My Big Catch Up Post :)

Happy Halloween!!! Doug and I had a couple of Halloween parties to go to this year so we came up with something easy. Punk Rockers:) It was fun. The kids had fun this year also. Chance was a werewolf, Austin was spongebob, and Shaylyn was a candy corn witch. They had a good time as usual. Chance decided that this was his last year trick or treating:) It's about time he will be 15 in April:) Anyway I hope everyone had a great Halloween.

Shaylyn was in the school play again this year. They did King Arthur's Quest. She was a mini black knight. It was a really cute play and she and her bff Hailey got to be in it together. She did a great job. The practice for one week and then have the two performances on Saturday. Way to go Sis!! We love you and are proud of you.

Austin's birthday dinner at Mazatlan. Austin celebrated his 12th birthday this October. I can't believe he is 12. He is really a good kid and I love him so much. He recieved the priesthood and started passing the sacrament every Sunday and he does such a great job. He also spoke in sacrament on Sunday and I was very impressed with him, he didn't seem nervous but he did such a great job. I am so proud of him. I hope you had a great 12th birthday Austin. We love you!!!

A few soccer pics of Austin as goalie. He plays goalie alot. He loves playing soccer but his team this year isn't the best they haven't won one yet. But they have tied 2 so that is something I guess. It doesn't matter to Austin he just loves to play.

This made me smile!

So Austin was cleaning out his Friday folder a couple of weeks ago and this poem was in the pile of papers. I hung it on the fridge because I thought it was so cute. If you know Austin, this poem is so him. I thought I would share.

Austin
He is like the number nineteen
on the jersey of Miles Austin,
the Dallas Cowboy

He is like the fun flying football
soaring through the air

He is like the soccer ball being kicked
on the nice green grass

He is like the month of October the birthday
Halloween bash

He is like the colors blue and grey
of the Dallas Cowboys

He is like the sugar running inside of
a can of rootbeer

He is like the sweet chewy taste
of taffy

He is like a dog at the dog park running
with excitment

I love it! He did a good job. I just thought it was funny how it totally sounds exactly like him:)

Today starts early mornings!

So today Chance who is in 9th grade started seminary. For those you who don't know what that is our church has the youth in grades 9-12 go in the early morning to study the gospel. They learn from the scriptures every morning. What a wonderful oppurtunity. I attended seminary when I was in school but I really didn't think it was wonderful at the time. It was early starting at 6:15am. Chance starts at 5:40. Yikes! It really is a great way to start your day especially for these young kids who have so much to deal with at school. There is so much temptation and bad things in their world outside our homes and the hope is going to seminary will help them focus on the things that are truely important and help them avoid those things out there that are not good for them. I am so proud of Chance. He really is a good kid. He was up by his alarm at 5am and was ready to go with no complaint. I know this is a big sacrafice for him but he is doing it willlingly which makes me so happy. I love you Chance and I am so grateful you are my son and that you are a righteous young man. I know you will be blessed greatly for attending seminary. Love you Bubba!

First and Second Day of School!!!

Chance started 9th grade this year! I can't believe it! He is such a sweet wonderful kid(usually). He came home the first day so excited that he got the classes he wanted including Spanish. I love you Chance and I am so proud of you and all that you have accomplished and all that you will this year. Seminary starts on Tuesday - 5:40am - Yikes!! He is excited though. Thank goodness.

Austin started 6th grade this year. Big man on campus:) He says he isn't excited to be back in school but I think he really is. Mainly to play football with all his friends at recess. I am grateful Austin as much as he tests my patience in the end he is a good kid and loves his mom. I love you Austin. Good luck being a big sixth grader!!!

Shaylyn (my baby) started 2nd grade this year. I can't believe it!! It seems like yesterday she started kindergarten. She loves her teacher who she had last year too. She has 2 of her 3 best friends in her class which helps. She is doing a great job. I love you sissy sue and I know you will do wonderful in 2nd grade.

Austin with his neighborhood homies!! Jon and Austin Y. Ready for their first day of school:)

Shaylyn and her bff Kaylie!!

Second day of school, she is still excited. How long will it last?


Some girlie loves befor school!

Chance already left for school so it was just the 3 of us. I love these kids so much and I am grateful for each of them in different ways but I am so happy they are back in school. It's good for all of us:)

Sand Lakes Camping Trip!!!

We were able to get away for a quick camping trip with my parents and sister and her kids before school starts. We had a great time. We went to Sand Lakes Oregon near Tilamook. We have been there several times. It is a great place to ride quads. The kids loved the beach and the water, collecting shells, playing in the water, riding quads and building camp fires. Thanks to mom and dad for making it possible for all of us to go and to let us use your quads. We had fun.

Doug and I on the beach.

All 7 grandkids. Not easy getting them to all look at one time:)

Connor and Chance racing! Just about gave Papa a heart attack. Me too!

Alki Beach with the Brands!!!

So I have been a horrible blogger this summer! Ok so I am actually not very good at keeping up with it very often but I am going to keep trying. August 5th was my sisters birthday and for part of her gift I took 3 of her 4 kids (Kaylee was at girls camp) to Alki Beach with one of most favorite people Kristen Brands and her 3 boys. The kids had a great time playing in the freezing water and burying each other in the sand. It was a wonderful day relaxing with Kristen as the kids played.