Marcus knows how to celebrate his Sixth

Marcus will turn Six on Tuesday, December 3rd.  For the first time Grami and Poppi won't be able to attend his party in Colbert.  Tracie said we could celebrate a couple of days early in Ellensburg.  The morning started with Marcus helping me to decorate and write his name on his present.  Each cousin spent a little time during the day decorating the box. 

Marcus and Baylor played video games on the couch.

Marc set up a scavenger hunt to keep the kids busy.  They did really well.  I'm not so sure about number 4 on this list!  I checked the bags and sure enough there is a deer pellet in each lunch sack. 

Marcus decided he wanted to decorate his birthday cake on his own.  I supplied the road construction equipment and decorating materials and the boys went to town. 

More jelly beans?

The finished product was awesome!  Six star candles for a six year old boy.

Happy Birthday to Marcus! 

The decorated box of presents. 

Auntie Kimmie and Uncle Colby bought Marcus the Tonto costume for his birthday.  Marcus was thrilled!  The costume included a wig with a bird on the top.  Very authentic! 

Of course, the best gift of all - an empty box!  Baylor squished down and had Olivia close the box so he could yell "Surprise" every time Marcus came into the room. 

Cookie Topping Scavenger Hunt

One of the events on the day after Thanksgiving is a cookie scavenger hunt sponsored by the Ellensburg Downtown Merchants Association.   We met at the Childrens Activity Museum and received our instructions and headed out to gather the toppings for a Gingerbread Man.  Baylor hit the walk button to cross the street. 

Candy from the Soup Bowl.

Clymer Museum red Christmas tree display, and some toppings to gather.

Olivia and Marcus

A brief stop to meet two of Santa's reindeer and Mrs. Claus.

Mrs. Claus was visiting from the North Pole and gave each child a treat. 

Look at the rack!  The reindeer were so beautiful!

Marcus and the Ellensburg Bull

Quick group shot - the kids are sitting on the bulls lap.

Back to the museum to decorate the cookies.  Each child received a cookie and a spoonful of frosting before attaching the goodies they received from the downtown merchants. 

Marcus and Emma enjoyed the challenge.  All of the cookies were unique and tasty!

The kids loved the cookies and the hunt.  So much fun and a great way to walk off some of the Thanksgiving turkey!

Thanksgiving

We are thankful for family. 

Male bonding

Marcus got up early to head up to the Naneum with the men. 

Poppi, Marcus and Mt. Rainier in the background. 

Marc, Colby and Marcus

Three generations of Oergel Men

Me and my shadow.  I'm so glad to see Marc and Marcus with their special bond spending quality time together.  I love this picture too!

Helping hands

Baylor helped make blueberry pancakes.

Elle and Baylor helped dust.

Elle dusting Bucky the deer head.

Baylor dusting all the points. 

House is clean and ready for company!  Thanksgiving is right around the corner.

Who's the boss?

I was outside when I noticed Baylor telling Elle to come closer. 

Get in Elle, get in.

Elle was a good sport and climbed on board.  Baylor took her for a little ride.

Normal day

Baylor was so excited to head out after breakfast he forgot his pants!  Yep, it's cold!  Around 19 degrees.  But it's a Dry Cold.

Looking out the window at the deer with Poppi.  Average of 20 deer in the back field daily.  Poppi has a varmit call that he calls them in with.  We are all entertained by the call and the response of the deer. 

Visiting our friend Lloyd's new house and helping to pick up nails with Trenton. 

Ice skating

And loving the new arms on the baby doll.  I made mitten hands so there won't be another problem with broken fingers.  Elle was so happy she snuggled Matthew all evening. 

Maple Valley - Dance, dance, dance

We drove over to Maple Valley to attend Elle's first dance recital.  The weather was sunny and cold.  The Stuart Mountain Range is starting to get some snow. 

Most of the year you can't see this barn from the freeway because of the trees.   Very Patriotic!

We were greeted by Elle and her special sign.

Aunt Pat, Uncle John, Lindy and Beau came to watch the dance.

Elle did fantastic - such poise. 

Lindy was so proud of her cousin. 

Elle tap danced to a song about ducks.  It was super cute!

Proud brother holding Elle's special flower.  The dance troupe did a great job with lots of variety and cute music.  We were lucky to attend. 

Baylor got into the styrofoam packing materials and had a blast.  He was pretending it was snowing!  The static cling of the styrofoam made it a bear to clean up - thank goodness there was a new Dyson at Kimmie's house. 

The kids came home to Ellensburg for a few days while their folks went to Chicago.  It didn't take Baylor long to get to work on the tractor. 

Elle brought her baby doll to have some new hands attached.  The dolly had broken hands when she arrived.  Elle and Grami spent the afternoon making a new body and just as we were ready to attach the hands they skittered across the floor and broke.  Elle was fine with her baby without arms.  She really liked the heart I sewed on the body and named the doll Matthew.