Sarah's sibling surprise birthday in Oregon :)

Steve, Lesley and I flew to Oregon to surprise Sarah for her big milestone birthday this year :) The traveling was easy...the true feat was keeping this a surprise for 4 months! :)  Lesley and I flew to Portland for the day and waited for Steve's flight to come in from NYC, and then we all drove in to Eugene together the following morning.

At the McCoy home after the "big reveal" and everyone stopped hyperventilating.

It didn't take long for Sarah, Mary and Lesley to jump into song and dance with "A Whole New World" to celebrate our time together :) 

A little walk after dinner in the neighborhood with Kevin and Owen.

Owen and Mary regaling us with their duets after dinner.

Birthday breakfast at Off the Waffle

Mist on the covered bridge on the way to Salt Creek Falls

The breath-taking Salt Creek Falls

A pristine river on the way back from S.C. Falls

Mums and Sissies :)

Glorious Sahalie Falls

Stopping at a Hot Springs Lodge for a picture on the way to Sahalie Falls

A picture of the original four by the McKenzie River.

One of my favorites....three sisters in front of the mountain range called the Sisters (see the three peaks?) in the TOWN of Sisters, Oregon. :) 

Sarah's beautiful French birthday dinner at Marche. 

                               

I was so thankful to get to spend this time with my siblings, and take time out of our busy lives. What a gift it was for ALL of us! :) I'm so appreciative to all who filled in for me in MANY ways, while I was away from my family! :)  I will be glowing from the memories of this trip for a long time. 

Rothko canvases, school fun run and farm patch fun

Flannel Friday, my favorite day of the week. And here is proof that I try to look like a girl sometimes too :)

October is off to a crisp and fun start! We are enjoying art class, piano, choir rehearsals and flag football. Jonas is adjusting to Montessori school and the boys have all been blessed with teachers who are great fits for each of their personalities. Bronius and I are able to spend more time together and also support each other in the things we are trying to do individually. Everyone is healthy, and for me that is probably what I thank the Lord for the most. What else could I hope for??? So thankful for this full life and the health and strength to take care of those who need it! 

Wishing you a happy, blessed Fall! 

Fall Focolare Camping Trip

We had a great time at the Focolare family camping trip this October! The weather was gorgeous, the food was tasty, the company edifying :) We met at Nails Creek State Park, one we had never visited before. There was a large open cabin where we met for meals, games and faith sharing.  And the rest of the time was spent outside having relays, scavenger hunts and just visiting. The boys were sad we didn't stay the night and have s'mores around the fire, but maybe we'll brave it next year ;) 

Taking stock of our scavenger hunt items.

Bronius & Bill completing their mission to get the balloon into the basket. All the games were designed to demonstrate unity and teamwork! :)

Dominic and his partner.

Me and Jean

Jonas napping

Milo kickin' up dust and running with his balloon :)

First Friday, Art Class, Uncle Steve visit

We love going to Bryan for First Friday evenings. This month, the boys piano teacher invited her students to be street performers. What a fun experience!

We stuffed ourselves on Mr. G's pizza beforehand. Thanks to Josh Simmons for snapping this pic for us! :) 

            A long awaited moment. I am so thankful for the wonderfully patient teachers in this child's life who helped him want to read! :) 

Sustainably sourced iced coffee available at Chick Fila now!

Jonas is in a "Mommy can you take a picture of me" phase. He posed for this photo and asked me to take a picture. How could I refuse? This moment will stay with me forever.

And just so you know, he also asks me to take pictures of him dipping his chicken nuggets in his ketchup.

And I don't even know what is happening here. But it happened. 

And Uncle "Beef" came to visit after the Aggie game.  We love Steve season, I mean, game season!

We're loving watching the boys grow in art this semester! They are having an incredible experience with the Creative Capsule and I am so thankful for this opportunity for them.

                                         

Milo's clay face from Art Class

 Dominic's clay face

Wood block eye paintings 

Me attempting another dog selfie to track his growth. This dude is growing like a weed! I can't imagine what he'll look like at Christmas!

And that's all from my corner! :) Till we meet again, have a blessedly beautiful day!

Puppy, Bells visit, first day of school, art class, my haircut

Here is our little puppy "Hawkeye" (whose real name is Hugo).  He is a Labra-hound (so we think, anyway!) He is growing like a weed! Sleeping through the night GREAT, hardly any potty accidents in the house.  He is happy in his crate and when it's time to come out, the boys are teaching him tricks, playing fetch and running around with him outside. He is chewing everything though, sometimes our shoes, sometimes our hands and feet! Official puppy kindergarten class begins Monday! :)

Our friends the Bell's came to visit and we celebrated everyone's birthdays all together! What a fun day of pizza, brownies, a trip to the splashpad, a movie at home and legos galore!

First day of 4th grade, Dominic is in Mr. and Mrs. Stearns class. We are so excited have this amazing married couple / seasoned team of educators!

Milo, 1st grade, has Mrs. McQueen this year. We have loved getting to know Mrs. McQueen through the years and we're so excited to get to have her as our teacher this year!

Jonas started at Aggieland Montessori, the preschool of all Motekaitis boys! :) He has Ms. Tena and Ms. Corinne, whom we have known since Dominic was there. I'm so excited to watch how he grows this year!

The boys are part of an after school Art Club in the Creative Capsule this year. I love sitting and watching the lessons, and learning along with them.

I got a hair cut! I may have waited all summer, but it was worth the wait!!!! :) 

Hope you are having a wonderful back to school transition! Thanks for visiting!