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 :)

 

A first

It took a whopping 5-1/2 years, but Kyle finally painted some daughter fingers & toes! Being the perfectionist he is, this project was of course done with extreme loving care: complete with first coat, second coat, glitter coat, top coat and drying drops. What a man! Seriously, I wonder what it would take to talk him into doing my nails for me. Seriously. Ya, I'm not holding my breath on that one :)

Madeline turning 4!

Our darlin' Madeline turned 4 this month! She's been waiting a loooong time to be 4, and it's a big thrill for her to finally reach her destination. She chose Lucky Charms for her birthday cereal, and "lucky" for her, the family size box happened to be on sale, so we've been extending our sugar cereal adventures far into the week.

We celebrated at breakfast, then Daddy surprised her at lunch by coming home so we could all be together while she opened her birthday presents. The absolute favorite gift was from her big sister, who thought of and selected a Rapunzel doll (with very VERY long hair to brush). Marin came up with this idea on her own, and I even thought to myself "hmmm, not sure if Maddie will think much of this", but I was so very wrong. Maddie might have the love language of gifts, because this very thoughtful gift from her sister has made her entire world feel perfect.

Per her request, dinner was spaghetti noodles and donuts :) After dinner, I surprised the girls with a special "night swim" at the local pool, and the open swim session started right around bedtime. They were stoked to be heading somewhere fun instead of heading to bed. The Oregon International Air Show was this weekend, so we were able to swim outside and watch all the fancy tricks in the evening sky. Much better than watching from our backyard (which is louder than Armageddon). Have I mentioned how the wicked loud airshow makes me crazy with little kids? Freaks them all out, so by the end of the weekend they are totally sleep deprived from missing naps and living in fear of the next fly-by. In a couple years, they will think it's awesome, I know :)

Anyway, back to the birthday girl. I have to say, I am continually struck by the depth, complexity, sensitivity, strength of will (one might perhaps call it stubbornness), humor, intelligence, creativity and light that is Madeline Marie. She is a joy, and makes this world a much brighter place.

2011 Corrigan Family Vacation: ~ Longbeach, WA

For the first time in 15+ years, the Corrigan clan broke tradition and did our yearly vacation together somewhere other than Sunriver. We all absolutely love Sunriver, but our families are spread out so far, and the kids are all in school (we used to go over Labor Day), so this year we decided to try something new. We found the perfect location (thanks Mara & Nana for all your hard work scouting this out), two houses built right near the beach on a cul-de-sac just north of town. The original house was actually the first house built in Longbeach, built in the 1800's, and the second house is the detached garage that was remodeled into a two story house. Amazing! So private, quaint, spacious, inviting and warm. The owner is a Christian, and the house just seems to speak from its walls the love of God. Books beckon from the bookshelf on all sorts of interesting and uplifting topics, sparking many of us to browse and engage in conversation about their contents. The weather was gorgeous, the beach was beautiful, the town was close by & fun. Not to mention the pool table, foosball table, air hockey and enormous dining area.

I heard repeated by many of my family members, and I agree - this was one of the most relaxing, enjoyable and warm times we have had together. I personally appreciated all the many times I saw grace given, smiles & hugs exchanged and love poured out from all different angles (grandparents, daughters, sons, mommies, daddies, aunties, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, brothers, sisters... did i cover it? i think that's all of us!)... I love my Corrigan family :) Pictures in white and blue are results of our coordinated effort to get some group pics, i think they turned out great!

Beach shots (kite festival going on too!):

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