astoria trip

multnomah falls, after 14 hours in the car.

the sweet lady who took our picture dropped my camera on the concrete right before she took it.  :)  i was amazed it still worked. 

the guys at the top of the astoria column.  awesome view of the columbia, washington, and oregon from up there.

our trip to costco for essentials.  kind of scary.

i think we've been here four times in the last three years.  probably enough?

thrilling trolley ride.

tillamook cheese factory. 

cannon beach.  LOVE this place.  but it was seriously cold that day.

lewis and clark settlement.  very cool museum.

north head lighthouse.  probably my favorite spot along the west coast.  the picture doesn't even come close.  it's amazing!  wuthering heights-ish.  watching the waves crash into the rocks- amazing!

dream

will's wanted to become scuba certified ever since i've known him.  i've never really

understood the obsession- but that doesn't matter.  so finally, 28 hours worth of classes paid off

and it's official.  doesn't he look happy? 

time to relax

the month of october was intense at our home.  i don't like running around, having so much to do, day after day.  my favorite days are the ones where i have nowhere to go, nothing pressing to do, and i can just do regular chores around the house and not feel rushed or stressed about anything.  today is one of those days!!!  and i'm feeling so good about it. 

october was filled with good things- but so many of them!  will and i went to the oregon coast for a week.  when we came home it was time to get serious about our halloween parties that we throw every year.  they are a ridiculous amount of work.  we're thinking of taking next year off.  we had marte come stay with us for 10 days.  (another exchange student from norway that attends herriman high.)  and everyday preston and spencer spend at least 3 hours after school at rehearsal for the musical that is coming up this month.  preston is really feeling it the worst.  he is trying to get his college applications filled out, spend all of his time at play practice, work at his job, keep up with his current classes, and somehow have a social life.  he is struggling!  and honestly- i struggle watching him do it. 

november brings more good things.  will has to travel, a LOT.  he goes to new york, ohio, and boise several times.  the boys have their play performances.  we'll go to phoenix for thanksgiving.  it's will's birthday.  it will be a good month. 

june really likes the teletubbies and wanted to be them with the boys.  preston was so against it, but he eventually caved and gave in to her.  what a good host brother! 

marte, june and jenny.  all from norway attending herriman high.  they are good friends.

we think we had about 55 kids here that night.  it was absolute chaos.  but they had fun.

we had family photos done two weeks ago.  this isn't one of my favorites, but i thought it was fun. 

june's room

will and i spent a LOT of time working on june's room during july and august.  these pictures aren't the best, but they do show the before and after of the room.  we've since added a white bookshelf to her room, and i finally found the pillow shams that matched the bedding.  :)  i love the colors in there- i'm happy with how it turned out.  

hey june

our lives have been significantly different for the past 3 1/2 weeks.  having a 'sister' around has changed things around here- for sure!  she fits in really well with the older boys.  her and brig probably spend the most time together simply because they are home the most.  he makes her laugh.  he makes all of us laugh, actually. 

she's very nice and polite.  she laughs a lot and has already become very good at detecting all of our american sarcasm.  she is adventurous and willing to try anything.  so far it's going much better than will or i expected. 

summer has been crazy!

and it's passing by way too quickly.  i'm not ready for summer to end.  it's been so packed full of different adventures.  but i'll start at the beginning.  quince turned seven!!  seven. years. old.  i cannot believe that little guy is growing up so fast.  he is, without a doubt, one of the most wonderful people i have ever known.  i must have done something right to have been trusted to be his mom.