The colors of Fall...

Well, fall is such a beautiful time of year. The colors change, the leaves fall and the days are shorter. I don't really like that the day doesn't have as much daylight as the summer months, but I can deal with it! I was fortunate to get a few cute pics of the boys in the leaves at the park in Tillamook a few days ago before it got too dark. Check them out!

From Generation to Generation

This is a 4-generation picture taken by Collin. I think he did pretty good considering he is only 8!!! This is of my mom, my mom's parents (grandpa and grandma to me), Austin and, of course, me. This was taken September 27, 2008. I came to realize a long time ago that you have to cherish every moment you get with your loved ones, cause you just never know how much time we have left on this earth.

Collin turns 8 years old today!

My other baby turns 8 years old today! He has grown up so much in the past few years! I can't believe how mature he looks in these pictures. (not to mention handsome). He has his birthday party tomorrow, and he is way excited about that! He has also been dealing with the hives. For whatever reason, he got in touch with something that didn't agree with him, and he has the darn hives! They make him look like he has the measles, but he has dealt with them well. Although, they make him itch something awful! Happy Birthday, my little 8 year old! I love you so much!

Austin gets his first owie!

Well, Austin officially got his first (but mild) goose egg! He decided to follow Daddy down the stairs a few days ago, and went from the first step to the last step in a matter of seconds! He is a tough little cookie, that's for sure! He cried for a bit, then got right back up and started playing! What a trooper!

My baby is growing up

Well, you all know Austin is my last baby, and he is getting so big! Lately, he has decided that he would prefer to sit on daddy's lap in the evenings now. That makes me sad. He used to just plop right up in my lap every night without hesitation. Now, if dad is anywhere in the house, there he is...at his heel! I can be holding him, talking to him, feeding him, whatever, and when Darin comes home from work, as soon as Austin hears the front door open and close, he practically leaps out of my arms to go see daddy!

I was beginning to think my son didn't love me anymore (I know, I shouldn't be jealous, hehe) but then I figured out that it has to be the recliner. If I sit in the recliner and Darin is on the couch, then Austin is my buddy all over again. My little boy is crazy I say! He can't make up his mind. But, at least I know he still loves his mommy. His 40 kisses a day tell me so! :)

Here's to you, my little 20 month old! I love you with all my heart!

We gave our son a new used car

That title probably sparked your interest, didn't it? Well, when your husband is in the car business, we can get good deals on any vehicle we want, so we did give our son a new car and it wasn't very expensive either. It's a car.................bed, that is! hehe...

He started to calm down here just a little...

...Now he's pretty mad!

Austin finally relaxing in his new bed!

Tonight we decided to put Austin in his toddler bed for the first time. He cried at first, not wanting to get on it, or in it, for that matter! But, once he settled down, he didn't make a peep and I think he fell asleep almost instantly! I wasn't able to capture very many cute pictures because he wasn't very happy with me, as you can see by the above picture. I hope the night goes smoothly for us...

Collin starts 3rd grade today

My little boy is growing up way too fast. He just entered into 3rd grade today! I can't believe it! He looks so mature in these two pictures I am including along with this post. Normally Darin and I both take him in to class on the first day of school, but I decided not to. I made sure I took the pictures, and then I let Darin take him to school. Darin told me as he started to pull the jeep over and park, Collin asked him why he was pulling over? He wondered why Darin wasn't dropping him off like he did all last year? Darin said it was because he normally goes in with him the first day of school. Collin said that wasn't necessary and that he was okay with going in by himself this time. Wow! If that doesn't make me sad...my baby is growing up! Yikes!

I just wanted to share the memory of Collin's school days! I think what also made the day easy was that he has the same teacher as he did last year and two of his good buddies are in his class again. Whew! Thank goodness for good friends!

Here's to a great school year for all of us!!!

Fair Time!!!

We went to the Douglas County Fair on August 7th and the Tillamook Fair on August 9th. I am slow posting these pictures because I knew it would take awhile, and I'm sorry there are quite a few, but this really should have been two posts, but I've combined them into one. We had awesome weather for our fair, it reached 86 degress, I think. You may say that's hot, and yes, I agree. But, when you consider the first year we moved here, the weather at the fair was over 100, I can take 86 any day!

We encountered crazy weather when we came to the Tillamook Fair. It was warm, breezy and it even rained and then cleared off. Weird, but hey, that's Tillamook for ya!

We had so much fun this year at the fair. Austin was just the right age to enjoy most of it. Unfortunately, though, he wasn't quite tall enough or old enough to ride any of the rides. Next year for sure! Collin rode about 6 rides at our fair, and Darin rode one of them with him, as you'll see when you scroll down the pictures below.

Darin and Austie enjoying some sun at our fair this year! Austin is just all smiles and such a little Darin :)

My boys got in a few games while we were there. Check out the ring in mid air! Cool, huh?

Darin was forced by Collin to ride the Ali Baba ride this year. There wasn't a huge crowd when we were there, so they were fortunate to have the whole ride to themselves!

Austin put on his walking shoes and never looked back!

Collin got to ride solo on the roller coaster!

This is Collin after jumping into the ball pit. (notice his toothless smile)

Now the Tillamook Co. Fair Pictures:

I ran into a dear old friend of mine at the fair. I hadn't seen Crystal since I was pregnant with Austin. I just love her...

We got the opportunity to hang out with the McConkey's at the Tillamook Fair this year! Yeah for us! Collin had a blast, because he had ride buddies! This is Wendy with little Paige (she is 7 weeks older than Austin).

My dad got off work and headed to the fair to hang out with the family! Course...all his grandsons just adore their papa!

This is one of my favorite people in the whole world - my super awesome father-in-law Jud! This is him doing what he loves best (besides hanging with his family). I have to admit...I fell in love with the Kettle Korn this year. I guess taste buds can change!

Collin loved going down the slide.

Collin with his long time buddy Kyle McConkey (in the middle) and his younger brother Justin.

Me and my little buddy!

Collin, Kyle and Justin riding whatever this ride is called. I can't remember...but they had a great time I know that much!

Austin just loved playing with the balloons. I loved seeing his facial expressions!

Happy Birthday Kathie!

This is my son Austin's babysitter (AKA the best babysitter in the world!) She actually used to babysit Collin when he was littler too. Her birthday was actually yesterday, but I was having a hard time finding this photo and I just found it!!! Yeah!!! This is the picture I took of her last year with the cake I made her. For those of you that don't know her, she is a total Americana Fanatic!!! She doesn't own a piece of flatware, dinner plates, cups, etc...if they aren't red, white or blue! And, if you look in her cupboards, her plates can't touch each other if they are the same color. So, you will actually see her plates stacked in red, white and blue order. She's so funny!

She would probably just die if she knew I posted this (but I did because she probably won't see this post). She is so funny, not liking her picture taken at all, but she was kind enough to let me snap this one! So, this is for you Kathie! Thanks for being my friend, a great babysitter and just an overall great person! We love you very much!

Church in the Park, Picnic and Super Water Slide!

Today we had church and a picnic in the park. It was such a beautiful day for it too! Not too hot, not too cold. There was a cool breeze, which was really nice, considering this time of year, we usually see the weather close to 100 degrees from here til September! It only got to about 84 degrees today. it was such a beautiful thing...hearing religious music echo across the park through the speakers. When I closed my eyes and sang, it was almost chilling, and I mean that in a good way.

Collin got to play in the blown up water slide. He had a blast as always! And, Austin got to show off his walking skills. During church, he walked around in circles, going to different people and saying "uh". He's quite the charmer...

Here are just a few pictures from today!

I love this picture of Austin. The facial expression is priceless, and the wind is blowing what curls he has! And, notice the pants - they are actually shorts believe it or not!

Collin the Dare-Devil!

This was kind of a funny picture. I took it by holding the camera in front of us, that is why it is kind of a funny picture! Collin isn't in this because he was in line for the water slide.

Look out below!

And, we have Austin being super cute again. He just thought it was the coolest that he got to walk around as much as he did today.