Halloween 2017

 We enjoyed Evelyn being a bit more independent this year with carving pumpkins

 

 The finished products

 We went to the Bamans for dinner and trick or treating.  Audrey wanted a picture of her wings

 buddies

 It was a very cold Halloween!  Audrey ripped the top of her costume before we even get started.

The group

October happenings

 Last year, Audrey was awarded Royal of the month for the month of October.  We are so proud of her! 

 My friend, Kelly turned the big 4-0!  We surprised her with a lovely brunch.

 Followed by my birthday dinner.

 We had to make a stop and check out the visiting statues.

 A fun ladies night out for a great cause.

 We had a blast at the CF Gala.

Chuck won an award.

Over a year behind

I'm officially over a year behind on the blog but I'm going to keep posting.  Partly for the few of you that check it and partly for myself for when I turn the pictures into books.

The beginning of October (last year) brought Donuts with Dads.  The kids look forward to this even every year! 

Chuck's new partner and his family were in town to house hunt.  We decided to have the department over for a cook out.  The kids all wanted to cram around the same table and eat together.

 I never like how the cheap school pictures turn out so I take my own.  This one decided to be silly at first.

 She eventually cooperated for me to get a nice one.

 Then there's this one that can't get enough of the camera

I have to cut her off

 He's always been good about putting up with me and pictures

 Love these faces

 Even these

Hiking

 Woke up to this cool view of the fog covered vineyards.

 We went hiking at Silver Falls State Park.

 It was a beautiful park full of waterfalls.

 The trails are well kept and take you behind the waterfalls

 Group photo

 It was an impressive park to hike and we are so glad we took the time to do it.  Naturally, we stopped at one more winery on our way back to the house.

 We ended the trip with one last dinner out before having to head home the next morning.

 I absolutely fell in love with the Willamette Valley and can't wait to return. 

More wine tastings

 Our next stop was at Native Flora.  We really enjoyed our time there.

 Some of my favorite wines from the entire weekend were from this vineyard.

 After Native Flora we stopped for lunch. Then, we headed to White Rose Estate.

 They guys at White Rose Estate

 White Rose Estate

 The views of the vineyards never got old

 Our driver took a group picture for us before bringing us back to the house.

 Returned to the house to this gorgeous view and a partial rainbow.

couples trip

We went to Oregon with some friends and rented a house in the Willamette Valley.

Our first dinner out was at Thistle.

 Our house has a gorgeous view and we were ready to spend the day enjoying amazing wine and food.

 The first stop was Anderson Family Vineyard.

 Their vineyard is just beautiful.  We tasted some wonderful wines.  It was so interesting to taste the difference between the different years and how the growing conditions affect it.  We also got to tour their cellar.