pumpkin time!

Our 4th annual trip to the pumpkin patch- one of my favorite things about living in Oregon. Not that the parking lot turned pumpkin patch at Pacific Beach didn't have it's own character. Let's just say, if one were to be waiting for the Great Pumpkin, Heavenly Harvest would be a better choice.

The rain paused long enough for us to enjoy the tractor ride to the field, pick out our pumpkins- green ones for Owen and Ben, orange for Richard and I- plus do the hay maze, duck races and sip hot cider.

Links to 2008 and 2007's trips.

milestones

Richard and I met an important milestone towards becoming Oregonians (besides counting a red light as "traffic" during our "commute")- we now have ornamental plants in our yard surrounded by deer fencing. We used to make fun of such things.

Owen has graduated to a new bike. He was a little slow to warm up to the idea, but now loves his new ride- green like his room, and a 20" frame instead of 12"- a much better fit. He's taken it for a spin up and down the river path Sunday and Monday after school. He is learning freestyle in swim class, can float on his front and back, and loves going underwater to touch the bottom of the pool.

Ben now has 3 words- Mom, Dad, and boob. He may also be saying baba for brother. He is so enamored of Owen and Owen knows how to make him laugh. They are a great little pair. Ben's been spending more time in the older baby room at day care and loving it- the other babies are more interactive and its a whole new set of toys. 9 month stats: 31 inches, 25 lbs.

portland day

Friday night and Richard and I realize we have nothing planned for the weekend, and I for one can't bear the thought of 48 hours of playing airport. So we plan a 4 year old fantasy Saturday. Or at least, our particular 4 year old's fantasy. We head up to the Portland Zoo, put Ben in the front pack, and wander around with the animals for a few hours. Then a ride on the Max to the airport, where we've found that you can watch the runway if you go to the top of the parking lot. Dinner at Rose City Cafe inside (and we get a funny look from our waitress when she realizes we are airport tourists). Back to our car on the Max, and 2 tired boys sleep all the way home. Sunday: Richard and Owen play airport.

super family

birthday season is now closed

My birthday ends our foursome's birthday season. Not to despair- we still get our cake fix on Susie's October birthday, and Ben's first will be here soon enough. We had a pizza celebration with the Muhly's, Susie made me a beautiful cake, and on the weekend Richard and I went out to celebrate our 9th anniversary.

Also above- Dahlia's from Susie's new house, a beautiful sunrise over Corvallis, courtesy of some forest fires, and Ben doing some rearranging.

riding the max

A beautiful Fall Saturday, spent at the Portland Zoo followed by a Max ride and dinner at the airport.