Prairie view Halloween

Garrett as Harry, Aubrey as a witch, Dalyn as a not so happy skeleton (his costume bugged him and he thought his face painting looked like a clown)

Garrett and Aubrey both got a watermelon brain for their party treat! That was a fun one.

Garrett and his friend Riley as the Harry Potter trio. Isn't Garret a great Harry~

Always love Halloween, especially the parties at the Elementary School. So glad Pairieview still allows costumes and celebration! Costume parades, costume parties, and Halloween sing alongs add to the festivities.

The Amazing Radioactive Lady Bug

This is one of those moments I live for as a mother. It was the first frost of the season and the kids were itching to get outside and explore what the recent cold did to our yard. They threy on some clothes and went exploring. A while later they came in with a few frozen bugs. Dalyn's pantomimed frozen bee was the best, should have gotten a picture of that one. They also showed me the frozen lady bug they found. Sure enough, she was dead as a doornail, or at least as frozen as one. But Aubrey the bug rescuer decided that she would love it back to health. So out come the canning jars and pound, pound, pound goes the hammer for holes in the top of the bugs nursing home. About three hours later Garrett and Aubrey look into the jar and start yelling, "she's alive, she's alive." No way I think but sure enough there is the lady bug limping around her jar. "Wow", I said, "she really is alive". "Oh," says Garrett, "it must have been the microwave that warmed her up." I laughed and laughed at that one! Upon closer look the lady bug was still alive, but one wing was a bit deformed and a leg was sort of jutting out to the side. But hey, it's good logic. Want to warm something up? Just stick it in the microwave for a radio active sauna.

Mr. Destructo

Oh how quickly I forget the messes a little one year old can make. I am in big trouble with this one! He is a mess maniac. If he can open it, I might as well count it destroyed, cluttered, disorganized or basically torn apart. My favorite quote from my good friend Nicole sums it up nicely. "Cleaning up after this kid is like shovleing snow in a blizzard!" Well said. Couldn't agree more. Just a glimpse into my world right now would show me running around stepping on cups, game pieces, toothpaste, and femine hygeine products (thankfully still in their nice protective plastic covering). Making dinner and cleaning dishes is a bit ridiculous. By the time I get something done there are about 10 other things undone! Just a quick story that sums this up nicely. I was cleaning the bathrooms which deperately needed a cleaning, and by the time I got them done Layton had torn apart ever cupboard in the kitchen, strewn all the diapers and socks from his room down the hallway, dismantled the bathroom drawers, and taken all his shoes from his room and dumped them down the stairs. Yes we have recenty installed some door stoppers ( thought it a good idea after he got into the bleach and poured it down the entire front of his church outfit) but he has since unearthed other undiscovered cupboards. Ah well, this too will pass, right?!

Soccer, Soccer, Soccer... Whew!

3 kids in soccer... does that qaulify me as an official "soccer mom". We had fun, but boy was I glad when that last soccer game of the season finally rolled around. Scott was trying his hardest to continue to coach Garrett's team. Some of the kids have been with him for the last 4 years. But with his new role as Bishop, it was a little difficult to do as much as he would have liked. We were grateful for Steve who came in and helped coach. Although it was touch at times, it was a blessing to not have sole responsibility for the team. All the kids learned much and improved in their skills. (and yes, I took these pictures instead of paying for the traditional soccer pictures. Just not going to pay when I have a perfectly good camera. I know just call me "soccer mom" scrooge!)

My Baby is 1!

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Chuck E Cheese....where a kid can have a fabulous, stress free (for mom) birthday complete with all the fixins. This #1 birthday for Layton was as much for the big kids as it was for Latyon. They were so excited that he was turning 1. Layton was in awe by all the noise and commotion (his eyes say it all) but was freaked out by the giant, scary mouse looming over him. He ate two entire slices of pizza, his favorite thing to eat, and downed the frosting on his cake faster than any of the other kids did on their traditional 1st birthday apple cake.

One Year Older and Wiser Too!

The start of the school year is always a time of new beginnings. I still can't believe my kids are growig up so much. Garrett in 4th! Aubrey in 2nd! Dalyn in Kindergarten! and little Layton just wanting to come and be a part of it all. I love the compliments I get from their teachers. There are not many prouder moments as a parent than when your child's teacher tells you how much they adore your child. In fact Aubrey's teacher (who has no kids yet) said that if she could ensure that she had a child like Aubrey she would have kids today! I've got to remember these moments.

Up Up Up

One of the greatest parts of Aspen Grove was the climbing wall. The kids loved it and and I was astounded at their courage and determination to do their best. Aubrey was a monkey! She scaled the wall like a pro. What an amazing little girl. She is awesome.

A Very Special 10th Birthday

Nothing better than cousins to make a birthday great! Aspen Grove proved to be the perfect place to have a birthday for Garrett. His cousins wanted to kidnap him and take him to breakfast in his PJ's but he had a basketball game with Dad at 7 am so they decided to make him a sign and crown that he had to wear all day. They came to his game and cheered him on and then blindfolded him and led him to breakfast with the sign around his neck. He had lots of birthday wishes from strangers which was fun for him. Then he got to open his presents and eat ice cream at the creamery. The #1 present was the twister game that was a huge hit with the cousins. After Twister came dinner with the entire rooms singing him the Aspen Grove Birthday song. Garrett loved it. What a way to ring in double digets.

Even writing the number 10 makes my mother's heart ache. I love the relationship Garrett and I are establishing as he gets older. The conversations and activities we are able to have together just get better all the time. But I look back at the last 10 years and realize how much time has FLOWN! We are past the half way point and it seems like just yesterday he was born. I don't want to wish this time away. I want to see the light in his eyes and make him feel he is the most special 1o year old to me. I love my Garrett, he was my first, my buddy, my guinnea pig at times, my huge helper, my friend, my little Nephi, my go getter. I am so proud of you Garrett. I couldn't have asked for a better son. I am amazed by your leadership, your testimony, your desire to do what is right, your love of learning, your compassion for people, your love of your family. I love you bigger than the whole earth!

Aspen Grove

Aspen Grove Take 2! We had a blast with the Springer side at Aspen grove in August of 2009. Some of the highlights included the family games with our competitive boys trying to beat the best time for rolling the super large ball up the hill and around the cones. So funny to watch the kid come out in all of them! Also, playing in the championship shuffle board tournamnet against Don and Brett's Sterret's Dad. That was a game to remember. I don't think I have ever had so many accurate shots. Layton being the center of attention. I thought I was really popular with all the cousins, but alas, it was just my cute baby they all wanted to sit next to. Especially Kristen. She is so quiet that sometimes I wouldn't even realize she had followed me outside and was walking behind me, didn't matter where I was going, she just wanted to be next to Layton. Garrett, Scott, Riley, Devin and Tyler all playing Risk til late at night. Mostly I enjoyed watching all the cousins be together. That is what a family reunion is all about. I think the cousins enjoyed themselves more this year than any in times past. Thanks for a great reunion Sterretts, Herberts and Mimi and Grandad.

My Little Tweety Bird

Fun in Wenatchee

Always "more fun" with Grandma and Grandpa. It never fails, we come back tired, sore and happy!