Oregon

We survived a week of Brandon being in Oregon for work.  He was visiting service stations all around Portland and got a little time to go exploring and visit the ocean.  He had an absolute blast!  My mother-in-law came up from Texas to help me out with the kids.  It was a great distraction for us all.  We did crafts, school, went to the zoo, out to eat, and played a lot.  Here is a little taste of his trip.

Tahoe

I had a wonderful whirlwind trip to Tahoe this last weekend for my cousin's wedding.  We hiked Spooner Lake, Cave Rock, Marlette Lake hike, relaxed in the cabin, visited with family, enjoyed the rehearsal dinner and wedding, kayaked, spent the night at my Grandpa's house, beached it, dodged falling pine cones, enjoyed the Aspen's beautiful changing colors etc.  I was able to relax and have a wonderful time because Eli and Cora were having a BLAST back here with Brandon.  Every time I talked to them they were happy and having fun, which allowed me to have a great time.  Asher was amazing!  He traveled wonderfully and charmed everyone everwhere we went.  He slept on almost all the flights and was happy to snuggle with me in the cabin at night.  He loved meeting all of my mom's side of the family and smiled constantly and won them all over.  It was a very refreshing weekend and felt great to be back at my second home.  I have spent time at Tahoe/Reno every year of my life and it always feels like home and is SO hard to leave.  I swear I could feel my Grandma with me wherever I went and felt very close to her.  I have never been to Tahoe in the Fall.  I've been there in all other seasons, so it was really fun!    

Pumpkins in the Park

Today was Eli's preschool Fall field trip.  They got to go to Sedgwick County Park and play. go on an adventure walk and have story time, have smores for snacks, and pick out a pumpkin.  The kids all had a blast.  A boy in Eli's class, Maddox, informed me that Eli is his "best friend" and they played the entire morning.  Cora joined up with the girls in Eli's class and you would have thought she was one of them.  They all hugged, held hands, played etc.  It was adorable!  Asher was a trooper and enjoyed watching the action.  I love watching my kids have fun!

October

Fall weather has arrived and with it the painstaking task of getting clothes, coats, socks, shoes, jackets, etc. on three kids :-).  I love Spring and Summer and have a hard time with Fall and Winter.  At least we have some amazing holidays to look forward to or I would boycott them forever!  I already miss the kids running around naked, playing in the backyard barefoot, etc.  We will make the best of it and try to stay sane!  I have been making pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin pies, and tomorrow is Eli's field trip to get pumpkins and play in the park.  Embracing it folks!  October is our crazy month of travel and business.  I am clinging to every moment of family time.  Brandon had church stuff that took up the weekend and two evenings and we all really missed him (notice above picture in which Eli cried for an hour staring at Brandon's work badge picture).  It helped that I am leaving for Tahoe with Asher on Thursday, so I kept reminding them that they get Daddy all to themselves for 3 1/2 days and told them all of the fun things he has planned.  They are really excited and don't seem to be upset by my leaving (not surprised at all considering I am with them 24hrs and they never care when I go as long as they get Daddy time).  I think Eli and Cora are going to have a blast, and I am really excited to join my mom and brother in Tahoe, and see all of my family at my cousin's wedding.  Asher deserves some one on one time as well, so I am looking forward to that as well!  I took Cora out on a girl's date last night and we had so much fun.  She is just a joy!  All these ladies kept fawning over her at Panera and after they'd leave she'd say, "That little lady was so friendly!"  I just wanted to cry she is so cute.  Very thankful for these kiddos...living the dream!