Cadence Waving

This afternoon grandpa Washburn was waving at Cadence and she decided to wave back - just like she had been doing it all her life. It is amazing to watch a baby learn and develop!

Firehouse Tour

During our visit to Mom and Dad's this week, my old friend Tim Keever came over for the day on Sunday! It was amazing to catch up on old times. Mom cooked up a feast as usual and we took the opportunity to get to know his kids as well. After stuffing ourselves, Tim gave us a tour of his firehouse in Hilliard. We all enjoyed the personal tour. The kids especially enjoyed "driving the truck". Marina was interested in his fireman get-up. Paige and Hudson were pretty much ok with it until he put on the gas mask --> then all bets were off.

Tim cuddling Cadence

Tims kids on the left, 3 of ours on the right.

Cool crest on Engine 83

A 1930's Fire Engine - it still can pump water.

Riding like Firemen

Thanksgiving Fun + Hudson's B-day

Leann's Beautiful Table. Marina wrote the name cards.

Our table full of food and eaters.

Aunt Ruth spoiling the cuties.

Time for Desert

Hudson and Don starting the decorating project --> 28 individually molded and decorated train cars. Lots of work, but big success.

Hudson Loving his birthday cake.

Let the eating begin.


Hudson on his new Tractor.

The Stickel 6

The late night football team - and the Coach.

Can't get off that Paige

Soon after we got the new jungle gym, Paige tried to go down the climbing wall like a slide. Much to her dismay - her coat got caught on one of the hand holds and she was STUCK. She didn't get too worked up, just sat there looking disgusted that she couldn't figure a way to undo it.

 

Buck Fever 2008

Another Successful hunt at the Spencer's Deer Camp!! I had a great time hunting with Uncle Rob, and our buddy Mike again this year. We all had a chance at Bucks and Does. Rob killed a monster 8 pointer and I got a little six.

Ruth watched Paige and Hudson during our adventure - giving Leann a chance to clean and shop in preparation for Thanksgiving dinner and Hudson's b-day next week.

THANKS SPENCERS!!!!!

Rob's big 8 pointer - Taken Friday Evening

Don's little 6 pointer - Taken Friday Morning

Lambeth Cousins

Last Weekend Tim and Charlotte hosted a reunion of all the Lambeth cousins at their home in Ontario. Only 5 of the cousins were not there - pretty good turnout considering the size of the family. Those types of occasions are always tough, because we always want to imagine what it would be like if only Keith and Kela were there with us.

In true Lambeth tradition, we ate...then ate again....then had some more....then ate again...and then we had lunch.....then we ate....then we ate again.....then we ate supper....

The time together was priceless. We walked down memory lane, enjoyed the present, and dreamed of the future. Being all together again was almost like we had never been apart - except for the many mini-cousins running around.

There are too many stories to share now - and it is late after a busy evening of soccer and playing at the playground - so I will let the pictures speak for themselves.

Back Row:Tristan Brown, Brian Beid, Don Stickel, Scot Reid, Ryan Lambeth, Andy Oding, Bradley Cobb
Front Row: Melinda Smith (Lambeth), Leah Cobb, MajaBrown, Charlotte Blevins(Reid), Michelle Bigelow (Reid)
Not Present: Kurtis Brown, Jenna Lambeth, Sarah Moore (Oding), Keith Stickel, Sheila Stickel

The Mini-Cousins

No Baloney - just oatmeal

On Saturday, I rode my 1st ever cycling century, The No Baloney Bicycle Ride! Riding a century is a significant milestome for cyclists...and it sure was for me. I rode with a pal from work, and he was kind enough to ride slow with me. As a bonus there were about 12 of his regular riding club members (The Oatmeal Roadies) on the ride. They rode with us for about 65 of the 107, then bailed out because of the rain. During that 65 miles we were able to form a little peloton, which really helped to eat up the miles. After the Oatmeal Roadies dropped off - Dan and I slugged it out ourselves occasionally riding with three other guys. Over all it was a well organized ride with plenty of food at the rest stops. Maybe a little hilly for my 1st century - but I will definitely ride it next year!!

Rassmussen's

You can't believe what the Rassmussen's will do to you :)

Life's little lessons

Last night we took the kids out for Marina's 1st soccer game (posting will follow soon), and I got a little lesson on life. As we walked out to the field I spotted a man using crutches out on the soccer field with his two children and he was playing very enthusiastically. He was very active, and was giving the kids a run for their money. As we got closer I realized that he had one of his pant legs pinned up at the knee. What a wake up call for me! Here was this man with every excuse to not play with his kids - but he was out the out-performing some of us with 2 legs. It was absolutely eye-opening. Time spent with the kids is so valuable - they are only young once. It has really motivated me to be a more involved Dad no excuse is good enough to miss these years!!!

Our Paigee-pooh off to school!

This was one excited little girl. She wanted to wear her new fall school shoes, backpack with everything loaded in it and head off to her first day of preschool. So fun to see her so enthusiastic.
I couldn't keep up with her. She said "I can go myself" and off she ran.

This was after about 2 1/2 minutes in the car after I picked her up -- wowzer, talk about worn out. She came alive when I gave her the job of picking out a lunch location.
She seems so much bigger and she was ready for a new challenge. She was just shining last night as she told everyone about her school.

Marina's 1st day of School

Don had to leave for work before she got on the bus....such a bummer - crazy Caterpillar expects him to show up. :) So snapped this picture before they both headed off for the day.
Marina gets on the bus at the neighbor's house - Abby is on the left and is such a nice 1st grader
Mr Bethel is asking the kids to line up a long the wall -- but Marina is so busy visiting with her friends -- she must have a looser definition to "a line" than most school personal. It's hard to stand in a line and socialize. :)
This was about the time that Marina turned to me, waved and said "I'll see you when I get home mom!" A mom next to me said "I think that is your cue to leave." She was ready to get this show on the road.
Paige (in the jean capris) running to meet Marina when she got off the bus the first day. They miss each other during the school day - but the change in scenery has been good for everyone.
Getting off the bus the 2nd or 3rd day. I didn't manage to get there in time to take this picture the first day.
School is still going well - we are 2 weeks in now - but yesterday morning in the shower she said "I guess I won't go to school today" -- oh to have a life of leisure where you could be the boss of yourself. Sorry it's taken me over 2 weeks to post these pics.