Visit from Auntie and Bella

This past week was Wesley's first full week of kindergarten and a we had a visit from Aunt Cassie and Bella...In other words, it was a fun, but tiring week! Here is our week in pictures:

Wesley running out of school on Monday afternoon...We were glad to see each other!

Here's Wesley with his teacher, Mrs. Witt. She was unable to be at school the first two days, because she was taking her daughter to college, so this picture was taken on Wednesday. Wesley really likes her and she seems very sweet and loving!

Auntie and Wesley making silly faces on the porch swing.

Bella and Wesley watching a video in their jammies...Wesley says he loves the weekends now, because it means he can stay in his pajamas for awhile.

Auntie and Evelyn bonded reading books while she was here.

...and more books.

Auntie giving Evelyn one last squeeze before they had to leave. :(

Bella and Evelyn playing...

One of Wesley and Evelyn's favorite games is to look through the window at each other and make faces.

Here's Evelyn trying to copy the face that Wesley made...

Here's Wesley making a silly face...Evelyn kept laughing at him and saying "more".

A Week of Firsts

This past week we have many firsts...Evelyn had her first ear infection, which we are already on the second antibiotic for. Wesley went fishing for the first time with his friend Connor, Phil, and Connor's dad. They had a blast, but unfortunately I was unable to upload the pictures to the blog.

However, the most important "first" was Wesley's first day of kindergarten, yesterday. He just went the one day this week and next week he will start going everyday. He had a great time and was disappointed that he wasn't going today.

Here he is standing in the kindergarten hallway. (It is very hard to get a nice smile for pictures from him, these days.)

Here he is standing in our front yard, waiting for his friend Shanna to come over so we could walk to school.

Finally, a look back...This was the picture I took on his first day of preschool, two years ago...

Fun Times in the Wild Wild West

Two weeks ago we travelled to Oregon for a long overdue vacation...It has been 2.5 years since we've been there, which is too long, if you ask me. So, we spent one day travelling on each end, 6 days at my parents' house in Redmond (in the middle of the state, in the desert), and one day visiting my cousins and our friend Randee, in Portland (We wish we could have seen more of our friends and family, but hopefully on the next trip.)...We were gone a total on 9 days and it has taken me this past week to dig out from suitcases, etc. Finally, I am able to post some pictures from our trip:

Wesley is the best traveler...We are so lucky that he is so patient and easy-going!

Both Phil and Evelyn were worn out and we had only been on the plane for an hour.

Wesley, Phil, and my brother-in-law Mike went putt-putt golfing the first day we were there...They had a blast!

Phil and the kids at the top of a beautiful waterfall...Definitely worth the hike up!

Wesley and Aunt Cassie outside a tepee at the Bend High Desert Museum.

Grandpa and Evelyn in the swimming pool at the resort where my parents' house is.

Cassie and Mike only overlapped us for a few days...This was taken on our last day together. They are a wonderful aunt and uncle!

Evelyn and Cassie looking like movie stars!

Evelyn and Uncle Mike cuddling. Evelyn always has to have a ball in her hand...It is her favorite word to say, too.

Wesley was really sad to say goodbye...He cried, which of course, made me cry! :(

Saying goodbye to Uncle Mike...

Evelyn lounging in the grass...

This was taken during our first hike at Smith Rocks...Good news, Wesley has no fear when it comes to rock climbing...Bad news, Wesley has no fear when it comes to rock climbing.

For part of his birthday present, my parents paid for Wesley to have a horseback riding lesson. He has ridden horses before, but this was a great experience, because Diane let him have all of the control in guiding the horse (Snickers), leading her back to the barn, etc.

Phil and I hiked around and over Smith Rocks by ourselves. It is a 4 mile hike and about 800 feet to the top...The view from the top of the mountains, etc. is awesome!

Almost to the top...

While we did our hike, grandpa and Wesley went on a 2 mile hike up a steep incline...My dad said that Wesley was a trooper without one complaint.

My mom and Evelyn hanging out on the front porch...

My mom and Wesley playing checkers...

Evelyn with our dear family friend, Randee...

Tuckered out after playing hard for a week. We were making the long drive back to Portland.

Both kids sleeping at the same time=a VERY quiet car!

Our last morning in Oregon, having breakfast with my cousin Trisha, at our favorite breakfast restaurant, the original Original Pancake House.

Evelyn became good friends with Trisha's cat, Oscar, when we stayed with her. Evelyn is definitely an animal-lover!

Looking out the window at the Portland airport...Goodbye Oregon!

One last look...We'll miss you!