The Great Escape

Yesterday, while doing house hold chores..(trying to get some ink out of Gifford's pants where he left the pen in the pocket...another story), Ashlyn and Gavin were sitting at the table, coloring, and watch television. Ashlyn asked if she could go into the living room to watch. Apparently she couldn't see well where she was sitting. I had no problem with that, which left Gavin alone to finish whatever project he was working on.

I was concentrating hard on the work at hand when I noticed things were awfully quiet. I asked Ashlyn, "where's your brother?" She said she didn't know...I didn't think much of it since he is really into "hide 'n" seek" lately, and went back to what I was doing. Then I suddenly got a bad feeling. I started searching in all the usual spots, the closet, the linnen shelf (movie from a few posts back) behind the shower curtain...no Gavin

I then went back into the living/dining room and saw...



Oh no...he unlocked the door, and is out on the balcony...My God. I hope he didn't fall off! I have expressed that fear on this blog before... I looked out....



NO GAVIN!!

I then went out onto the balcony, afraid to look down and saw nothing. By now I was in an absolute panic. I went to all levels of the balconies, NO GAVIN...I search the parking area, the neighboring apartment complex (has a playground) NO GAVIN...after a frantic call to Gifford, I started recruiting my neighbors to help me look for him. After what seemed like hours (I am sure it was about 15 minutes) Ashlyn, who had been on my heels the entire times screaming for him said...Mommy...he's in that car!



Now you have to understand, Gavin has a facination with playing in cars, pretending to drive, playing with the mirrors and pushing and turning all the buttons. To get to these cars he had to have gone down these stairs...



And across hot pavement (he was barefoot), opened the car door and climbed inside. When I finally reached him, he was bright red from screaming...he could see and hear me, but I couldn't him, and he couldn't figure out how to get out of the car. I have never wanted to kill someone and kiss them all at the same time. I have never been so scared!

Needless to say, we have devised a way to double lock the sliding door.

Although it isn't pretty, it is the only way we can do it because the door is put in such a way that the sliding part goes between the stationary glass and the screen.

I know that if anyone out there didn't believe in a higher power, after an experience like this, they truly would. Thank the Lord he is fine... whew! Crisis over!

Our "New Neighbors"

One thing I like about this apartment is we live in town, but still feel a bit in the country. A couple of days ago, I posted what the area out our balcony door looks like...well 2 nights ago, Gifford was out there, probably having a cigarette, and came in, got the binoculars and asked the kids to come out quietly. Curious, I grabbed my camera and this is what we saw...



Although I know they are a nuisance, and can be down right vicious, they are still one of the cutest creatures God put on this earth.

Children's "Museum" in Pendleton

If you are ever in downtown Pendleton, Oregon and have small children you must take them to the Children's Museum. Although "museum" is a bit of a misnomer, it is a great place for kids to play and discover the world around them, with a little bit of history mixed in. The rates are fairly reasonable and if you intend to go a lot, they also have a yearly pass. This place has different stations in it where children can have imaginative play. There's even an Arts & Crafts area where you can make whatever you want to with your child using the materials provided and they offer classes for kids once a week for a small fee.

Here we have grocery shoppers, complete with pint size shopping carts and a plethora of foods to choose from. There is even a cash register with play money in it...what a great learning tool!





The fire station was a huge hit with Gavin. Here he got to try on fire hats, climb in and out of the station and have huge stuffed dalmatians to play with.





Ashlyn got in on the fun too!



Playing dressup always makes for a fun time! Although dressing like an "angel" is a stretch!



This was the Lewis and Clark room. They had a boat for the kids to explore complete with beaver pelts and 'coon skin caps. There was also a tee-pee for the kids to play in, although, I did not get a picture of that one.




Ah the toddler's only room...this was a room that was "safe" for kids two and under.



This room was upstairs and pretty hot and stuffy. It was complete with a train table and a school desk.



And finally we have the Lego and pipe room. Here kids get to play with thousands of Legos and they also have these pipes to put up on the wall that connect to eachother. What a great day!

Our small apartment

Well, we have been in this apartment for about 2 months now and I just realized that I haven't posted any pictures of it...exactly. So here we go.

The kitchen is what I call a "one butt kitchen." It is so small that only one person can be in there. I can't even cook with the kids in the room with me, which could be a blessing in disguise.


This is the new sectional that we bought. We decided that since we are now in our 30s the time has come for us to ditch our college hand-me-downs and get some "real" furniture. This is such a comfy couch...it makes for wonderful naps!




The "computer room" is the corner of the living room by the front door



This is the view from our balcony. Normally I would love this however, Gavin proved to me that he could stick his head through the banister. Since his head is the biggest part of him, this scared mommy a little. There is about a 4 story drop to the river....guess we won't be spending much time out there.



We see wildlife such as deer and pheasant in here quite often. The kids love looking through daddy's binoculars to check things out.


This is the view directly down...scary!

Hide 'n' Seek, Allaire style...

Here is the kids' newest hiding spot. It is part of our linen closet that I haven't put anything in yet... as it goes, I probably won't either. The kids will spend a good part of their day, playing in it. Why is it I spent so much $ on their birthday again? Ah, the little joys in life.

Our new love...

Gavin has a new love...it's brushing his teeth. He thinks it is great fun and will do it as many times as day as I will let him. Although since he can now crawl up on the sink, I really need to keep an eye on the little guy, or he would be eating toothpaste for dessert. I also think this picture turned out pretty cool, three Gavins, one picture, Augh!!!



Ashlyn enjoys brushing also. She has really turned into quite the authority on it, since she has now been to the dentist. She tries to "coach" Gavin on the techniques...oh brother

Presenting...Maryah Fenn Anderson

My dear friend and co-worker Alica Anderson gave birth to a beautiful baby girl on the 14th of July. She was 8 pounds 1 ounce, 19 inches long, and in perfect health. This was a bit of a worry considering mommy is 40ish, but what a sweet girl.







Congratulations Anderson family!

Summer Favorites

Here are some pictures that I have meant to include on the blog but have either forgotten or something else.

This is a bucket with wheels the kids got on one of our many excursions to the wal-marche... Gavin seems to think it is his own personal chair. How do I wish I were small enough to fit into it the way he does


The kids were invited to a birthday party at Ashlyn's preschool. "Miss Krissy" rented a bounce house for the kids to play in. Gavin, never being shy about anything was right in the middle of all the action. Although Ashlyn seems to be a little more reserved, Gavin is definately my outgoing little man





This picture of Ashlyn is one of my favorites. It shows her love for life and her wonderful personality. She is such a sweet heart. Love you baby girl!



In contrast, Gavin is such a show stealer. He thought he would put on one of his sister's swimming suits just to get a rise out of her. Normally this would have worked, however Ashlyn suprised us all thinking how funny it was. Trying on girls' clothes...just a phase I hope...


Ah, the many hours of fun we have gotten out of this yard sale find. We picked up this cozy coupe when Ashlyn was just a baby... for only $5...they have both had so much fun with it however, I have never seen anyone play in it the way that Gavin does.



I have never seen any child love flowers as much as my Ashlyn does. If there is a flower to be picked, she will do it. It has gotten to where my mom's wonderful neighbor "Grandma 'dele" brings flowers over quite often because she knows how much Ashlyn loves them...

Potty Training 101

Well, a couple of days ago, we decided it was time to start the dreadful business of potty training Gavin...what a fiasco that is turning out to be. Although he seems to know when he goes...we have yet to have him go on command, or ask to go potty before we go in our diaper.


As you can see, Gavin isn't quite into the potty training yet, but thinks the potty chair makes a great hat...oh well, it will come in time....I hope!


In this pictures, we are doing our best too potty train the way my mother in law says...the old fashioned way...let them go naked. I guess since she raise four boys, she would know what she is talking about...it will com in time

Oregon Coast Aquarium

The next day, we took mom to the aquarium in Newport, to experience ocean life. There were all kind of fish and wildlife to observe...

These were just a sample of the odd fish that were on display at the aquarium. Ashlyn was absolutely entranced by the jelly fish.

Ashlyn and Conrad became part of this display, where the fish actually swim around your head. You feel like you are in there with them.


JAWS!!! Here we are posing by the Great White's jaws. I cannot imagine what it would be like to see something like this coming at you. Thank goodness for places like this that you don't have to experience it in the wild.

Cape Meers Lighthouse

After the cheese factory, we headed to a lighthouse just down the road at Cape Meers. Here we got a beautiful view and got to actually go up into the lighthouse. What a cool experience that was!




What a view the Oregon coast has....I think Marilyn truly enjoyed it.....



Here we are up in the lighthouse with my nephews Conrad and Coyote...