"Why must innocent pumpkins suffer?'

We don't condone pumpkin to pumpkin violence.

One light in the pumpkin and 43 more on the cake!

Nothing like a Double Chocolate four layer Costco cake with Partlite birthday candles on it!
Now what could be better than that! A good healthy serving of chocolate!!

Happy Birthday to me! Turning 43, which may cause a bit of fright for most people, but not me!

It's the time of Dragons with scales and witches with hats. Everyone tries to dress up and avoid black cats! I love that this is the season and that there will be plenty of it to share with friends, those goblins and ghouls who like me, eat plenty of sweet treats!

Today was absolutely gorgeous weather! With a birthday in October I have had plenty of birthdays behind me to know that you can never be guaranteed of seeing even the slightest hint of blue in the sky, but today and all week has been blue and beautiful.

My absolute favorite time of the year hands down, where the leaves turning the most colorful and stunning colors. It's why I love this time of year not just because of it being my birthday and all, but because it is so picture est!

So what did I do on my birthday?

Today my dear friend Robyn took me to Starbucks for Coffee in the morning! And all thru the day I received calls from friends! Thanks so much everyone! And since it was a such a nice day I went to my sons' (Jared, Nathan and Jonathan's) Elementary school for "Mileage Monday." They earn little charm feet for the laps that they run or walk, then they colect wear them on a necklace around their neck. I took advantage of the weather and walked around the cones with them.

Afterwords convinced my husband to take a trip to Costco of course! THE NEW COSTCO!

New York Steaks for dinner on the grill! Yum! Thanks everyone! Happy Un-Birthday!

Cedar Water Shed Tour!

I held back in posting this adventure till now about our trip to the water shed because I had just so much to being posted this last weekend I thought it would be a little much to post this as well during that time. Now enouph time has past I decided I better get it posted before I forget!
Right after picking out our pumpkins at the pumpkin farm! It was such a beautiful day I decided After we dropping the pumkins at the houseto get the boys in the car and drive to the cedar river just up the road from our house to look at the fish spawning. I had been passing the reminder signs for weeks near there. On the side of the road near an old park (kindof a nothing park) just over the bridge next to the cedar river just down from Tahoma JR high. So Evertime I drove by, I told myself that we should take the kids there to see the fish it being so close and all!! Boy were we in for a treat! There was about 10 volunteers there to help and point the way as well as share their knowledge of "the circle of life!"

Originaly I thought we would be just staring from the side of the river at dark shadows that represented the shape of fish and then go home. Well nope, this was one of those times I was so glad I went for it and did something out of the normal because what a treat. They had someone in the parking lot even to help you and point you in the right direction. I hadn't been to this small park in quite a while and to my pleasant surprise they had built a fish viewing area. SO cool! There was a volunteer there as well to answer any questions the kids might have, not to mention a yucky dead fish floating right by it.

We walked a little further and there was a tent that had all the usually jars showing the development of the eggs to Frye's and then they had another interested specimen that I had never seen. A Ear Bone! Yes Fish have Ear Bones??? Dime size believe it or not. I'm not just saying this because it's almost Halloween and it's fun to talk about Bones and skeletons. but Apparently these Bones grow with rings like a tree grows and temperature and climate affects the pattern of these rings. The volunteer explained that they can take the bone out of dead fish in the rivers and look at them and this will tell them exactly what hatchery the fish originaly came from or if the fish was a wild salmon (meaning not hatched in a hatchery) They then count and keep track every year. Very interesting.

Then another surprise is they offered tours of the watershed where the public is not allowed inside. On these tours they explained how the water is filtered, cleaned and then treated and the efforts they go to keep the fish from spawning past the dam and in the watershed (Our drinking supply) Also about the fish hatchery located there and the fish transport system they have! It is very in-depth system and interesting. I recommend if you get a chance to see how it all works.
In this picture here, we are walking up about 10 minuets up the private road! This is the area where the public is not allowed to enter under normal circumstances.

Here Nathan was getting quite the education. The tour guide was showing us the system they have for separating the fish out from the soon to be drinking water. Nathan is learning about the holding bins and how they manually separate the male fish from the female fish and crane them into a truck that transports them down stream.

Here the boys are looking down into the fish ladder which is visible from above.

This is the dam and they were learning how they control the water flow and from here where the fish and water end up.

Here is another view of our tour looking at the dam and processing building. We also learned that this area for the water shed is over 100 years old. SO some of the buildings were very rustic even made out of stone. The main processing building had a date of 1930 on it.

We really had a great time and I'm so glad that we fit it into our pumpkin farm day! Because going to the pumkin farm with four kids and a yorkie is quite enouph normally. I felt like I had made Mom bonus points today!! Yippeee!

"It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown!"

Fall!!! Wonderful beautiful Fall. We love the pumpkin patch on a beautiful warm fall day! Lots of color and kids running with wonder and excitement to find that perfect pumpkin!

Standing proud in front of the corn maze with our wheel barrow of choice pumpkins!

Jared Nathan and Jonathan climbing on the old tractor! They always find that machinery fascinating!

Searching for the perfect one!

Jonathan with Oliver! "Look What I found!"

Perfection! This will make a great Jack-O-Lantern!

Awwwwww! He's a keeper!
Over a hundred pounds in Pumpkins and we are all pumpkin'ed out!

Hope you all have a wonderful Halloween!

Click on this link for a classic!
It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! 1/3
Charlie Brown et al. embarks on a Halloween of horrors!...I think.Note: It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! is directed by Bill Melendez, produced by United Features Syndicate, created by Charles Schulz and was recorded by me (yes me.) using a TV tuner, from YTV.Enjoy!
© 2008 YouTube, LLC

WANTED: Rock Stars Dead or Alive Night

Carle and I went to this Theme Halloween Party last night by friends of ours "Buddy and Laura"
The Theme was "Rock Stars Dead or Alive!" Carle and I came as Brittney Spears and Keven Federline! Complete with a Venti Frappaccino and Bit-Bit Brittney's Chihuahua.

Buddy and Laura never disappoint! They do amazing job at this party every year! I forgot to get pictures of the "Red Carpet" And Carved Pumpkins with Stars and Rock carved in them. She had amazing food and Black and White Framed Pictures of All the Rock stars that were coming to the party! SO fun! Wayne Newton was there with Dolly Pardon, Axel Rose was there with Cher, Twisted Sister came with Beork, The Pussy Cats were there with Miley Cyrus. Madonna was there with Elvis, Slash was there as well and Billy Idle and Shaina. Kid Rock, Stevie Nicks, Janice Jopplen, Cindy Lopper. She even had the Hollywood Press there and awards for the best Rock and rocket! Axel Rose won with Shaina Twaine.

Carle and I had a Costume change later in the party! Brittney had a melt down! Really! My hair (WIG) caught on fire by one of the candles I was standing near! I was smok'in!! So Brittney ended up Shaving off her hair and I had to be admitted to the hospital, walked around with a hospital bracelet to prove it in addition of wearing a T-shirt that had a picture of a car seat with a slash thru it! All in all it was a rough night for both Kevin and Brittney. Carle had a costume change as well and walked around with a visible Restraining Order hanging out his shirt pocket! Funny!

Be sure to turn off the music on the bottom of the blog before clicking on this Smile box! That will allow you to only hear the music on Smile Box instead of both!

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Oliver's Family Reunion!

This last Thursday we had a little Family Reunion with Oliver's Family.

Here is Oliver's Mommy, Alison Fowler

http://www.allyorkie.com/puppy_page.htm

Here is Oliver with Alison

Allison is Oliver's Breeder! We just love staying in touch with her and her husband!

Here is Oliver (L) with his Grandma Britt (R) sitting in Alison's lap.

Professional PhotoOlivers Grandma, Topknot Britt an American Champion
Oliver Mom is Topknot Niki and
Dad is Tommy American/Canadian Champion
(I hope I have this write! I'm new at this)
Cute Picture!
Here is Kylie (L) Oliver's cousin and Cricket one of Alison's new pups snuggling.

Having fun in the back yard!

Her is the newest addition only three days old!
A champion in the making.
We can't wait to visit again!

YEAHHHH! Costco is finally here!!!

Open.... Open.... Open!!!!!

Last night I was invited to the Grand Opening Event, "INVITATION ONLY" Opening! For Family and employees, I was my friends date since her husband was out of town. I got even dressed up for this stuffy affair! (getting dressed up to go to Costco, LOL)

We got there, and the parking lot was PACKED!! We made our way in the front door and they didn't even ask for our invitation.(???) My friend couldn't believe it because they made her drive in and to pickup the original invitation because you had to have a hard copy invitation to get in to this event , So they said!

They had food everywhere! Roast beef, Roast chicken, Pot stickers, fruit, salad, nachos, nuts, cake cheese cake, pie, spring rolls and orange chicken and on and on..... I don't even know if I saw all the food. Oh and soft drinks up front.

You couldn't buy anything but you could look around and get your bearings and see what they were going to stock on their shelves. We saw several friends there. To my wonderful surprise I even ran into my good Friends Liz and Carol "The Bad Girls" (when they get-together). Giggle

We all were having a great time!!

It's truly hilarious that we are so excited for this Costco. They have been promising it for years! You would think we all won the lottery. You can tell how truly desperate a group we are to be excited about a warehouse store opening up right down the road! But it's not just a warehouse store "IT'S COSTCO!"

Now I will finally take advantage of my Costco membership! The up-coming holidays are going to be so much easier to shop for!!! We hardly go because it is such a pain to go to Federal Way or Issaquah or Southcenter. I hate fighting the traffic in those areas!


Costco Wholesale Opening On October 25, 2008 In Covington!
Covington, Wash. - Costco Wholesale is opening its 30th Washington area location on Saturday, October 25, 2008, at 8:00 a.m., in Covington. The Covington Costco will feature approximately 155,000 square feet of retail space and a self-service 16-pump gas station south of Fred Meyer, east of Highway 18. Store hours will be: M-F 10:00 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. Sat. 9:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Sun. 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Gas Station Hours: Daily 6:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Costco customers will find an array of products and services available similar to other Costcos throughout the region. Included will be a bakery, groceries, an optical department, pharmacy services, appliances, electronics, furniture, clothing, hardware and many other kinds of products. Costco is known for carrying top quality national and regional brands at wholesale prices.
Click here for more information


HAPPY SHOPPING EVERYONE!!

Could we be anymore prouder!

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The Eagle Eye!! Double vision!!

Two Gorgeous Adult size Eagles flew frolicking and playing just above our house yesterday!
It was a beautiful warm Fall day not a cloud in the sky and then there was these amazing birds showing off in the skies above our house!! So amazing! Just had to share!

Quick Recap of the week!

It's been a really busy week! It started out we got BOO'd! A Neighborhood tradition around here! WE love it! You can Check Nathan's blog to find out more about that! http://nathansspecialplace.blogspot.com/

I also worked Monday thru Thursday on my first superhero mural of Spiderman!
It is approx 8' by 12'
And Finally Emilys game today! Out of all three this week they won all three!

Great Game Today!! The Tahoma Bears won again!!! Way to go Girls!!!

Got the decorating bug

My Friend Robyn who is very tallented in desplaying and decorating came over and Helped me arrainge my home.

I also got a few new things like a Dinning room table and a few extra things like a lamps and other items to help with arrainging things. Here is some of the pictures. I don't have any of my front room but she did an amazing job in there also!

Well this weekend was a big treat weekend for all of us! We went to the Great Wolf Lodge (a waterpark hotel) WE had soooooo much fun! There was a limitless amount of things to do!

This is a picture looking into the waterpark from the Lobby of the hotel.
We were so blessed to have our Brittney stay one of the nights with us!

Brittney and Emily have known each other since they were baby's

The park had not only the water park to play at but a place called the Magic Quest.
The hotel has an extravagant Scavenger hunt system that they have Put a great deal of money into and it is amazing and fun! You (of course) purchase wands for each kid and the game. The kids are to scavenge for clues and items thru the first five floors of the hotel by waving their wand at the clues they find. The clues light up or say something once then wave their wand at them. IF they wave the wand to many times at the same object it will tell them "don't they have better things to do besides wave their wand at them" Pretty funny. They have 10 quests that they have to accomplish before they can fight the Dragon. The picture above is Nathan fighting the dragon. It is quite challenging for the kids and they spend hours looking for all the clues to complete all 10 quests. Emily and Jonathan beat the dragon. Unfortunately Jared and Nathan Tried multiple times and never won.

Unfortunately being a water park you don't have your camera everywhere so I didn't get a lot of pictures but even with some of the pictures we did take they didn't come out. These were just a few that did.