Finally re-entering the blogging world!

Hopefully you all didn't give up on me, even though it's been a couple months. Finally was able to get pictures figured out on computer. Don't ask, it's been extremely frustrating. So, here I am coming back to update the world on our happenings since September. There has been a lot to mention.
Adam has decided after not doing so hot in Calculus, that he doesn't want to major in math anymore, which means no more math teacher. He wants to get a degree in econimics and possibly still teach, but is also on a waiting list for a newer program in water conservation at the school. We just have to wait to see if he gets in for next fall. Then it would be 2 years to finish that. I was hoping to be able to be a high school coach's wife, but my dreams are shattered. :) I just want him to enjoy what he is doing and be able to support us at the same time.
After lots of soul searching, I took a day job at my same clinic because the night and weekend hours were causing me a lot of unhappiness. I had done it for about 6 years and felt that I couldn't stand to work these hours for 2 or more years while Adam is in school. I was scared about figuring out what to do for the kids during the day, but Adam's sister comes over to our house and watches the kids for us to make things way less complicated. And Adam is home a lot with them because of his school schedule. So for now, things are working out good and I get to be a part of the goings ons that I have missed for so long. No more not getting to do things because I work. My schedule is mon-wed 8am-5pm. I have a ton of time off built up because I no longer have to use it. It's great!!!
I also started a weight loss journey with some of my friends. It has been good to have the support because we all know how hard it is! We started in september and I've lost 21 lbs so far. Wish it was more, but it's been coming off healthy. Plus there's those weeks that aren't so great. But I feel way better, and feel like I can continue do lose the weight with support. Wish me luck!

Our whole family completed a 5K on Thanksgiving called the Turkey Stuffer. Wish I had pictures but wasn't smart enough to remember that. I was going to run it with my sister but she decided to sleep in instead, so as I was getting ready in the morning, my family was waking up and I said to Adam "Lets all go and walk this thing". So we all got ready and I signed the girls up there because they were free, and we were off. There were a lot of people and I got to see a lot of friends I hadn't seen in awhile. Most of my weight loss group did it so that was great! The girls were really tired but when we got to the 2nd mile, I was like "we are gonna run the rest of the way to the finish!" They were exhausted but did their best and ran more than I thought they could. It was fun to do as a family and also a great way to feel better about stuffing ourselves on Thanksgiving!
That is all I can think of right now. I will try to be better at posting more often, because I miss hearing from my friends! And I will be better about checking in on all of you too!

Halloween and the Pumkin Patch

We all were in the spirit for Halloween this year. Even Adam dressed up, and that is pretty much a miracle. He was just supposed to be a doctor but put on the wig thinking it was part of the costume too. The night of Halloween, I took the girls trick or treating and left Garrett with my mom. Adam got to go to the Duck vs USC game with my stepdad, so it was just me and the kids. It was pretty drizzly so the girls weren't up for walking around much. Afterwards we booked it to the church because we had reserved it for my sister's 30th birthday party. Her hubby came up with the idea to have an old school dance party. It was fun but because of his and my poor planning, only family came and 1 friend. Thanks Kristy! It was really fun though. We had great food, great music, and great people to dance the night away. And she appreciated the thought and work. I took her to New Moon and dinner for her birthday present.

Every year when we go to the pumkin patch, we go to Johnson's farm. The owner drives the tractor for your hayride and takes you on a wild ride. If you don't hold on, you are flying everywhere! Plus he has all these scarecrows with pumpkins piled on there bucket heads and he lets you grab a bunch of gords to try to knock the pumpkins down along the ride. So fun! The kids love it. We went with our good friends and all had a blast. There was this pumpkin trick or treating bucket with the small opening hanging from a tree by a string. As we passed by, Adam threw a gord up and it went right in the bucket. If you saw this whole situation, you would realize it was a 1 in a million shot. That was pretty incredible. We decided later the guy should have given Adam a free ride or pumpkin for that one. What's up with that?

Kyla getting ready to tag a scarecrow!

Grandpa's 90th and first day of school

This very dark pic is Natalie's first day at Kindergarten. Her very best friend, who happens to be her cousin, is next to her. She loves school and wants to try to read everything, and write everything. I am impressed at how well she is doing. Her teacher thinks she isn't a morning person, and told me she starts to wake up around 11. Which cracked me up because she is done at 11:50. Yes, mornings are brutal with this one. But she was put into our family to shake things up a bit.

Emma on her first day of 2nd grade. She seems to be getting more confidence, especially with reading and has really grown to love it, which makes me happy. Reading is my relief! She has made a lot of friends, but that never worried me because she is extremely outgoing and social. She got to participate in a singing group thru school called the Razzle Dazzle kids and loved it. She performed at the city holiday market and for Grandparents Day at school. If I had video, you all would be dying. This kid is animated and not shy! It was adorable.

My Grandpa celebrated his 90th birthday. The man will live forever. He golfs, he landscapes, he bowls, lets just say for 90, he is doing amazing. As much family from all over came down or up to celebrate with him so it was basically a family reunion. It was fun but I wish I could have gotten to talk to and know the rest of the extended family better. If anyone is interested, lets make that happen! This is all of us kids and spouses and grandkids of my Mom's. Chris got cut out but was there too.

Garrett and all the kids playing in the sprinkler! They had a ball.

Adam, my mom, and baby Hannah(niece) livin it up. Mom and her sisters helped put together a slide show and memory book of my Grandpas life. That was fun to see and hear. Thanks for all the hard work, Mom!

I'm glad we could all get together and enjoy the beautiful weather, company of family, and the making of memories. Here's to 90 wonderful years, Grandpa. I love you!

Wildlife Safari

So this summer the kids and I had an opportunity to go with a Coburg Summer program to wildlife safari. I wanted to take the kids to the pool because it was supposed to be about 100 degrees and walking around outside was not my idea of fun. But I relented so we cruised down and had a blast!!! I highly recommend this to anyone in Oregon who lives close enough to go. The group rented a tour guide in an old, ghetto school bus but he was interesting and even though we felt like we were in a sauna, we learned a lot and got a lot of great pics. And luckily there was a lot of spray machines going so we got misted everywhere we went.

One of the grizzly bears. We saw so many cool animals. I was in awe.

The kids near the koi pond.

Natalie milking, er, watering the cow.

The cheetah. Up close and personal.

The beautiful flamingos. I'm telling you, this was one of the best trips I've taken, and I can be hard to please, especially when it is hot out!