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.

Brad’s Projects

 Brad and I got to go to the temple this morning. Ryder and Luke came with us and we all went to Costco afterwards. I can’t believe how much they love Costco samples! 

When we got back Brad started into his projects! Preparations for his Christmas lights are underway. He is welding Christmas trees out of rebar. I’m sure they’ll look amazing. 

Kade is taking an AP US history class this year and his teacher lectured the whole hour on the events and history of 9.11. Kade was fascinated. I’m sure it was more than Brad and I have ever really shared with him. Brad, Tenley, Kade and I got to talk about it more tonight as well. It was a good conversation of hope and unity through difficult.

Luke’s Morning Routine

 It’s been a busy week with co op and piano starting again. Our mornings have not been as free as they used to be. So Luke was excited this morning to hear that he was able to do his morning routine! He feeds the dogs, eats breakfast, gets dressed and brushes his teeth, and then takes the dogs for a walk. Today he and Ryder actually rode their bikes while I walked the dogs and they decided to go around the big, BIG block. It was a beautiful morning and I loved Luke’s morning routine as well! 

Kade and Tenley got home from their sports practices and then quickly left to go to the football game. They are so busy!

Family Dinner

The transition to school this fall has been tough! It’s weird having Kade and Tenley gone all day until dinner time. I think Tenley has had to go through the hardest transition. She was staying up late and sleeping in and her days were very low key. Now she’s gone before 7 am and home after 6 pm. And then has homework to complete! It’s a lot. But she’s handling it all with a lot of poise and she’s loving all the friend time she’s getting. Kade has been enjoying that too. But we miss them! We did all get to have dinner together tonight, though, and that made me so happy!

Game Night

Ryder, Luke and I had co op this morning! It’s crazy to be back after having the summer off but the boys were so excited about it. And they had a lot of fun!

Kade and Tenley both had games in town today so we got to cheer them both on at their games! Brad was able to leave work early which was so nice. Kade’s team looks a lot better! They’re definitely improving even though they lost their game today. 

Tenley’s team played great and they swept their opponents! Tenley had some great kills and serves. She’s doing a great job!

Labor Day

 It was so nice to have a long weekend together! All Kade and Tenley really wanted to do today though was sleep in. Luckily they go to so that. Last week was long and their bodies are still trying to get used to the school schedule. Hopefully they’ll get there soon!

Tenley wants to update her room. I think she’s transitioning from my little girl to a young lady. It’s crazy! She had AI help her design it and we spent some time shopping today to get it updated. I think she’ll love it!

We all got to go out to dinner tonight. It was nice to have a night out. I remembered to snap a picture in the car wash!

Dinner with the Giles

 We got to go to Fairfield for dinner tonight with our stake president and his family. He’s a rancher and he marinated some delicious steaks that he shared with us tonight. They were so flavorful and tender! It was delicious! And I love being with them and their family. Their son has some boys Luke’s age and Luke loved running around with them.

Football Season

 Kade was in Belgrade today at a soccer game but Tenley was here in town for a volleyball game. It was sad for us not to be able to see both games! But we stayed here in town to watch Tenley’s game and they played great! They swept the team!

Kade’s game was tough. I got a few messages from other parents about it. I guess the refs were awful and hardly called any fouls. And when fouls aren’t called the boys just play more and more rough. They lost 0-2 and they were all frustrated. I hope the team has a good game soon!

We picked up pizza for dinner and watched BYU football tonight! We love football season and it’s fun to be able to watch our favorite team play again.

Freedom Friday

 Ryder and Luke were so excited to hear that we still get Fridays free from school! Instead we went to the lake and Kade even came with us! Tenley felt like she had too much school work to catch up on so she went to school. 

Brad wanted to see if all his work on the boat got it fixed and it did! The boat worked great. We even drove it all the way through the gates and to Upper Holter without any problems. Kade wakeboarded and skied with his go-pro on his wrist. I’m excited to see how those videos turn out. It was a beautiful day and it may have been our last boating day of the season. I’m glad it went so well!

Kade and Tenley went to the high school football game tonight. It was Tenley’s first game in the student section and it was such a blast! Our team was down by 4 but on 4th down with seconds left they scored a touchdown! It was pretty exciting and they had so much fun!

Volleyball, Crosstown Soccer

 Tenley had her first travel game with the volleyball team. She had to leave school early and she got to party with her friends on the bus ride to Helena. The Freshman B team doesn’t travel so when the A teams is away they play the opposing teams A and B team. She said they swept them both! She had a blast cheering on the JV and Varsity teams as well. I’m so glad she’s having fun!

Kade’s team played the crosstown rival game tonight at Memorial Stadium. It was a beautiful night. I love watching them play at Memorial Stadium! The ended in a tie at 0-0.