This last weekend...

October 26th we lost Ben and Ty's dear Grandpa Kurt. We knew this was coming, but there is no extra time that prepares anyone for a loss as great as this. The day before Kurt passed he and Ben had their normal conversations...Kurt telling Ben how to make something work better, Ben showing Grandpa his new stuffed elephant, and then Grandpa telling Ben that this new elephant could be the brother of Daddy's childhood stuffed elephant Pinky. Ben really liked that idea. Kurt got to know Ben and Ty very well and for that we are very thankful. This last weekend was Grandpa's memorial and it was perfect. Thank you to everyone for their support, presence, well wishes, cards, phone calls, thoughts and prayers over the last seven years and throughout these last few weeks.

Swanson's Reindeer Festival w/ Uncle and the Minahans

Ben and Owen

Family time--at the hotel with Uncle and sushi night! with Aunt Sue

Quick trip to Spokane

Outside for a fire--brrrrr!

making birdfeeders with Nana

Halloween

Our "nice monster" on Halloween morning

Trick or Treat!

Ty is over it...

The gang

A shoulder ride for the tired fireman

Scary and Spooky!!!

Fireman Ben (or as Ben says "no, I'm a firesuit.") and Spot the Fire Dog.

My little pumpkin

What we have been up to...

Kate by day and SuperMom by night(at least for Halloween this year)...
Drew went the sporty route for 2010 and was triathlete #1539...
Ben answers "what was your favorite part of the day?" question everyday with playschool, even on the days he doesn't go...
Ty happily comes along with Ben and I everywhere and is lucky to get a crib nap, poor kid...

Trip to the Everett Children Museum with Matt & Jamie

Nana visits--Ty 7mos.