BOO!!!!

Happy Halloween

This weekend was filled with so many exciting things.....

Paityn wanted to stay in Newberg to celebrate Halloween with her friends. She stayed Friday and Saturday nights at the Hergert’s home. Paul and I dropped her off before we left town. She was able to spend time with one of her best friends and do girly stuff….















Paul, Maddux, and I drove down to Eugene to spend the night with my Mom and Dad for the weekend. Paul and I were actually able to go to dinner Friday night, just the 2 of us…..we were able to have adult conversation, a glass of wine, (beer for Paul) and good food.



Maddux as my DUCK (in honor of the Oreon Duck/USC Trojan football game)












Saturday October 31st – Halloween was a FUN, FILLED, FANTASTIC day!!!!!!

1 – Paul and woke up at 3:30 AM to start getting ready…
2 – Trace, Josh, and both there boys came by at 4:00 AM for Bloody Mary’s and meet so we could all drive together…
3 – We drove down to Autzen Stadium to get in line to park for tailgating before the Duck/USC football game…

4 – The gates opened up at 5:30 AM and we parked the cars, walked over to the opposite side of the stadium and there is was…..College Game Day…

5 – College Game Day was in Eugene for the #10 Oregon Ducks/#4 USC Trojans football game…most importantly Kirk Herbstreit was in Eugene…

6 – Paul and I walked around and took in all the sights, it was cold, rainy, crowded….so much fun to be there!!!


7 – Since we had to leave the car there, I called Dad and he was able to drive down and pick us up and drive us back to the house…
8 - Once we arrived back home, that is when I had to begin cooking…breakfast, lunch for Maddux, and of course tailgate food…
9 – About 12:30 PM we headed back to Autzen to begin tailgating…we had to enjoy in all the festivities…



10 – Paul and I were able to take Maddux around to trick-or-treat there while we tailgated…it was Halloween!!!

11 – We started heading into the game about 5:00 PM, the game started at 5:30 PM…



12 – DUCKS WIN, DUCKS WIN, DUCKS WIN!!!
47-20

Carving Pumpkins!!!!!

Last night we decided to carve pumpkins!!!!

As you see we had to carve the pumpkins inside the house. The "rain" has started and will probably not stop until July 2010. I simply laid out a couple large black trash bags on the wood floor and the kids were ready to start….

Paityn knew exactly how she wanted me to carve up her pumpkins, but Maddux was still a little unsure. Paul helped Maddux decide on a design that they were both happy with.

With the kids getting a little older now all I do is cut off the top and carve, the kids get all the seeds out “YUCK”.





This is Jack O' Happy.
This is Jack O' Sad.
Now you see him sleepy.
Now you see him mad.
This is Jack in pieces small,
But in a pie he's best of all!

Baking Day at The Willoughby's

Last week Maddux was digging through my kitchen drawers and found my "pumpkin cookie cutter" He asked "What does this pumpkin do, mama?"....I continued to clean up after dinner and again he said "What does this pumpkin do, mama?"....I looked at what he was getting into and I answered his question...That is a pumpkin cookie cutter and you can make pumpkin shaped cookies. I think that was the wrong answer, because then he asked, "Can me make pumpkin shaped cookies with this?"....

That is how Sunday became "Baking Day at The Willoughby's

We made over 80 pumpkin shaped cookies and also mini pumpkin muffins. The cookies are a family recipe that we make at Christmas time, but I changed the flavoring to "orange". I iced all of them and the kids decorated them. I only had mini chocolate chips and green sprinkles, but the kids were exact with that.

Maddux lasted about 30 minutes into the decorating, but Paityn stuck it with me the whole time. After I cleaned up I went and checked on Maddux, he had fallen asleep to motorcycle racing on TV. Paityn then brought up to me that I also had a pumpkin mix and she was really craving pumpkin muffins. So I dug out the mini muffin pan and liners and began to bake over 80 mini muffins.

5th Graders And Knives At School!!

Thursday was the day that Mrs. Auld (Paityn's teacher) and Mrs. Danielson classes were going to carve pumpkins for the Senior Center which is located next door to the school.

I was lucky enough to attend this activity with Paityn. I had to check this one out....I was a little frightened when I heard "carving a pumpkin". What....5th graders and knives at school!!

The event was very successful and the school provided safety knives for the kids. In all there were 60 pumpkins that were given to the Senior Center.

Paityn Is Back At It!!!!!

Last night was Paityn's first hitting practice with Tracy since she broke her ankle.

Tracy is now in a warehouse in Tualatin, Oregon....this will be great for the winter months coming soon to Oregon.

Paityn was excited when I picked her up from school earlier that day. She asked me..."do I get to go see Tracy today"? As soon as we arrived home she completed all her homework without any whining or arguing with me. That was a nice treat!!!!

Paul came home from work and was able to wrap her ankle for me. He wrapped it nice and tight, so there wouldn't be much movement. Later that night when we arrived back home, Paityn did mention that her ankle was a little sore; she iced it for 30 minutes.

The Past and The Future Come Together in The Present

I awake to the sweet smell of my baby “big boy” tightly embracing me in a bear hug and an excited 11 year old anticipating what this day’s activities will entail…

Temper tantrums, new discoveries, emerging vocabulary, and lots of cuddles from my cuddle boy…

Shuttles to and from practices, a schedule full of games, late nights completing homework, Chiropractor appointments, a lively house full of friends, a father/daughter relationship redefined to as Paityn enters her last year in elementary school…

These events define my days.

Each child’s character is unique and their needs all distinct; a full spectrum of emotions, phases, freedoms and nurturing - determined by their respective age, gender and personalities.

I am incredibly blessed to encounter this diverse spectrum of events each day.

I am privileged to see the past and the future come together in the present.

I am reminded each day that Maddux will grow out of his temper tantrums and will all too soon be passing up the cuddles and loves for other entertainment as Paityn and I discuss where to go shopping.

I am presently watching my oldest daughter grow into a young woman yet I am constantly reminiscing about my firstborn as a babe as I watch my youngest babe toddle through life.

Maddux’s confidence and attitude will serve him well in life but have me terrified of what his teenage years may bring – but I am comforted because Paityn is patient with her novice mother as I discover what it’s like to be on the other side of the parent/soon to be teenager relationship - so I hope to hone my teenage parenting skills and glean practical tactics that will be applicable with my son who is in a league all his own.

I convene in the full circle of parenting head on each day... from babies to children and even soon to be teenagers. And with each child, each day, I am brought back to their younger years where innocence prevailed and their arrival was surreal; and as I look ahead to what their future may hold and wonder what their dreams may entail, I am continually reminded of the circle of life and prompted to enjoy the present - for all too soon I will find my self with an empty nest.

2009 Fir Point Farms Pumpkin Patch......

Sunday, Paul suggested we visit a "Pumpkin Patch"......

Last year was the first year the entire Willoughby Family was in Oregon for Halloween. We visited a pumpkin patch in Dayton (a small town near Newberg). While driving back and forth to work each day I noticed many large and small pumpkin patches along the way. Both Paul and I would like to take the kids to a different pumpkin patch each year.

This year we decided to visit Fir Point Farms in Aurora, Oregon. We had heard some nice things from neighbors about this pumpkin patch, so on Sunday we decided to take the journey. There was a break from the rain and when that happens you need to take advantage of that.

There were many activities for the kids to have fun with, but we soon realized you needed "tickets"!!!!! So I promptly got in line to purchase tickets for the kids. I ended up purchasing $10.00 worth and apparently I didn't get enough for the kids, but when does that ever happen. They did however get to play and have plenty of fun.



Paityn and Maddux after they completed the "Hay Maze"....Maddux won!!!!



Maddux is ready to load up all the pumpkins....



I think Maddux found the perfect pumpkin



Paityn's surrounded!!!!!

Softball Not Soccer!!!

Passion, persistence, and perseverance… all embodied deep within my baby girl’s heart and soul - as it turns out Paityn has discovered her passion in.... "softball not soccer". She is persistent in her pursuit to keep up and surpass those with years of experience and she perseveres through long days with tireless effort and countless hours of extra practice.

She commenced on this journey with stamina, energy and a positive attitude – ready to take on the world. After all, as Paityn will remind you, she is now eleven and ready to make her debut in the “real world”. Paityn’s enthusiasm for softball has already solicited much attention, appreciation and acceptance from coach's and parent's around her.

Paityn began taking hitting instructions from one of the most patient people I have ever met besides my father. Tracy has been a wonderful person for Paityn to connect with. When Paityn first started softball she had only had instruction from Paul...not saying that was bad instruction at all. Tracy broke Paityn's swing down and everything else for that case....both of them are working hard to put it all back together again. Paityn spends countless hours with Tracy on the softball fields and I can see the results pay off everytime she steps up to the plate.

Paityn is not pressured to succeed in this new world. In fact, Paityn predictably crumbles under any pressure I unassumingly assert upon her. She has simply found an activity that she desires to do well in and she spends so much of her time perfecting these talents. Paityn has discovered a new passion that brings out a fervent desire to accomplish noteworthy goals, she is persistent in her efforts to succeed and be seen, and she perseveres despite her young age or her demanding new schedule – because this is Paityn’s new world… and Paityn has undoubtedly found her way, she is determined and she is motivated… She is, no doubt, up for the challenge!

Paityn's 11th Birthday Party

Paityn in her Tye Dye shirt she did at the party!!!



Paityn and her guests open the wonderful gifts!!



Shelly and Kristi engage in a deep conversation while Kyle is obviously not interested!!!

Paityn had a choice for her 11th birthday party. Both Paul and I sat her down and gave her both options:

1. Have a big "friend party", which would include all of her friends doing something special like renting a limo, all getting manicures, then have a sleep over, (I didn't tell her about the limo -she would of picked this one for sure).

2. The second is to have a "family party" which would include my mom and dad, Danny and Judy, Michael and Amy, and a couple close friends from softball and the kids of course. Then Paul and I would buy her a mim laptop (she has been asking for one for quite some time now). Paityn also asked if she could invite a couple of her close school friends. So I told her she could invite the girls that lived on our block (Hazelnut Drive).

Paityn didn't think to long and hard about this one, it was the "family party" with the laptop. Danny and Judy were able to drive up for Paityn's party. They came into town Friday afternoon about 1:00 PM. We had a nice visit and relaxed the remaining of the day. Saturday Judy and I made all the food. I wanted to have good food, but also something that was easy to make. So we decided on an Italian theme, Lasagna, salad, fruit, and of course garlic - garlic bread. Judy also was able to make 3 different soups for us for the winter. She made a Turkey and rice, ham and lima bean, and then of course kale. I was able to freeze all of them so we are ready for the long rainy cold winter.

Everyone we envited showed up for Paityn's birthday party. I wanted to do something that would keep the kids entertained at least for a short amount of time. We came up with Tye Dying t-shirts. The girls had never done anything like that before. So we had to explain how to even tie the rubber bands. Once they got a hold of it, they went crazy. I remember Brook Hansen's, she had so many rubber bands I could not even count how many were on there. And of course when it came to squirting the dye, she had to have every spot died with a differnt color. I was worried at first, but, we ended up having enough dye for all the shirts. At first I was going to have the girls dye there own shirts, but after thinking about it a little more some of the parents jumped in and helped. That worked out good, it gave the girls more time to run around and have fun getting to know eachother since there were a couple girls from Paityn's softball team along with Paityn's 4 school friends. Everyone got along GREAT!!!!!

Paityn's 11th Birthday October 8, 2009!!

This is Paityn's 11 year old photo. We had it taken at The Oregon Lavendar Fields in Oregon City, Oregon.








I had originally scheduled this photo shoot to be a "family photo shoot". I really wanted a new Family Photo. Maddux was in California with Danny and Judy, so I decided that Paityn and I would take photos together. Plus I really didn't think that Paul would want to drive to Oregon City at 8:00 AM!! I was just so happy that Paityn didn't have a softball tournament this weekend. So Paityn and I headed out on our journey. I took the Denali, I thought I would need the GPS and I did. I ended up driving right to the place though, I was really proud of myself!! Paityn and I were the first appointment that morning. I could tell that the day was going to be nice, but the ground was still a little muddy from the night befores rain. Paityn and I both had on white dresses with our jean jackets on. As you see I didn't pick a photo with me in it (could you imagine seeing me in a whit dress?) The session was scheduled for only 30 minutes, but Kevin (the photographer that Paityn always gets when she goes in for photos and she doesn't like him at all) had us walking all over that farm and we were out there for about 1 hour. We were both so cold and our feet were all muddy. After the shoot Paityn and I drove around a little to try and find a coffee hut, but of course...nothing. Can you believe, no coffee hut in Oregon!
When I received the photos back from Yuen Lui I was very happy. The photos turned out better than I thought they would. Once I saw this photo, my mind was made up though. This one caught my eye and there was no changing it.

First Field Trip!!!

Today Maddux went on his first filed trip with his preschool. (Open Bible Preschool)

The entire class went to the Fir Point Pumpkin Patch in Aurora, Oregon. Maddux was so excited to go. Everyday for two straight weeks I asnswered the same question from him, "MOM, is my school going to the pumpkin patch today?" I was answer by saying, no sweetheart, today is not the day, you have _____ more days. He would always answer with a long sigh.

The day of the field trip I woke Maddux up by rubbing his little back and giving him kisses on his cheek. We popped up and once again asked his daily question...."MOM, is my school going to the pumpkin patch today?" I was so happy to answer YES. Today is your field trip to the pumpkin patch!!!

One of Maddux's girfriends Lillee's mom Kylee was able to go on the filed trip and she was so sweet to send me these photos.