Welcome Fall!!

I love fall. It is my very favorite time of year! I could have my house decorated for fall all year round and never tire of it! I love wheat, gourds and pumpkins. I love the colors of the trees and the crispness of the air. I also love cake plates and in order to show my husband that I can use them for many things I decided to display some gourds on them this year. Thanks to Martha Stewart I have become somewhat obsessed with cake plates and every time there is a package at the front door my husband groans and says "More cake plates? Why on earth do we need more cake plates?" I admit, I have spent a small fortune on them, but they make me happy and no husband can put a price on their wife's happiness, right girls? I am determined to prove to him that I do indeed use them (and use them often) so you will probably see them regularly on this blog.

On Friday night Chris & Laura came over to carve pumpkins. I had a Martha moment and decided to make butternut squash soup. It turned out rather nicely and my husband even finished his bowl which was surprising since he "doesn't even like squash". A few years ago I purchased a cute pumpkin soup tureen with matching bowls so I decided it would be a festive touch if we ate our soup out of those. Even though there were no savory meat or chicken chunks in the soup for the boys to enjoy, they all finished their bowls, with the exception of Jerry...I think he gave the rest of his to Sterling when I wasn't looking. Needless to say, he was not raving about it!!

After dinner we carved our pumpkins. Berkeley is cutting her two top teeth so she helped Aunt Laura out on hers! It was a really fun night and we will do it again next year for sure! Maybe with a more "hearty" soup for the boys...the poor souls :)

Happy Girl

I was taking some pictures of Berkeley's room yesterday for her baby book. I put her in her crib so I wouldn't trip over her and she ended up having a ton of fun so I had to take some pictures of her in there. I know it doesn't look like it, but she isn't crying in this last picture...she is actually squealing!

My Sweet Pea

Here are some pre-Halloween pictures I had to take before Berkeley outgrew this costume. I went a little crazy on Halloween costumes this year. I couldn't help myself - they are way too cute and irresistable. She ended up with 2 for this year and one for next year. I keep stashing them in the back of her closet so my husband doesn't see :) Thomas, if you're reading this please forgive me. I know you wouldn't be able to resist either, so I'm able to sleep at night :) Anyway, this pea pod costume is for babies 0-9 months and she is almost too tall for it since she is 11 months old so I thought I'd stuff her in it and try to get a few cute pictures for her baby book. She did fine in the beginning, but towards the end she got a little testy. She could just barely crawl in it since there are no legs and was not too happy with me. Sorry Berk, but you'll have a cute baby book to look back on someday!!

A Little Duck in the Tub

A Tribute To Man's Best Friend

On the evening of October 5th, the Potts family suffered a huge loss. Andy's beloved dog Payton was killed by a hit and run driver. I am dedicating this post to her in part because I need some closure, but also because I loved her too. We all did. She was, without a doubt the BEST chocolate lab that ever lived. Payton had many endearing nicknames. She was known as Potters, Potteroo, Bear, and Paytey Poo. Payton fell head over heels in love with Andy from the very beginning. She absolutely adored Andy. No, adored is not a strong enough word. She worshipped the ground he walked on. I am fairly certain Andy felt the same way about her. She went everywhere with him except work. Whenever we saw Andy we knew Payton was not far behind. She was his faithful companion, full of unconditional love for him.

Our dog Sterling also loved Payton. When Sterling was a puppy, Payton was already 3 years old and became Sterling's best friend and mentor. Whatever Payton did Sterling did. She was Payton's little shadow. Payton is the only dog Sterling has ever loved. I know Sterling will miss her dearly too.

When Andy married Andrea a year ago, we all worried that Payton would feel jealous of or misplaced by the new woman in Andy's life. We needn't have worried. Payton accepted Andrea with the grace and love that was Payton. Payton came to love Andrea and Andrea fell in love with Payton as well. It was impossible not to.

Anytime someone asks me if I think our pets will go to heaven, my answer is always the same: they must, for it certainly would not be heaven without them. We buried Payton down by the creek at Verl & Sherri's house. I know she will be watching out for Andy from heaven and she will be there to greet him someday with that big goofy smile and thumping tail.

Andy and Andrea, if you are reading this, we are so very sorry for your loss. She brought so much life and love to all of our lives. The family will not be the same without her. She will be sorely missed.

"There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face." - Ben Williams

"A dog wags its tail with its heart" - Martin Buxbaum

"Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole." - Roger Caras

"You think dogs will not be in heaven? I tell you, they will be there long before any of us." - Robert Louis Stevensonyton

In Loving Memory of Payton"Potteroo" Potts

1999-2006

God's Amazing Creation

The flower on our Magnolia tree
Our Magestic Mt. Rainier

I need to take a moment and share how much I appreciate God's beautiful handiwork. I have always loved our mountains, water, trees and animals, and when I look at nature I always ask myself the same question: How can people think there is no God? He has given us such lovely things to enjoy, not because He had to, but because He wanted to, for our enjoyment. I have a cute little children's book by one of my favorite authors, Max Lucado, titled "God Thinks You're Wonderful" that I was reading to my girl today and as I looked out my windows I couldn't help but marvel at His creation. Here is a little snippet from the book:

God is fond of you...If he had a wallet, your photo would be in it.

If he had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it.

He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning.

Whenever you want to talk, he'll listen. He can live anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart. Face it, friend. He's crazy about you. By the way, it may be difficult for you to believe that God knows your name...but He does. Written on His hand. Spoken by His mouth. Whispered by His lips. Your name. Our hearts are not large enough to contain the blessings that God wants to give. So try this. The next time a sunrise steals your breath...or a meadow of flowers leaves you speechless...remain that way. Say nothing and listen as heaven whispers, "Do you like it? I did it just for you." If we give gifts to show our love, how much more would He? He could have left the world flat and gray...but He didn't. He splashed orange in the sunrise...and cast the sky in blue. And if you love to see geese as they gather, chances are you'll see that too. Did He have to make the squirrel's tail furry? Was He obliged to make the birds sing? And the funny way that chickens scurry...or the majesty of thunder when it rings? Why give a flower a fragrance? Why give food it's taste? Could it be He loves to see that look upon your face? So promise me you'll never forget that you aren't an accident or an incident...you are a gift to the world, a divine work of art, signed by God. You were knit together. You weren't mass-produced. You aren't an assembly-line product. You were deliberately planned, specifically gifted, and lovingly positioned on this earth...by the Master Crafts-Man. He thinks you are the best thing to come down the pike in quite a while. Turn to the sidelines; that's God cheering your run. Look past the finish line; that's God applauding your steps. God is for you. Had He a calendar, your birthday would be circled. If He drove a car, your name would be on his bumper. If there's a tree in heaven, He's carved your name in the bark. Maybe you don't want to trouble God with your hurts. But He cares about you. He is waiting for you, to embrace you whether you succeed or fail. Your heavenly Father is very fond of you and only wants to share His love with you.

That is not the entire book, but almost. I don't want to get sued, so I'll mention again that it is from the book titled "God Thinks You're Wonderful!" written by Max Lucado. I just thought it was a very fitting thing to share, especially on a gorgeous day like today. Every time I look out the window and take it all in I say with the utmost sincerity, "Well done God." I am truly grateful for all the beauty He has surrounded us with!

Lake Chelan 2006

Andy & Matt waiting for the next game
What a poker face!
More poker!
Sweet Baby Adam
Adam's crazy dad, Darren :)
Amelia, Andrea, Adam, Stacia, Holly & Erin watching a movie

We took our 3rd annual trip to Lake Chelan the last weekend of September. We were blessed to have great weather, great food and great friends! The girls relaxed, chatted, read, watched movies and shopped while the boys played poker, cooked yummy dinners, played poker, golfed and played poker some more! The amazing Amelia had baby Adam just two weeks prior to the trip and was quite a trooper to come along. That's quite a wife you've got there Darren :) What a joy little Adam was. He is one of the most peaceful, sweetest newborns I have ever been around. We all got to take turns holding him! It was quite a treat! It was a fun weekend...so nice to get away. We are looking forward to next year's trip!

Our First Trip to the Pumpkin Patch!

On Saturday, October 7th we took Berkeley to Maris Farms for her first pumpkin patch experience! She loved it. There was so much to see. It was such a nice day and we were lucky to have Chris & Laura and Andy & Andrea accompany us! There were goats, sheep, bunnies and ponies for Berkeley to look at. They even had some kind of contraption that flung pumpkins way out into a field where we could watch them crash and splatter! We didn't go on a tractor ride or particpate in the corn maze, but next year when she is a little older we'll get to do more. After the pumpkin patch we went shopping in down town Sumner. If you haven't ever been there, they have an adorable Main Street with quaint little shops to go through. Chef Chris made us a delicious rib dinner at their house afterward. Good job Chris - I am still stuffed! It was a beautiful day and a good time was had by all!!