a walk around the block this afternoon. Whoever lives at this house really needs to rake some leaves.

These leaves are on my neighbor Autumn's tree. It's my favorite one in the whole neighborhood, and I get to stare at it out my kitchen window during this season while it is in all it's glory.

Oh, and we we went to the zoo this morning to check out the new African exhibit, Predators of the Serengeti. It was awesome and I loved the lions....they are like super-sized Harry cats. Absolutely beautiful.

rain run

Running in the rain during a serious downpour this afternoon. Are we in Florida?A little rain never hurt anybody.

Big Raffe and Tiger

When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real. It doesn't happen all at once. You become. It takes a long time. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in your joints and very shabby.

~Margery Williams, The Velveteen Rabbit

I'd like you to meet Big Raffe and Tiger.

Today I was picking up the front room, and for the hundredth time, I scooped up Tiger who was squished under the armoire and was taking him back to find his place where he belongs on Christopher's bed. With full hands, I accidentally tossed him into the shoe basket. Quickly I scooped him back up and laid him down on the bed, where he would wait for Christopher to return home from school. He looked so cute laying there.
In a silly moment, I realized just how important these two animals are in this household. Nate's stuffed love is Big Raffe. Others have joined the mix, but none are as endearing as these two.

Bad dream? Big Raffe and Tiger will comfort in the night.
Getting a shot? Big Raffe and Tiger will happily go to the doctor's office.
Going camping? Big Raffe and Tiger love their time in the tent.
Road trip? Big Raffe and Tiger love a car ride.
Needing a snuggle? Big Raffe and Tiger are always there.

Thanks for all the love, guys.

need a photographer?

Amy McMullen Photography

Not only is Amy the best photographer in the Portland area, she is a great friend, and the mama to two wonderful boys (Aidan and Liam) who are Nate and Chris' best buds. Amy snapped these pics just yesterday at their house on Sauvie's Island on the most beautiful Fall day ever.

from school today--Nate's writing/illustration

(double click on image to see the picture better)

I like the baseball field. I (like to) go with my dad. I play at Alberta Park.
by Nate

Nate 3 years ago...

I was reminded today just how cute this video is.

A Pioneer version of the Wii

There just happened to be an apple harvest celebration going on at Champoeg Park where we camped this weekend, and we partook in some of the old-time festivities. Chris and Nate tried their luck at trying to bite apples that were tied to a string. No hands...it was tough!

until next year......

We had our final camping trip of the year at Champoeg State Park. We packed tons of fun into a quick 24 hours, and lucked out with gorgeous weather, pretty fall leaves, good eats, and fun company.

Mike, Mary, and Owen Wiley went with us and we had 2 cabins right next to each other, since we were able to sweet-talk some very nice people into switching their spot. Staying in a cabin was extra fun and cozy...definitely the way to camp this time of year!

Moms and some boys sitting around the campfire after roasting marshmallows.

Imagine the excitement (for the big people) when Mike started making delicious Spanish Coffee drinks complete with flames. They were good. Really good.

Owen, Chris, and Nate spotted something across the campsite. Of course, they quickly returned to poking at the fire.

Brrrr in the morning!