Coug Recruit & Cousin Love

I have to be honest, after this season, my loyalty to the beloved Cougs was definitely tested. But alas, an Apple Cup won is always sweet (no matter how rotten it was). And poor Sam has no choice in his college allegiance at this point, so the Cougs it is!

Okay Sam, if there is a question on your entrance exam to WSU about the proper dump truck driver positioning, feet first in the mouth isn't the correct answer (let's hope it's a multiple choice exam!).

How is it again that we over stimulate our little ones these days?

It's hard to believe the two buddies above have had countless hair pulling, ear twisting, claw scratching, blood drawing spats over the years. It truly is a love/hate thing they share.

Speaking of love/hate! Actually, Audrey is very sweet to Sam. He'll take anything he can get from her. She walks through the room and his eyes are glued on her with that chubby smile. If she "accidentally" pushes him as she walks by . . . no matter, it actually makes him giggle. A kiss to the forehead is uncontrollable delight.

Audrey snuck out of this picture as I think she was jealous about having to share cousin Kyla with Sam. Audrey asbolutely worships Kyla. She literally stands in front of her mirror at home and asks if she looks like cousin Kyla. I think we all had that older cousin we so looked up to when we were kids. We are so fortunate that Audrey has Kyla. Thank you for being so sweet Kyla, I know it isn't easy!

Wait, I take that back. I'm not sure Audrey is excited to be laying next to Kyla at all. Oh my.

October = Potty Training & Halloween

After several months (let's call it 6) of pestering Audrey about potty training, Lisa and I finally decided to let her do it on her own time. I was shocked to hear 3 year olds don't always do what mommy and daddy tell them to do.

Anyway, on October 1st when Lisa was getting Audrey out of bed Lisa said "guess what today is Audrey" and Audrey calmly replied "Potty Training Day". Really!? Okay! Let's make a chart and go for it. After 3 little accidents that morning she's been perfect.

With a gift given for every 7 successful potty runs, you can imagine their would be a big gift at the end of the chart. Well, we gave Audrey some choices . . . a bike, maybe a trip to Disneyland . . .


. . . nope, she wanted a freakishly large tinker bell balloon. Lifesize actually to a 3 year old. Some things aren't meant to be blown up. Tinker bell is no longer a cute little pixie in my mind.


Audrey was so excited about her new found independence, she had to create a cheer for it. I'm not sure which side of the equation I'm more worried about when I notice that my 3 year old is one clothes pin away from fitting into her mother's high school cheerleading uniform.

Audrey bragging to her little brother . . . perhaps a challenge . . . "see how impressed mom and dad are with me . . what have you done lately". Okay Sam, show us what you've got . . .

Oh my Sam, you're going to have to bring a little better game than that!

October also brought a trip to the pumpkin farm, now an annual tradition with Sydney. Here comes the token parent comment "I can't believe how much they've grown!". : (


I was pretty happy when Audrey turned down the caramel apple and elephant ear for the much healthier roasted corn . . . until I saw the melted butter vat that they dipped it into 3 times. Audrey was in heaven.

Sam is taking the "scare" part of scarecrow seriously. Well done kiddo.

Any chance he's shedding some of the baby fat? HAH!


Mom took one look at the butcher knife I pulled out to carve my pumpkin and quickly went in to safe'n'sane mode.

Hands down, Audrey's favorite part of her butterfly costume was the little bit of make-up on her nose. She literally had a panic-attack when she thought she smudged it on the way to Sydney's house for trick'or'treating. Tradgedy averted when mommy pulled out a little eye-liner.

Scary Giraffe.

The past several years Lisa and I have taken Audrey to Queen Anne Avenue. While this has been great as it's very festive, and frankly very easy, our move to the suburbs was complete when we did the old fashioned "door to door". It was surprisingly nostalgic.

Sydney was adorable in her angel costume!

Sam doesn't realize in this photo that mommy and daddy have poached all of his halloween candy. Better luck next year "gum boy".

Booster Seat & Thanksgiving Prep

Daddy's girls! A mile from our house there is a little shopping village (actually called Country Village) that has a bunch of quaint little furniture stores, craft stores, tea rooms, and a great bridal shop (so I'm told). It's basically a guy's worst nightmare on Sunday afternoon.

It's tough to miss as there is a 40 foot chicken that guards the entrance. As Calie pointed out, you know you've moved out of the city when directions to your house include "turn right after you pass the big chicken". I'm never at risk of missing it as every time we pass it (which is often as it's on the way to I-405) Audrey screams out "BU-KAWWWW!!!!!".

The train ride is a must when we go to "The Village". Of course, out of all the "open air" options for train cars, Audrey has to be in the caboose. While I look comfortable, it's an extremely bumpy ride once we hit the trail. At least seventeen times (the number of head bumps I experienced) I realized that the caboose is not the equivalent of first class on Alaska.

Angie threw a little Labor Day get together at the lake. It's great that the kids are old enough to enjoy popsicles and fun in the sun.

Our little girl has graduated to a booster seat. And we were actually worried she might not like it.

Sam is not shy with the smiles. He's such a good kid. Why doesn't he sleep?

The Disney princess addiction is still going strong. Though I think we are on track to be a butterfly for Halloween so perhaps it's waning?

Are we at the age where we can work some chores into the mix? This is a great photo. However, the better photo would have been 3 minutes after as we were trying to get the hose back from her. Nothing says super-soaker like a 3 year old with a live hose!

My ladies about to hit the town. Or the village . . . . Country Village . . . . BU-KAWWWW!!!!

Sammy getting ready for Halloween. Very scary Sam, very scary.

Audrey is already working on her Thanksgiving form. I'm always surprised at the things kids will and won't eat. I wouldn't think olives would make the cut, perhaps it's the fun factor?

"My sister is amazing! I don't know what Thanksgiving is, but I'm on board! Gimmee, gimmee, gimmee one of those olives!".

First Solids & Potty Training

Sam's all prepped for his first taste of solid food. He's so excited . . . .

"Wait a minute mom, I'm not sure I'm ready, this is kinda scary . . . "

"AH, come on Mom! That stuff tastes awful!!!!".

One of the things Lisa feared in leaving the city was all the great parks we were leaving behind. Our first venture to Saint Edwards Park in Kenmore aleviated all those fears.

I still get dizzy just looking at the dreaded tire swing.

Our local book store (while not a park) was also a pleasant surprise. Who can't get on board with toddler size chess! I'm not sure who was playing Black, but Audrey has them beat.

Audrey turned 3 this past month. She wanted a fish cake for her birthday. I'm so happy Lisa's creative talents interpreted Audrey correctly in that she wanted a fish shaped cake. Great job Lisa transforming the white rectangle sheet cake into an adorable birthday memory.

Oh, how our Saturday afternoons have changed. We wouldn't change it for the world.

The definite theme of the party (and her life in general right now) was Disney princess. "Daddy, if you let me wear this cool sleeping mask I promise to brush my teeth every night and be in bed by 8pm". Really honey . . . okay.

Mwahhhh hahhh hahhh, Mwahhhh hahhhh hahhhh hahhhhh!!!!

"Look, another princess dress!" Feeding the addiction . . .

Totally biased, but cutie pie kiddos.

times two
. . . . and a beautiful mommy!

Audrey has become a little fascinated with getting married. Lisa threw together a little extra fabric along with her actual wedding shoes and viola, instant child bride . . .

Luckily in all the make believe weddings I am still the one she marries. Ahhhh . . .

When the weather hit 90 degrees we figured we should take Sam to one of our favorite new parks for his inaugural dip into Lake Washington. Nice tummy shot Sam.

Gilligan?

Every time we think we're making progress on the potty training front, Audrey shows us how far we have yet to go. Who knew pull-ups were so versatile!