Happy Halloween!

This year for Halloween, we had a bit MORE of everything... more concern/worry about how we would handle scary decorations that are everywhere, but also more excitement at how we would dress up and enjoy the whimsical fun part of this holiday. I took Max to a harvest party at our church, and both girls had parties in their classes at school. Our friends the Paynes (aka "Cat in the Hat" trio) came over and trick-or-treated with us, we had so much fun in our little neighborhood just visiting the neighbors and racing through the streets after dark :)

Madeline decided the costume theme this year (seriously, she announced it to her siblings who heartily approved her choice). Her instructions: SHE was going to be Rapunzel from the movie Tangled (they watched the last 10 minutes, but it's her "favorite show"), Marin was going to be the Queen Mother (not the mean mother, the true mother who was searching for her kidnapped daughter), and finally Max was Pascal (the little lizard sidekick in the movie). Oh my word, they are so funny. My kids are like a little gang, I love them!

Note about our pumpkin: Marin designed it and I carved it :) Pretty cute, I personally like her touch of the eyelashes :)



Kyle wants me to clarify that he is making his "Captain Kirk face" below which turned out a little creepier than intended. HA HA HA!!

I wanna rock and roll all night...

... and party every day!

Kyle and Maddie went on a date a few weeks ago, and look what they came back with! She talked him into the pink one (poor Max)... :) He doesn't seem to mind.



My sweet precious boy...

... with long eyelashes :)

Madeline's train ride with Nana

Maddie has been waiting for this for four long years - her train ride with Nana! She was finally old enough to go on Nana's special outing (that she reserves for all grandchildren when they turn 4). Last year Maddie flipped her wig when we saw Marin off, because the train whistles were so loud at the Portland station. This time around, they left from Vancouver where things are much smaller & quieter, which is just what the doctor ordered. She still covered her ears the entire time prior to stepping foot on the train :) She had a blast, and once again we are blessed with a Nana who makes wonderful memories with her grandchildren!

Marin's first homework

In kindergarten, most of the homework is just reading.. I love this, because we already read a ton and for some reason it feels even more productive now that the school "makes" us :) Her first homework, though, was a scrapbook page that shows off Marin's likes/hobbies/family to put in a school book. After lots of hard work, here is the result (Mom is by nature NOT a crafty girl)... We are proud of our girl & her page!

Preschool Potluck

The Oregon Corrigans got to escort the lovely Madeline to her preschool's annual family potluck. It's held at the beginning of each year to celebrate a new school year starting, mingle with the other preschool families, and just have fun! Max is not pleased with the distribution of cotton candy... 'Nuff said :)

Welcome Baby Trey

No, I didn't have another baby :) My 'sister from another mister' did... (I'm proud that I'm using that phrase incorrectly)... Sommer welcomed her sweet baby boy into the world, and no matter how many trips "down to Beaverton" it took, we got a picture of all my kids holding the new baby. Love this new little member of the Bury family! He is freakishly adorable. Newborns aren't usually this darling. Love him!

First Day of Preschool

Maddie had her first day of preschool in Mr. Sellke's 4 year old class! This was the teacher Marin had last year when she was 4, so this was a BIG bonus for my timid little girl. She had a great day, and was brimming with confidence, since she already was so familiar with everything that happens in this class. She came home with a wide smile, and already bubbling about a new friend she made. Also unlike last year, she was chatting up the entire office staff, as well as the 3 year old teachers (we had to go visit our old teachers after class was over!)... what a difference a year makes :)

Side note: I find it hysterical that both girls chose their red/white dresses as "first day of class" choices. If you even knew how many different dresses these girls own, you would understand what I'm saying. They just really REALLY like to match. Ironically, Marin's first day was last Thursday, and Maddie's was today (Tuesday), so the matching even crossed time boundaries. And yes, they basically choose all their own clothes now. I give creative suggestions when I'm allowed :) I got each one of them a little hanging shoe cubby for their closet, and "we" choose their entire week's worth of outfits over the weekend & stuff the cubbies with all necessary accessories & parts of the outfit. It makes the morning routine much smoother, since there are no discussions about weather concerns & debating if that red dress matches those pink leggings (or not). We are four days into the school year, but so far so good :)

First Day of Kindergarten

The time has come, a huge milestone - our first child entering kindergarten! She was so excited, and loved her first day. I asked her "tell me all the things you loved", and she listed many, many things. Then she paused, said "Mom there was ONE thing that worried me a little though." I braced myself... then she said "it worries me that you won't let me ride the bus"... ha! Please, I figured I would at least drive her the first week or two, while we got used to everything... but Little Miss had other ideas in mind, so we are officially riding the bus full time (except for preschool days when we have to go pick up Maddie)... she loves it! This is where Mommy has to breathe. My outgoing, self confident, first-born is racing forward into new adventures with no concern! I'm glad she loves it :) Little did she know that I grilled the office staff for every last tiny detail of how she will be getting into her classroom once she gets off the bus, because I can't stomach the idea of her just "figuring it out" as a 5 year old in a new, big school. Thankfully there is a very specific system, and she is going to be just fine :) First time school mommy, loud and proud! :) Go school! I'm loving it.

A little pastry break after kindergarten drop off, and before Maddie's preschool open house.

After school, waiting for Marin to get home on the bus. Max must be calling the officials to find out where she is :)

There she is!! Her bus is here!!

 Next morning ~ waiting to take the bus to school. Racing ahead of the pack at the bus stop, first one on... Excited much? :)

The Fishin' Hole

It's Labor Day weekend, and the fall is coming fast. So we took a spontaneous trip to our favorite fishing hole for one last hurrah before we start school this week! The catching was good, however for some reason we always seem to catch more than the other people there. We always get the questions like "which spot were you at?", "what bait did you use?"... it's just worms & sunshine people, nothing fancy going on there. Aaaannnnd, now we have to (I mean "get to") eat it :)

Matchy Matchy

Who says kids are the only ones who can match in our family? Max with his beautiful matching Auntie... He is protesting the camera, but we caught him anyway :)

 

Farewell Grandpa

My beloved Grandpa Morry passed away last week. He passed from this life (98 years) into Heaven, and I loved him so much. He was the funniest, warmest, most accepting person I've ever known. He always thought his grandkids were the most amazing human beings alive. For example, at my younger sister's highschool graduation, I was sitting next to him in the audience. A young girl from Jessica's graduating class was in the middle of singing a very nice song, and Grandpa totally bellows out (in his trademark booming voice) says "Lis, what is this? You can sing way better then her". He was not joking, not even a little. Which is mostly so funny because I am not a good singer at all. I can hold a tune, but I am not gifted with song. But Grandpa thought I was the best thing since sliced bread, since I always sung along with his ukelele songs.  I was counting the SECONDS til I could race to grab my sister to tell her what Grandpa did, it was so hilarious. I loved him, and I'm so happy he is with his precious wife & Jesus together at last. Here's our wedding picture, with all four of my grandparents. My grandparents who are now in Heaven are the ones standing on my side.

 

We traveled north for the funeral this week, and it so happened it was the week before my parents move out of our childhood home. So one last chance to sleep in my old house, and say "goodbye" to the neighborhood. I'm kind of sad, for lots of reasons! Just lots of good memories there, and it's hard to believe we will not be back there. My girls are sad too, but we have lots to look forward to visiting their "new" house on Camano Island. We've been going there for years, so it will be a familiar new home. So, one last family picture in my parent's front yard :)