I love FALL

Well Caymus had his turn for a pumpkin patch field trip! I got to ride the bus for this one….oh so fun! All the cute little preschoolers kept saying "this is soooo fun! I love riding the bus! Have you ever ridden on a bus before?" Oh man, have I ever!
We went to the coolest pumpkin patch ever. It’s huge, has so much stuff and is super clean and organized. We first went through a kid size hay maze (very cool, bales are staked two high so little ones can not see but grown ups can!), went to the petting zoo, fed goats, saw lots of farm animals, watched them make apple cider, got to try the apple cider, hay ride out to the pumpkin patch, then a hay ride right back to the bus! Perfect for 60+ preschoolers. Caymus had a blast for sure.
Once we picked up Lucy from school we did our pumpkin carving. I had the kids practice some faces on cardboard first…trying to by myself some time…..Then out to the yard. We had a bunch of pumpkins from my parents’ place that my brother brought down a few weeks ago so we each got to carve 2 pumpkins.
So I am learning how different our kids are from eachother. We cut into the tops of the pumpkins and pull them off, Caymus’ reaction is “ewwww gross! I am not going to touch that! Its dirty!” and Lucy’s reaction is “ooooooh I love this part! I can’t wait to get my hands in the squishy guts!”
So one of them is just like me and the other is just like Marshall…..can you guess?
After a few hours, a few tears, some frustration, one cut thumb (mine fortunately) we ended up with 6 fabulous pumpkins!
I was also able to collect a ton of pumpkin seeds and baked them for some yummy snacks.
I just love this time of year!

Busy

Well we have been super busy this last week. I have been working hard to get my office done! Marshall finished the drywall, taped it and then I went to work mudding, sanding, re-mudding and sanding, spayed the texture (NOT fun!), then finally painted it. We moved all our stuff in on Sunday......its no where near unpacked, but I am at least in!
I have also been trying to get our yard in good shape for the winter. We have had amazing weather the last few days and I am trying to take advantage of that. I have been hedging, weeding, trimming, moving plants, planting plants and cleaning up the stuff that is done for the year. It is looking good, but I still have some work to do.
This home ownership thing is hard work! But so worth it.
The kids have been a great help in all the work around the yard, I had them out raking the lawn "for fun". They loved it, trying to get a pile of leaves big enough to jump in. They are also really good at hauling loads in the wheel barrel! Nice.
Marshall built a chicken coop on Saturday. Our friends have some chicks that they are keeping for us until they are big enough to be out side. We used all recycled stuff we just had around the place, and also a neighbor gave us an old dog kennel for the run. It came our great, and will be a nice place for a few chickens! They should be coming home in the next few weeks. The kids are so excited! And so are we, fresh eggs in 6 months! Yummy.
Well off for now.....time to take the kids to school.......

Lucy's Pumpkin Patch

Lucy’s class had its first field trip today. They went to the pumpkin patch with one other class. There were so many chaperones that it was a 2 to 1 ratio. Pretty good I must say. I of course was one of them. I was paired up with Lucy, her friend Makylee and another little boy Mason.
We went on a hay ride first off, then into a corn field to play in a castle and go down the slide, then off to the HUGE hay fort, pony rides, petting zoo and finally to pick out the pumpkins!
Fortunately we did not have any rain, shocker here in Oregon. But it was quite cold and very foggy. All in all it was a great time and one that Lucy and I will remember for a long time.

My Boys

My boys have been working hard to build an office in one bay of our garage. Marshall has done all the sheet rock and insulation himself, this is something he has never done before and he was not sure how it was going to go, but I have to say I am way impressed! Not only is he doing a great job, he is doing it really fast! Caymus has been his little helper the whole time too. Caymus told me last night, "Mom, your going to be so warm in your office!" He keeps saying that to Marshall also because of all the insulation they have put in. Nice work boys!

The simple things

This morning as I am standing in my kitchen drinking my coffee, and look at what I get to enjoy! This incredible view! I am lucky enough to be up early each morning and enjoy the sunrises. Although they are at 7:45am right now, that is not very early, but I do usually get up early all year round.
Our view from our home faces the East, looking out over our Christmas trees. The fog is usually low this time of year and really adds to the whole feel of the sunrise. I just had to share; this morning was a great one.

Marshall's Gym

Well here it is folks.....the gym. This has been a much anticipated, highly talked about building. We were fortunate enough to buy a piece of property that had a large outbuilding (24x36) on it. Originally this was going to be partially gym, partially storage, boat parking and so on.....well plans change. It is now the Gym, with a little storage, but only because there were huge shelves built in.

Marshall has dreamed of this gym his whole life...and could not wait for it to be finished. I had to kick him out of it yesterday so I could finish hanging stuff on the walls, and today I finished cleaning it. So here it is......home of Roache Combat, Marshall Law, blood, sweat and tears. (and yes I know I am a total dork.....)

Go Ducks!

We have been season ticket holders for the University of Oregon Football for 6 seasons now. We have 6 games a year and that is our special family time. We pack up in the morning, head to Eugene, tail gate, then walk over to the game. We have had the same seats for 3 seasons now and are surrounded by other season ticket holders who have also been in the same seats. Its like a big family reunion every year when the season starts up again. Our first year, Lucy was 10 months old. She loved the games then and still does. Caymus' first game he was 3 months old, he slept through most of that first game and still falls asleep at some point during every game.

Its funny how traditions start.....

We had a night game on Saturday, we played UCLA. It was kinda cold for tailgating, so we ate our Subway in the car, then walked over. It was a great game, not to cold either. We actually stayed until the very end....we usually start walking back in the end of the 4th QTR. But this was such a fun, exciting game right to the very end. There was an injured UCLA player, a fight broke out in the stands and a guy fell over the side wall and they had to call in the fire dept to transport him, people were getting arrested....very exciting! And of course the Ducks won!

Moving....sucks!

So I had a productive day today. (Yesterday now, I had some Internet malfunctions last night...so this is a day late) Got the kid off to school (just Lucy today). Went to Home Depot, 3rd time in 2 days for the same thing. Plumbing is complicated, actually, I am complicated. Was trying to save a buck, did not work. Oh well. Then Caymus and I went to our rental house to pack up. I underestimated how much stuff we still had at the house. Even though all the furniture is gone, there is still a lot of little random stuff. And each time I opened a cabinet there was more stuff waiting for me. I got a lot done, but still have at least 2 more car/truck loads left. I also still have to pack the dishes in the dishwasher and some stuff in the bathroom. My plan is to be out this weekend.
I loaded the truck as full as I could, then off to pick up Lucy from school. Home, unloaded the truck, then worked on unpacking my bedroom. You can now walk in the room!
It is a slow process, but I am so glad to be here. This house is our dream come true. And as far as our plans go we will not move from here until (but not decided) our kids are out of high school. So we have at least 14 years to collect more crap!

The Family Room....Kids and all.

Living room, still a work in progress, but you get the idea.

The bar.....need I say more. This was one of the first things I unpacked. It is also part of the dining room.

Home again

I made it back!
It is so nice to be home. And I am thinking that my family is feeling the same way. They did survive with out me.....but I did earn the highest level of respect from my dear brother who took my place while I was away. He was responsible for getting the kids up, dressed, fed and delivered to school on time. Then had to pick them up from school on time. Took care of dinner most nights and helped Marshall with bath and bed. It has taken me this long for him to respect me??? No I think he always has, but I am guessing he wont be wanting kids any time soon......

I got home to an almost empty rental house.....and almost full new house!!! The boys rented a Uhaul both weekends that I was gone and moved all the packed boxes and furniture. All that is left is small stuff that still needs packing. Wow, good job guys! We spent Saturday night in the rental, sitting on lawn chairs in front of a 9 in tv screen. Froze our rears off, and in the morning decided it was time to start living in our new home. We packed up the essentials for staying there and were off. So our first night in our new pad.....was WONDERFUL!!!! It is sooooo quiet here and peaceful. I dont think we will ever leave.
So now I am working on packing up the last of what is left at the rental, then will have to clean it....we should be totally out by this weekend!

Good Bye Cologne!

Today was officially our last day. We slept in, had a nice long breakfast, then swapped pictures. We took just a few on this trip! I have over 1 Gig of photos! That's a ton! After all that, we said good bye to Paul (our fearless leader), his wife Nancy, and Robby. They are on their way to tour some more of Europe!
Barb, Gary, Jane and I headed out to do a little more touring and some souvenir shopping. The weather was cold, windy and wet. It is October after all. But everything is changing color for the fall, this is the best time of year! I love it!

We stopped off for a coffee and warmth, then made our way down the narrow cobblestone streets, taking it all in. I had to really allow myself to feel like I am in GERMANY!!! This is a very sweet town, with lots of character. I have to say I have really enjoyed my time here.I bought myself a scarf, or pachmina. Everyone here wears them here and they are wonderful! I bought it just in time too! As soon as we walked out of the store I bought it from and put it on it started raining. So I just pulled it up over my head and I was just fine!

One last pub stop! One last toast! Here is to Cologne!

We had a crappy dinner, the first lousy meal yet. I just think I did not like it because it was to Americanized and the service was horrible. Oh well they can't all be outstanding.
Back to the hotel, said good bye to my folks, they are staying a few more days at a different hotel. Then it came time to pack.....not an easy task I might add. My bag was full when I came here and now I have more clothes and the gifts I bought....I made it all fit, barely.
Jane and I are catching the 7am train to the airport, then my plane leaves at 9:45am. I will arrive in Portland at 11:20am. Its a 9 and a half hour flight. Then drive home and see my family!!! I miss them so much. Don't worry, I wont leave again for 6 months.
So, good night and good bye Germany.

The end....

Thursday is here and the conference has come to an end. We had our last presentations and closing. Paul (our fearless leader) had each of us staff members come up infront of the crowed and introduce ourselfes and say a few words about our roles in the company. That was akward. I am not much for the public speaking thing. I cracked a few jokes and opened up a bit. In the end I am glad I did it. Now they will never be able to get the mic away from me!

After lunch was time to pack up. We did such a good job packing and so fast. We were all feeling great about it and decided we should go out for a little touring around...unfortunatly we packed a little to fast and forgot a few things. We scrambled to "make" a box and fit the forgotten items into it. The shipper came back for it and then we were able to head out on our tour. I swear if our heads were not attached......

We left the hotel around 4pm, went over to the cathedral the Dom. So amazing. It is one of the oldest and largest aparently. It most certanly is beautiful. There is an elaborate tomb at the end that is where the 3 kings remains are kept. All gold and gems. Every year on January 6th (3 kings day) the high preists open up the tomb to make sure the remains are still there and that they are infact the kings. Interesting history. We celebrate 3 kings day at our home. It is a holiday in Puerto Rico, it is the day that the kings arrived to give Jesus his gifts of gold, frankinsence and myrh. In PR, on Jan 6th the children decorate shoe boxes and put hay in them, place them at the foot of their bed and the kings come and leave gifts. The straw or hay is for the Camels. We also have a large feast.

After the Dom, we were in need of a beer. We stopped in at a cool German Pub, ordered our round of 7 beers and cheers! We thought this was so cool and yummy we should not stop here and we should continue on our way around town on a beer tour! Oh yeah! Then on to our next pub, had a little bite of bread, mushrooms and shrimp there also. Then the next place....and the next place (they gave us free appitizers), then the next place, we had more cheese and bread, and meat there, then the next place....ok how many is that so far?

Ok that is 6....and then the last place we thought would be good for dinner, more beer, a few shots of shnapps......

I had pork knuckle....sounds odd, looks amazing, and tastes out of this world!!!

I took a few pictures....115 to be exact. I had to take one of me with each person in the group, each time we had a toast, and a lot of others. I will try not to bore you, but lets face it the pictures are the best part!!!

We have a tradition that on the last night, after the conference when we all go out for our celebration dinner, we take an elevator picture. We all cram in and take a bunch of crazy photos! Its so fun and usually a highlight for the trip. They never come out good, but thats not the point.

Almost done

Wednesday is almost the end of the conference.....We will pack up tomorrow. So things slowed way down, most everyone is here, and paid. So we had some down time this morning, kinda nice after a crazy Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

We ended at 2 today to catch a bus to go on a factory tour. After a two hour bus ride, we arrived to a large tent out side the factory and they had German Beer and Sausages waiting for us! YUMMYYY!!! Went on the tour......yawn....I guess if your into large valves and pumps it would be cool. It was nice to go and see them in action, but really, I will take the beer and sausages instead!

After a few hours at the factory, we went next door to an old farm house turned restaraunt. More good food! Crazy Germans trying to fatten us all up!

Here are a few pictures from the last few days....I finally got pictures from the rest of my team on my computer. Enjoy!