christmas trip

we are traveling the midwest seeing family and friends...   happy holidays!

happy birthday grandpa david!!!

Happy Birthday Grandpa!  We love you!  Can't wait to see you in 2 days!!!

zoo day

We miss Ryan & Matt now that they live downtown (more on that later).  So today Orson, Ayla, & I invited them to a morning walk at the zoo...

The tigers were amazing... 

The drums have always been Orson's favorite...

It was sunny but cold so we warmed up inside with a snack...

Thanks for the fun morning guys!

playdoughers

Orson, Ayla & I are stuck inside on cold, rainy days.  Last week we made our own playdough...

Orson's technique involved tearing it into little pieces...

Ayla worked on a larger scale...

fun!

happy birthday to micah!!!

Happy 6th Birthday to Micah! 

zoolights

Orson, Daddio & I went to see the light display at the zoo on Friday night.  It was great, Orson's eyes were huge as we wandered about the million lights...

santa baby

It was interesting that Orson instinctively knew to sit on Santa's lap...

it's beginning to look a little like christmas...

 

 Our tree is slowly getting decorated. I say slowly because Orson keeps "undecorating" the tree.

super orson returns

 The best thing about your halloween costume actually being pajamas is that you can wear it again...

grandpa nap

Orson found the perfect place to nap... Grandpa's arms!

thanksgiving family fun

When Orson heard that Grandma Judy, Grandpa Bruce, and Patsy were coming to see us for Thanksgiving week, he threw on his turkey headband and practiced eating...

Orson was excited to see Grandma...

 

 The kiddos had fun playing with Grandpa...

Orson & Ayla were interested in Patsy's new camera...

Orson & Grandpa enjoyed some quiet reading time...

And then they helped Grandma in the kitchen...

Orson couldn't wait for our feast to begin!

And neither could Matt & Ryan...

The table was full of delicious goodies that Grandma created...

We ate until we almost burst...

Orson was thankful to have such wonderful friends and family near...  Happy Thanksgiving!

so sweet

happy birthday to ryan!

We celebrated Ryan's birthday tonight...

The crew gathered for cake and ice cream...

Orson was quite interested in the cake...

and found it delicious!

Happy Birthday Ryan!

ryan & matt

 Cousin Ryan & Matt are staying with us while they find a home in Portland.  Orson is loving the attention and the dance parties...



big eyes

This is Orson waiting to skype with the farm...

(we hope Grandpa Bruce is feeling better!)

orson's week

Orson enjoyed his week with Ayla...

We had rainy days but still managed to spend time outside between the showers...

Orson was happy to discover Ayla likes crayons...

The playground next door was slippery but the kiddos loved swinging in the rain...

Orson & Ayla played and played...

Thank you for the fun days Miss Ayla, see you next week...

ayla!

Orson is very happy that Ayla is going to be spending a few days each week with us so her Momma Ann can work on her amazing jewelry line (http://www.annmadland.com/)...  today was our first day and Orson cried when Ayla left...

pumpkin planters

Today was a gorgeous fall day. 

Our pumpkins were getting funky so we decided to plant our own patch...

 The boys loaded up the wagon and headed toward the backyard...

 Orson cleared a place for the pumpkins...

Daddio turned up the soil...

And I smashed up the pumpkins...

We'll see if we have pumpkins next year...