Crosstown Soccer

 Kade got to play under the lights tonight at Memorial Stadium! The team played so well and so hard and so did Great Falls High. It ended in a 0-0 tie. It was so much fun to watch him play and to cheer on all the seniors for senior night!

Tenley’s team played in Butte tonight. I got to watch it on NFHS and she played great! I put the video up on our TV and Luke thought it was so cool to see Tenley on TV! After one of her kills he yelled, “That’s my sister!” Tenley’s team swept the A team and the B team.

It was a fun night of sports!

Crosstown Volleyball

 The two high schools in town played each other in volleyball tonight. Tenley’s team did great and swept the other team! Tenley didn’t have any errors. It was her best game yet. I love seeing her progress not only in volleyball but as a person as a friend, and as a student.

Tenley’s Artwork

 I didn’t realize how much I would miss Tenley in different ways with her at school now. I should have because I went through the same things with Kade. 

I miss hearing Tenley play the piano everyday and I miss Tenley’s artwork. It’s so sad to me that she hasn’t had time for those things anymore. But today she was forced to do artwork for her “big sister” on the volleyball team. She made her a poster for their big crosstown game tomorrow and it looks amazing!

Firesides

 The stake had a youth fireside tonight about dating. They asked four couples to be part of a panel and share their story and being willing to answer questions. Brad and I were asked to be one of the couples! And Kade emceed the whole event. I hope it was good for the youth and they learned something. The setting was beautiful out in the country!

We got home pretty late from the fireside so we ended up having sandwiches, popcorn and shakes for dinner! Tenley loved it.

Ryder’s Soccer Team

 Ryder’s soccer team had two games in Bozeman today. Luke and I came along to cheer him on. They won both games! Ryder played defender the whole time and is getting really good at that position! He played great! The three of us had a fun little trip together. The weather was beautiful and we loved seeing all the fall colors.

Brad stayed home to watch Tenley’s volleyball game and Kade’s soccer game. Tenley had a great game and her team swept the opponent! Kade’s game was windy and one of his best defenders was out due to and injury. They lost 1-3. 

I made it back tonight to get Ryder and Luke to a party. Kade and Tenley both had parties as well. They all had fun with their friends!

Dinner Dates with Kade

 We had a busy day today getting projects done and watching sports. Ryder and Luke helped Brad winterize the boat. I’m so sad boating season is over. It wasn’t long enough! Then we went to clean the office and then headed to Tenley’s school to watch her play volleyball. It was so much fun to see her play! She had a blast and they swept the other team! 

After her game she stayed at the school to watch the other teams play and Brad and I dropped Ryder and Luke off at their friends house and then met Kade at a restaurant for dinner because he had just finished soccer practice. It was rare to have a date out with Kade and it was really nice to have time with him like that!

Park Days with Friends

Ryder, Luke and I met up with friends at the park this morning. The weather was sunny and warm and the kids had so much fun running around. I’m grateful for the friends they have and that they get to see them so often!

Ryder

 Yesterday after Ryder’s soccer practice his coach gave him a soccer “hat” to keep for a few days because he’s been improving so much! It was kind of an odd thing but it was also such a nice gesture. Ryder was excited about it.

We were able to have our Elders over for dinner tonight. Transfers are tomorrow and we’re losing Elder Scott which is sad but we’re happy that Elder Anderson will get to stay for another transfer! Kade has gotten along well with these Elders so it’s great that one will be staying. 

My Side Kick

 Brad sent me to the store to find anti freeze for him so he can start winterizing the boat. It was just Luke and I running errands because everyone else was at sports practice but he was a big helper! He said he knew exactly where the anti freeze is and he said he’d be able to carry them both for me! He made it half way to the register before he asked if I could carry one for him. I was grateful for his help! He’s the best little side kick. 

Costumes

 The boys are getting excited for Halloween. They dug through the costume box this morning and picked out some costumes already. We’ll see how many times they change their minds over the next month! But today Luke was Spider-Man and Ryder was Superman. 

Luke was with me for a few errands today after we dropped Ryder off at practice. I love his curiosity. He asked a lot of questions and spent the whole ride staring out the window. I love his example of enjoying every moment. 

I got to do some more decorating for Tenley’s room today. It’s coming together and I love it! It may be the funnest way to serve her! I will share a picture soon.

Missionary Transfer Dinner

 We got to have dinner at the Giles’ house with the missionaries serving in our stake and a few other families. I love our missionaries so much!! It’s fun to have dinner with them and it’s so nice to be with other families from the stake. My kids had a blast running around the property and the weather was sunny and warm with no wind. These rare days like this are the best!

Brad’s Projects

Kade was in Billings today for soccer and it poured rain in them. He said he had a lot of fun playing in the rain but he was soaked to the bone!

Tenley played volleyball here in town so the rest of stayed home to watch her. Ryder and Luke were good sports about cheering her on!

Tenley got to go to a party tonight with friends and she really enjoyed that. Life has been much too serious for her lately so I’m glad she was able to unwind with girlfriends.

Brad finished a new light project that he’s going to add to his Christmas light display this year. He 3D printed balls to go around Govee lights. The way they light up is pretty magical!

The Best Job

 I made it back home today! It was a long travel day but it’s been so good to be back home with Brad and our kids. While I was at the airport waiting for our kids I got to video chat with Ryder and Luke. They had a great morning! Ryder found a yummy recipe for a strawberry banana smoothie. I guess he had asked Alexa for a healthy breakfast recipe and that’s what Alexa gave him. He loved it! Then my friend came to pick them up and take them to the park to play with friends. They really loved that. I was grateful that they were so well taken care of! And now I’m back and get to take care of them all again. It’s the best job.

Junior and Alyssa’s Wedding

 It was so good to be here for Junior’s wedding! I loved seeing my family, catching up with extended family, eating yummy food, enjoying beautiful Utah, and helping my sister out with what I could. I think I love weddings so much because they bring family together for such a happy b occasion.

Sunsets from an Airplane

 It was a busy day today with co-op, Kade’s soccer game, and a flight to Salt Lake! Co-op was crazy but Ryder and Luke loved it. Kade’s soccer game was hard to watch the first half. Kade got scored on three times. But the team played so well the second half! They won the second half 1-0 and I count that as a huge win! Kade rallied hard and may have a black eye soon from a crazy one on one save.

I was able to see his whole game and then Brad ran me to the airport. I had the best flight to Salt Lake and I’m so excited to be here for my nephew’s wedding tomorrow. The flight was quiet and peaceful and the view was heaven! It was so gorgeous the whole way. The sunset was incredible. My parents were kind enough to pick me up. I’m so grateful to have a few days with my family here.

I got to FaceTime Brad and the kids before they went to bed and everyone seems to be doing really well!

Toys

 We watched Toy Story 5 as a family yesterday. It was really cute and it was mainly about devices and electronics taking over kids lives. It was preaching what we’ve been preaching to our kids forever. So today Ryder and Luke got out a lot of toys to play with. They built an epic race car track and it was awesome!

Sports in Bozeman

 Somehow the stars aligned and Kade, Tenley, and Ryder all had sports in Bozeman. Kade and Tenley rode the bus with their teams and Brad, Ryder, Luke and I traveled down in Brad’s truck. 

It was an early morning and trying to get to everyone’s game was a trick! I was able to watch Tenley play volleyball while Brad watched Ryder play soccer and then Brad was able to go to Kade’s soccer game while I got to go watch Ryder’s second soccer game. I thought it was going to be a cold and rainy day but it ended up being a beautiful fall day. Tenley’s team beat both the A team and B team! Ryder’s team and Kade’s team played hard but they both lost. We’ve determined that Great Falls does not have a good program for soccer for a lot of different reasons. It’s sad! But Ryder and Kade said they both still had a lot of fun with their friends.