A Well Deserved Vacation....

Well, years in the making, this trip is proving to be worth the wait. For those who don't remember, we were originally supposed to go to Panama for our sabbatical two years ago, but due to changes in the Visa laws right before we left, we had to cancel the trip.
We are frantically planning a day trip to the Caribbean side of Panama for tomorrow, so this will be a short entry. Paden is a great travel companion. Once we came to the conclusion (and it didn't take long) that the pace would be a little slower and not as much could be accomplished in one day as it used to be, all was well. Forrest and I offer a certain respect to Paden and his needs for basic things like naps, Pina Coladas, and touching every imaginable dirty thing in Central America (which is not as modern and civilized as the internet may lead you to believe). For all my friends who think it is so great that Paden sucks his thumb and is so easily soothed by it, think again. I can't begin to imagine what he has ingested.....
So here it is, mostly pictures of our pride and joy, but a couple of his entourage for your enjoyment. We just left Kristin and Nome yesterday as we headed West to Boquete and they headed East for Panama City. I couldn't dream up better travel companions and we had a blast for the week we were together. Thanks for making the trek....yet again!

Thanks for checking in on us....

Love and Happy Holidays,

Nicole, Forrest, and Paden

Happy Halloween!

Well, Halloween was a blast. My favorite holiday of the year and we did it up right. Paden dressed as his namesake - a cowboy, and on cue performed trick after trick, never stopping to ask for a treat. Lot's of Yee-Haw's and Bang-Bangs. He was a hit on the streets of Port Townsend for the big parade. Forrest and I felt like Brad Pitt's entourage and he would ride off into crowds of people taking photos - leaving us behind to wonder what his future holds.

Followed that up with a party at our place with some close friends. Informal dinner and drinks. We promised the crowd Hot Buttered Rums, and instead poured everyone a nice warm cup of almond tart filling that looked nearly identical, but the taste paled in comparison! As one guest said, "our treat was really a trick!"

Super busy at the office and I am juggling more work from home, answering some patient phone calls from here while Paden naps and doing a bunch of marketing for some new offerings. Business is good and we are very fortunate for that.

We leave for Panama on December 8th for two and a half weeks. A trip we have planned and cancelled on two other occasions, so we are really excited to finally make the trek. A journey that should help us solidify some of our plans for the future as eventually we would like to spend a few months each year in a foreign country.

The Pumpkin Patch in Oregon with Aunt Kristin and Uncle Nome

The last day for the park this year....

October also brought a visit from Minze and Pop-Pop and cousin Alexis!

Celebrating Alexis's 11th Birthday with Grandma and Grandpa

Photo Shoot!

The annual Wooden Boat Festival in Port Townsend














Celebrating some friends's first birthdays















At the Portland Zoo with Aunt Kristin






























At the beach with Dad

Just some quick photos for everyone to see our BB. Paden is sleeping through the night generally (and I mean really sleeping! - 10-12 hours straight!!!) and is now eating solids exclusively. A new phase in our relationship that grows and changes each day. He is experimenting with his independence and I have to admit that I love it when he grows tired of being such a grown up and is content to snuggle on my lap and read a book for a change.

Love you all!
Nicole


Olympic Music Fest with Grandma and Grandpa















Pool time with Na-Na (that's how he says it)

Paden's First Balloon

Paden's First Race