Cowboy & Cowgirl

Our first Halloween party in a few years was this past Friday and the pressure of a costume this time of year is always a challenge for me.  Scott and I tried to figure out what we could be using what we already own and it was decided we would be a cowboy and a cowgirl.  Scott bought a hat for his prop and I bought a stick horse, that can always be used by Belle in the future.  Our friends Sarah and Bob hosted the spooky event where we dined and imbibed until the wee hours of 10:30 (seriously, this is late for us now) and then it was back home to release the sitters.  I need to start thinking of my costume for next year's party.  Any suggestions?

Scott is sporting a Pendleton Round Up buckle and I am wearing my buckle I won in 4H in 1990 for best lamb carcass!

Grumpy Pumpkin Patch Photos

We went to the pumpkin patch with anticipation of finding a pumpkin, having cider and lots of smiling all around, but something different happened.  Five hundred other people were at the pumpkin patch, the lines were very long, the cider was gone and someone was not in the mood to smile, that someone was Belle.  Our little girl still only has two teeth and our pediatrician warned us we are due for a lot of teeth to come in at the same time and we think it might be happening right now.  Our usually sweet and happy Belle has been a grumpy gal and she was in no mood to be at the pumpkin patch last weekend.  Thus we left, but still captured a few photos.  I can't believe just last year we were doing the same thing with out very little munchkin.

I ran a 5k!

First 5k in two years is done!  I was lucky to have three friends join me and we ran the entire time, which we were quite pleased with.  Thank you again Lisa, Megan and Tia and Scott and Belle for cheering us on.  I think I will take the winter off to enjoy comfort food and avoid running in the rain, but I will be ready to run another one in the spring.

My sprint face to the finish line.  I jokingly told Scott I heard Chariots of Fire in my mind playing for the last few yards.

Letting Go

Our little girl is starting to show off by slowly letting go and standing up all on her own!  We are so proud of her and she is very, very proud of herself.  We are getting very close to having a walker in our household!

Look Mama, no hands!

Glaciers and Bears

This past Sunday we took a drive out on the Kenai Peninsula to view the Portage glacier and visit a wildlife conservation center.  To see some of the glaciers as close as we could on such a cloudy day was impressive, I cannot imagine what they look like on a clear, sunny day.  After driving through the park we went to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center to see moose, elk, bears, buffalo and reindeer.  Our timing was perfect as we pulled up to the bears because they were being fed steak, salmon and hamburger and were very close to the fence, maybe even too close.  It is a fun family experience if you are in the Anchorage area.  The day ended with a huge meal at the Double Musky Inn in Girdwood.  The crab stuffed halibut is delicious!

Alaska!

We are home from our trip up north to Anchorage, Alaska to visit the Price family.  Scott is already planning our next trip, which will include fishing and more exploration.  This trip was all about seeing Wes, Jocelyn and Ty and hanging out as if they lived down the street from us.  Belle was in awe of the little boy that seems to have endless energy and has a vocabulary of at least a thousand words.  Scott and I were in awe of their family's love, patience, dedication and positive outlook on life.  We miss them already!

Belle and Ty playing while their Dads watched the OSU football team beat WSU

We took an evening walk together and Jocelyn capture three smiling faces at once!

Cuties

Belle catching a ride with Wes

The Birthday Party

Here are some photos from the big birthday party.  I learned a good lesson, have someone else take photos for you since you will be busy hosting!

The corn hole was a hit.  We need to host just a corn hole party so people can actually finish the game.

Ellie Tomac, love her curls

The theme was "colorful fun" and my mom baked some very colorful, delicious cupcakes

Apparently, Belle did not like my singing voice (I don't either)

Yummy!