Rocktober

With the title in mind, I have got to say that October was most-definitely "Rockin'". It was very busy. Between the craziness of jam packed weekends to the gradual adjustments of a new job, it seems routine and life have really fell into pattern. Weekends and evenings are devoted to family and friends, so we definitely continue to make the best of it on the Peninsula.

Lucky for us, the weather has been really cooperative and has only begun to rain more recently. Fall is my second favorite season here. The leaves change so gradually, that fall definitely takes its time. The smell is raw and wet, decomposition is evident in the insidious leaves that fluttered slowly to the ground or begin their cycle of change. Because fall takes it's time here, it has often hard to encapsulate the transcendent beauty that engulfs this region. This year I have especially been more observant of the season, noticing how the trees look almost rainbow like at the start of the season, with evident greens slowly altering to reds, yellows, and oranges. It is bright and vibrant, and against the backdrop of the Olympics or the Strait, it is often breathtaking. It is much different from Wyoming fall, where one cold night will cause all the leaves to fall immediately the next day. At least for me out here, it is reminder to take things day by day and to not take anything for granted.

Discovery Trail

This year we decided to check out the local pumpkin patch with Madelynne. She is still too small to really understand the whole thing, but she did enjoy choosing her own pumpkin. We decided to take a "hay ride" around the farm, check out the chickens and the pigs, and then ventured to pick out the best pumpkins. It never fails for me to think about The Great Pumpkin and Charlie Brown.

Love these trees!

On the wagon

It's like she was posing

Enjoying the patch

Brad and Maddy as we head to the pigs

Searching out the best ones

Choosing the best one

Checking out some chickens

And some pigs

Looking at the animals

Finishing up the Hayride

Meeting the horses

Hauling around our pumpkins

We also enjoyed a weekend in Portland, and now are planning a group trip down in February. I had to go there for my doctorate work, so Brad and Maddy drove down on Friday afternoon. The experience for preparing for my doctorate and dissertation has been exciting, as I am in the process of determining what topic I will be focusing on. The residency offered me time to meet faculty and other classmates, and share the experience I am going through with other educators and fellow students, who are in the same boat as me. Being apart from Maddy for even a few days was bittersweet. Enjoyed that time to myself, but really missed them. The weekend was fun. Because my session ran late on Saturday, Brad took Maddy to the Children's Museum and then we had dinner at a local brewery, which is notorious in Portland. We spent Sunday walking around downtown and enjoying bits and pieces of downtown. The Saturday market, the different districts, the numerous parks, are just a few of our moments spent in downtown. We then ventured over to south side of Portland and spent some time with my friend and former co-worker, before heading home in a practical, torrential downpour.

Infamous doughnut shop

Old Town Pizza-Haunted!

Downtown Portland

Along the river

Smallest Park in the World

A sneak of Powell's Books=HEAVEN! :)

Of course, Wednesday was Halloween, which was Madelynne's official first one where she got to partake in the whole tradition. At daycare, they decorated little pumpkins. At home, she had fun helping me carve our pumpkins and gutting them. Then, our friend, Nikki, made her costume and we decided she would be Boo from Monster's Inc. She looks just like her! Madelynne didn't really "get it", but got the hang of it as the night went on. She did a pretty decent job with transferring candy from the bowl to the bag, and then became a pro at knocking on the door. It was fun and really glad that the rain had let up. We also enjoyed going to Brad's bosses house, as they A) handed out full-size candy bars and B) invited us in for hot chocolate and cider. That made the night!

Boo

Boo

Happy Halloween!

Walking with Daddy

Thought this was fun

Helping out

Decorated Pumpkins at Daycare. 

November is in full swing and looks to be eventful and busy, too. Thanksgiving brings Grammy Sue and we have a *possible* trip to Victoria, B.C., and Seattle in the works, as well. Enjoy the pics from the past month!