Halloween decorations, progress at Parker's

 Saturday morning Ava asked if, since it's almost October, we could put out the Halloween stuff.

Didn't take them long to get it done.

 Rielee came to stay, too, she refuses to believe she's too big for the Jeep.

 They did some serious swinging.

 Jillian, Bridget and Tor came up, they rode scooters and played soccer.

 There's been progress at Parker's this past week- holes were dug for the shop,

 posts went in,

and the septic system was installed.

Ava's design, Emily & Maggie

 Friday after school, Ava wanted to show me her dress form and the outfit she had designed for a waitress.  It's made of a pillowcase and wash cloth, very creative.  When we got home, Cathy called to ask if they could come for a sleepover.   Of course, they were ready to go. 

 Saturday, Emily came to visit with Nola.  They had a scavenger hunt in between rain showers,

and posed with the funny teeth that were one of the treats in their "treasure" box.

We went to Papa Pete's and the bakery and then girls did a lot of scooter riding.

Rielee was very happy to see Maggie again.

Wednesday night sillies

Harper got off the bus Wednesday limping, she had collided with a boy in P.E. and hurt her knee.  By evening it was better and she had ditched the ACE bandage. 

Rielee came to visit and had them both cracking up, as usual.

Bridget's birthday, pink room

The girls were so excited to go to Bridget's 8th birthday party Saturday, it's been awhile

since they've seen the cousins.  Ava won a game Cathy had for the party where they had to

put pictures of Bridget in order by age.  

It was funny, when it was time to go I found them downstairs.  Harper said she and Tor were maids of the Queen (Rielee) and had to power the castle with electricity by riding the exercise equipment-

 while the Queen relaxed and Bridget cooked.

The Gourde girls in their new pink room.  

Ava told me last week that her new friend had a pink room and she just loved it.  Since their room needed painting,  I let her pick out the paint and surprised them with it Friday.  Harper even loved it, saying it was very "cozy".  We left the other half blue for now.

Bus stop, Rielee volleyball

 Wednesday we picked up Ava and Harper at the bus stop since they had early release.

They spent the night and we got them back to school Thursday at 8:00 a.m.  They were good about getting up early and are self-sufficient about getting ready, needing only some reminders to double-check so we didn't forget anything  (then somehow Harper's planner was left behind anyway).

Rielee had a match at Cascade Thursday afternoon.  They played hard and won 1 set.

Tierney was there doing stats since she coaches the 7th grade team at Cascade.  Cathy came and brought Bridget, Tor and Jillian.

Rielee 8th grade volleyball, Gracie Washougal volleyball, Liann Zama volleyball

Rielee setting Ruby today at their first 8th grade volleyball match at Three Rivers Christian.  The won all 3 sets.

Rielee and Ruby posing afterwards, both played really well.  

Papa went to watch Gracie Dolan play at R.A.Long tonight.  They won in 3 also.  Gracie said she's 5'11" but she sure looks a lot taller than that to me.

Liann is playing libero on her volleyball team at Zama American School in Japan.

Wish we could go to one of her matches, but have to settle for videos.

4th graders, Parker working, signs of fall

1st day of 4th grade

 Ava and Harper spent Friday night with us.  They were full of stories about their new school.  

shorter hair, Harper's earrings, Ava's pretty nails

After their first day of school, they had told me it was good but "complicated"-meaning once they got off the bus they had to stay outside until their teacher came and got them.  Now they seem pretty happy about everything, including the school song "What Does The Fox Say?".  Their most exciting news was that a girl in their class, Karson (she sits by Ava) lives right behind them.  They've already a play date with her plus she has a twin brother, Kameron.

 Parker and Gabe were out early this morning working on retaining walls. 

 They finished a small one by the woodshed and worked on the larger one below.
4 trusses were delivered last week so Parker is hoping to get the shop permit soon.

 The girls were on the hunt for signs of fall, Harper took some leaves from one of the Dolan's trees.

 Ava found crab apples, then jumped back in the Jeep to look for more.