Happy Halloween!

Posers

This is a preview of our yearly photo op. Tell us what you think!

Pumpkin Patch 2009

We went to Carlton Farms and visited their pumpkin patch. It was basically awesome!!! There were a bunch of other people from our ward who visited as well. It is located in Lake Stevens, sort of, which is like 30 mile away from us. We actually went here last year as well.

Here are some of the animals on the farm. I feel bad for this brown goat. He has a horrible under bite. Gwen said it looked painful.

This is the one pumpkin we bought. It was 25 cents. We actually didn't buy anything last year when we came, so this is an upgrade.

Maddy and I are playing tag in the corn that was grown with the pumpkins. If you look really closely you can see thousands of baby pumpkins scattered all over the ground. They look kind of like peas, and when you step on them they pop!

There was a long downhill walk from where we parked to where the pumpkins were located, so I offered to Gwen a rid in the wheelbarrow.

Emma's looking for a good pumpkin to snag.

This is the inside of a giant pipe that is set up as a slide for the kids. Maddy had a difficult time going down, so she pushed herself down with her hands. It was really cute.


Emma really didn't want to walk, so this was the solution!

No more Crib

We finally decided to let Emma out of her cage. She has taken to this new-found freedom like a fish to water, let me tell you. I liken it to the post revolutionary war period when the Americans finally got free of the British taxes. FREEEEEEEEEDOM!!!

Our Country Visitors

Lots of pictures of the Girls and the Dogs. Emma and Madison adored Jack and Jasmine. They played in the park together, did a little tug-o-war, and even had licking contests. All in all, I would have to say that someday we will definitely HAVE to get a dog. There is no way out of that one. However, we will get a Husky.
All of these pictures are of the Pike's Place Market. If you've ever seen the movie Free Willy, then you know about the fish throwers. Those guys work here. So do lots of other people as well. There was lots to see here, and it was a happening place.

French Artists

Gwen and I decided to go on a fun creative date, so we dressed like French artists and went to 'Gas Works Park' and drew some oil pastels of the Seattle Skyline and the Space Needle. Emma and Maddy were both jealous that I got to wear an acrylic mustache and goatee, so they both (ever so politely demanded to have one as well!!We also snapped a couple of pictures of the skyline so you could enjoy the Space Needle and downtown Seattle. It was a really swell day, and the sun was wonderfully warm the entire time we were there. This is also a picture of Lake Union, and the sailboats out for joy rides. There is also a private plane company on the Lake that give customers flight over the greater Seattle area, for like $65, and from what I hear is really fun.
The hill we were on is a great spot to go for kite flying. The wind always gets blustery, and there are always tons of kites there. Also, if you want to try out your extreme sports skills there were some dudes on mountain board, with their feet strapped in, riding down the side of the hill, doing jumps and stuff. It was pretty cool.
I know what all of you are thinking, "Lets move to Seattle!!" Well, frankly, I don't blame you. With weather like this, and wonderful sights like these, who wouldn't want to live here. Forget that this place has the second worst traffic in the US. We're green, and proud of it!
This picture here is of the gas lines that are no longer used, and the namesake of the park.

UW 42 ---> Idaho 23

Gwen and I went to the Husky vs. Vandal game today on a beautifully sunny afternoon. Temperatures hit 85 degrees, and we both got a little sun. We had a blast though. The day started with some face painting. I painted Gwen, and she painted me. The biggest highlight of the night was that the Huskies finally won. After 15 straight losses (tied for a Pac 10 record achieved on two different occasions by Oregon State University) the Huskies finally pulled out a big W. We were so proud of them. Hope you enjoy the rest of the pictures.

Sleepy Kids

Just for the record, Maddy is the only one of our kids who has fallen asleep with unchewed food in their mouth. That means that somewhere in between sticking that cracker in her mouth and actually taking the first bit, she hit the sack. Here is some video of the entire back seat. All three girls were out cold when we went to the grocery store, so I went in to get them by myself.

Lana's in the Mix

After Lana performed a belly-to-back suplex on Emma, she tagged Maddy, and this is what happened next...that's what you get when you're the youngest...you might be able to get the best of one of the siblings, but there's always more to get you back. If you're really curious as to why there is no adult intervention at this point, then you would probably like to know that this is one of Lana's favorite games. She always gets a kick out of being smashed by either of her sisters, and she will usually sneak in a cheap hair pull, or a wet kiss. So she can take it, but she can dish it too!!! The girls also enjoy doing Girly things like painting toenails and doing each other's hair.
By the way, Gwen is also included in the 'girls'. Here Gwen is showing Maddy the ropes of efficient hair styling, and Lana is being the patient patient.

Goin Swimmin With the Fish

The Girls and I took a trip to the Seattle Aquarium last week. We went to a well child check-up for all three girls (all of whom received at least one shot) and scored to free adult passes. So we invited a couple of friends. This is a good shot of Emma and Maddy entranced by the fish in the tank. If you look carefully, you can see Madison's reflection on the glass. She loved the fish. This was also Lana's first time at the Aquarium. She was begging us to come back again.Emma also thought that the killer whale fin was pretty fun. I would have jumped on it too...