Happy Anniversary to Us!

My lovely husband and I walked down the aisle 5 years ago today! One of the most beautiful days of my life! I has so much fun going through these pictures, but I couldn't get the one of us to upload....
Anyways, we married 5 years ago at the Chapel of Christ the Teacher at the University of Portland. It was a crisp but freezing cold October day. Fr. Art Wheeler, my Salzburg directer said our mass. It was so beautiful. Every thing about the ceremony was perfect. Even when my mom accidently lit the unity candle....Ahhh, tooo funny! Our reception was at the Embassy Suites downtown Portland in the old Multnomah building above the Portland Steak and Chop (where the after party was). The week prior to the wedding was so chaotic with my nursing midterms, Don had huge meetings at work, family flying in from Utah and New York. By Thursday we were set and partying at Kells with all our good friends. My friend Megs insisted they play Danny Boy at Kells and then downed an Irish car bomb faster than anyone else in the bar that night. Seriously, you would have to see it to believe it! She is 4'11 and maybe 80 lbs soaking wet. If I could relive a day in my life, it would most definetly be my wedding day! So tonight we celebrate with dinner at Nostrano! Yummmy! Mom and dad, ahhhh.

Michael and Thomas. The brothers...

Hmmm, are Megs and I doing the robot??

Our first dance, The Way you Look Tonight by Steve Tyrell.

Beautiful bridesmaids!

Beautiful sisters - Jeannie and Sarah

The crazy groomsmen!!!! Yes, they are on trikes..

Happy Halloween!

The whole gang!

This year we went to the Duffield's Halloween party over in my parent's neighborhood in Tualatin. Jeannine and Colin live across the street from my parents. We had a blast. There was plenty of food and yummy adult drinks to be had. The guys watched the big game and we lady folk took out the little kids for trick or treating. Connor and Rachel, being the youngest, only lasted about 5 houses, but it was so fun. The concept was a little lost on Connor as he would give candy from his bucket to the people at the door! Oh well. I am sure that is the last year that will happen!

Connor and cousin Rachel at Nonnie and Pompa's house

Connor and Pompa!

One excited little trick or treater!

The Corcoran Clan! Wait,where is Kellen....

Halloween Party!

Today was the mom's group Halloween party at the lovely Amanda's house. We had a great time seeing all the kiddos in costume! It as absolutley hilarious trying to get them all together for the group shot, but well worth it! I actual don't have the greatest picture of it because I spent most of the time trying to get little Kellen all set up in the rocking chair with little Eva the bee. Too cute!

First run with Phil&Ted!

Connor fast asleep for the run

Kellen all bundled up for the run!

So I am SLOWLY getting back into running again. Don and I purchased a new stroller to fit both the boys and it can act as a low key jog stroller too! So it was a little chilly but not raining and I loaded both boys into the stroller for a run. I fully expected Connor to protest (because he always does) but he climbed into the stroller without a fight. I started running and after 1/2 mile it started to drizzle. Luckily I have an awesome rain sheild. So I pulled it out and put it on, again expecting protest from Connor. Still nothing. Continued along my run. Pointed out several dogs, school buses, and airplanes to Connor, all without reaction. It wasn't till I pulled into the garage after the run was completed that I saw why Connor was so quiet, he was fast asleep!

Jeannie is 30!! Holy Crow!

I can't believe my wee sissy is in her 30s!!! I still remember her crazy out of control curly-cued boppin' head following me around EVERYWHERE I went when we were little! Ahh, she was so cute (now beautiful) and into everything. Now she is all grown up and is a wonderful wife, the most amazing mother (you should see the way she plays with her kids, and they way they look at her), an awesome runner and a very talented writer, and of course, the best little sister ever!! You did so much in your 20s, I can't wait to see what happens in your 30s!
Jeannie and her husband just bought a house in Bainbridge Island. It is the cutest place in all the world to live. They live right near the town in an area called Winslow (i think..) Oh, the shops, the BON BON Confectioner is so nice, I went there twice! The views of Seattle and the small village feel. I came home and told Don we must move there at once. Well even if we don't get to live there, I love that she is close and we can visit lots! Sarah and I made the road trip up with Kellen and aside from Kellen's blowout in the Burger King bathroom with no baby changing station, no wipes (woops) and no change of clothes, we made it safe and sound! Can't wait for our next sisters weekend!!

Jeannie Ellie and Sam on the front porch!

Sarah and Jeannie posing with me after they ran 3.5 miles. My post baby body is not quite up to their running standards yet (how much longer before I can't use that excuse anymore?)

And the cutsies! Ellie and Sam!

The Pattersons!

Happy Anniversary to Us!

Don and I took the boys to Newport Beach for our 5th wedding anniversary! I know what you are all thinking, how romantic to take the kids. Well, of course it would have been fabulous to jet off to Mexico sans kids, our bank account, nor the fact that one of the two kids still needs his momma to feed him ever 2-3 hours ruled that possibility out. So a family anniversary weekend it was! I keep telling myself, this is just where we are in life right now! Some day we will vacation alone again... Someday....As I type this I am smelling some spit up on my shoulder from Kellen. Someday I will wear nice clothes again. Someday...

However, the weekend was way more fun than I expected. The babies were great on the way down. Kellen slept and Connor watched Elmo! We stopped at the Yaquina Head light house! So beautiful! The water was a bit rough so we didn't make it down to the little beach. We ate at the Rogue (by the way, dinner out with 2 kids is so much easier when a wee bit tipsy). We checked out the aquarium, the harbor seals and the following day we were able to make it down to the water. Connor loved drawing in the sand with his stick. We stayed right in Yaquina Bay at the Embarcadero! It was the perfect fall beach weekend!

Aubree comes to play!

Sharing animal crackers on the front stoop!


Connor and I were lucky to have little Aubree over to play while Cheryl had an appointment! Aubree came over with her cute little outfit and her suitcase full of snacks and her dolly! She was so excited to play with Connor's toys though! She kept saying, "toys, toys" and ran straight into Connor's room. At one point she "popped a wheelie" on Connor's race car and fell off the back. She was a bit disoriented at first but jumped right back up and got on. Connor however, watched the whole scene and started crying, "owie, owie!" Unfortunetly our play date ended too soon as dad Tom came and picked Aubree up for lunch! Come play again soon Aubree!

Fir Point Farms!

Pumpkin Hunting with an attitude!

Don has been in Spain on business for a week and it was just me and the boys. On friday afternoon, when I was just at the end of my rope, the doorbell rang and there was my lovely husband, home two days early with a pizza in his hand! My husband loves to surprise me and other than proposing to me, oh, and the time he flew to SLC Christmas Day to suprise me when we were dating, oh and the time he surprised me with a new car... okay, well it is right up there with all of his wonderful surprises!!! The boys and I were so excited to have him home for the weekend! We took advantage of an great Oregon Saturday and took the boys to Fir Point Farms for some fall fun! This farm is great. It is family run and operated. They have goats that climb trees, rabbits, a cow, chickens, hay maze, corn mazes and so much more! Connor had a blast in the hay maze! On our way back from the hay ride we ran into the Mattecheck family (not so coincidentally). The boys loved the obstacle course and Rachel loved "Noah's Arche" We left the farm and finished the day at the Mattechecks for some enchiladas and good old Oregon Duck football!

Don and Connor on the hayride!

Connor greeting me with a hug after completing the daunting hay maze!!

The Fruit Loop

Oh, the Lord is good to me, and so I thank the Lord, for giving me the things I need, the sun and the rain and the apple seed....

I am so bummed about the lighting in this picture. I will just think of it as God's light shining on my loved ones...

Don is still traveling, this week he is in Spain. Rough life this husband of mine! Anyways, the boys and I accompanied my parents on a little trip to the Fruit Loop. The Fruit Loop is a 30 mile loop near Hood River filled with 34 different orchards - mostly apple and pear. In Sept and Oct you can drive the loop, stopping at different orchards for fruit, flowers, and even wine tasting. It is fabulous! And beautiful I might add. Connor, Kellen and I posing in front of the fall mums at the Gorge House. Connor is attempting to escape.
And he succeeds.