Choosing our Christmas Tree

John and Josh with our tree, beginning to free it from its mortal coil:


I did it!

Thanksgiving Tubing

We spent Thanksgiving day on Mt. Hood, enjoying the falling snow and tubing. It was so pretty. The trees looked beautiful with their coats of snow, and Josh loved tubing. As soon as he reached the bottom of the hill, he started his refrain, "Again, Again!" Unfortunately this hill has no rope tow, so John and I were exhausted carrying Josh and the tube up the hill over and over. But it was still fun, and definitely worth it.

Here they go:


Starting the next trip:


John is happy to have reached the top of the hill;
Josh is wondering why we aren't going down yet:

Lunch in the Ski Chalet

So cute in ski bib and goggles:


Hounded by the paparazzi:


Okay, I'll give you a big smile, even though I'm eating:

You can also really see in this picture that he is losing his baby face and starting to look like a big boy.

Back out in the snow

Playing with snowballs:


Enjoying the falling snow:


Hi Mom:

Family Pictures

John and Josh summitting the hill:


Monica and Josh:


Our family, with the lovely snow-covered trees in background:

Josh's trading card

The Band Plays On

Little drummer boy:


Josh has really taken to drumming. In addition to his Remo drum, John found this great marching band drum for Josh. He actually will march with it, too. He hands out all of our assignments ("Mommy, drum" if I'm lucky, otherwise I get the two measuring cups for a cymbals or castanet-type accompaniment), and then the three of us march around and make music. That is what they call quality family time, folks.

He has found that the best drumsticks for this one are the spatulas (see above), though his Halloween pumpkin flashlight (see below) works well too.


Here he is with Daddy on guitar. We make quite a band.

Halloween Costumes!

Our little firefighter and his faithful dalmatian companion:



This was the first time Josh understood Halloween. After being happily fascinated by the "monsters" we saw in stores and yards all week, he got a little scared of them on Halloween night. So we went off in search of friendly faces and went trick or treating with our friends Matt, Lissa, Noah, and Leo. Josh loved that part: he particularly loved getting to ring so many doorbells, and because we forgot to bring his basket in our haste to soothe the monster fear, he also loved getting to eat each piece of candy while en route to the next house. We had fun, but only lasted about two blocks. Next year Josh will probably understand it more, and have a full-blown Halloween.

I bought the dalmation mask just for fun and play earlier in the week, without making the connection. John suggested that it would go well with the firefighter, and made his own dalmatian shirt the night before Halloween so that he could match Josh. He is one good Daddy!

Pumpkin Patch, Part 1

As we have the past two years, we took Josh out to Sauvie Island to visit the farms and enjoy the pumpkin patch. It was a beautiful, crisp fall day. We had a great time.

First order of business was the hay ride to the pumpkins.


"Hi mom. I'm really cute, and the sun is really bright in my eyes."

Pumpkin Patch, Part 2

Here we are searching for our perfect pumpkins. The selection was good, and it was great not having to tromp through the mud as we have in the past.


Josh, however, though it would also be interesting to climb the hill and see where it went.


John recovered him, and he got into the game.

Pumpkin Patch, Part 3

We loaded up for the return hay ride. John and Josh showed off our bounty.


I wonder what hay tastes like?


Enjoying the lovely day.

Pumpkin Patch, Part 4

Upon our return to the farm, Josh spotted the ponies. He did not, however, spot the line. He was sooo eager to get a ride and was not going to waiting . He did not comprehend why he couldn't just go in. After an exuberant protest, John distracted him with a trip to see the pigs, llamas, and goats. Monica held the space in line. All's well that ends well.



Josh and "Pokey." Poor thing seemed bored to tears. (Pokey, not Josh. Josh loved it!) We gave him lots of ear scratches while we could.

Pumpkin Patch, Part 5

Finally, the best part of all (tied with jumping in the mud puddles repeatedly, but we did not photograph that). The tractors! Josh spent probably an hour of our 2 1/2 hours there on the tractors. Mind you, they were not for display or play; these were working tractors actually used by the farm employees. Every time someone came around I was worried we'd be booted. But Josh was oblivious, and so happy!

Little tractor:



Big tractor: