Holiday Train

The holiday train was a big hit.  Santa on the other hand...not so much!  He did leave the kids with a candy cane though, so that seemed to make up for the unpleasantness of sitting so close to the big guy!  The finale came when we got to watch the big steam engine (all decorated in lights) take off.  It was LOUD!!!

Gingerbread Men

Cash and Emma got their creativity on, and decked out their gingerbread men with all the candy they could get their hands on (except for the candies that made it into their mouths first)!

Gingerbread houses

Emma's friend Michaela came for a long overdue visit.  They had a grand time playing dress-up, "playing" with Darby, and decorating gingerbread houses.  The girls did an excellent job, and I foresee careers in the pastry business in their future!

Two cute girls

Emma and her friend Leni ventured out on this fine fall day to collect a few leaves to make a fall leaf wreath.  I couldn't pass up taking a few pictures of this dynamic duo!

Hee Haw....Happy Halloween!

Cowgirl Emma was out on the town wrangling in as many treats as she could get her hands on this Halloween!  She ventured down a couple more blocks this year, and had a "system" in place...she followed all the "big kids"!  It seemed to work for her, as when we were heading home, she told me she was glad to be done trick or treating because her treat bucket was getting too heavy!

The "new" scooter

Emma has been a little obsessed with scooters this summer, so when one of the older kids was selling their old scooter for $2 at our garage sale this summer...it was right within her budget!  Emma bought the very loved scooter, and we bought her two favorite colors--orange and blue--to freshen it up a bit!  This is the before picture, and I don't have an after picture unfortunately, but Emma has enjoyed many fine "scoots" down to the park on her fine new scooter!

Grandma and Grandpa Thier's visit

Grandma and Grandpa drove all the way from MN to visit us this summer.  We had a grand time during their visit.  We took a trip out to the Columbia River Goerge to see the Bonneville Dam, to the fish hatchery to catch a glimpse of some salmon making their way up stream, and of course the beautiful waterfalls.  We also enjoyed the time we got to spend with them around the house.  Emma especially enjoyed making apple pies with Grandma, and having about 100 books read to her by both Grandpa and Grandma!