The New Skateboard!

Complete with helmet, elbow and knee pads....Yay!!!

Ella had to get out there on her bicycle to some tricks, too.

Yikes!

Christmas Day

Madeline's Doggy Day Camp

Ella's Kitty Cat Camp

Ella with her new snow globe from Santa.

Christmas Eve

Sisters by the tree

Grandma and Grandpa Francis and our finished gingerbread house.



Leaving a note for Santa: Don't eat our Gingerbread House!




Putting out cookies and milk for Santa, and lettuce for the reindeer.

Merry Christmas to All!

And to all a GOODNIGHT!!

Here is a holiday message "misfire" from Ella...
she didn't want to continue without sissy:

Christmas Party at Albany Police Department

The girls got to see Santa a bit early this year when he showed up at the kids' party at Aaron's work. The girls got the gifts they were hoping for! Ella got a stuffed "Momma Longneck" dinosaur and Madeline got a "Backyard Flier" airplane that charges up and flies around on it's own. They also got to decorate some christmas cookies (with LOTS of frosting) and some christmas ornaments. They had a great time! Thanks, Santa!

Christmas Tree Hunting

The weather here has been amazing! We went to Volstaad's tree farm to cut down our tree. We had a nice tractor ride and a walk around the farm to pick out our tree. Madeline and Ella worked together to find the PERFECT tree...a nice Douglas Fir. Then we had some cookies and hot chocolate in the little "chalet" they had set-up. The only thing that was "un-christmasy" about our day was the fact that it was about 60 degrees!

Sunny November Day!

We had a beautiful day in Albany today. We went and played kickball, had some races and played in the leaves. I "went back to my roots" with my hair...I didn't realize how dark it had become!

TRICK OR TREAT!!!

Madeline was a "Water Fairy" and Ella was a Ladybug for Halloween. We went trick-or-treating at the Mall, which was nice and warm and dry. We also hit up the neighbors for some candy. They had alot of fun sorting out their stash and trading candy with each other. That brings back some memories of filling up entire pillowcases with Halloween candy!

Pumpkin Carving

Ella and Madeline's favorite part of carving the pumpkins was "digging out the guts"! They got so much pumpkin guts on them they had to take a bath. They did a great job of carving, with Mom and Dad's help, of course!

Ziplining in Hawaii

When I was in Kauai, HI this past August I went ziplining and had an absolute blast. The "course" consisted of 7 or 8 lines that you strap into for an amazing ride. The footage bounces around a bit, but you get the idea of what it's like. In this one you can see my shadow as it crosses over a river down below...it kind of gives you of perspective of how high I was. I highly recommend ziplining if you ever have a chance!

Taking Grammy Back to the Train Station

It was harder than usual to say good-bye to Grammy this time! We miss you and we're so glad you were able to come visit us!!

Grammy's Visit!

Grammy arrives at the train station. Ella couldn't make the drive up to Portland because she had the tummy flu. :-(

Ella was still feeling a bit blue when we visited the pumpkin patch to get some pumpkins with Grammy.

Picking out some "baby pumpkins". They actually have names!

They both got to drive the tractor! Hey, Grandpa, our tractor is bigger than yours!!

Conquering the hay bales.

Waiting for our tractor ride.

A September Wedding

Everyone was dressed up so we took a few pics!



Me, Madeline and Mandy



Ella was not afraid of the microphone...at all!



Crazy dancer!


Another crazy dancer!

End of Summer...

Labor Day Camping Trip (Part 1)

We went camping in the Sisters Wilderness area over the Labor Day weekend. We were at Three Creeks Lake which is at 6600 feet. We froze our rear ends as the temperature sank below freezing. We woke up to ice on the tent and around the edge of the lake. The girls kept warm, though, and they had a blast.

Madeline looks for frogs with Tam Arthur Ridge in the background

Too cute for words...

Madeline shows her moves on the log.

Freezin' by the fire.

The whack jobs and their fort.