Farewell to our Friends....

Clay and Zeba were such an important part of our family.  We lost Clay at the end of the summer after he had lost the use of his back legs and his quality of life had deteriorated. We miss him terribly as did Zeba. I had taken to walking Zeba a lot more to ease her own loss. We enjoyed it but one day she could not make it around the block. We learned that she had cancer and was in a lot of pain and there was nothing that could be done. The veterinarian said that cancer gets a lot of old dogs because they are well taken care of and their bodies just give out. It has been many, many years since K and I have not had dogs. We miss them very much as they added a lot of fun, happiness and love to our family. We have all had a good cry (or two) and it has been a teachable moment about losing someone that is very dear to you in the circle of life. When we miss them a little too much, we just remember that they had long and happy lives. 

The Princess and the Native American

Brock and the girls carved the pumpkins this year.

Sarah Palin and her Security Guard.  

Our princess had a long day and needed some help getting home from trick-or-treating.

80"s Day for Ellis

Ellis has Spirit Week this week in school.  Today was 80's day.  Wow, that brought back some memories.  

Here is Ellis and her two friends, Hannah and Kate.

The Pumpkin Patch

We went to the pumpkin patch today.  What great weather we had!  It was sunny and 68.  We usually have cold rainy weather this time of year.  It was nice not to have to slop through the mud today.

A Weekend At the Cabin

Brock and Ellis enjoying a peaceful afternoon on the deck of our new cabin.

The salmon were running.  It was amazing to watch the huge salmon swim up the creek and jump over the rocks!

The cabin was cccccold when we arrived.  It took a while for the wood burning stove to warm us.

The next day we went on a beautiful hike around Trillium Lake.  

What a beautiful view of Mt. Hood reflected in Trillium Lake.

A bluejay joined us for lunch.  He was big and not afraid of us at all.

We did another hike that ended at a beautiful waterfall.  However, I forgot my camera on that hike.  So, I just got a picture of the girls at the sign.  Kiley was cold, so Brock gave her his coat. 

Whidbey Island

Last month we went to Whidbey Island with the Lower clan.  

It was a beautiful ferry ride from north of Seattle.

The house was perfect.  It was large enough for all of us and had a treehouse and swings.

The view was incredible!  

We made friends with the cows and bulls.  

This little guy was my favorite.

Ellis and Reed had a blast on the swings.

The cousins had so much fun hanging together.

The adults also had fun hanging together.

There were so many trails around the property.  

We went for several beautiful hikes.

One day we hit the Loganberry Festival.    It was COLD and RAINY!  

However, we still had a great time.

Ellis, Reed and Emma entered a pie eating contest.

Ellis came in second (to the large guy on the right!).  

We are so proud!  :)

Morning snuggle with Nana.

The dads took the kids out for a ATV ride.  

(Against the mom's pleadings)

Kiley giggled the entire ride.

Ellis also had a blast!

Or annual Lower photo.  Another successful Lower trip....

Our Maryland Trip

Brock took us to the airport for our midnight redeye flight to Maryland.

The girls were a bit tired, but excited!

We started our trip off with a beautiful picnic on the West River with grandma.  :)

Then the girls raided grandma's jewels!

The girls helped grandma keep up with her rasberry harvest.

Grandma and Ellis enjoyed several special nights out on the swing.

While Kiley caught fireflies.

Ellis filling Brock in on all of our fun adventures from the day.

The cousins playing pirate ship on grandma's hammock. 

We had a great visit with GiGi and Mary Joe.

The girls swam every day at the pool on the West River.

Dad and Kathleen enjoyed a wonderful Kayak trip on the West River.

What is a trip to Maryland without feeding and riding the horses?

Kiley got to ride Munchy.

Munchy then became grumpy.  So, Ellis rode Fire.

The girls had a fun tea party with their American Girl dolls.

We also visited friends on the Eastern Shore.

It was so great to see Terri!!  

She gave Ellis some photography pointers.

We made a special trip to New York to visit the Noonans.

The kids, including one of the biggest kids (Bobby), played on the swings.  :)

Of course, we had to make a trip the American Girl Doll store in the city.

I do not know who had more fun at the American Girl Doll store, Ellis & Kiley or Tonia?

The dolls got their hair done at the Salon.

Our last day..  :(

Ellis made cookies with grandma.

Grandpa took us to the airport for our long journey home.

We cannot wait till next year.....................