Identical twins?

It's not every day that we bring home library books that contain pictures of kids that bear more than a passing resemblance to Lindsey and her cousin Sophia:





Sophie's "twin" also graces the cover, which you can see here:

http://www.amazon.com/My-Potty-Book-Girls-Books/dp/0789448459

Pumpkin Patch 2009

Here we are six months later! Since moving to Portland, we let the blogging fall to the wayside. As more and more people began asking, "What ever happened to that blog you used to have?" I decided that it is my new goal to update the blog regularly. So here we are.

Today, when Barry was at work, I decided to visit one of Portland's many, many pumpkin patches. When we moved up here, I worried that I would miss the haunted corn maze and fabulous farmer's market at Lone Pine Farm in Junction City, but the pumpkin patch I discovered today blows Lone Pine out of the water!!!

We went to "The Pumpkin Patch" on Sauvie Island, a farming oasis 10 miles west of Portland. All summer we'd been coming out here to pick berries and I'd seen the pumpkin patch signs, but I was blown away when I saw the Halloween-goodness at The Pumpkin Patch.

(Side note: Since it was only Lindsey and I, without Barry, the pictures lack his photography genius--primarily because they were taken on a cell phone instead of a nice Nikon. I learned my lesson; from now on I am taking a real camera.)



First, we visited the Animal Farm, where we saw cows, goats, sheep, chickens, and piglets. Lindsey's favorite was the chickens because they were at her level, she could get up close to them, and she REALLY liked clucking at them. :)












After deciding that the barn was too "stinky" for her, Lindsey occupied herself by climbing up and down the barn steps about ten times. Amazingly, this never gets old for her.



Next, we went for a hayride which took us all over the farm. Unfortunately, we were sitting on the front edge of a very bumpy ride, so I didn't get any good pictures of the farm. I did get a self-portrait though! Mental note--don't wipe Lindsey's nose before taking a picture, otherwise you getting a scowling baby picture!





The hayride dropped us off right in front of a gigantic hay pyramid which Lindsey played on for the next 20 minutes.


















Notice the feet and butt hanging right above Lindsey's head? This would eventually become the reason why we got off of the pyramid. That kid kept falling on top of everyone else.



Oh--but the tunnels underneath the pyramid caught Lindsey's attention. As my inner claustrophobic, tunnel-fearing heart cringed, Lindsey crawled in without hesitation.


After this we had lunch, then strolled over to the hay maze. We LOVED this maze, mostly because it was just us there and we could run back and forth giggling. She was so proud of herself when she made it through the first time that she ran out smiling and clapping for herself!

Next we picked out a 15-pound pumpkin, and drooled over the smells of elephant ears and kettle corn. We'll save those for Sunday, though, when we bring Barry to experience this Halloween funland!

crib photos

These pictures are a couple months old, but I've been lazy about updating this thing.

Snowshoeing!

Two weekends ago we took Lindsey snowshoeing with our friend Mary. We walked five miles around Trillium Lake near Mt. Hood. Lindsey had a blast and seemed to like the snow. She got a little restless sitting in the backpack for a few hours. But next winter that won't be a problem. Even if we take her in a backpack next year, we can let her out to run around now and then.

This picture is actually near the end of our hike. Lindsey was tired and assumed this sleeping position for half an hour.

Mary and Lindsey

Lindsey, at our lunch stop

Mary and Jess (and a snowman in the background)

Lindsey and I.

I've delayed a bit in posting this, but here are Lindsey's first steps -- caught on camera. This is from a week or two ago. She still isn't walking regularly, but she gets closer and closer every day. For example, this evening she walked all around our house pushing her "Wheely-bug." Half the time she was pulling it with her, which tells me she does not need it for support.

Christmas, Westin style

Jessica's family celebrated Christmas a little late this year (January). Here are just a few pictures from Christmas at Grandpa Rik's house.

This is Lindsey and her cousin Andrew. Andrew and Lindsey were both born on January 21, 2008, almost exactly 12 hours apart. Both were born via c-section.

Aunt Allyson and Lindsey

Holiday Pics

I'm still going through some old photos from the holidays. Don't worry, I still plan to post the video of Lindsey's first steps. You'll just have to keep checking back here daily until I do.

Here are all of the girls (and Jackson) when Elaine was in town around Christmas

Patrick (looking like a squirrel), Meghan, and Lindsey

Mary, Lindsey, and Jackson sleeping

Amy and Lindsey. It must have been game day