Reindeer at Macy's

A couple of weeks ago, Luke and I went to Macy's to catch a glimpse of Santa Claus. The line was too long to wait for Santa, but we did get to see his reindeer.

Luke was not sure what to make of it.
The miracle of Christmas through a child's eyes.
The same day, in order to avoid a nap, Luke thought he would try making a bed under Mom and Dad's bed.

Hotel Night in Lincoln City

We took Luke to the Oregon Coast Aquarium yesterday. The drive takes over 2 hours, so we decided to make it into a little overnight trip. We spent the night on the coast in Lincoln City. Here are some photos of us on the beach this morning.

Eating dinner last night in the hotel room. Luke was in high spirits after being a bit of a challenge at the aquarium. He loves hotels.

Luke with a green frosting mustache.

They had warm gingerbread cookies in the hotel lobby when we arrived. Luke, who doesn't like new food, surprised me by eating a whole one all by himself.

Playground

Here are a couple of pictures of Luke taken earlier this week at what we call the "secret playground." It's been pretty cold for Portland weather, so he's a bit more bundled up than usual.

Oregon Coast Aquarium

Yesterday we took Luke to the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport, Oregon.
Here we are in the shark tunnel, looking at some fish.

Luke was interested, but a little manic. He wanted to rush from exhibit to exhibit, like he wanted to see everything all at once.

Then he announced that he was done.

Luke and I outside looking at the puffin exhibit.

November Pics

Halloween Preview

Luke and Mommy went to The Pumpkin Patch on Sauvie Island this weekend.

It was a little early in the season for us, but it was a beautiful day and a great way to spend a Saturday morning.
I'm usually not on top of these kind of things, but we already decided on a Halloween costume. When I asked Luke what he wanted to be for Halloween, without hesitation he said, "A lion." I'm always amazed at Luke's decisiveness. He always seems to know exactly what he wants.

So I got him a lion costume and today we practiced wearing it.

He really liked the bodysuit and the attached lion paw mittens. But he did not like wearing the headpiece.

Fifteen-seconds later . . . .He doesn't like wearing hats or anything around his head.

St. Louis in September

Luke is currently still in St. Louis with Grandma and Grandpa Siorek. He is coming back to Portland on Wednesday. Here are some more photos from Luke's fun time in the Midwest.

Luke, Leo and John, the cousins

Luke and Uncle Mark

On the playground

It's already pumpkin time!

Trains!

Ice Cream!

More Chicago

These photos were from last Sunday, September 5th, when Tara, Annie and I took Luke to downtown Chicago. It was really important to me that Luke see how cool Chicago is, the great city where his mommy and daddy met.

I don't think Luke could have loved Millennium fountain any more. He ran back and forth through the water for about 20 minutes.

The lion in front of the Art Museum.

Not the best photo of Annie and Luke, but look how beautiful the Chicago skyline is.

We also went to the Lincoln Park Zoo and the "bean" sculpture. I asked Luke if he liked Chicago as we were walking back to the car. "I want to go again!" he said, as he cried with exhaustion. We will.

Michigan/Chicago

Luke at Millenium Park Fountain

Luke and Annie at Buckingham Fountain

Luke and Annie taking a ride in the jeep

At Potter Park Zoo in Lansing, MI. My silly son loves to roll in puddles.

Luke and Gabi at Potter Park Zoo