Halloween Fun

Halloween was a lot of fun this year.  Halloween is very different in Germany and mostly celebrated by going to the Army housing area and trick-or-treating with hordes of other children.  This year the fun started with our ward Halloween party and then we took a few fun trips to the pumpkin patch and finally had a fun time trick-or-treating in our neighborhood.  This was really Julian's first year trick-or-treating and he had sooo much fun!

Paige and I were Elven princesses from Lord of the Rings for our ward Halloween party.

The boys had fun trying to get a donut off a string but Julian was not impressed.  He just walked up to the donut and pulled it off the string and ate it!

The young men in our ward had set up a "mad science" room with lots of dry ice experiments:)

Julian's preschool class took a trip to the pumpkin patch.

We got to go for a hay ride...

...and feed some animals...

...and finally pick out a pumpkin!  It was a very cold day but at least it wasn't raining and I think Julian had lots of fun with his class.

The Monday before Halloween we had a very beautiful sunny day and I couldn't resist the opportunity to go to the pumpkin patch again with my older boys this time.  This pumpkin patch has a train that takes you out to the pumpkin field.

The boys looking for the perfect pumpkin.

Can you believe this sunshine?  We didn't even need our jackets!

The boys and I at the pumpkin patch.  So sunny, we couldn't even look right at the camera:)

That night we carved pumpkins for Family Home Evening.  Emerson did a great job all by himself.

Julian drew the design for his pumpkin but then I helped cut out the shapes.

The finished pumpkins.  I think Townsend was inspired by the computer game "mine craft" for his pumpkin.  And, yes, Emerson's pumpkin was feeling a bit sick...ewwwww.

Halloween Day.  Julian dressed up as Lightning McQueen for preschool.  I have to admit, these 3 year olds were all pretty cute!

All ready for a fun night of trick-or-treating

Julian had so much fun.  He would go right up to the doors, ring the bell and when they answered he would yell, "Tricks or Treats"  It was pretty cute.

Julian tired after only 1/2 hour but the boys lasted well over an hour and came home with a huge haul of candy!

A Weekend in Washington

October 18-21, 2012

Every year the Elementary school has two days off for parent teacher conferences.  Someone in the neighborhood here organizes a group rate for the Great Wolf Lodge.  I believe they reserve about 90 rooms for anyone that wants to come.  I was excited to have an opportunity to get out of town but I was nervous to go to an indoor water park by myself.  Hyrum couldn't get off work so I decided to fly my sister Paige back up from California so she could come with me.  It was sad that Emerson was just 1/2 an inch short of being able to go down the water slides by himself but there were plenty of older kids there that we knew that were willing to take him down the slides.  Paige and I just had Julian to watch as Townsend and Emerson were very independent the whole time.  I think it will be something that we definitely do each year.

Emerson in front of the grand fire place at the hotel

Mommy and Julian in the wave pool

I caught up with Townsend and Emerson just long enough to take a photo and then they were off again enjoying the water park with friends.

My parents are serving a mission right now in Bremerton, Washington so while we were in the neighborhood we decided to stay with them for a few nights.  It's so great that my boys are getting the chance to know their grandparents.  We have always lived so far away from my parents.  I love that we can see them more frequently, even if it is only for 2 years.

Grandpa helped the boys scoop out a pumpkin to carve

Auntie Paige has mad carving skills.  Since we only had one pumpkin we had each boy design a feature.  Emerson did the eyes, Julian the nose and Townsend the mouth.

Our finished pumpkin...spoooky!

Bremerton is just a ferry ride away from Seattle.  Since Paige had never been to Seattle and my parents had a meeting they needed to attend on Saturday morning we decided to take the boys over to Seattle and explore a little bit.

We missed the ferry by 10 minutes and had to wait 45 minutes for the next ferry.  Lucky for us Bremerton ferry docks are pretty cool to walk around.  They have an old Navy Ship you can explore but we just walked along the water front and enjoyed the beautiful sunshine and some pretty cool fountains.

Emerson playing the iPad during the ferry crossing.  

First stop "Ivars" fish bar for some delicious clam chowder.  Julian loved feeding the seagulls his leftover french fries.  I love Paige's face in this photo, she is pretty creeped out by birds:)

Next stop, Pike Place Market.  Note to self, don't attempt Pike Place on a Saturday...way too crowded to enjoy.

On our way to the monorail station we passed this very gross gum wall.  Of course the boys thought it was pretty awesome and of course Julian actually touched some of the gum (even though I told him not to) How gross is that?

On the Seattle monorail.  Julian was in heaven on this train.  Overall we had a great time in Seattle and lucky for us it didn't start raining until we were just about to head back on the ferry.

Exploring Around Portland

Mirror Lake Hike-- September 22, 2012

There are scores of lakes in the Oregon Cascades that match Mirror Lake in size and shape, but most do not have the good fortune of filling a glacial cirque opposite Mount Hood. The reflection of the mountain in Mirror Lake has appeared in countless photographs, and the easy access to the lake from Highway 26 brings hordes of visitors, year-round. The Forest Service resorted to chicken wire fencing to attempt to protect some of the fragile shoreline in recent years, and campsites have been moved back into the trees. But as long as the famous reflection appears in its waters, the lake will continue to be a top attraction.

On this hike we had Oma as well as Aunt Katrina and her son Sam along for the day.  We were so lucky to have such gorgeous weather.  I miss those clear, blue skies:(

Julian helping Mommy over a rocky part of the trail.

Oma with the boys.  Julian hiked most of the way (3 miles round trip)!  Daddy had to carry him a bit at the end of the day but I suspect we have another Durtschi hiker on our hands.

Julian played a bit in the lake water and got very muddy, but had a great time

They don't call it "mirror lake" for nothing!

Portland-- September 27, 2012

Paige and Zach came to Portland for a very short visit.  They were driving from Alaska to California and Portland is just so conveniently located right on the route.  I had fun taking them to downtown Portland and exploring a bit.  I still don't feel like I know my way around Portland but it seems like a fun and very walkable city.

Of course we had to stop at Voodoo donuts for breakfast.  My favorite, a banana fritter with chocolate chips and peanut butter frosting drizzled over the top...mmmmmm

Portland is known as "bridgetown."  There are eight bridges crossing the Willamette river into Portland.

Banks-Vernonia Trail-- October 7, 2012

The Banks-Vernonia State Trail is the first "rails to trails" linear state park built in Oregon. The trail follows an abandoned railroad bed that stretches 21 miles between the cities of Banks and Vernonia.
Most of the route consists of an eight-foot wide hiking and bicycle trail paralleled by a four-foot wide horse trail. The gentle grade in all but one area allows hikers, bicyclists, equestrians and people of all abilities to enjoy the scenic mountains, fields and forests of Washington and Columbia counties. 

 Townsend and Mommy on the bike trail.

Emerson enjoying the beautiful bike trail.

Portland Children's Museum-- October 12, 2012

This museum is really geared towards younger kids so my boys were kind of bored...until they found the clay sculpting room.  They spent about an hour playing with the clay and sculpting different creations.  Emerson ended up sculpting a dog and Townsend made a clay pot.  I was glad they found something to interest them while I played with Julian at the train table. 

 Emerson and Townsend in their creative zone

 Julian made a great tower out of these cool shapes.

Tualitin Valley Nature Preserve-- October 13, 2012

The Tualatin Hills Nature Park is a 220-acre wildlife reserve in the heart of Beaverton, Oregon. It is made up of evergreen and deciduous forests, creeks, wetlands, ponds and meadows. There are approximately 5 miles of trails. 

 This was such a peaceful place to come and explore.  We loved all the trails.  Not all the trails are paved so we had fun walking on small dirt trails through the forest.  

Julian found three snakes while on our walk.  We also saw different beetles and we heard some frogs but didn't see any.  This is a great place for bird watching but most birds had flown south already when we were walking around so we'll have to come back in the Spring and see what kinds of birds we discover.

The boys walking on one of the many boardwalks.