Weekend Camping Trip

 October 18, 2013

Weekend Family Campout to celebrate Josh's birthday.

Watching the sea lions on the docks in Astoria.

 Climbing the Historic Astoria Column. 

164 steps up.

 The views from the top.

 The boys playing with their guns in our cabin at Fort Stevens State Park.

 Kaden's faux coon-skin cap that he picked out with his allowance.  He was so excited!

October 19th, exploring the area.

  Battery Russell at Fort Stevens.

It was one of nine concrete gun batteries used by the US Army Coast Artillery Corp.   Although it was closed as an active sight back in 1944, it is now the ultimate play ground for boys.  They could have stayed all day exploring and playing.

Fort Stevens Shipwreck

After the boys changed into some dry clothes, we drove into town to ride the Astoria Trolley.

 Checking out the sights near the Maritime Museum. 

General Conference Treats

 October 6, 2013

At our house, we've found that fun snacks help the boys listen during General Conference.  We put each snack in a bowl and label it with a word they might hear during the talks.  (i.e. Faith, Jesus Christ, Spirit, Amen)  When they hear the word, they get to eat one snack from the bowl.  They love it and it helps keep them engaged...that and the coloring.  

Kaden's finished art.

***

I have to say, in between Sunday's morning and afternoon conferences, I had a conversation with Kaden about video games.  He sometimes is under the impression that his sole purpose in life is to play video games.  That's what he loves!  So he finds it difficult to understand why we don't let him play all the time.  I started explaining about the purpose of life and that playing video games isn't bad, it's just that we could be doing things more worth while.
--Anyway, the younger boys went outside to play during the 2nd session, but Kaden stayed inside and sat on the couch next to me.  Then Elder Quentin L Cook gave his talk "Beware of Bondage".  As he's speaking about addictions and how we spend our time he said this:

"Second, some addictions or predilections, while not inherently evil, can use up our precious allotment of time which could otherwise be used to accomplish virtuous objectives. These can include excessive use of social media, video and digital games, sports, recreation, and many others." 

As soon as he spoke it, I turned and smiled at Kaden...and he gave me a little smirk.  It's always neat when it seems like personal insight is spoken directly to you.

Boy's Hike

 October 5, 2013 

The boys hiking at Multnomah Falls with their Dad and Uncle Matt.

Back to School Night

September 19, 2013

Kaden showing off his name tag for his desk and his self portrait.  --Interesting fact we learned:  This year Kaden is not the only "Kaden" in his class.  So in an effort to avoid confusion, Kaden has elected to go by "Michael" in class this year.

Fort Vancouver

 September 14, 2013

We took the boys up to Historic Fort Vancouver.

 They were having a special event called "Campfires and Candlelight".

 When you step foot inside the fort walls, you are taken back to September 14, 1846...where actors are in full character: speaking, dressing and working as they did 167 years ago.

Kaden and the cannon! 

 We visited the blacksmith, the bakery, the kitchen, the Captain's Quarters, the fur trade shop, and the jail.

 Back in those days, hitting, kicking or biting, among the more serious crimes could get you thrown in jail.  A one-room building where you would be shackled and left in the dark, with only bread and water...and likely only a bucket for a bathroom.  That's right, the stench in there, on top of the darkness would have been extremely unpleasant...Kaden was trying to make his best scared face for the camera.

School Work

 September 13, 2013

Kaden's self portrait made from colored paper.

He did such a great job!

And "The Successful Kaden"

He thought of all the cleanliness details.

And I love that he even drew hair all over his legs.

All About Me...

September 2013

Kaden saw me making up this "All About Me..." questionnaire for my Young Women's girls and he instantly wanting to fill one out himself.  

Here are his questions and answers, in case you cannot read them:

1. Born: Flagstaff, AZ

2. Hair: orangish, blondish, light brownish

 . Eye color: Hazel

3. Best part of me: hands and thumbs

4. One word that describes you: Imaginative

5. Scary Movie or Happy Ending: Scary Movie

6. Dream job: Video Game Technician (tester)

7. Furthest you've been from home: Mexico

8. A place you'd like to visit: Australia

9. Special Talent: Climbing well

10. Collect anything: Video games (Halo [All])

11. Something you'd like to learn: Computer Science

12. Something you can not live without: family

(Reading number 12 made my heart melt!  Loved seeing that he put "Family")

FAVORITES:

13. Food: Spaghetti

14. Candy: Licorice, baby bottle pop, sour patch and juicy drop pop

16. Ice Cream: Mint Chocolate Chip

17. Restaurant: Wendy's 

18. Color: Pink

19. Animal: Dog

22. TV Show: Wipeout

25. Flower: Rose

30. Subject to study in school: Math

31. Time of day: Afternoon

32. Time of the year: Winter

33. Thing to do: video games

34. Scripture or scripture story: 1st Nephi

35. Game: New Super Mario Bros. Wii and Halo

36. Quote or saying: "Oooohhhh yyyeeeaaahhhhh!"