Preparing for Party

Well, one of Ashlyn's friends has a b-day like the day before Halloween. So, we were deciding to wear costumes or not...and Gifford....decided wouldn't it be fun to scare the kids...

Sporting Ashlyn's vampire teeth and his riding goggles.

Ashlyn decided she wanted to try on daddy's costume. LOL. What a funny little girl.

So on to the party we went. Ashlyn had such a fun time with all her little friends while Gavin and Brooks hung out in the house...

The best part was the bounce house....absolutely HUGE. It was big enough that all the kids could get in there at the same time. We got them out, long enough for a picture...

...and yes, that is MY son....throwing a fit, face down in the gravel...time for a nap!

While Erin was home from Germany, we went to her mom's house in Ontario, to spend time with her and her precious children.

Elizabeth "Ellie" posing for the camera.

Sorry Erin, I had to post it. The only one I got of Erin her entire time here. For those of you who don't know, she is more like a sister to me than a cousin. We grew up together, and she was the matron of honor in my wedding. Her being half way around the world is hard, but I am glad she is enjoying Germany and I thank her husband and other like him for his sacrifice serving in the US military.

Ashlyn showing us her missing tooth.

Gavin posing with his witch hat on.

The kids posing for a picture.

The Corn Maze

This year, K-3 went to the Corn Maze in Ontario. Here students got to try their hand and winding through a maze cut into a corn field. There were tons of kids there and parents too...Our cousins visiting from Germany even made it there! We had such a wonderful time.


Ashlyn listening intently on what the owner had to say about staying with your group so that you don't get lost.

Most of the Adrian kids.

We first went on a hay ride of the property in wagons that were covered like the ones on the Oregon trail. These are some kids in Ashlyn's class and Gavin's preschool teacher Ms. Krissy

More of Ashlyn's classmates...(the little boy in the red is her "boyfriend" Jace) what a cute group.

Ashlyn and her cousins from Germany Andrew, Ellie, and their Mimi Kathy.

My cousins Kathy and Jay brought their visiting grandkids to the pumpkin patch to give their mom an nice break while she was here.

Gavin and Daddy bringing up the rear of the excursion.

Purdum's Pumpkin Patch

Every year, the preschool goes to a local produce merchant in Fruitland, Idaho where the kids can pick out a pumpkin and take it home--for free. The only stipulation is, the kid has to carry the pumpkin they pick out to the trailer, with their own power.

They loaded us on a flat-bed pulled by a tractor, and away we went.

Gavin and Ashlyn's friend, Lucy with her special bear.

Here is Ms. Krissy's preschool classes. She has a total of 24 kids (2 classes), and the patience of a saint. We are so thankful to have such a wonderful preschool in our area.

Gavin picked out a really small one. This surprised me, but he informed me, it was the perfect pumpkin. There was no convincing him otherwise!

Mechanic in the making.

Gavin has been becoming quite the handy man in our family. For his birthday, he received his very own tool set. Since then, he has been fixing lots of things. This moment was captured as he was fixing the engine in his car.

He figured out to prop the car up on blocks all on his own. It was so incredibly cute!

Making sure it works.


And now for a little randomness...All my life I have wanted a Cocker Spaniel. Well, our friend Renee moved up here from Arizona, and with he she brought her very pregnant Cocker. Well, I am now the proud owner of Autumn. She is super sweet and has made a great addition to the family.

Pre-school Field Trip to Adrian Fire Station.

Gavin's preschool took a trip to the local fire station. The local volunteer fire department does some great community outreach programs and this was one of the many things they did this year.

Gavin playing in the station. Splashing in the puddles.

Checking out the switches on the engine.

Fireman, Russel Martin, showing the kids all of the equipment.

And the best part...Getting the squirt the hose. It was such a fun day!

Adrian Homecoming 2010

Since loosing my job in Harper, I have been doing a lot of subbing at my the school I went to as a kid...Adrian High School, in Adrian, Oregon. I happened to be doing a long term sub for a teacher having surgery during Homecoming week. I was to supervise the Senior class in their float building for the parade. Their theme was "Adrian Antelopes, 60 years of Magic" with a play on the Disney theme. The chose a representative of each decade of students and I was luck enough to be representing the 1990s. We rode in the back of the pickup pulling the float. The senior class was dressed as various Disney characters and even Gavin got in on the fun, dressing in his Tigger costume representing the "future Antelopes"

The float in process. It took second place.

After the parade, there was was community pep assembly complete with each class having a cheer and playing a game. This little guy is in Ashlyn's class. He was part of a relay where they had to fill up the cup that was balanced on the teacher's head. This teacher is my friend Kelsey Zimmerman. She was soaked by the time the game was over.


These girls are brutal! During homecoming week the girls play a powder-puff football game. By the end of the game, there were many bruises, and few fat lips and some hurt feelings. Gifford and I decided that they should allow the girls to dress down, pads and all. They tend to be more aggressive than the boys are.


After the powder-puff game, there was a huge community bonfire. I temporarily lost my children, only to find them crawling around in the fire engine...I should have known!

Washing the vehicles

Daddy decided it was time to wash his motorcycle...the kids wanted in on the fun so they got to wash their bikes too.


Dad and his "baby"



Ashlyn's bike

Washing the Spiderman bike


So serious washing the car.

Kindergarten for Ashlyn

As a mom, the first day of school is bittersweet. You spend the days of your child's preschool years preparing them for the big day when they will start Kindergarten. Hoping that you told them to raise their hand to ask to go potty, to make sure they have the "perfect" pencils, the new crayons, and the backpack featuring the favorite cartoon at the time. All in hopes that maybe your child will miss you a little when you drop her off. This is how our first day went.

"Ashlyn, it's time for school!"
Without a word, she jumps up and appears from her bedroom with her back pack on. "Ok, mom, I am ready!"
"Um, I think you should get your clothes on first." Yes, she appeared from her room, still in her pajamas, backpack on and ready. I finally convinced her that getting dressed was a good idea. And finally it is time to leave...but not without a couple of pictures.

Just one more!!!

Mom, I am going to be late!

Just one more picture in front of the school.

It is time for breakfast! Ashlyn found a friend, ChayLee, and began to learn the routine of typical school morning.

This is her class. Fortunately, she knew most of her kids from Ms. Krissy's preschool days. As I was leaving, in tears, Ashlyn says, "Good bye mom! I love you." Of course she was ready to get rid of me. I think the first day of kindergarten is harder for the parents than it is the kids...at least in her situation!

The next day, when getting her up for school she says, "But mom, I went to school yesterday!" Truly funny. I love the way her mind works!

Looking for work...still.

In the search for work this summer, I was brought to the little town of Lakeview, Oregon for an interview. Although I did not get the job, I am proud to say the out of 298 applicants for 1 position, I got one of 35 interviews.

This was in a guys yard in Lakeview. Gifford was so amused we had to pull over just to take a picture. It was funny!

This was parked outside of a gas station in Burns, on our way home from the interview. I am not sure what, exactly it is, but Gifford was amused by it.

Branding...again...

Once again, it is the time of year when we bring the cows in from the hills and brand the stranglers that calved late. We are at Buster's this time with only 4 brands going...hard to keep track of who belongs where.

Buck seems to always be running the irons.

Getting the youngsters in on the fun.

Ashlyn makes a great supervisor.

Time for a little ride!

A little randomness...

Here are some pictures I wanted to add that didn't really have a place to go...

While some of my cousins from the Portland area were around, we all met at my aunt's house where the kids did a little fishing!

The prize of the day

Cannot believe my little girl has started loosing her teeth. This was her first, August 3rd. She is now down three!