National Talk and Dress Like A Pirate Day!

FRIDAY was Pirate Day! Ricky loved it! Here he is all decked out like a pirate.

Saturday Was BUSY!

We started our day at the Mt Hood Children's Fair where Ricky and the girls got to see the fire truck, police, coast guard, ambulance, swat team and bomb squad. Then we bought a new helmet! Then Dad, Ricky, Grandpa and Alex Torgesen went to the Air National Guard for "Family Day". They got to see many air planes, McGruff the Crime Dog, and jump on inflatables. Then that evening we took Ricky to the store and Grandpa and Grandma bought him his own bike. We haven't been able to get him off of it. All 4 of us have been taking turns going for bike rides. Ricky loves the outdoors!

Football Season Is Here!

Even though we are the "terrible, no good, very bad," Raiders...
It was the perfect evening for a football game.

Ricky had never been to a football game before...never seen Nicole in her uniforn...and never sat with the band. All these firsts for him in one evening! We lost horribly...but had a great time!

Ricky Meets THE FAMILY!

Ricky meets Grandpa and Grandma Lind.

Ricky meets Gramma Harding and Aunt Kate.

Our CAL girl...aka Doctor!

Ricky and the "doctor"!

Ricky came running down the stairs the other morning telling me there was a problem with Nicole...the problem...she looked like a DOCTOR! Ricky didn't know that to go to CAL when you are in the medical field you either have to dress professionally or like a doctor!

Leah...this photo is for you. CAL requires closed toe and heel shoes in ALL white. Thus what better shoes for a mother to introduce her daughter to than Dansko's? Even better when Grandma and Grandpa volunteer to pay for them! :-)

As if mom didn't have enough already...

As many of you know...I had to put Tarzan, my big black cat to sleep. Or as my gov. teacher says, "I had it put to DEATH!" Anyways. Mom and dad said that I could get a kitten. You can probably see where this is going. I wasn't ready then to get a kitten, but finally decided last weekend it was time. I know it was bad timing with Ricky moving in, but they promised:) Grandma helped me look for kittens. My specification was female and hopefully all gray. I wanted part Siamese but mom said that was one thing she wouldn't allow. So on Wednesday, we went to Vancouver to look at 2 kittens. One was gray with white paws and the other was pure gray. I left telling my parents I would come home with a kitten and it would most likely be all gray. I was right. I came home with Sophie. The lady said she was the spunky kitten...what I didn't know was how spunky:) She is wild, but I love her to death:) Hopefully she won't have as many illnesses as Tarzan, and hopefully she will live long.

Ricky Started School!

Sept 11, 2008, Ricky's first day of 3rd grade!

Play Time with Ricky!

As you can see...we have been busy. Hotwheels, hide & go seek, basketball, trampoline, playing the piano, and various other things.

Yesterday, we went to Build a Bear, and Ricky built an Elephant. His favorite animal! His name is Ebby and he is Ricky's best friend!

Ricky Joins our Family!

Ricky officially moved in with us, Tuesday, September 9th, 2008. We are so excited to be his
FOREVER FAMILY!

Ricky meets Amanda!

Ricky meets Nicole!

Meet Ricky!

Today we walked into a total strangers home and looked across the room and instantly feel in love with our new son, Ricky. This is our first official picture of us and Ricky. He is 8 yrs old, a little shy, and a little tenative, but excited about what lays ahead. More to come, as tomorrow we get to take him for 4 hours and get some lunch and have some play time.

2008- 2009 School Year!

Amanda started 8th grade today!

Nicole started 11th grade or her Junior year!

Lu started 12th grade or her Senior year!
We are so sorry that summer has come to an end...but excited for what the new year will bring...plus, mom enjoys being back on a schedule!

Lu's First Soccer Game!

Lu made the JV soccer team and we went to her first game yesterday.
Although she didn't win...she played a good game!

Oregon Coast Vacation!

10 days on the Oregon Coast. Seaside, OR for 8 days at the Worldmark Resort thanks to my boss Roger. Great weather, 3 puzzles completed, bike riding, playing on the beach, games, feeding the seagulls, sand castles, family time, shopping, eating, swimming, and watching the ocean. We had such a fabulous relaxing vacation time together.

Followed by two nights in Lincoln City, OR for my parents 46th wedding anniversary! Congratulations Mom and Dad!

Now it is back to reality! Work, school and schedules!

Nicole's 3rd Annual End of the Summer Bash!

Once again some of Nicole's friends got together for the annual end of the summer bash here at our house. We had a "sunflower seed spit", water balloon toss, water balloon fight, limbo, music, good food and conversation. The girls had a great time comparing summer stories, schedules for fall and driving experiences. Until next year...