Trick or Treat!

Jakob was a black widow spider, his idea and a lot of his own creation. Sarah was of course, a princess - her own creation as well.

Jakob at his school costume parade.

Sarah at preschool, trick or treating in the building.
Carving pumpkins, notice the difference between the two - Sarah mostly used her hands, Jakob used only the spoon.
Jakob made a picture of what he wanted on his pumpkin, and followed that almost exactly.
Silly Sarah and her "happy princess smile pumpkin"

Halloween night, so excited to go trick or treating!

At home, checking out their loot!
Sarah came in and was so excited, "I was so brave Mommy, I went up to the house and I got CANDY!!"

Mark took them out while I handed out a ton of candy! Apparently there was a spooky house that Jakob got pretty scared at, he was trying to be brave for Sarah but ended up freaking out in the smoke and strobe light, the owners came out and were super nice, gave the kids extra candy!

Mark also took the kids to a house that had a person that didn't look real, in a chair with a monster mask, Mark was trying to convince the kids that he wasn't real, when he poked the fake leg, the person groaned - needless to say they were spooked! I died laughing when he told me this story because he started off with, "I had an embarrassing moment...I think the guy was an amputee!" Too funny!

All in all a nice Halloween - no rain, excited kids and lots of candy!

Spilling the news

Well, we told Jakob and Sarah last night at dinner that we are going to make the move to California. Actually, Mark said "What would you think about moving to California?"

Jakob's face just lit up with a coy grin, "That would be ok" and Sarah said with her hand being raised in the air several times "Oh me, me, me!" I think this meant she wanted to go too?!

Jakob's second thing he said was "I guess we can just come back on a plane to visit Ian and stuff, right?"

"Exactly Jakob", I thought he was so mature to say that and not start to get upset or cry over leaving his good buds.

Mark showed him the school he will attend - pictures on the website, I talked about wearing uniforms and going to the after care - none of it phased him. He was sure that he would still have "play time and school time at the after care too," which is correct.

Of course the idea of riding in the moving truck really got him excited.

At bedtime, Mark went into snuggle him and he said that Jakob was "giddy" about the move, talking about seeing Nana and Papa, hiking in the sunshine, going to the beach etc.

This is all I needed to make me feel secure in this decision.

Thanks Jakob, you are the best!

Another amazing creation...

Jakob is really becoming quite the artist/designer/craftsman. He is building/constructing or drawing something new everyday. I really think his after school Art program has really allowed him to flourish in this area - not to mention the extra boxes and tape we have around!

This is what he created tonight, with only a bit of help from Mark with the cutting of the cardboard.

Jakob made sure to put the spinnerets on the end of the body - for those of you who may not have the pleasure of reading all about spiders - this is where the web comes from!

Jakob LOVES anything about bugs, but seriously is fascinated with spiders, so he created his own and will be one for Halloween as well - assuming the costume I made him actually stays together!

Pumpkin picking!!!

We went to our favorite pumpkin patch, Lakeview Farms, where we've been going every year since we moved to Portland. The kids love it because you get to ride a train out to the patch, there are hay mazes, ponies and a boat ride - seriously what could be better! It was fantastic weather for it too - you might remember last year we went but couldn't even ride the train out b/c of the downpour of rain! So, today made up for that for sure!

Sarah picked the first pumpkin she could find - oh and of course she wore a tutu, she doesn't go many places without something seriously girly on!

Jakob's pick of the season!
Riding on the ponies, Sarah was REALLY excited about riding on one by herself! She even said "Thank you pony for the ride."

Big Changes!

Since my last post, lots has happened, in a nut shell: Nana and Papa visited for almost 2 weeks (heaven), Jakob turned 6 (where did the time go!) and I flew to CA for an interview and we have decided to make the move back down south (to Oceanside, in about a month!!!) - so yes, a lot has gone on!

Sarah has finally found someone she can wrap around her finger!
Sarah and Papa

Cutie pies in the rain, actually while Nana and Papa were here we only had a couple days in the rain! I am happy to be moving to the sun, but I will certainly miss wearing rain boots and stomping in puddles!



Jakob's 6th Birthday - he wanted a "BUG" party! We went to Out of This World Pizza, the kids played like crazy and enjoyed pizza and ice cream cake (chocolate ice cream and chocolate cake - Jakob would have nothing else!)

This year Jakob was really into anything Lego's, he got gift cards and money that he even spent on Lego sets. Nana and Papa took him to the Lego store to pick out whatever he wanted - he now has at least 5 Lego helicopters that he has built on his own!

We got him the game "Battleship" which he likes to kick Daddy's butt at!

The whole crazy Kindergarten age gang! Seriously goofy kiddos!



Can't wait to spend more time with these guys in CA!!
Another of Sarah and her spoiler!