Happy Birthday Eben!

Eben flew home for his birthday weekend and we had all our friends over to the cabin to celebrate. It was a ton of fun! We haven't gotten together in quite awhile and it was fun to catch up with everyone, like Sara:

 

We had to get the kids out of the house despite the sprinkles...

 

Cousins, Evie and Reed:

 Karen and Frank:

 

Jay and Sara:

 Jennie and Evie:

  All five Phillips:

Uncle Pete with Alton and Charlotte:

 All the kids - except Reed and Jack:

 Reed and Jack:

 Eben and Charlotte with the yummy cake:

Seattle Center: Rikki Tikki Tavi and the Fountain

Nana's Christmas present to us last year were tickets to several plays at the Seattle Children's Theater for the 2014-15 season. We went to see our first one yesterday: Rudyard Kipling's "Rikki Tikki Tavi." It was a bit different than the book we had read beforehand, but the kids recognized the characters and the storyline and thoroughly enjoyed the live theater and vivid set and costumes. I was busy with Reed in the "cry room" and in the back of the theater where he was climbing up stairs and down stairs most of the production.

 

After the play we walked the grounds of Seattle Center. It was an absolutely Indian Summer Day of 75 degrees. 

Charlotte was eager to kick off her shoes and dance around in the fountain. We all loved watching her run and jump and twirl in her yellow dress.

Pumpkins!

We ventured out to the pumpkin patch today and the kids picked out their favorites. It was mucky from the rain and everything was vibrant and fresh. We carved them up this afternoon and I'll get pictures of them with their jack-o-lanterns soon.

 

OCTOBER - Reed Can Do It!

Reed can do so many things now! I love his concentration when he is trying to figure something out. He can push his walker, stand up nearly by himself, climb stairs, brush his teeth, and eat on his own with a spoon. He is just a couple days away from taking his first steps!

Finishing Up September

Things are crazy now that school has started. I have had a chance to sneak in a few fun events with friends. Kim came over with Lily and Tavis and the girls had a blast running around playing tag.

 Eben flew home for a weekend and we saw Meg, Chris and the boys.

 Reed is starting to get get pretty mobile - opening up cupboard doors and pulling things out - generally getting into trouble and causing a nuisance, but we still love him.

 The kids participated in the Walk-A-Thon for their  Montessori school. Edison didn't want to do it, but once we got there, he was pretty gung-ho about it. They both ran almost the whole hour and I was very proud of them. Every lap they would get a rubber band - check out the evidence on the second picture.

 

Last evening on the beach.