Halloween Part Two

On Halloween Magnus and I visited Dee at the station so he could see the boy dressed in his costume.  We popped over the Grandma's house (in-between her two parties she had planned) for a quick photo shoot.  Then we were off to Rodeo Queen Aunty Jessica's Halloween party with cousin Jackson-a.k.a Yoda, bewitching Ami, Tallaban Bumba, Superdad Josh, and Darth Vadar Toby.

Maple LEAF

Every autumn Dee and I are reminded of why they call our neighborhood Maple Leaf.  The trees surrounding our home are bursting in color, and slowly our grass and flower beds are too as the leaves begin to fall.  Until the last leaf has fallen from the three huge deciduous trees in our backyard, raking is a weekly chore.  This year Dee got a little help from the boys:)

Halloween Part One

Today Magnus and his PEPS buddies had a costume party to celebrate Halloween!  Now that the babies are a little older, larger, and more mobile, it was a bit of a challenge getting them all on one couch for the photoshoot!  Nonetheless, we managed with lots of laughter and quick shooting by the "paparazzi mothers."

Mt. St. Helens

Dee had always commented while driving south "when are you going to take me to Mt. St. Helens?" so we decided to make a trip of it en route home from the cabin.  We were blessed with a gorgeous autumn day, and the drive alone was worth the trip as the foliage was magnificent along the way.  Mt. St. Helens was impressive to say the least, and we tried to take it all in while imaging what the mountain and surrounding valley used to look like before the blast.

Baby Legs

There are an enormous amount of baby products out there as we have learned, but one that Dee and I can't seem to agree on are Baby Legs.  I am a big fan, Dee, however, thinks Magnus looks like he is gearing up for baby flashdance and that these socks somehow reduce Magnus' "masculinity."  While I am not conditioning him to a future of dance class, I giggle with glee over the sight of his baby legs in argyle thigh highs.  They do serve a practical purpose as well, covering him up on chilly days and shielding him from rug burns when he moves on the floor:)  Trendy, fashion forward, or absurd, I'm sure these pictures will be resurfacing someday in a wedding reception slideshow!

Four months

Many milestones have taken place over the last month as Magnus continues to grow at warp speed.  He is now a record 16.6 pounds and 26 1/2 inches long!  Dee and I are enamored by his smiles, giggles, coos and chirps.  We watch in awe as he figures out how to grasp objects, roll over, and push up with his legs.  We've found our groove as parents and no longer feel like we are in "survival" mode.  This is truly a magical time in our lives and we can hardly believe Magnus is already four months.

Sitting, however, has not been mastered just yet...

Everything goes in the mouth these days...

Remlinger Farm

The second annual pumpkin patch outing took place over the weekend on a gorgeous autumn day at Remlinger Farm.  We joined up with The Locketts and their expanding brood, and the Overlands and their darling Jack.  After hunting down a wheelbarrow we looked high and low for that perfect pumpkin, loading 'em up in between a thousand flashbulbs of the kids.  Throw in a hay ride, kettle corn, relocating a missing child and the day was complete.  Looking forward to next year already!

On the "train," as Gunnar called it, out to the pumpins!

Gage and Magnus relentlessly looking for that perfect pumpkin.

Greg and Gunnar in pursuit of pumpkin perfection!

Cabo San Lucas

Magnus' first trip on an airplane and out of the country went well despite the imminent hurricane threatening the Baja Peninsula and forcing us home a day early.  We spent six days in sunny Mexico at the Hacienda Encantada with Ami, Ray, Aunty Jessica, Uncle Josh and Cousin Jackson. Magnus made quite a splash in his Baby Banz and rash guard while bellied up to the swim up bar. Dee and I took turns cooling his Norwegian blood in the air-conditioned room and tried to soak up some sun on our own time.  Dee went on an epic fishing trip with the men, bringing home more fish than we could even begin to eat.  The ladies, in turn, had a luxurious massage rejuvenating tired muscles.  Other highlights included a night on the town with Jess and Josh (sans kids) enjoying Tequila fondu and margaritas.  The week ended on a high with Magnus sleeping the entire flight home to Seattle, putting to rest our flying phobias with an infant. 

Rattlesnake Ridge

Today we took Magnus and Sherman to Rattlesnake Ridge for an autumn hike.  The views up top were spectacular!