A November Weekend

Today I told Avery not to eat the cake batter because it will get her a sick called Salmonella.

"I like Salmonella!" she cried.

Friday night we drove to Portland.  It was a beautiful drive and we even stopped at Multnomah Falls.  Tate wasn't very impressed, and even commented on "the drinking fountain", referring to the giant waterfall.  But when we drove on the downtown highway in Portland, he couldn't contain his excitement.  "Can't you believe that we're in a tunnel with a sign?!  Did you ever ever think you would be in one, mom?"

We stopped at the Troutdale Outlets on our way home yesterday.  A few minutes after we had left the toy store, we realized that Henry had swiped a toy and was happily inspecting it in his stroller seat.  And everybody always comments on what a nice baby he is!  Now he's got to live with a common thief reputation =)

We had a fun quick trip to Portland.  Tyler and Ashley let us stay with them.  The cousins loved playing together.  My favorite part was eating a nice meal cooked by Ashley (thank you so much!) with just the adults.  I also liked when I caught Lydia reading a book to Tate.  Tate loved the ball room at OMSI.  Avery spent most of her time at the sand play area.  It is such a neat museum, and very family friendly.  I was impressed they had a nursing room.

Now here's some random pictures of Avery with her preschool group in Indian headdresses and painting smocks, and then Henry with a friend's kitten.

Outtakes

Here's my personal favorite from family pictures...Outtakes!

In these final pictures, I don't know what Avery was doing with her hand.  Poor Henry kept losing his ball.  The running pictures will be explained later.  I think  I used some of the same pictures in outtakes as regulars because I couldn't decide.

Christmas Pictures 2013

"But I think I need something if I get a little bit sad, to make me feel better."

"Like what?"

"Like that balloon down there."

That's how sick Tate went to bed tonight after throwing up for the first time in years.  Unfortunately the first rounds of throwing up began at the end of school.  Earlier he told me that we should get a janitor because they are really good at cleaning up throw-up.  I totally agree.

This picture was taken at his kindergarten pumpkin patch field trip a few weeks ago.  He was anxious to get back on the hay ride by his parent leader, hence the face he's making.  It's interesting to me how quickly the shift occurs in his mind of the teacher being the alfa-authority in his life.  It was a fun trip, though, and he's a great kid with a good teacher and class this year.