Halloween House

Sorry about the crappy quality of the photo. We went all out this year. Our teens are slightly embarassed by our outward display of celebration but when we have little kids and dudes on motorcycles stop and stare, it makes it all worth it. ☺

If you click on the pic to make it larger, you'll see that Stephen was very resourceful in that he made a large spider web out of yarn in the entryway! Also, notice the ghost near the bay window. It moves along the line and makes sounds. We thought that it would zip nicely along but instead it goes so slow- it's funny! Yeah, we're easily amused.

Werewolf Austin

Austin bought himself a werewolf mask. Austin then thought it would be funny to roll down the rear window in the car and stare at people passing by...with the mask on. Austin got a ton of laughs and people actually took pictures of him! A guy almost fell off his bike because he was startled so badly! Austin felt so bad he actually stopped laughing for ½ a second. Bad werewolf.

Miles Bryan is 14!!!

My Miles turned 14 on Oct 18th. Here are some pics of him growing up (notice there's a lack of pics between the ages of 5-9, we still need to scan those into the computer):

Miles is the funniest kid. He has a quick wit that is hard to keep up with! His teachers say he is always making jokes in class that even they have a hard time not busting up at. Naughty boy.

He loves to play his new electric guitar with Austin. He also loves to draw and is really quite good at it. It's hard to believe that he is now 14. He was the youngest for 12 years of his life and now he's a middle child. He has adjusted remarkably well to being an older brother. Greyson adores him and is thisclose to saying "Miles". He is always willing to help me take care of Gooby. I really found myself missing him when school started- he is so much fun to be around. I love my sweet boy.

New Updates!

I have been totally slacking on the blog lately. I'll try to bring ya'll up to date.

Summer ended, school began. Miles is enjoying 8th and being the oldest in the school. Austin is in 10th and taking child development (1 of only 2 boys in that class!) and German, which he loves. They both still LOVE music and playing guitar & drums. Greyson is now 17 months and is quite the little talker. He is obsessed with Thomas the Tank and said "Thomas" before saying his brothers names, much to their dismay.

Greyson and I headed to Utah for the anniversary of my dad's passing. My sisters Jen & Becca came too. It was a very nice trip. Fun and therapeutic. Does that make sense? We drove through Nebo Loop (where my dad was a Park Ranger) and saw breathtaking fall foliage. We ended up in Nephi where daddy was born and is now buried.

Greyson and I visited with Gran & Grandad and the whole Whittaker clan came over to see us! We met little Camilla for the first time. She's a doll! Greyson was a bit stand-offish with Gran & Grandad but by the end of our trip, he gave Grandad a hug and said "Dad Dad"!

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Jen, Becca, Nana, Greyson, and I had a great time shopping, laughing at cheesy t.v. shows and eating way too much. Know the meaning of the word "gluttony"? Neither do I... ;)

Beach!

We went to Gearhart beach on Saturday. It was so beautiful and the weather was fine! Greyson did NOT like the sand though so we couldn't stay as long as we wanted. As always, Baxter loved the water...and birds!

"No more binkies...all gone!"

Back in 1995, Jennifer was visiting us in Utah with her daughter Noelle who was about 2 at the time. Jen was frustrated that Noelle still had a binky and didn't know what to do to get her to give it up. I was babysitting her for an hour or so and decided to try and get her to give it to me for good. I told her that she's a big girl now and she didn't need a binky anymore. She thought about it for a minute then handed me the binky. When Jen came home, Noelle ran up to her and proudly proclaimed: "No more binkies...all gone! I'm a big girl now!"

We thought Greyson would never give up the binky. He was really attached to it. But after losing his preferred latex sucking device, we decided it was time. Miles was also 15 months old when he was weaned from his. It's been a little hard getting him to sleep at night but he's coping well.

As for Noelle: she's now almost 15 and still doesn't use a binky. ☺

Quick Seattle Trip

Becca, me and all our boys took a quick 3 day trip to Seattle to see Oma & Nana who was visiting for the week. It was short but sweet...as always. We went to Alki Beach which I had never been to before- it was beautiful! Then we took a water taxi to the piers in downtown Seattle. What a fun little ride that is! We also went to the Taste of Edmonds and Experience Music Project (avoid!). Visiting my hometown never gets old- I absolutely love it!