Punkin' Patch Pics 2011

There is a small local Pumpkin Patch (and farm/farm stand) here in Vancouver called, "Joe's Place Farm" that we visited today. We've gone there before so some of these pictures might look similar to those of the past but the boys, as you can see, are just a little bit taller. I've been noticing lately that it's getting harder and harder for me to keep up with the boys. They are getting bigger, faster and more independent so by the time I have my camera pointed at them and focused they are off and running.

Annual picture with the big witch.

This may be hard for those of you that know Oliver to believe this but he was goofing off and playing with the wheelbarrow. I know, I know, not like him at all!

Noah is getting older and more irritated with my need to photograph him all the time.

So I sneak pictures when he isn't looking...come on boy, that pumpkin isn't that big!

Oliver directing pumpkin laden wheelbarrow traffic.

Noah practicing his brooding in the corner of the hay tent.

Pretty little sunflowers all over around the grounds of the farm.

Dad took off to go pay for and load up the pumpkins so we were just hanging out chatting and waiting for him to return so we could head into the maze.

Boys joined in on the pow-wow in the maze!

They found their way to the fort lookout!

This fascinated me for some reason, it's like the leaves framed themselves.

My Noah

My Oliver

Awww!

That's My Boy...

Noah has been given a "Black & White Photography Project" in his EXCEL class. The idea being that, "photography captures moments in time, and the photographer "frames" these moments. Photography is the creation of a visual language. It is the telling of a story without words." Needless to say, I was very excited about this project and excited that my boy gets to tell a story via photos. We went over my camera, a few of the settings, etc. and then I pretty much set him free. I would offer tips and maybe suggest a different approach every once in a while and when I was taking pictures I would talk to him about what I was doing and what I was trying to capture. It's been tough to just stand back and watch at times but I've really just kind of given up my camera for the time being. Well, Pop & H came into town this weekend for a quick visit and we took them down to a local wildlife refuge for a quick easy walk. We got about ten feet onto the trail and Noah took my camera, not sure what to do with my empty hands, I yelled to Joel that this is why we need to get me the next step up in cameras. Then I watched Noah find, frame and capture those "moments" as we walked. I have to say that when we got home and had a chance to look at the pictures I was proud. Maybe, just maybe, some of me is rubbing off on that kid. I sat here, viewing his work and kept thinking to myself, "That's my boy..."

Had a Great Fall...

Each year at Illahee Elementary, the kindergarten classes set out on a scientific journey of sorts. Their goal is to figure out how to throw an egg off the roof of the school and make it survive! They come up with an idea or a design, place their faith in their results and toss ol' Eggbert off the roof. I don't know if they name their little eggs but in my mind they do and at least one of them is named Eggbert or Megg or Egglebert Humptydink...what would you name your egg?

The parent volunteers that agreed to go up top to scramble the eggs.

There goes Oliver's!!

Kids all sat and watched each egg take the plunge.

After all of the eggs were dropped the kids were released to gather up their project. I was not involved in this project or I would have named it EGGspress - sheesh!

SO hard for me to not reach in there and help things along faster! Come on, Oliver, did your egg survive?!?

Nice work my boy, Humpty has no worries in your hands!

Beacon Rock

My friend, Jessica, posted on facebook that she wanted to go to a hike. I asked where and when and we decided to hike Beacon Rock in the Columbia Gorge. Funny thing is, both of us have never hiked Beacon Rock! One of those things that you think, "oh, I can go there anytime!" and then you never do. We met in the morning, hiked on up and up and up the .9 mile trail. Lots and lots of switchbacks take you up the west side of the rock. Once you get closer to the top you finally get to swing around to the east side of the big rock. The top doesn't have a lot of room to roam about but it feels good to finally get up there! We took some pictures, read the plaque, drank some water then headed back down. Once at the bottom we decided that wasn't enough so we headed across the river and hiked Wahclella falls too!

A little warning before starting up the switchback trail.

I just thought this was a cool rock whatever you call it.

The view from the trail on our way to the top. This is looking across to the Oregon side and slightly west.

The view looking west.

The view looking east.

The crazy switchback trail, walk too fast and you get dizzy with all the back and forth.

Another shot of the trail, just looking down this time.

The final climb to the top!

View to the east from the top.

View to the west from the top. To be honest, the view, in my humble opinion, was better from the trail.

Heading back down, the sun was really starting to burn off the mist that was lingering in the gorge.

My hiking partner, Jessica!

Firsts!

Today was a big day...BOTH boys started school. Okay, technically, school started last Wednesday but we were on our annual family camping trip. Anyway, Noah started 5th, yes 5th if you can believe that? And Oliver, he started Kindergarten today. The time really has flown by! Oliver was so excited this morning he could barely sit or stand still. It's a first for me too, I have no kiddos at home and I am wondering how I am going to handle that. So far I've dropped off a huge bag of school supplies, stopped for a coffee, ran to Target and am now working on this here blog post. So far, so good! Oh, if you'd like to see a ton of pictures from our camping trip, check out my facebook page by clicking here or here, that will take you to the two albums I created. Report back later for a recap of their first day!

Good morning boys!!

Speaking of firsts, this boy lost his first tooth last night. It's a big week for this guy! He asked the tooth fairy for $33 or a nickel. Nickel it is!!

Love that he is looking up to his big brother!

Can't stand still, so excited and wants to know, "Where is that bus!?!"

Not quite as excited as his little brother. He is really looking grown up to me these days.

Nope, still not standing still.

"YEAH!!!! The bus is here!!"

On goes my Noah

And there goes my Ollie-Al

There they go...now what do I do?