Visit with Mickey~ 2009!

Ricky Wants Us To Tell You...

Ricky asked Jesus into his heart last night at bedtime. Tuesday, November 10th, 2009. He asked us to post this on the blog and let everyone know he is going to go to heaven when he dies! He may ask you next! We are so proud of you Ricky and the decision that you made.

Halloween Costumes!

All Dressed Up!

Darth Vader...aka Ricky!

Our Maid...aka Nicole!

The Rich Man...aka the Maids boss...aka Amanada!
As you can tell... the kiddos had a fun time dressing up this year!

Pumpkin Carving!

Debbie's kitten

Amanda's tree

Ricky's teeth face pumpkin?

Nicole's panda

And Rob's ???

Pumpkin Patch

October 24th, 2009 - Liepold Farms Pumpkin Patch!
My three witches...

My three scarecrows!

Nicole and her pumpkin...although, she ended up choosing a different one just before we left. Ricky with his white pumpkin.

Amanda with her pumpkin.

The very scary spider!

Ricky rode the pony...his first horse ride ever!

Happy Harvest...Happy Fall...Happy Halloween fun!

YEAH NICOLE!

Nicole made Wind Ensemble! Her tryout was intense...but we heard she did awesome. Yeah Nicole! BTW>>>just means more practicing!

Rob NEEDS to go back to work!

The girls and I were continually receiving photos similar to these, especially this past week. Obviously, Rob's hand was feeling MUCH better...thus the reason his doctor sent him back to work today! Hello UPS...goodbye facial hair!
"You have the right to remain silent..."

"Do you know how fast you were going?"

"Or... Wait 4 it ... my new country album titled "my little blue single wide" will b in stores next week!"

"I LOOK GOOD!"

Enough said!

Happy Grandparents Day!

Today, Sunday, September 13th is Grandparents Day! Nicole, Amanda & Ricky just wanted them to know how much they were loved and how thankful they are for them. We love and appreciate you!

Ricky's One Year Anniversary!

September 9, 2009. Also known as "Gotcha Day" to kids like Ricky who have been in foster care and are looking forward to being adopted into a forever family. Ricky had been talking about this day for months!!! He planned with Grandma what should happen months ago. They decided that we would go to LaCostita for dinner as a family and he could invite someone to come. He chose his tutor and her husband to come. We had a great dinner and Ricky received a couple of small gifts. A movie and some things to add to his marble run. (As you can see...I for got to take any photos...I had the camera and forgot to use it.!)

One thing we have learned about Ricky over the year he has lived with us is that he is color blind...or at least as Rob puts it he needs to be put on the show "What Not to Wear!" Here is how Ricky has come out dressed in the last couple of days. Once to go to a wedding...and the other time to go to school. Needless to say, we haven't let him go out quite this bad, although sometimes he doesn't match!

GOTTA LOVE HIM!

1st Day of School!

Hard to believe, but my baby girl is a FRESHMAN! Her first day was September 8th. She was glad it was freshman only...since there is over 900 in her class! Nicole is a SENIOR! Everyone went to school on Wednesday the 9th. Ricky had a first with this being his first year in the same school for 2 years. He is starting 4th grade. Everyone was a little sad to see summer come to an end!

Oregon Coast Aquarium - Grandpa & Grandma's Anniversary

My folks met us at the aquarium on Monday, August 31st. It was their 47th anniversary and we celebrated it together as a family.

Ricky, Nicole and Amanda!

Posing in the sharks mouth!

The kids with their papa!

You should have seen the two of us trying to get on this thing...that was the funny part!

The kiddos again!

The family "in" the fish tank!

Ricky had a great time with all the animals...touching...looking...and laughing!

Beautiful Oregon Coast

How Nicole communicated with the outside world! (There was great cell phone service on the top of the trailer!)

Amanda pretending to be a police man!

The beautiful beach...always calling....

Sunsets

Sunsets are way more beautiful at the coast!

Tillicum Beach... 7 days... rest... play... camping... relaxing... When can we return!

Summer Reading Success!

We successfully completed our summer reading program! Nicole, Amanda, & Ricky all completed the Multnomah County Summer Reading Program 2009 and even did the bonus round! All of them received a T-shirt and got their name in a book at the Fairview Library. Congratulations kiddos! And thanks to Nicole and Amanda for helping be really "enthusiastic" about this!

The Mighty Readers!!!!

We Finished It!!

Well we finished the Mickey Mouse Photomosaic puzzle. It actually only took a few weeks, but we worked really hard to get it done. It came with a poster showing all of the little pictures which was very helpful when we were working on it. It was quite an accomplishment with 1000 pieces!!

Nicole is HOME from Europe!

The Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland.

The Castle of Chillon in Switzerland.

Notre Dame in Paris, France.

Eiffel Tower in Paris.

Obelisk in France.

Nicole's favorite snack...Crepe in France in Montmarte. Filled with Nutella!

Sacre Coure in France.

The Tower of London Bridge. The actual London bridge is very tiny.

Big Ben with the London Eye in the background.

Buckingham Palace...Prince William was here!

Nicole in Windsor...at a telephone booth!

Nicole and her passport...now with four stamps in it.

Nicole had a great time in Europe. Wonderful once in a lifetime experiences. This is just a glimpse into her adventure. We are sure glad to have her home.