Dozer Days

Today, Aidan, Mommy and Daddy went to Clark County's annual Dozer Days. It was quite the experience for Aidan. We all had to brave mid-90 degree heat in a big quarry, but that was only a minor obstacle for a boy who loves big trucks. We all started the event by riding in a dump truck to the main area where there were diggers, bulldozers, cranes, and other construction trucks that you could get in line and drive! This here is a picture of Aidan taking his turn in a bulldozer WITH caterpillar wheels!

They also had some non-construction trucks there as well. Aidan got to sit in a fire truck which was one of the major highlights of the day. As you can see driving a fire truck is NO JOKE! Aidan was also lucky enough to operate a garbage truck where he got to lift a garbage can and dump it in to the garbage truck. This was such an event that we had to end it with an ice cream cone on the way home. What a day!

Gettin' ready for Mother's Day.

Today Aidan & Daddy got our picture taken as we were leaving for church on Mother's Day. Mommy got a very nice book and a coupon for unlimited cuddles from Aidan.

Spring Train(ing)

After Aidan's nap yesterday, we went to Washington Park Zoo. Aidan had a great time. He got to ride a tractor.





He also got to ride the train they have at the zoo. That was the best. Afterwards we called Grandma Diane so that Aidan could share his experience. He summed it up quite well with "Aidan like it!"

One, Two!

Aidan had his second birthday today! He had a very good time. It was a Thomas the Tank Engine themed birthday. He got cards and gifts from as far west as Hawaii and as far east as England. Aidan had to be torn away from his train set in order to have cake and ice cream. A great time was had by all.

The Great Train Expo

Yesterday, Aidan went to the great train expo with Grandpa Roger and Daddy. There were lots of different sized trains. Aidan had a very very good time. He spent several hours there watching all the different trains ago around and around. The two most notable things we saw was a complete train set made out of Legos. They had a lego space needle, lego high rises, lego office buildings, lego houses, lego everything. It was very cool. The other notable item was a real steam engine that ran on the electric tracks. It was fun to see something that wasn't running on batteries or electricity.

Santa comes to town

Today Aidan had a special visitor as Santa delivered a very special present to him. . . His very own train set. Here is also a picture from Peacock Lane in Portland.

Extra! Extra! Read all about it. . .

As advertised in our previous post, our little Aidan had quite the eventful day yesterday. He helped Grandma Joan and Grandad Keith get a christmas tree, he went to zoo lights with Grandma Diane and Grandpa Roger, and he made the front page of the Columbian newspaper when he went to visit Santa at the train depot in Vancouver. Just what seems to be an ordinary day for our son.


Aidan, 2, of Vancouver rides on grandfather Keith’s shoulders without so much as a glance at
Santa, who had just arrived on a vintage steam train Saturday. After all, Grandpa had a better beard. For most of
the children at BNSF Railway’s Vancouver headquarters, Santa was the main attraction. For most adults, it was the
1938 SP&S 700 steam locomotive that brought him. Billy Carr of Portland reached out to touch the locomotive,
which operated until 1956. Around 2,000 people attended the annual party, the largest Christmas event on a BNSF
Railway system that stretches across 28 states and two Canadian provinces, said spokesman Gus Melonas.

Upcoming festivities. . .

Aidan has a big weekend planned for him (hopefully with a couple of pictures to follow). He is going to a christmas tree farm with Grandma Joan & Grandad Keith. He missed this experience last weekend with his other grandparents because he (and all the rest of us) were sick. Then maybe after the tree farm he might be going to visit Santa at the train station. This would be joining together two of his more favorite things, Trains & Santa. Then this evening if all goes well we are going to go to ZooLights with Grandma Diane and Grandpa Roger.

The picture posted here is Aidan's first trip wine tasting. Joanne, Grandma Diane, Aidan and I all went to the Willamette Valley and sampled some of the fine wines they have to offer. The lesson learned. . . get a chauffeur. Although I think we may have a free chauffeur for the next year in Joanne so maybe our next trip will be a bit longer. The picture was taken at the Anne Amie vineyard just outside of Lafayette, Oregon, which is 40 minutes south of Portland.

MyPod

Aidan has been very enamored with daddy's "Pod". So today daddy set him up with one of his favorite tunes.

Thanksgiving Damage

On Aidan's second Thanksgiving he got to have the same food as everyone else. Turkey was not a particular favorite, but Pumpkin Pie was. Aidan had a very good time visiting with everyone.

Thanksgiving Day Preperations

Aidan was helping mommy this morning get ready for Thanksgiving. We are going to McMinniville for Thanksgiving at Aunt Evy and Uncle Bill's house.

Aidan the Tank Engine

Aidan got dressed up as Thomas the Tank Engine this morning. Daddy is home all day today to spend time reading books, playing and doing stuff around the house with Aidan.

Aidan visits Seattle

This past weekend Joanne, Aidan and I went to Seattle. We visited with several friends. We had dinner with some friends we haven't seen in a very long time. Aidan got to meet Sara, Don and Lila. It was a good time. Joanne and I learned that parking our car next to a store that had a model train in the window isn't a very good idea, because Aidan only wanted to back to see the train the at the store. Here is a pic of him at dinner.

I like the view from here

Howl-o-ween

Yesterday, we all went to the Oregon Zoo for their Howl-o-ween festivities. Megan, William and Grandma Diane all came along. Here is a photo of Aidan looking at a sea lion that was swimming very close to the window, and also a photo of Aidan and William in their Halloween costumes.