Pumpkin Carving 101

We are very proud of the 4 pumpkins we grew in our garden this year and last night it was time to turn them into jack-o-lanterns. Emma was a little hesitant at first digging in and cleaning out the pumpkin, but before long she was asking if she could eat the seeds. Camden was content watching from his stool!

The Backyardigans and a reunion!

Yesterday was a fun-filled day in Seattle! Emma is a big fan of the Backyardigans (a show on Nickelodeon) and when we found out there was a Backyardigans Live show in Seattle, we got tickets. To add to the excitement of the day, our dear friend, Diane, had an extended layover in Seattle in route from Japan to California, so we got to spend time with her, too!

Camden and Emma enjoying a delicious cookie out side the Volunteer Park Cafe after lunch. It seemed like old times in Japan catching up with Diane!
Here's Camden mesmerized by the Backyardigans show.

Emma and I ready for the second act!

A mini Ikego School reunion with Maggie and Diane! (Lily and Emma are honorary fireflies)

Emma and her good buddy, Diane! ;) Emma and Lily ready for bed!

Emma reading Brown Bear, Brown Bear to Lily. It was too cute!

How much love and fun can we have?

We managed to squeeze in quite a bit over the few days that we had Nana and Grandpa visiting us. It has been a lot of fun seeing my mom and dad in their roles of grandparents. Their #1 job is to give lots of love and attention-it doesn't get better than that!

Nana and Emma making our family's famous cut out cookies-ghosts and pumpkins to get us in the Halloween spirit.Grandpa and Camden playing cars.

We made a little trip to Seattle yesterday. Camden and Emma had fun running around at the Seattle Center.
Emma was a great cheerleader while Nana and Grandpa put a puzzle together with her. 3/4 of the Seaward family ;)

Portland with Nana and Grandpa

We are SO excited that Nana and Grandpa are here visiting us right now! We went to Portland yesterday to meet up with them. My dad was at a conference and while (in Emma's words) Grandpa was at school, we checked out the town...

Emma and Nana enjoying some lunch at Burgerville. Emma found a friend in Chinatown while we were out exploring yesterday afternoon.
This morning we headed to the Portland Children's Museum. Here's Camden in the Bob the Builder exhibit.

Camden did not want to leave the water play area. He was soaked-imagine that!

Emma's favorite part of the museum was the grocery store. We took turns being the shoppers and the checkers at the cash register.

More fun with Emma and Camden...

I was pleasantly surprised to see how much Emma and Camden entertained each other this morning.Like any adoring little brother, Camden happily follows Emma in her imaginative games.

Emma has a new fascination with Hannah Montana. I now have "It's the best of both worlds!" going through my head constantly. Here is Emma singing with her sidekick Camden.

Hiding out under the table...

After they grew tired of playing under the table, it was time to "build a new house" with all the couch pillows...

Fall is in the air!

The short sleeves have been put away-fall has arrived in Washington! We decided to enjoy Saturday afternoon hiking along Clear Creek Trail. This is our first hike on the trail since Camden has been really walking, so he was in heaven (making a fashion statement, too!)

Camden and Emma strike out on the trail... Look Mom, I found a leaf!
Hey there little brother!

How about a hug?!

Helping hands

Chris is on the road to recovery after his shoulder surgery. He is really missing running these days so Emma kept him company (while pushing her doll stroller...) on a little walk yesterday morning. Camden also thought he'd give Daddy a hand getting the mail. ;)

How many things can a laundry basket be?

When it comes time to do some laundry, locating our laundry basket is always a challenge. It has quickly become one of Emma and Camden's favorite toys. Yesterday it was a race car, this morning it was a sled. Camden absolutely loves being pushed around in it. Emma wishes Camden was a little stronger to get her moving faster. ;)

My wingman has a broken wing...

I am happy to report that Chris's shoulder surgery went very well this morning. Chris had surgery on his shoulder about 10 years ago ( a procedure they not longer perform because the results are not very positive) so there was not much of a tendon to work with. The doctor worked his magic to anchor some tendons together and Chris should be back to normal soon. He gets to be in this lovely sling for the next 6 weeks (he's thrilled!). My nursing assistants, Camden and Emma, were a big help this evening. When Emma walked in the house after school the first thing she said to Chris was, "Daddy you have one of those bracelets Mommy had when Camden was born!" (Is she one sharp cookie or what?!)

All I have to say is that the last few hours were a tiny preview of what my life would be like with 3 kids. Unless I grow another pair of arms and a bigger brain, I'm sticking with the 2 I've got! ;)

Bedtime Stories

I couldn't resist a picture of our bedtime story time tonight...Emma and I had another battle with the stomach flu this week (YUCK!) and we are happy to be back to our old selves . Chris heads in bright and early tomorrow morning for his shoulder surgery, so it was one last night for wrestling with Daddy!