Raquetball Rules! Heather Dominates!

So yeah, I love raquetball. I learned the basics a couple of years ago, but decided to take a class at Mount Hood Community College this fall to expand my skills and have a ready supply of partners. Beren went to kindergarten at just the right time so it was meant to be.

Thanksgiving at Amy's

We traveled to decidedly un-snowy Utah this year for Thanksgiving. Beren was extremely happy to see his cousins and aunts and uncles again. The poor guy gets lonely knocking around our house with no sibbies. Eric's sister, Amy, prepared a lush feast which we were happy to scarf. The popocorn kernals were tied to a story of what the starving pilgrims had during one of their hard winters. Compared to the bounty we were enjoying, it was easy to be thankful.

Halloween

We used Reid and Melissa's house at our base camp this year. We had a lot more adults than kids, but so what? One of the reasons I had kids was so I could reclaim some of the awesomeness of childhood that I was too complacent to appreciate the first time around. Anyone of a similar mind is welcome to join me in whatever right of passage Beren is currently journeying through :). True to form, Landon's question after every house was "More candy, Mommy?" Beren's comment was, "My feet are getting tired, mom. I've got enough candy. Let's go back to the house."

Pumpkin Patch!

Holly and I teamed up to set our sons' feet on this important ritual; the choosing of the pumpkin that will become the hallowed out jack-o-lantern carcass.

Grandma of the Year

Well, my mom just couldn't take it and got on a plane after only a month and a half to come see us. We were glad to have her close by for all the halloween doings and she definitely improved Beren's quality of life.

Uncle Scott is Da Bomb!

Well, we finally made it to Seattle to see Scott's hip condo pad. Beren wasn't overly impressed with the house like we were; he just likes hanging out with his uncle.

Unconditional Love

I was a little irritated with Beren tonight when he showed up at the bathroom door needing to use the potty a mere two minutes after I had sunk down into a hot bath. "Beren, I grumbled, you knew I was coming in here. Why couldn't you have gone potty then?" "When you first came in here, I didn't feel like I had to go," he patiently explained. "Right!" I snorted. "Mama," he replied. "I love you. Even when you're difficult!"

The Public City Transit Bus

So awhile back Beren got a video called "There Goes a Bus." It is a real-action documentary type show for kids that explains all about how buses operate. To ride one of these buses became Beren's fondest dream. Whenever we would see one he would gaze with longing and sigh deeply and meaningfully from the backseat. So yesterday, we decided to grant his strange little wish. We planned a bus trip into Portland to Powell's Book Store. On the way there Beren explained all the features of the bus to his neophyte parents. Eric has some experience with public transit but I am a complete innocent. Anything Beren couldn't recall from the video he asked our fellow passengers. He was especially delighted with the experience of pulling the cord to let the driver know our stop was coming up and with exiting out of the rear doors on our return journey. After book shopping we all got hot cocoa and cookies at a nearby shop. It was a great day!

Great minds . . .

So check it out. These are the pajamas Holly (my sister) and I picked out for our sons completely independent of each other. We only discovered the similarities when she and Landon came to stay overnight with us last week. Crazy, eh?

Beren's classroom

After trick-or-treating

Pilgrim Problems

Mom: Well, Halloween is over now. What holiday comes next?
Beren: Um ... Christmas?
Mom: No, before that, in November.
Beren: Thanksgiving!
Mom: That's right. And what do we celebrate at Thanksgiving?
Beren:(long pause)... Chicken!

The Age of Accountability for Felines

Beren: (to Mom) "I offered to baptize the cat, but he just looked at me, so I guess that's a no."

2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23...

We were doing introductions in Elders Quorum today, so I said I was the instructor that taught on weeks of the month that were prime numbers, except for the 5th Sunday (and then reminded everyone that 1 is not a prime number). Most of them looked at me like I was an alien. Don't they teach math in school anymore?

Beren begins enjoying his Halloween costume. Should I buy some kibble?

Holly and Reid's Birthdays

We had the family who are currently living in Oregon (minus Adam who had to work) over on Sunday to celebrate aging. My camera's setting are screwed up again so some pics are a little washed out, but what can ya do? We also took some video for family members who are living out of state. I love my sibbies!

Peaches! Victory!

The fact that these golden bottles of summer exist is a miracle considering what we went through to get them. There are too many obstacles to list but some of the highlights include crazed, greedy U-pickers and racoon attacks. Nevertheless, we have prevailed. My mom gave me the jars, my mother-in-law provided the equipment and expertise, and behold! I may now rest easy is the halls of my canning crazy ancestors.

The Mowrer Family Visits a Farm and Takes Goofy Pictures

Eric and Beren tackled the corn maze while mom and I determined that the Elberta peaches were too green to pick. We viewed the animals, rode the hay wagon and a cow train, and had some good eats. A nice 3-generational day! The sunflower picture is of us and Eric's parents, Jim and Mary. I couldn't ask for nicer in-laws :).

Beren Before First Day of Kindergarten

Beren After First Day of Kindergarten