9 Months Old Today!

Annika is officially 9 months old. We go in for her check up bright and early in the morning.

More Pumpkins

Can I just say that again I have NEVER seen anything like it. Today we attended the Pillar Pumpkin Carving Party. WOW! Do these people know how to carve pumpkins! It was amazing. About 100 people gathered at the Pillar's (co-worker of Gary's) for chili, potatoes and prizes. Sally and her husband Scott have been doing this for 16 years. The weather was perfect and we had so much fun. I hope were invited back because we already can't wait for next year. :-)

The set up.

Waiting for dad so we can get started!

Annika is not sure about this getting dirty stuff.

The Hedin Family work on carving their pumpkin (actually Gary did all of the work.)

Gary and I thought this pumpkin was kind of cool--but of course we are hard core conservatives! :-)

Over 50 pumpkins were carved--they said it was a new record.

The Pumpkin Patch

Happy Halloween From the Hedin's

We took Annika over to Terrebonne for her first Pumpkin Patch experience. I don't remember EVER seeing anything like this and going to a pumpkin patch this cool! They had a HUGE corn maize, a pirate ship made of hay, draft horse hay rides, a kids train, a pumpkin cannon, petting zoo, pony rides, a market, food booths galore and a pumpkin patch. I am not quite sure what Annika thought of it all, but she looked like she enjoyed it. It was sunny and almost 70 degrees--perfect pumpkin patch weather. Annika took in the pony rides but I am not sure she was all that impressed, it was like she was thinking, "ehh what's the big deal, my neigh neigh is bigger!" :-)

Halloween is a week away and we decided to not do the costume thing this year. Gary's last football game is Halloween night and it would be too cold to have her in a costume. Plus, everyone we would take her trick or treating to has an important part in the game so they wouldn't be home to take her.

We're going to carve the pumpkins this evening after we are done visiting with some friends that are stopping by. So I will probably post some more pics tomorrow.

First Stop: The Petting Zoo

"Hey mom, what is this funny looking thing?"

Then: The Pony Rides

"Hmmm, I'm not impressed."

"We don't need to go to the patch, they got pumpkins right here by the ponies. Can I have this big one?"

"Whoa, that's a big boat!"

"Uh Mom, I think we look like dorks!"

"This Pumpkin Patch stuff is EXHAUSTING!"



Central Oregon Pumpkin Company, located near Smith Rock in Terrebonne.

"I know it's green, but I pick this one!"

The Hedin Family at the pumpkin patch.

Just a Few Pics!

Here are a few pics taken over the past month!

"Mmm...this sock tastes good!"

Annika's morning face.

"Do we have to get up?"

Annika's first encounter with the glass sliding door.

"Mom, can you tell my why I can see those plants but I can't touch them?"

Our Growing Girl

As usual things have been pretty busy around here. Football season is in full swing so Gary’s time has been consumed with practices, coach’s meetings and film watching. The Outlaws have lost 2 games in a row so it has turned out to be quite a different season than in the past. Their actually playing down South tonight. Gary text me just before the game to tell me it was snowing—so sorry I am missing it!

I am finally settling into my job and really liking it. Sometimes I feel more like an organizer than a teacher. But when I do get to work one-on-one with my students I really get to teach them and feel like they truly understand the material. I also get to have a real relationship with each and everyone one of them and their families—and I have GREAT families. I have 16 students 1st through 11th grade. So it can be a challenge to teach the high school subjects, but so far so good!

Annika is now home with me 2 days a week on Mondays and Fridays. For the most part she is pretty independent and enjoys playing on her own while I work on the computer. Just today I noticed that she is really trying hard to pull herself up to stand. Crawling is pretty difficult here at our house with the hardwood floors throughout the whole lower level. I am looking forward to getting my office done so that she can be turned loose upstairs on the carpet and I don’t have to worry about her falling on her face on the hardwood. She started eating chicken this week and last week had blueberries and kiwi. She doesn’t care too much for the Kiwi, but LOVES the blueberries. Unfortunately, prunes have had to become part of her regular diet which she could care less for. I try to be sneaky and mix them with apples or pears and then she usually doesn’t have an issue. She really likes her daycare and is so happy when I drop her off, which makes me feel better about leaving her. She is literally about 6 houses down the street which also makes it nice.

Well it is almost time for Grey’s…can’t miss that!

Annika's first pumpkin!

Wow, that looks like it would be fun to play with!
From blueberries ....
...to prunes.