Fall Firsts

Fall is here!  So excited!  Although we spent a couple weeks of fall, here in Bend last year, we couldn't wait to be here for the whole season. 

Joss all ready for she second day of school, but her first day on the school bus!  She was so excited and of course a little nervous.  I am so proud of her.

Just enjoying each other before the bus arrives..

The waiting was the hardest part.  Lots of mixed emotions going on here.  

A very proud moment for all.

Auty's first day of school!  She is attending a school held at a lovely woman's house that teaches about 8 kids from the ages 2-7.  What a wonderful experience she has been having.  

Auty's first day of ballet!!  She loves being dressed as a ballerina and dancing around the studio!  

Preparing for Halloween.  A fun decorating idea found on pinterest.  

They came out great!  So spooky! And the kids did most of the work!

Auty's 3rd birthday! (first in Bend)

She kept asking when she would see all her friends for her party.  Well we didn't have a party planned for her, we just wanted to keep it small and simple this year.  We planned to just take her to bouncing off the walls, a little indoor bouncy play area, then out for some hot chocolate.  Well to our surprise lots of kids came at the same time we came and Auty was so happy because she just assumed these were all her "friends" who were supposed to come to her party.  She had a blast!  I don't think we will ever be able to pull something off like this again with her, but glad it turned out fine this year!

Double trouble..

Fall Festival fun at the farm...

My little sweet..

Joss doing all the work as Auty dictates which pumpkin she wants..

She is very proud of all the cookies she made..  I have to say I am too!  

First Halloween in Bend was tons of fun!! 

Kids started out as princesses and witches, then they all turned themselves into zombies.. so cute!

After a long day of trick or treating we went to a friend's house for some more Halloween fun of food, drinks and dancing!  One of the best Halloweens ever!

Josslyn's first time riding a horse.  She was in her glory!

She did a fantastic job.   She was very courageous and couldn't wait to start taking lessons regularly.  I learned a lot from her this day, watching her try something new and conquering any fears or reservations she had.  A true inspiration.

An unfortunate first for all of us this fall was the death of a family pet.  After being away from Quintus for a year while we traveled the country, we were happily reunited with him January 2014.  He looked so healthy and happy when we saw him for the first time.  But as days passed he started throwing up on a daily basis and feeling lighter and lighter when I picked him up.  Shortly there after we found out that he had cancer and had to be put to sleep.  He was in lots of pain according to the vet and there was nothing more they could do to help him, even surgery wasn't an option.  After Erik, Autumn and myself came home from the vet after saying our good byes, Autumn was laying in my lap while we sat in silence hanging onto all our wonderful memories we had with him.  Many memories involved him clawing and biting people, especially Autumn.  He was a bit of a stinker.  Then all of a sudden as Autumn was just about to close her eyes and fall asleep in my arms, she let out a loud sudden cry and said, "OW!  Quintus just bit my leg!"  Well right where she had felt pain there was a red mark.  I guess he wanted to let us know he was still there with us and that he was still the same cat even in the spirit world.  Love him and miss him lots.  

October 11th, 2014