From July - we just found!!

Oops!

I almost forgot about these! They decorate the senior center up here really well. Unfortunately, we couldn't convince the kids that they should sit on the bench together.
I love that Emma's posed nicely, and Jack's playing batman . . .

Dishwasher . . .

We came home from our trip to a broken dishwasher.

Sigh.

No one has time for this.

But as Mike and I dug into dishes, the kids thought playing in the sink looked fun.

Happy Halloween :D

Emma is American Girl Doll obsessed. She wanted to be Felicity, a young girl from America in about 1770 something - just before the American Revolution. She picked out the pattern, the material, and even learned to hand sew the lace on her sleeves.

We had Jack's Jedi pattern and fabric all picked out, and then he saw a batman cape and mask at the store, and that was the end of that. We found a t-shirt, and black pants. Fortunately, his tennis shoes already matched :D
his new down vest is black, so he wore that under his shirt to help keep warm. It was just over 20 degrees outside. WAY chilly for trick or treating - but we still managed.

Mike and I went to an adult halloween party that was a BLAST. we couldn't stay long because it was only a day after coming home from James' wedding. BUT it was still completely worth it. I sewed everything. Mike's pants, vest, shirt, tie, and military jacket. I'll take pictures later that show more detail. I sewed my dress as well, and had a blast with it.
Our costumes will be used many times, since both Mike and I are fans of the Regency Era.

So Halloween rocked for the Perry family this year!!

HAPPY FIFTH BIRTHDAY JACK!!!!

Poor Jack. His birthday happened on our trip. 

On a travel day.

With some very quick thinking on Grace's part.

He got a birthday donut before we left for the airport.

James got MARRIED!!!!!

Grace's son Adrian, Grace, James, Grace's daughter, Wolfie.

So, we get home after the wedding and James looks over at Wolfie and says, "So, I'm now officially your step-dad." Her eyes widen a bit. Then he says, "You know what that means?"

She answers, "no."

"Absolutely nothing."

My brother is hysterical.

Mike and Jack on the "lookout" 

The reception was in a hangar, and it couldn't have been more perfect and awesome.

Our Mighty Mouse Hunters

Flash now thinks it's great fun to catch the biggest mice he can find, and then set them loose in my HOUSE WHILE STILL ALIVE AND RUNNING.

 This is a shrew, not a mouse, and dead, not alive.

Emma really, really wanted to play with it.

So did Flash.

Emma's Birthday Post ONE

Just wanted to get something up :D

Jack -

Dad - if I was a dinosaur, and mom was a dinosaur, and I was a dinosaur, and Emma was still a person . . . I think we would eat her.

Yep, Another trip to Hatcher's

THIS is why we go to Hatcher's Pass as often as possible - well, and because it's only a few minutes away . . . 

Yes, I do more than just take pics :D - ONCE in a while, I can get one my kids to take a pic of me . . .

 April Loop trail is now the kids' favorite because we start at one lake in the mountains, and hike up to two more.

I swear, all they need is water.

 This is at the top of the waterfall.

 This is the ONLY picture I took that really shows how STEEP this trail is.

It's steep, and high, and ALWAYS makes me a little nervous.

 Jack kept stopping me for passwords - fortunately, he always tells me what they are.

 Emma also asked us passwords, but she doesn't tell you the password, she gives hints. Vague ones.

A Few Random Jack-isms and a bit about Emma :D

Jack is very often a Moonyack. I have no idea what this is, but he says it's like a lizard, but with no tail, big claws, and they're poisonous. Oh, and very cuddly.

Lately he's been a Zook or a Zoop (I think this changes) This creature also has large claws. No whiskers. No tail. Fur. And is also very cuddly.

Emma saw her first Harry Potter movie in the theater with The Deathly Hallows Part two. She's halfway through the last book right now.

I sat in the theater and almost cried BEFORE the movie started, realizing that it was the last time I'd get to experience any part of the Harry Potter stories for the first time. So sad it's all over.

BUT I still love the books and will probably read them many more times.

Emma's about to start 3rd grade this year.
Jack's going in for his second year of pre-school.

I can't believe how FAST they're growing!!

Hiking in Hatcher's

Petersville :D

It's a little dirtier in the summer.