Cannon Beach Trip

 We visited the Tillamook factory for the first time. 

 They even had gf bread and were able to make gf grilled cheese for us- yay! 

 Watching them cut and package the cheese. 

 Cuddling with his dolphin as he patiently awaits our arrival.

 We are finally here! Yahoo!!

 We had the best weather, mid 60's and sun the whole time, it was heavenly. 

 I came down with a cold on day 1 of the trip but it was nice to have time to just relax and nap with the beach in the background. 

 View from our room

 Another view from our room

 Lauren LOVED that the bathroom had a tv in it. She took long baths and just hung out in the the bathroom just so she could watch tv in there. 

 Naturally they loved this whale and were so mad they couldn't ride on it. 

 Kind of weird that we are wearing our Seabrook shirts in Cannon Beach...oops. 

 So pretty!

 Loved the candy shop, had to go there a few times. 

 This girl just cracks us up. Totally  normal lunch for a 6 year old, right? She chose this- they even had gluten free bread so she could've had a sandwich but oh no, she wanted a salad. And her only complaint? That they put cranberries on it because she doesn't like cranberries on her salad. 

 We spent a lot of time at the pool!

 Ben is braving it without floaties, though he can't swim away from the steps without them;) 

 Lauren loved how you could open up the bathroom so you could see the ocean while you took a bath. There were A LOT of baths taken!

 Being cozy after a few hours of swimming. 

 The second night the kids and I went out to dinner while Kevin was in a meeting. Lauren wanted to order clams and caesar salad (and she made if very clear to the server that she didn't want cranberries on her salad). Now clams are all she wants. Between her constant requests for lobster and now clams, we are going to go broke! This girl has the taste buds of a 40 year old. Next thing I know she's going to want to order a Chardonnay to go with it all. 

 Ben got p.b. & j. At least we have one kid with normal food habits. 

 They had an amazing gluten free chocolate soufflé with peppermint ice cream on top- it was heavenly. 

 Bonfire on the beach!

 Roasting marshmallows!

 Love my Benny Boo!

 The kids LOVED that we got to be with Kevin on his business trip. Now they are going to think this is what he always does when he goes away.

 Us

 On the way home we stopped in Astoria at the Goonies house. It's so weird to me that someone just lives there and it's a normal old house in a normal old neighborhood. 

It's pretty nice of the owners to let everyone walk up and see their house! 

Kevin let the kids watch this movie about a month ago so they were so excited to see the house. 

What a great way to say good-bye to summer! Thank you Cannon Beach! 

Run A-Thon

Lauren's school is having a run-a-thon to raise money this year instead of selling entertainment books! They are doing through a company called Orange Ruler that helps organize the whole thing and all the donations are collected on-line so kids don't go door to door. I just thought I'd post it on here in case anyone wants to sponsor Miss Lauren in her running:) 

https://orangeruler.com/pledge/invite/d167e44d9f2b34988d201d6d1f1d877d287e945a

This link takes you to a donation page that already has our names in it but I think you can just delete our names and enter your own in:) If not, let me know! 

Pictures from the week

 Lauren and Jodie doing their morning pushups:) 

 Breakfast Time! Jodie gets to sit with the big kids too and she loves it!

 Ben had Blaine over and they built a fort under the table and read by flashlight. It lasted a whole 5 minutes:) 

 Ben started Scot's Tot Soccer this week and it is the best. I was beyond impressed with how well Scot gets all these 4 year olds to listen and engage. The guy has a talent for sure!

I got to go to Chrysalis with Kelly & Michelle Saturday morning for some pampering and it was heavenly! 

And that is our iphone week in review:) 

First Day of 4's Preschool!

 Getting ready for his first day of preschool in the 4's class!

 4! 

 Out front

 Waving good-bye. He had no problem saying good-bye to us and we thought it went so smooth. When I went to pick him up I found out he sat in the teachers lap a lot of the morning as well as cried near the door. Oh Benny Boo, you are such a sensitive boy. 

But when it was time for pick up he was all smiles! Yay! 

St. Edwards Park

We went on a little family hike at St. Edwards park this morning. We all had a great time, I'm excited that the kids are getting old enough to do this kind of stuff without having to be carried (though Ben did request a lift on the way back up, but he was close to making it the whole way!)

 Of course both kids had to find walking sticks to help them make the trek.

 We made it to the bottom!

 refueling:) 

Lauren pondering life.

Interview with Ben 9.12.12

My friend did this little interview with her son before school started and I loved the idea, so I had to copy. The plan is to interview the kids with the same questions every year at the beginning of school and see how their answers change over the years. Should be fun to see. 

** I should note I did these interviews with them while the other was gone so their answers weren't influenced by the other. They both are really this obsessed with Justin Bieber!

My favorite food: crackers

My favorite sport to play: soccer

The best show on television is: Octonauts

The coolest person on Earth is: Mommy

My favorite thing about school is: when we get to play and snack time

The thing I do most awesomely is: playing video games

If I could change my name, it would be: H- I- G (he spelled that, didn't say it. Not sure he really understood). 

If I could go anywhere in the world, I would go to: to go see Justin Bieber

My favorite color is: blue

My favorite toy is: remote control things, Finn McMissile

When I grow up I want to be: to play video games

My favorite movie is: Barry B. Benson (the Bee Movie)

My favorite song is: Baby Baby by Justin Bieber

My favorite book is: Clifford books

Three words that describe me are: funny

One food I really don't like is: tomatoes

My best friend is: Bennett

If I had one wish it would be: for a race car Audi police car

Interview with Lauren 9.12.12

My favorite food: broccoli

My favorite sport to play: gymnastics

The best show on television is: Austin & Ally

The coolest person on Earth is: Justin Bieber

My favorite thing about school is: math

The thing I do most awesomely is: swimming

If I could change my name, it would be: Alia

If I could go anywhere in the world, I would go to: LA because Justin Bieber lives there

My favorite color is: turquoise

My favorite toy is: baby doll and Barbie

When I grow up I want to be: in the Olympics for gymnastics and a singer

My favorite movie is: Dolphin Tale

My favorite song is: As Long As You Love Me & Love Me Love Me, both by Justin Bieber

My favorite book is: "Killer Whales"

Three words that describe me are: six, "good at gymnastics" & "1st grade" 

One food I really don't like is: potatoes

My best friend is: Ella & Sadie

If I had one wish it would be: for Justin Bieber to be my brother

Cottage Lake Presbyterian Preschool

A little service announcement here:) 

The preschool Ben goes too (it is where Lauren went too!) has low enrollment this year so I wanted to put something on here just in case anyone is looking for a great preschool for this year. They have a 3's, 4's, and pre-k class. They are affordable, loving, organized, play based, and just overall fabulous! We love them. They preschool is held at a church but it isn't a faith based program- just an fyi. 

Spread the word! 

http://www.cottagelakepc.org/Preschool/OurApproach.aspx

10 years

 10 years ago today this lovely lady left us. Not a day goes by that we don't miss her terribly. Tonight we had a little party in her honor. 

 We wore silly light up glasses since she loved goofy stuff.

 Had a kid table

 and a grown up table.

 We had a joke gift exchange. 

Grandma loved joke gifts and we always exchanged silly gifts on Christmas eve. 

 Pa got a Bozo

 Lauren got a squirty ring

 I got a giant coloring book

 Hads got fake dog poop...but shhh, don't tell Auntie Meg, she's going to try and trick her:) 

 Carson was so excited to open a gift, he wasn't thrilled to be #7 in the line up and kept saying, "opie opie (open)". But finally it was his turn!

He got super cool glasses that make it so he can see behind him. 

 Then for dessert we made Cherries Jubilee. I remember Grandma lighting it on fire and thinking it was the coolest fanciest thing ever. 

The kids loved the flames, weren't overly thrilled about eating it, though once they tried it they found it was really good. I forgot how good it is- we'll definitely be making it again! 

Thanks for all the great memories grandma and for teaching us to make lots of our own. 

xoxo

Prentice gap

Most people on the Prentice side of my family have the Prentice gap. Lauren got it and thinks she's so cool! She thinks its especially cool that she can hold these Starbucks sticks in between her gap. 

What a trick!