Merry Christmas

Ducks vs. Huskies

October 20th was the Husky vs. Duck game in Seattle. My sister just married a die hard Husky fan in February and she--like myself--converted to support the team our husbands are so in love with. We drove up to Seattle and stayed with Kara and Greg. It was a fun, fast weekend. My aunt and uncle are Husky fans as well and drove over from Spokane to join us. My parents drove up from Warrenton. Mom watched Karis and dad joined us for the game. Here we are right before walking out the door to go to the game. The fan base for this group was heavy on Husky but the Ducks came through and won the game 55 to 34. My dad decided to wear a Duck had and wear a Husky T-shirt. Too bad it was cold out, he had to wear his coat, leaving only the sign of a Duck fan.

More Pumpkins

Playing with Pumpkins

6 months old... Go Ducks!

Can she get any cuter?

Salem Riverfest

Sunday September 23rd was Salem Riverfest. We spent the evening with friends from our Sunday night group listening to music and Reid Sanders (the evangelist whose organization put on the event). Karis did very well, but as you can see, she did get a little tired toward the end of the night. See The Lunde Family blog for more pictures of Riverfest, including the "soaring Soren", which was quite a funny picture.

Before, During, and After

This summer, Vance was hard at work in the yard; our side yard that is. We have a slope on the side of our garage that was not functional at all. We decided to build a retaining wall, fill it in, and level out the side of the property. Vance did all the work, with the help of some hired hands from the youth group at church. He was even able to hire some of the girls to watch Karis while they worked. He did an amazing job and I am so pleased with the results. This is just the first of two more phases. The next two years we will work on the back yard. This will include a continuation of the retaining wall to level out the back yard, tearing out the existing wood deck and replacing it with a patio/deck made of highland stone blocks. All this just in time for Karis to be old enough to play in the back yard. We hope to have some type of swing set or play structure in the future.

First Foods

We had our first attempt at rice cereal with Karis on Tuesday. She wasn't too sure at first, but a few spoonfuls later she was lunging at the spoon with both hands.

Teething...it has only just begun

How many fingers can you get in YOUR mouth?

Karis and her Uncle Ryan

Karis at the Park

Here is Karis sitting on the picnic table at the park. We spend one of our Sunday nights there to celebrate Soren's 3rd Birthday. She is sitting in a BUMBO seat, borrowed from the Lundes, who are borrowing it from their little friend Lucy.

There is more than one use for a restaurant sling

Most restaurants provide a sling to put your infant car seat in. Well, since Karis rode in her stoller, we didn't have her car seat. Needless to say, she got tired and fell asleep. What better way to take a nap, than in this hammock-like structure.

Crib Time

For those of you who haven't seen Karis' room, here are a couple pictures. In addition to a couple pictures of her in her crib. Thank you Deborah for sewing everything for her.

Karis in her big girl stroller

Karis and Grandma Robin

Karis has changed so much since birth. Here is a picture of her with her Grandma at 3 days old and then a picture with Grandma at 4 1/2 months old.

I'm tired mom, do we really have to take pictures now?

A lady from work made this outfit for Karis. I had to get her picture in it, but she was really tired at the time. I think it's cute, but Vance thinks it looks a little frumpy. Oh well, they grow out of clothes so fast at this age, he doesn't have to worry about her wearing it too many times.

Camping in July

July 27th-29th we did a multi-family camping trip with the Lunde's, West's, and Rowles'. I may be the last one to post camping pictures, but it is still worth stating the adult to child ratio of 8:8. Of note is the ages of the kids, all 3 1/2 and under. Fortunately for us, three of them are not mobile yet. Next year will definitely be a challenge.

Friday morning we loaded the kids into the bike trailers and rode 7 miles into town (Cottage Grove) for breakfast. We finally finished eating around noon, rode to a park so the kids could play, packed up the trailers and rode 7 miles back. Soren and Karis took naps on the ride home. Saturday afternoon we went to Dorena Lake. The water was questionable but the toddlers had fun splashing around.

Vance did a great job entertaining the toddlers with B-I-N-G-O, Old McDonald, and a few other songs. He even kept them busy writing their names on the little magic writing board (I don't know what that thing is called).

Sunday is always a sad day when we have to pack up and go home. Fortunately, we top off the weekend with a trip to Prince Puckler's ice cream shop in Vance's old stomping grounds in Eugene. I can't wait til next year!!