Dubs Up - Bow Down!

Apple Cup is a stressful season around these parts! We wear our purple with pride! Ironically, Bryan's not in many of these pictures even though he's started this whole thing...

Wednesday morning we had Apple Cup Day at Parkway. The kids got involved and we went to school ready to walk the talk.

 I was seriously outnumbered. These poor misguided gals talked a lot of smack about their "mustache mentality" but I was pleased to lack facial hair!

 Shan was worried - and exhausted! Nevertheless, we won 28-15 thanks to a snow storm and some fine play!

 Friday after break - 1 week from the Apple Cup - was Pay Day! These Cougs got to wear my colors! Good thing, too, since we are Pac 12 Champs! Woof!

And I'm successfully warping more young minds...It's a good day to be a Dawg!

Thanksgiving 2018

Our Thanksgiving was full of family this year - such a valid reason for celebrating!

 Wednesday evening we had family over for a relaxed dinner and visiting. Great to have these 5 all together!

Thursday we drove to Spokane where LaVines hosted the crew. The girls frosted (pasted seems more descriptive) turkey cookies.

The kids table was raucous - but spill-free!

It was a lovely bunch of people!

 Afterward, the turkey coma hit hard!

 We returned to Ephrata Thursday night and had houseguests! They woke up and worked a puzzle with the kids.

 All hands on deck really meant everyone! Russ, Sue, Sam, Kevin - all aboard the tree house!

 Julie brought crafts and they were a big hit with the kids and grown-ups alike!

 Uncle Kevin rocks his role of playmate!

 Watching the shrinky-dinks shrink.

We enjoyed a nice brunch at our place on Friday.

 We were happy to have Sam and Phyllis both out this year and are eager to have them move to Wenatchee this summer!

  Poor man doubles as a jungle gym...

We took many photos and are grateful for all!

Thankful for prayers heard and answered this season.

Grown Men in Purple

Bryan joined Sam and Joe for a couple days in Seattle. He had a Title IX conference so couldn't attend the Seahawks game with them, but they made the most of their time together!

 On game day, they sported their colors, without a doubt!

 They "tailgated" on a yacht in Lake Washington...pretty posh!

 Cheering on their Dawgs!

The Huskies notched a W and we're getting ready for the Apple Cup next weekend!

Up the Hill!

The weather was perfect for an up the hill hike this afternoon so we set off.

The kids literally ran up much of the face, and I don't think Mitchell stopped talking the entire time. The morning's frost was still on some of the brush as the sun either didn't hit it or never got warm enough. It's definitely not late summer any more!

 Lovely view of our neighborhood.

 Truly goofy

 We safely reached the top and returned - no ticks, no snakes, and no autumn colors left, but a fun jaunt.

Shannon's 7th!

Shannon turned 7 on Saturday. She's been counting down for nearly a month and was so excited. We had her first big friend party on Saturday with a tie-dye theme.

 She was a little excited!

 15 friends joined her and we started things off by tie-dying t-shirts in shifts. Thankfully Kim was there to help with the dying

 and Grama was able to keep the others happy outdoors while it wasn't their turn. Bryan stayed home, too, so it was really 4 adults and 18 kids (counting cousins!).

We had pizza for lunch

 and then the scavenger hunt in the park!

 There were 4 teams and they each had to find 6 clues.

 It was fun to watch them decode and race off!

 Then we opened presents (Shannon did a great job being kind and grateful to her friends!)

and had cupcakes before the friends went home.

 

Here's the whole crew - some classmates, some teammates, neighbors and cousins. It was a very nice group of girls!

 Sunday afternoon we had a family lunch of carne asada tacos.

 More presents, cake and visiting.

 Grandma Vicki helped Shannon (with Charlie's careful oversight) to begin a craft project.

Shannon has really come into her own this year. We've enjoyed seeing her independence, thirst for knowledge, and confidence grow in the last year. She is a joy!