Reading Chair, Big Boys & Helmets

Someone likes Sissy's reading chair. This was unstaged. I promise. He climbs up with a book, sits and "reads" it...

when finished, he climbs down, takes his book...

...and exchanges it for another one. Back to the chair.

Daddy has been doing such a good job of teaching Bryant how to be "strong in spirit." To do big boy work, in a big boy way. I missed the action shots but this was just as they were coming in from their hard work stacking wood on the wood pile.

Aubs & Bryant like to sword fight. These were their helmets.

Birthdays & Pumpkins

To commemorate his 10 months of life on this earth, Stuart decided to walk across the living room. I got really excited and he looked at me like, "What's the big deal, Mom?"

We spent this past weekend in Gresham celebrating Noah's birthday. What fun!

I love her.

We wanted to get a picture of the big boy cousins...this is how they lined up all on their own.

And then it was off to the pumpkin patch with Grammy & Papa. Our son of thunder.

Sweet Pea.

Grizzly Bear.

The best attempt at getting all three of them in the same picture with the pumpkins.

Aubs & Bryant went through a hay maze with Daddy!

And we made dirt babies...they remind me of chia pets but less creepy. :)

Life is full. We are blessed.

"No, No, Stuart"

Someone fully understands, "No, no, Stuart." And he doesn't like it one bit. :)

Today?

Bible study this morning. *Big breath of fresh air* Thank you, Lord, for your Word, for fellowship, and for Beth Moore. Esther is such a cool book of the Bible.

Aubrey is teaching school in her bedroom. I'm not sure who else is in there but it sounds like she has lots of students!

Bryant is napping. But earlier? Chore time. Sweeping the front porch? Manditory. Cowboy hat and rain boots? Optional.


Stuart was growling in his carseat on the way to Bible study. Aubrey covered her ears and said, "I don't like it when Stuart growls!" To which Bryant replied (without prompting): "But Stu-oot a bear!" On a related note, we've been learning "full names," lately. I asked Aubrey her full name: "Aubrey Grace Anderson." Bryant: "Bryant Nathanael Anderson." Stuart: "Stuart Bear Anderson." I guess Daddy's nickname has stuck.

The Great Bridge Crossing

Mom & Dad Petersen, John, me, and our three crazy kiddos ventured out yesterday for the Great Columbia River Crossing 10K. What fun!
The whole lot of us...

Ready to race!

Aubs getting her stretch on...

Dad & John ready to take out the competition if need be...

Claustrophobia, anyone?

Having a blast...

We made it to the top of the bridge!

Down the home stretch to the finish line. Aubrey explains it this way: "Everyone at the race was working together as a team to cross the finish line!" That was the eloquent way Daddy explained why we weren't really competing with anyone but rather just doing it for fun.

We joked that our goal was to not get picked up by the sweeper bus so the fact that we finished under 2 hours was quite remarkable. Seriously, though, this was so much fun. And we crossed a stinking long bridge.

Wonderful memory...and...ahem...pat on the back...cough...for going through with a 10K. :) Seriously? Didn't ever really think I'd do such a thing.