I am Grateful for Anja

I am grateful for my little girl Anja. She just loves cooking with me. In this picture she is making pumpkin pie. She stirred and stirred and helped make the pie that we ate at Thanksgiving. It was delicious. When I'm in the kitchen, Anja comes in and asks if she can help. Today she was disappointed when she saw that I had made brownies without her. But she was quickly cheered up when she learned that she could have a brownie after she ate her dinner! She is not only a helper in the kitchen, but in helping play with Fischer throughout the day. She loves to set up a picnic in the family room, hallway, the boys room, or her room...with Fischer. She gets the place settings out, the food, and talks with Fischer as they sit and "eat." It is darling!! I showed her yesterday how she could set up a 'tea party' with her dolls. She LOVED it! And after I had set up everything she asked, "Mommy, will you leave please?" She wanted to have her tea party with just the girls! Oh, one more thing. A month ago we were walking through Costco and she spotted the barbie house. Oh...she fell for this toy! She said, 'Mommy, that's what I want for Christmas." ooops, I'd already gotten her a gift from Santa, so we called Gram on the phone and asked Gram for this doll house. Well, of course Gram told me she would get it for her! (I returned to the store in secret) Anyway, we put the tree up, decorated, and I wrapped some presents. It's still 2 weeks from Christmas and she woke up yesterday morning and said, "Mommy, I didn't get the doll house for Christmas." (proceeded by very sad face) I quickly told her it wasn't Christmas yet and not all the gifts were out. She went from sad to happy in a flash...once she realized there was still time for the 'perfect present' to appear! I love my little Anja. She is a girl who is definitely ALL GIRL. And we wouldn't have her any other way! LOVE YOU ANJA!!!

I'm Grateful for My Family

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Meow...meow

Fischer the Cat

We put a hat on Fischer while he was wearing this mask one day. We called him the Cat in the Hat! Anja got this kitty mask for a birthday gift from her friend Kylee. Well, Fischer loves it!! He encourages Anja to wear it and when she is done, he puts it on. He walks around after Anja saying, "meow, meow, meow"...he is like a little cat. A handsome little cat!
Fischer the Cat

Happy Halloween!

Star Wars
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away....Luke Skywalker
Return of the Jedi

Princess Leia
A New Hope

Yoda
Empire Strikes Back

A Priest and a Mouseketeer

First Day of School

C

Carter is in Kindergarten!

Yes it's true, we can hardly believe the time has gone by...but our once baby boy, is now 5 years old and attends Kindergarten!!! And he absolutely loves it. He's gone for 4 days and is excited to go back to school on Monday. We're happy he's happy.Carter attends a school that requires uniform. Love it. Khaki, white, and navy blue. He adds his own flare with a space ship backpack and the red converse shoes.

Since we drive to school everyday...13 minutes there and 13 minutes home...we travel with our morning beverages. Gives us more time to sleep in the morning.

Anja also began another year of preschool. We get the pleasure of walking her to school. I absolutely love it. We hold hands and walk the 1 1/2 blocks to her school. She has the same 3 teachers as last year, which is a total bonus for her. And yes, she loves all the new school clothes. She is hands down...the most stylish girl in that school!

Anja is such a doll.

Our Baby is Almost 2 Years old!!

Almost 2....our little Fischer boy....
It seems like it was only a few months ago that our Fischer was born in Hershey, PA. The time has flown by too quickly but we couldn't be more happy that Fischer is a part of our family. As Clinton and I were decorating for Fischer's birthday---tomorrow---we kept thinking about how much fun he is and all the joy he brings to our family daily.

This video was taken of Fischer one month ago. Listening to him talk, reminds me of how much more he is talking now. It is amazing how quickly little children develop and grow.

We just love our Fischer and are so excited for his birthday tomorrow!

Zoo Camp

Carter attended Zoo Camp at the Oregon Zoo the last week of July. He was in the Penguin Camp and each day they toured a different area of the zoo, saw the animals, did a craft, had snack, and had critter chat...where an animal is brought into the classroom and the kids get to pet it and learn all about it. He loved it! It was busy for me...running him over to the west side of Portland each morning...thinking about major rush hour traffic... and keeping Anja and Fischer occupied during the camp. But it was so worth it. Carter learned so much and enjoyed his time. On the first morning, I had to set an alarm to get up at 7am...yes we love to sleep in over here. Well, Clinton was on wards, so he was up around 5:00 that morning. I was in mid-dream when the alarm went off...all of a sudden I hear, "Mom, there is a beeping in your room." And that helped me wake up. I got out of bed, walked into the hallway, expecting to see Carter come out of his room. Instead, I looked to my right, and saw him sitting at the craft table, completely dressed, shoes on, ready to go to Zoo camp. After talking with him, I learned he'd gotten up around when Clinton had, eaten, and was waiting to leave for Zoo Camp. Needless to say, he was excited!

It's Been Hot

The summer sun finally kicked in at the first of July and even then it was only in the afternoon. We are currently trying to keep our house cool as the weather gets hot in the morning too and has the house cookin. Our hottest temp inside this year as only been 80 degrees. Last year it got around 88 degrees...that's when we had to escape to Astoria and stay with Oma and Opa. Thank heavens they have air conditioning. So...I'm grateful it has not been as hot this year. The house has been able to stay cooler...in the low 70s which is nice.

So here are the kids having fun in a our silly little kiddy pool.
They love to do this run and jump thing and pose for the camera!

Carter in action.Anja posing like only a girl can.

And Fischer wet in his clothes...didn't have a chance to get on his swim trunks before he was ready to play.

Rain in June & Arlen's Birthday

This spring was damp and cold. I was so surprised by how the weather was not truly spring like. But the kids still had fun. We put on rain coats and played outside. Anja has been loving her bike she got for Christmas. So it was fun to see her ride her bike in the raid with all of her Minnie Mouse rain gear on.Fischer would have preferred to not wear his raincoat. He just loves to the rain...and he just loves to get wet.

A silly picture of Carter and Fischer. We have since cut Carter's hair. Actually, we usually cut the boys hair short and then let it grow out...that way we don't have to cut it too often. Because we'll be honest, our kids don't love haircuts.

During the rainy time, Arlen and Lois came to visit. Lois came because she helped watched the kids for the 2nd half of my (Alexis) trip to Pennsylvania. Kim and Conrad (my parents) helped for the first half. Thanks it was a total blast!! So, while Arlen and Lois were here...Arlen had a birthday. Here is his birthday video.

Happy Birthday Arlen!