Portland

We are finally here and starting to get set up. My mom and I drove out together and then she had to fly back the next day but it was really nice to have someone to talk to and help with the kids. I've started to learn the streets a little bit and have ventured out on my own some, but I'm still pretty lost. We went to a movie on Saturday for my birthday and also got a great sandwich from this really nice store. We saw 'City of Ember' which wasn't great but not bad either but the best part was we found a dollar theater (actually $2.50 but still cheap). The kids are a little young to really know what is going on but Alyssa has had fun seeing new parks and lots of people have dogs so we have to stop and pet them along the way. Caleb and his parents have been marketing like crazy getting ready for a great tax season I feel bad for Caleb because he is not home very much and if he is home then he is sleeping because he is working so hard. Life is starting to settle down, we are still in a one bedroom waiting for the people to move out of the two bedroom, we have seen two moving vans throughout the week, but they just keep bringing out more stuff so hopefully we will be moving in soon so we can actually unpack our stuff.

CHRISTMAS!!

We had a very fun Christmas! We spent Christmas eve with my mom's family and then when we were trying to put Alyssa to bed, she decided that she wanted to sleep in the living room so she grabbed her blanket and pillow and layed down in the living room. We just left her there fully expecting her to come into bed with us eventually but she stayed out in the living room. She did not wake up on her own because she really didn't know what was going on, but we set out presents and woke her up around 8:30 and started opening gifts. Alyssa was more than happy to open the gifts for Megan.

More presents!

Alyssa got many gifts, but the favorite was a princess dress and accesory kit from Jimmy and Charly she put it on the moment she opened it and wore it the rest of the day and mostly for the rest of the week. I did make her take it off to go to the grocery store. You can't tell in the picture, but the nose lights up and Alyssa thought it was very funny.

Santa Baby!

Videos and Lizards

My little brother has a lizard and Alyssa loves to watch it and she finally built up the nerve to touch it.

Alyssa is just starting to learn her ABC's and I think that it is cute

Megan jabbers all the time, she does it more when the camera is not on her.

Update

A lot of you have been asking about what are plans are when Caleb is done with school and decisions have finally been made so I thought I would give you all an update. We have decided to move out to Oregon so that Caleb can work with his dad at Liberty Tax. Caleb will be leaving the day after Christmas, but I will be staying through my brothers visit and leaving at the beginning of January and driving the girls out with my mom. After the tax season Caleb will just apply for accounting jobs until we can get a few more tax stores. It is sort of scary moving into the unknown, but it is what Caleb wants to do and he is excited about it and I know he will be great at it.

Fall Fun!

I finally got out and took pictures of the kids in the leaves. Before I realized it I had taken over a hundred pictures (most of which have been deleted) here are some of the best. I love digital! Pondering the great wonders of the world.

Cute!

Perfect timing

Megan was sort of confused by the whole process and ate more leaves than I would have liked while I wasn't paying attention.

Chillin in the leaves.

Halloween!!

Since Alyssa can't use knives and is afraid of pumpkin guts, she painted her pumpkin and I think that it is a work of art!

Megan's aunt Laura bought her a peanut costume for halloween I think that it is really cute, but Caleb said she looks like a giant turd! Rude!

It was sort of hard to get a good picture of her in the costume, but here is the best I could do.

Alyssa went trick or treating for a little bit with her friend Natalie who was a fairy.Alyssa was a beautiful princess and dispite what this picture shows she was really excited about her costume, but I just couldn't get her to smile for the pictures.

A star is born!

Bath Time

So inorder to save time I give the two kiddies baths at the same time and Megan LOVES the tub. If she is fussy, I put her in and she is all smiles and sucking fingers. Mommies big helper!

Comfy Cozy.
Then Alyssa stretches out and lays down in the water and sings to herself while I get megan dressed.