Last year we skipped the pumpkin patch and the Christmas tree farm and we heard about it all year long. We bought our tree at Fred Meyer for $20 and we felt jipped. The thing lost half the needles before Santa could show up and the kids wondered if he would even bother stopping by.
Needless to say, this year they made it very clear that we had to visit the pumpkin patch. But what about the $20 pumpkins you ask?
Lisa made a deal with them. We'll go to the patch and ride the boat, ride the train, and do the maze but if we buy a pumpkin there, we can only get one. Otherwise we can go to WinCo and everyone can get their own pumpkin for $.17 a lbs.
And the kids chose Winco.
Now about the train and boat ride. We're not talking Disneyland here. the rides are about as low budget as person can get. Note the scary, tailless shark attacking our boat?
The train ride back was pretty tame, but AJ still managed to get scared with the noise.
Of course Summer and AJ are into sports as well. Previously you saw Summer doing the high jump into the washing machine. Below you see Summer complicating Mom's life. 
Brendan is going on 1 year in Tae Kwon Do and we've been happy with it. I think his confidence has grown and his motor skills have improved greatly. The sales pitch they hit you with makes you think they will build your kid into a combined Abraham Lincoln and Chuck Norris. We haven't seen that yet, but he has really taken an interest in Star Wars light sabers.
Above is Master Kim putting Brendan's latest belt on. Master Kim won the Olympic gold medal in Tae Kwon do in Barcelona in 1992. We have been very impressed with his patience and demeanor. But I still don't see the Lincoln/Norris connection.
During the pre flu era (last week) I trained for a 15k run at Blue Lake in Gresham. The purpose was very selfish, I wanted to see how fast I could run.
Of course, I've dragged Lisa and the kids all over Portland to various races this summer. When I hit her up with this race, started off with, "Remember Blue Lake and the great play equipment they have there? They have a kids race! oh and did I mention a 15k!"
Natalie was at soccer so we took the other three and one of Brendan's friends.
At the start of the half mile run. I think the two boys were a little intimidated by #314.
This is Bren crossing the finish line. The funniest part was when anyone tried to pass him, he would speed up until they gave up. Then he would slow down to his little trot.
I didn't really like the pictures that came out for me, but I will say that I ran well. 7:13 average per mile and 11th place overall. That was good enough for 2nd in my age group. Not bad for my first attempt to be competitive.
And if anyone tries to tell you to carbo load by skipping all carbs for a few days and then piling on the pasta, don't do it. It is an evil trick to ruin your glory for a few days after the run.
The 14 month old is now hobbling (controlled walking) and getting in the most unlikely of places. Who knows what she was looking for inside the washer.
Usually she can't make it in, but I'm guessing that she just ate a big meal so her center of gravity was, uh, above the waist. All she had to do was start leaning and then...
With the change in cool weather comes soccer season! It seems like Natalie enjoys the game, but is starting to enjoy the socialization even more. Do other kids always go through that "I don't want to go tonight" and then dance around and be a clown at practice stage?
Brendan is playing too, but since I coach his team that leaves Lisa battling the two younger kids on the sidelines. I wonder what the parents would say if I took pictures while coaching the kids at the same time.
On second thought, I should record what they say. That would be much more funny.
So I'm working on day #3 of the flu and getting quite tired of it. Unfortunately, I don't have the energy to do much. So what shall I do? Update the blog.
Of course, I don't really know if I have the swine flu, but I hear the risk getting H1N1 at the Dr. while getting tested is fairly high. So I'll just stay home until I'm better. Unless I start to making oinking sounds or grow pig ears.
So all of those who have not yet abandoned blogging for facebook, read on!
Today Summer is one year old. Happy Birthday, Baby!
The kids played "Limbo" with streamers for a stick. More like "Speed Limbo" since they were running. 
Brendan wrote a sweet card with some spelling help from Natalie. 
She wasn't quite sure what to do with the cake. But she figured it out pretty quickly.
The cake was a hit! Happy Birthday Summer Pie!
Written by Lisa:
I hate snakes. Hate them hate them hate them. Normally, they inspire shivers up and down my spine, a racing heartbeat, and a "creepy-crawly" feeling for the rest of the day.
Yesterday I was out in the backyard when this big guy slithered by about 12 inches from my foot. I did not freak out, my heart did not race, I didn't even move. I calmly called the kids to come see and to bring the camera. I proudly showed Ezra this photo tonight thinking he would be amazed at my newfound reptile maturity. The only thing he said was, "Why didn't you catch it????"
I guess I'll pat myself on the back. Good job, me.
Brendan and Master Kim at Brendan's Tae Kwon Do rank advancement. I think Brendan's favorite part is the sparring where he gets to chase after one of the instructors to use his moves. I would hate to be on the receiving end of one of his attacks.
So Ezra, Natalie, and Brendan all took off on Thursday for a camping trip at Silver Falls near Salem, Oregon. The weather was hot, the place was packed, and they picked the perfect spot to go explore.
The pic above is just as we started the short hike down to the first two falls. an you see the trail right behind the water fall? Back in the 1930's the original owner of the land used to charge people $.10 to watch him push old cars off the falls into the pool/rocks below. Times have changed a bit.
Natalie catching up on the Star Wars action...
Brendan chillin...
Dad nappin...and Brendan Karate Choppin?
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