Thankful for the Ewing farm!

We sure enjoyed our mini Thanksgiving vacation to Oregon last week!

I definitely have tons to be thankful for.

I'm thankful that our children were nearly angels for the 8 hour drive!

I'm thankful to my sister and her family for hosting us!

I'm thankful for cool, clear weather during the Turkey Trot!

I'm thankful for friends who open their home to us and our busy toddlers!

I'm thankful to happy strangers who point us in the right direction!

I'm thankful for a loving family who helps keep my kiddos busy, feed, happy, and safe!

I'm thankful for our time together!

...I could keep going but let me get on about the Ewing (and Linda) farm.

Rolli and Vivian were in heaven!

Rolli loose in the barn!

The little guy doing chores before riding horses.

He really didn't do any chores but I remember having to help dig up thistles before being allowed to ride.  It takes lots of work to maintain all of this.

Fancy Face saying "hello", getting a neck scratch and nibbling a bite of grain. 

Vivian and Rolli's first pony ride on Dusty!

Yeehaw!  Giddy-up Dusty!

Click on the link to see a short clip of the twins' first horse ride.

horse ride!

In the video you can hear the helicopter working at the Christmas Tree farm next door.

The kids took turns riding Dusty with me.

I think Rolli wanted to go faster and Vivian was ready to start doing tricks.

We'll be back for more!

Rolli, Rachel, and Vivian with the chickens.

Who wants eggs for breakfast?

Aunt Esther showing Vivian one of the chickens.

Vivian, Daddy, and Rolli.

Rachel and Vivian walking off Thanksgiving dinner.

So many acres to explore!

And of course there were lots of mud puddles.

Click on the link to watch Rolli and Viv splashing around.

puddles on the farm

And I'm thankful for a safe (and shorter) drive back to Washington!

Turkey Trot!

gobble, gobble, gobble!

Our Thanksgiving started early!

We were up at 5 on the road by 5:30 and running at 8:20.

Marshall (pushing the kids) and I ran the Turkey Trot at the Oregon Zoo in Portland.

It was 4+ miles of crisp air and beautiful fall colors.

2 miles down hill and 2 miles back UP.

Whoa BIG hill...Thanks to Marshall for pushing the kids!

Vivian and Rolli bundled up for the run. 

The Wallace Family with the race day mascot.

Marshall and the kids at the start line.

Me, Vivian, and Rolli ready to run!

We finished!

The finish line was at the elephant exhibit but we didn't see any elephants.

Thanks to my sister Esther for our banana breakfast 

and the post race peanut butter and home-made jelly sandwiches.

After the run we took the kids around the zoo to see the animals!

Ooooh, Sea-lion!  

This sea-lion was swimming right up to the glass and then doing a back flip.

Rolli and Vivian loved him!

Penguins!

The only protesters we saw while in Portland.

This was supposed to be the Polar Bear exhibit but for some reason the penguins were here.

And there is the Polar Bear!

This one was backing up and then walking forward, backing up, walking forward.

Measuring up!

Daddy and Vivian watching the primates monkey around.

These guys were making lots of noise and showing off!

Rolli watching the monkeys.

Vivian sees the BIG fish!

Daddy and Rolli.

Whooaa!

Our little zoo animals... still in their pajamas.

This was a great way to start our Thanksgiving!

Fresh air and exercise.

I'm thankful for a happy, healthy, and busy family.

jabber

Some days I just don't stop laughing!

I've been having a lot of those days lately.

Yes, I am thankful ;)

This kid is partly to blame...

Look at this guy!

Rolli is all sweaty and he still insisted on wearing mittens and shoes INside for HOURS.

Sunglasses too... 

maybe I was a little too persistent about teaching them to wear their sunglasses this summer.

At least they won't be at risk for developing cataracts.  

But the laughter hasn't stopped yet.

little talkers

Those two!  I love that they make us smile!

pajama style

Vivian and Rolli make me smile :)

Somedays I just let them chill in their pjs ALL day.

Vivian really rocks the style.

Yes.  She accessorized herself.

That's a whole lotta pink!  

Unzipped.  Showin' a little baby leg.

I find Vivian like this most mornings.

And she is very good about balancing a top the jack-in-the-box.

While I was taking Vivian's pictures Rolli was standing next to me saying "cheeeeese".

So I told him, "go get a box to stand on too".

And Rolli!

He's got pj style too (it's all about the tongue).

We'll be spending this chilly day inside in our cozy pajamas!

(after walking to the store for some milk and eggs)

Happy Sunday!

our snow tiger & his sister

It's snowing!!!

and someone let this little tiger into our backyard...

It seems he just wanted to take a look around...

Explore a bit here and there...

Doesn't this friendly snow tiger look familiar?

Vivian was less friendly about the snow. 

Daddy and Vivian.

"Mom, I just don't like this!  Pick me up!"

This sums up how Vivian felt about the cold, wet snow.

I'm sure her attitude will change after nap time.

For now it is still snowing!

little readers

I'm pretty sure that they aren't actually reading.

But aren't they cute anyways?!

Vivian jabbers all through the book and Rolli makes animals noises for every picture.

Just look at their little faces... 

You can tell that Rolli must be looking at a bear, or something else that growls.  

Wedding Bash!

Fun times at Bre & Ian's Bride-&-Groom Wedding Bash reception!!

Josh and Amy stylin' 

Hannah and Marshall

Beach Bride & Groom

(It's obviously past my bedtime)

80's bride, Beach bride, Wedding Singer and Zombie bride.

Looking Good :)