A Day Out With Thomas

Saturday we went up to Mt. Hood Railroad for A Day Out With Thomas. And although we had been hoping for a nice day, we never wished for 99 degree weather.

Kaden and Versii met Sir Topham Hatt, which mostly just excited Kaden, since he knows just about everything about Thomas.

Kaden received a tattoo of James. He's number 5, just like Kaden.

You can probably see the heat just by looking at my red face. Unfortunetly it was not a sunburn, it's just my curse.

Kaden loved seeing Thomas. He says he and Thomas are friends.

It's Not Enough To Watch The News...

...We have to go see the news. Yesterday's train derailment happened so close to home, that we walked down to the bridge to see it for ourselves. If you saw the news, you know it happened early in the morning. Dad said he felt a big thud, like someone fell out of bed and then he heard Josh say something to me. He thought maybe Versii fell out of his bed. (Don't worry, he didn't, it was the train.) And Josh woke up complaining about the helicopters that were just hovering in the area. Since we're not big news watchers, we didn't know that all the commotion was from the train derailment, until Mom drove past it on her way home from the store. So, after dinner, we all walked down to the bridge to join a number of onlookers as workers were trying to clean up the mess. They had already removed all the wheels from the fallen cars and burned the tracks to remove the stakes. It was interesting to see. Mom says, "This will probably be the only time we'll ever be able to walk to see a derailed train." ---And she's hoping that when we go to "A Day With Thomas" tomorrow that Kaden will not be afraid to ride on the train. It was interesting to see. You can check out our pictures below.

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America's Next Top Baby

I bet you all wish that your baby could be featured on the cover of American Baby.

Well, the good news is: They can. I get the ages and stages email from Parents.com and this week's had a baby cover maker.

It's kind of fun.

And...I have to share this too.

Yesterday Kaden typed this for me on the computer, all by himself. He's only 5 and will start kindergarten this year. Josh says I need to teach him to space out his words.

mommyimgoengtolisinmommy

Too cute. I printed it and hung it on the fridge.

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First Day of the Next 4 Years of Your Life

Today is the first day of Summer Term for Joshua. He's decided to go back to school to get his CPA license. Today starts the beginning of the next 4 years. It's a 5 year program, but he's planning to go year-round. He's dual enrolled in PCC and PSU. As part of the program, he has to work for a CPA Firm for 2 years before he can take the CPA exam. So, in order to be ahead of the game, he's now working for Dan Barnes, CPA and he loves his job. It's close to home and the hours are great. Good luck on the long road ahead Josh! Study hard!

1111

I just checked out Joshua's Music page and it had 1111 views. That's awesome! I'll keep you all updated on his next show, if you're interested. Anyway, I just thought that was a cool number.

Update...New Beach Pictures I wanted to Share

I'm sure you probably saw enough pictures from the beach. But I just got these pictures from my cousin Jared, yesterday. He is such a great photographer, he shared with me some of his photos from flickr. http://www.flickr.com/photos/26854278@N08/page2/ You should really check them out. Amazing campsite photo and more.

Is Anyone In There?

"Is anyone in there?"...This is the question that is constantly being asked at our house. Our bathroom door didn't have a lock, being an old house. And because of the baby, we are always having to keep the door closed to avoid such messes like:

...the toilet paper being completely unraveled

...Versii playing in the trash

...Versii pulling everything out of the drawers

...and my favorite - Versii playing in the toilet water or putting something in the toilet. YUK!

Due to the fact that the door is often closed, it raises the question, "Is someone in there or is the door just closed?

Anyway, since it seems that only 97% of the time someone knocks on the bathroom door before entering...Dad decided to install this lock.

Now we no longer have to worry about the 3% of the time that someone forgets to knock. (Not to name names, but it's often Kaden.) ...And I'm happy to report that Kaden is quite observant of the new door label. I just sent him to the bathroom and he said, "Oh, I can't go in yet, it says occupied in red."

Little Boys...

LITTLE BOYS

Little boys come in all shapes and sizes,
Shy and adventurous, full of surprises,
With misshapen halos and mischievous grins,
Small dirty faces, and sweet, sticky chins.
They'll keep you so busy, and yet all the while
Nothing can brighten the world like their smile.
And no greater treasure has brought homes more joy
Than a curious, active, and lovable boy!

I came across this peom and I thought it was too cute not to share. And so true! My little ones are just like this. Just yesterday they were out in the yard with me playing in the dirt. Versii kept wanting to dig in Kaden's sunflowers and I couldn't seem to keep him from trying to eat dirt every time I turned around. (This is a photocopy of Versii's hand, he and Grandma were playing with the copy machine.)

Excitement at Enchanted Forest

BUT TODAY...SOMETHING FUN HAPPENED...

We went to Enchanted Forest...just Joshua, Mimi, Kaden & I.

(Mom graciously offered to stay home and tend Versii. Thank You Mom!)

We had a great time without tears, screams (maybe a few), and mostly tantrum free.

Kaden was scared to go into the 7 dwarfs mine...it was really dark in there.
There once was a crooked old man, who lived in a crooked old house...
There was an old woman who lived in a shoe...she had so many children she didn't know what to do...so she sent them all sliding right out of the house.
I sure am glad that I'm on the outside of these bars.
Kaden waiting in the old western town while Daddy & Mimi went through the Haunted House.
Yikes!!!! I can't get out of this place fast enough. Too scary for Kaden.
Yee Old Shootin' Range
Kaden had a good time riding all the Kiddie Rides...Bumper Boats, Ferris Wheel, the Frog Hopper and the Train.
Like Mother, Like Son...

We had so much fun on the Bumper Cars, we all rode them twice.

They were all out to get me!

Are you in time out Josh? Doesn't look like you're on this train by choice...
Mimi found her Prince Charming...watch out Cinderella, you've got competition.

This year's Enchanted Theatre production: Cinderella

Complete with the 2 stepsisters: Pewtra & Barbie and of course, let's not forget the Hairy Godmother - Funny Show.

We rode all the rides...the Ice Mountain BobSleds, the Log Ride and Mondors Challenge. It's kind of a competitive ride, where you help Mondor the Wizard fight the dark knights and shoot at the blue amulets. The 1st time Mimi scored more shots than Josh, and for the rematch...Josh scored higher.

We had a fun day.

Crown Pointe & Multnomah Falls, Oregon

Vista House at Crown Point
Such phenomenal views


Our beautiful Oregon, the place we call home.
Multnomah Falls, Oregon

Kaden & Mimi

Kaden said, "I just saw a huge huge waterfall...the biggest in my life!"

Versii loved the red vines.
Since Josh's Mom was here in town we decided to do some sight seeing, after church on Sunday. We drove out along the Columbia Gorge to Crown Pointe and Multnomah Falls...two places you should check out if you're ever in Oregon. The views are breathtaking and the mist at the falls is refreshing. Gorgeous, sunny day here in Portland too - Perfect time to take in the sights.