Mia and more

Mom and Dad got a new puppy...Mia. She is a mini Pomeranian. Jayden absolutely loves her. We baby sat her one night and I got these pictures.



What else is going on? Well it's exactly 20 days and counting until we go to Disney World and I cannot wait. I've been planning this since January and all that work is about to pay off.

Casey is back...I don't know for how long. I think he is planning on moving to Denver very soon. I want him to stay at least thru Christmas. Speaking of Christmas, I am starting to worry that there is not going to be any extra money for Christmas this year. So a few people I work with have come up with an idea to take Christmas pictures for coworkers' families. I will charge each family $20-$25 and give them a CD of all their pictures that they can then use for cards or whatever. I already have about 6 families that want in. I cannot believe how supportive these people are...I am truly lucky.

And on a funny note. Monday was Columbus Day and I had a day off work but Jayden still had school. He rode the bus to and from school that day and I was so excited to be at home, waiting for him to get off the bus. I had fresh baked chocolate chip cookies and a glass of milk waiting for him. And I was making a real dinner, chicken and pasta. So Jay says to me, "I wish you were like a real Mom and didn't just make me eat Pop Tarts for meals." I think he meant, he really liked having me home like a stay at home mom and I rarely bake, so real moms must bake alot. And the dinner thing, he does have a point there. So a few days later when he was acting up, I said, "I wish you were like a real boy..." I thought I was hilarious.

And today I did a photo shoot with my friends Tyler and Alisa Hayes. This is their 2 yr. anniversary/fall photos/Christmas photos. We had so much fun and these are a few of my favorites...after I played with them in photoshop.

First Win

Hurray! The Bucs got their first win today. All the boys (and girl) are getting much better and they are playing well as a team. Here are some pics of today's game.

Run Jayden Run
He is so cute

Good job Bucs.

Jayden's 10th Birthday

Yesterday was Jayden's 10th Birthday. He thought we were going out to dinner w/ my parents. He had no idea I had something else planned for him. When a limousine pulled up in front of the house and I asked if he was ready to go...he just stared. He still couldn't figure out what was going on. Carlos, Carmen, Bethany and Parker were all outside too. They knew I was having a surprise party for Jayden but they did not know about the limo. They were so excited when they realized they were going in the limo too.

Don't worry...it's sparkling cider. Cheers!


We picked up some more kids. Grant, Luke, Chase, Kellon and Reese. So the limo was full of kids, no adults allowed. I sat up front w/ the driver. They had so much fun helping themselves to the beverage bar and playing with the stereo system.
I had "Pit Stops" planned out, with instructions at each stop. First they had to go to the Dollar Tree and purchase something to wear. Then we went to see "Art". It was funny watching people's reaction to a limo pulling over and 10 kids climbing out. Next they had to go to Goodies and eat a Double Salted Licorice. It was disgusting and very cruel of me, but I enjoyed watching their faces turn as the taste hit them. Most of them spit it out right away.
Next they had to go to the Old Mill District and dress up like pirates and run thru the shops.

Finally we went to Jake's for cake.

And back to my house for pizza and presents. So we had 2 hours w/the limousine and it was totally destroyed by the time we got home. You couldn't even see the floor and I think they finished off all the drinks they could find.

So...now the bar has been raised and I don't know how I will top this party, but you only turn 10 once.

Labor Day

We got up early on Monday, Dad picked us up and we headed for the Coast, stopping in Sisters for breakfast at the bakery. We drove to Lincoln City and went for a hike on the cliff just north of town. The beginning of the hike was great. Downhill all the way. Such a beautiful trail and every now and then you could hear sea lions. It was almost 3 miles to the bottom of the trail and after we walked about a mile we decided to head back. I am so glad we turned around when we did. The hike back was torture. I am clearly out of shape. Although if I lived there I think I would try to hike it sometime, the whole thing.

Jayden found some slugs. And...

he picked one up.
The view from the top.
Weakened by our hike, we picked up lunch at Safeway and found a picnic table overlooking the beach. It was in the 60's which is pretty warm for the Oregon Coast.

This is so typical...but I love this shot.


We drove from Lincoln City down to Florence. One of my family's first trips to the coast, when I was maybe Jayden's age, was to Florence. We stayed in a camper in front of this cottage that belongs to my Dad's cousin. It was built by my Great, Great Grandfather. Jayden thought it was really cool "getting to see something my ancestors built".

Took this photo thru the window, Dad said it looks exactly the same as the last time we saw it.


And we had dinner in Florence at the Hot Rod Grill. Dad and Jayden love this kinda thing.
Our table was inside an old car.

We headed back home, but had to drive thru Eugene on the way. After seeing the cabin, Dad and I were enjoying talking about old memories. I asked if he still remembered how to get to my Great Grandmother's house and he drove us there. This is it. It doesn't look like it does in my memories. Dad said it used to be green and the garage used to be a carport. I also remember a mailbox attached to the front of the house and an apple tree in the back yard. Next we drove around some places Dad used to hang out at as a kid and I even remembered going to some of those places when I was a kid.
We drove to the top of Skinner Butte where you get an awesome view of downtown Eugene.
And Jayden sat on the big yellow "O" on the side of the butte.
And no trip to Eugene would be complete without a stop at Autzen. Go Ducks.
We got home late and the next day was the first day of school for Jayden. Most moms make sure their kids are in bed early the night before the big first day. I have never been real good at bed times.

First Day of School Post coming soon...and he stayed awake all day.