Waiting, Waiting

What do you do when waiting for a prescription to be filled at the pharmacy?

My children find a basket of cups and make towers.  What else would you expect?

And Isaiah did his tower all by himself!  You should be impressed, I promise - fitting in a little OT during those random times of the day.

Before I Forget...

With Christmas just a couple days away, I suppose I should record our Thanksgiving.  We were blessed to join a great family in the area.

Thomas started the morning early with a Turkey 10K.

The kids and I prepared some dishes before heading over for the festivities at our friends' house.

Both the kids LOVED the piano, that's Isaiah's hand sneaking in on those higher kids

We enjoyed some great singing after the meal (yes, these pictures are not in order, but hey, they're here).  

Isaiah also got to jam a little with the musicians

Nadia was a big girl and sat by herself at the kids table for almost half the meal.  I was impressed!

She also enjoyed the rocking horse and getting to know our friends better

So on this Christmas Eve, I hope that we are all still thankful for the gifts that God has given us...

I pray that if you do not already know Jesus Christ as your Savior that your heart will be opened to the good news of the gospel.  If you don't understand what that means, please ask me!

One Week

Christmas is one week from today.

One. Week.

I always enjoy Christmas and all that's involved in the season.  This year I plan on enjoying the actual day very much.  Thomas and I have been more creative in gifts for the kids, which is fun for us, and hopefully for exciting for the kids.

I feel giddy just thinking about Christmas morning....Oh how much fun we are going to have!

On The Other Side

A couple months ago we visited Wyoming for a wedding.  It was great fun!  During the preparation for the festivities I found myself out and about with the kids, and we stopped for lunch at a fast food place, sadly not our favorite chicken place, since those aren't too common out this way.

Anyway.  The kids and I sat near a sweet elderly couple with whom they both flirted shamelessly, which added to the fun of our lunch.

As the couple prepared to leave, the wife came over to chat for a minute.  I expected some familiar comments like, "Wow, you sure have your hands full" or "I bet they keep you busy" or perhaps questions about Isaiah's need for a wheelchair.

Instead, I heard, "I just wanted to tell you that you're doing a great job."

A little confused, I think I managed to say thank you.  The lady then told me a little of her story.  She and her husband had had a daughter with special needs, who has passed away a few years ago.  They also had 2 other daughters.  She said that she understood the extra care, energy and focus that having these special children required, and she wanted to encourage me in the care of my sweet children.

I don't know this lady's name, but I do know that I will never forget her.

I really appreciate that she took the time to come over and speak to us and give me those words of encouragement.  I think of her often.

But who couldn't love hanging out with these two?

More Waterfalls

We had a brief break in the rain, so we finally got to take Gran to my favorite waterfall in the gorge - Horsetail Falls.  Gran even got to hike up the trail a little bit to see my favorite part:  Ponytail Falls.  Hopefully next time we can hike it together.

We drove back towards home a little bit and saw the Falls on the other side of Multnomah Falls.  Also a beautiful spot!

And that pretty much catches us up on the extra activities we enjoyed while Gran and Grandpa were here.  Maybe it will entice our family and friends to come join us for such fun!

Pumpkin Patch

Our Monday School group got a great deal on a local pumpkin patch.  It was a first for all four of us!

We started off in the corn maze.  The farm had recently bought a collection of life-size animal statues.  Nadia was thrilled!  The only way we could get her to leave one display was to promise her more animals.  She kept trying to get the animals to come to her by waving and blowing kisses.

This way!

Isaiah was more interested in the dirt on his pants and chair than in having his picture taken.

And we made it out!  We refused to give up and we conquered the maze!  Isaiah was so thrilled that he quickly became distracted by the huge trucks bringing in pumpkins.

All 4 of us got to pick a small pumpkin, and Nadia took her job of pushing the cart extremely seriously.

Nobody was getting her pumpkins!

And I love how my kids are starting to pose themselves for pictures.  Too cute.

We also enjoyed a hay ride.  Nadia enjoyed it as long as she was not sitting on the hay.  She tried everything she could to get herself to levitate above the hay bale.

But definitely the hit of the day was the small carousel in the kids' pavilion!  Both of the kids had a blast on the little horses and were so sad to leave, but growling tummies prevailed.

I think I see pumpkin patch visits in our future!

Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum

On the way back from Scott and Vanessa's wedding in Wyoming I saw a sign for the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum in Hood River.  Immediately, I knew that this museum had to be on the list of things to do when Gran and Grandpa are here!

[I apologize ahead of time for all the red eye, but I just don't feel like fixing it.]

We're ready to go have fun today!

 The museum had a great play section for the kids to get out some energy before going to look at all the cars and airplanes.  Right at the front was Doc Hudson!  Isaiah was thrilled and wanted so desperately to climb inside!

The kids even got to try out a helicopter.  Future pilots?

Or maybe farmers?

Or maybe a biker?

Gran even braved the submarine!

Isaiah found the perfect car to match his chair.

He also really like this remote control truck.  The boy operating it was so sweet to drive it around Isaiah several times.  Perhaps Isaiah's contagious laughter was just the encouragement that boy needed.

Nadia pretty much goes nuts when she sees an airplane flying, so she was excited to get to play in this airplane!

The museum was definitely a success.  The only thing missing was Daddy!

Multnomah Falls

Lots of activities when Grandpa - Here's another one!

We started this day off with some Bible stories...

Then we set off to enjoy some of God's beautiful creation.

At the observation area, taking a break from the rain

We had a few minutes without rain or even drizzle, but it didn't matter.  We were having fun and learning about being Oregonians!

Pine State Biscuits

  

We found this great biscuit place.  Did I say great?  It was an amazing biscuit place!  Some college buddies from NC moved to Portland and started this fantastic restaurant.  I mean, look at that BBQ biscuit!  Wow!  And check out that ham biscuit.  Yeah, they make the most magnificent biscuits I've ever had.  

 Both the kids were impressed, too.  Isaiah wolfed down some biscuit and hash browns.

 Nadia renewed her love for biscuits.  She even cheered for the leftovers later that night!

Portland Zoo

Catching up on some of our fun activities over the last few weeks:

While my parents were visiting, field trips were definitely in order!  First we hit the zoo on the only predicted sunny day.  Some of you will have seen these pics on our school blog, but I'm guessing that family won't mind all that much. :)

Posing with Mr. Bear (with a little assistance from JJ)

Those playful penguins!  They loved Isaiah

Playing with a friendly hippo

Cute gophers, don't you think?

We had a great time, especially as the sun came out.  Nadia was quite reluctant to leave the giraffes, but sadly no picture.  We'll just have to go back.