Soccer Games

Here are some pictures from Ronan's last few soccer games:

Go #1!

Josh helped coach during the games.

Go Ronan!

Warriors team huddle

At the team party--"Raise your hand if you had fun playing soccer!"

We're so proud of you, Ronan! 

Pumpkin Patch

Last Saturday, Oct. 16th, we went to Lone Pine Farms with Josh's family.  It was super crowded there, but we made the most of it and had a lot of fun.  It was great having all eight of the cousins together--a perfect opportunity for a group picture:

Ethan (almost 4), Dylan (5), Emma (2), Lydia (8), Audrey (11), Griffin & Macey (almost 4), and Ronan (6)

We decided not to go on a hay ride because the lines were so long, and instead let the kids play around at the hay maze, then we walked to the pumpkin patch.

 Apparently it's way more fun to climb & jump on top of the hay bales, then go through the actual maze. (:

Dylan, Ethan, & Macey heading into the maze.

Dylan

35 weeks pregnant

On to the pumpkin patch...

Grammie & Ethan

Jon & Emma

Lydia & Ronan--such good buddies (:

Josh's Party

We invited our families to our house on Saturday, Oct. 9th to celebrate Josh's birthday.  It was fun hanging out with everyone!  It felt like it had been a long time since we had hosted a big gathering--probably since Ronan's birthday. (:

He got a cool Guitar Center shirt from my parents, along with some accessories for the guitar that he got for Christmas.

Macey describing her card to Uncle Josh

The rest of us went in on a big gift that he had been wanting: a patio heater!

The kids had fun playing with the styrofoam that it was packaged in. (:

I made a pumpkin cheesecake and pumpkin bars for dessert. 

Make a Wish!

*Our parakeets got to try out their new cage that weekend (handmade by Josh).

Birthday Coast Trip

To continue our celebration of Josh's birthday we went to Newport for a night.  It was so nice to get out of town and spend time together as a family before baby Tate arrives next month!  We kept it a surprise from Ronan and Griffin, so when they realized what I was packing for they were super excited.  They love the ocean & sand--and that we would be staying in a hotel!

The weather was mild...not too windy or cold...just perfect for playing on the beach.

It was so funny watching Griffin run from the waves.  His little legs would get going so fast. (:

~34 weeks pregnant~
(Just 6 weeks to go!)

The Birthday Boy

After spending some time at the beach in Newport we went to Depoe Bay to see about going on a whale watching boat.  While we were waiting for the boat we saw a sea lion in the water. (:

I was so excited to get out on the boat and for the boys to have a fun experience that I didn't even think about what it would be like if the ocean was rough.  I just figured it would be fun and not scary, but wow I was shocked when we started heading out to sea!  We stood in the front of the boat even though the captain warned us that we would get wet, and we got absolutely soaked!  Looking back now I just don't know what I was thinking, but it all turned out great and thankfully the boys have good memories from the trip.

Ronan is still smiling at this point, but shortly after this picture the speed of the boat and the splashing waves got to be too much for the boys (and me!).

We made our way to a bench inside the cabin for the rest of the ride.

Ronan and Griffin each got to see a whale!  I had three or four sightings, and Josh saw the most- probably 8-10 sightings.  It was pretty exciting.

Below: the back of a gray whale 

As we were heading back to shore the sun came out and the rest of the day was clear & beautiful!

Back at the hotel it was pool time!

Daddy is the best pool toy!