Luke’s First Lesson

I decided to add Luke into our family lesson rotation. He gave his first lesson today. He did a great job at repeating everything I said to him haha. He was adorable though and he’s so excited to be in charge tomorrow night.

Chili Cook Off and Trunk or Treat

We got Saturday chores done this morning! It’s been over a month since we’ve done that. It’s so nice to get all the cleaning done together. And it was nice to have a slow Saturday morning followed by a productive Saturday mid-morning and a fun Saturday afternoon and evening!

Tenley had a game at 3. She played hard and she had a great basket that was nothing but net!

Then we headed downtown for our cities trick or treat. The kids looked so great in their costumes. Kade was Batman, Tenley was an artist, Ryder was hulk and Luke was Superman. Ryder let Brad paint his face green but quickly regretted it. He was so happy to take a bath at the end of the night to take it off. Luckily it came off well! 

After trick or treating downtown we went to our ward’s chili cook off. I brought a chili and won 3rd place! It was fun to have the ward together. It feels like it’s been a while.

Then we had the trunk or treat combined with the other ward. The kids were all so cute. It was a fun church activity.

Ryder went home with Shelton to hang out with him and Hunter, Kade had a big party at his friend Matthew’s house, and Tenley had a friend over to watch a movie with. It was weird to be so split up but the kids had a blast! They’re all growing up too quickly.

Halloween Recitals

We had an eventful night tonight starting with Tenley's basketball game. They played a really great team but they tried their best. After the game we took the kids out to dinner. Our town just got a Five Guys and Kade has been begging to go so we stopped by and it was pretty good. Then the kids had their fall piano recital! It was Ryder’s first recital and he did a great job! Kade graduated from book two so he received a pin and a certificate. They all played so well. We came home and made chocolate shakes to celebrate their hard work. It was a fun night!

Morning Walks

On Thursday mornings I’ve been able to go walking with a friend of mine. It’s so nice to get outside and have an adult to talk to. Luke actually does a great job in his stroller. It’s been so nice.

Luke and I came home to build train tracks and marble tracks. When he holds my hand I always tell him, “I love this little hand!” And he always responds with “I love this big hand!” I know it’s cheesy but it’s so sweet and I love having my little buddy around. He even chose to come to Ryder’s basketball practice with me!

Ryder lost his other front tooth tonight! He pulled it out himself again. He’s pretty crazy!

Journals

Tenley has always loved to write about her day in a notebook, but she recently started journaling on the computer. Ryder noticed and wanted to do the same thing. So Ryder uses the laptop to journal now. He asks for help spelling words often, but this will probably help him with spelling. It was pretty cute to catch him in his room journaling. Luke had found the toy laptop and was trying to mimic him. Good examples can be incredible things. I love that the three oldest are enjoying journaling. 

Superman

Costumes are so much fun and since we picked out costumes for Halloween on Sunday, Luke has been wearing his every day since. Every time we go outside he runs around like he’s flying so his cape will soar. It’s pretty cute.

Kade stayed home again and was not doing well this morning. We did treatments throughout the day and by this evening he was so much better! His blood oxygen levels are up to 97. I can’t tell you how happy that makes me! He even went to basketball practice and even though I was hoping he’d take it easy he just went full out and didn’t even tell his coach he was sick. He is Superman.

Basketball

All three kids are playing basketball right now although Kade hasn’t been able to make it to practice yet. He’s still struggling. We started him in a steroid today so hopefully that helps him get back to normal. Luke was thrilled to have Kade home with him today.

Ryder had his first basketball practice tonight. He has good friends on his team again. And he loves it. It should be a fun season!

Sunday Discussions

Kade and Luke stayed home from church today. They both have coughs and Kade’s energy is still low. Ryder’s primary class got to join with mine and it was fun to have him in class. He’s a sweet boy and was good at listening and answering questions! 

When we got home from church the kids wanted to play the Nintendo 64. We’ve always said no video games on Sunday. I sat down with the kids and had a long conversation with them about Sunday and why it is a different day than most days during the week. We discussed what they think are and aren’t appropriate activities on Sunday. We decided that activities we do as a family are good. They mentioned board games and Ryder wanted to know how board games are any different than Nintendo games. In both cases they’re playing together and in neither case do they learn more about Jesus. He stumped me on this one. So they played Nintendo together today. We will see how long that lasts. I wish Brad had been there to help me out! 

Apostolic Blessings

Kade didn’t feel well at all this morning. He would get winded half way up the stairs. I haven’t seen him this sick for this long since his stay in the ICU in Indiana. He knew he wouldn’t be able to go to his morning soccer game. We did a treatment and rested all morning hoping that he’d be better for the afternoon game. Luckily he seemed to be doing ok even though his blood oxygen levels are still around 90. So we went to the afternoon game and he played goalie the whole time. He did well and looked almost like his normal healthy self. Since this was the last game of the season, the team all went out for pizza afterward. Kade was happy to be with his team.

Brad was away in Missoula all day for a Bishop and Stake President training with Elder Gong. He had to leave at 5 am to make it in time for the 8 am meeting. And he made it back just in time for Kade’s afternoon game. He enjoyed the meeting though. One neat thing that he shared with us tonight was that at the end of the meeting Elder Gong gave them all an apostolic blessing and blessed them and their families with help to overcome any health challenges that they may be struggling with at this time. Brad’s thoughts went directly to Kade and he felt peace that Kade would get feeling better soon. It was such a sweet and tender thing to hear. I hate seeing Kade struggle in this way with his breathing and tonight after his game he really took a turn for the better. We didn’t even have to give him a treatment tonight. It was such a blessing.

Albuterol

Brad, Jared and Kade went hunting again early this morning. Kade had an asthma attack in the middle of the night last night so I sent him with his nebulizer. I think the fatigue played a factor and the dust and hay. He doesn’t get these attacks with physical activity but fatigue and dirt always seem to be a factor. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen his breathing this bad and it is not fun. He had another attack hunting and I know if we didn’t have albuterol and a nebulizer that they would have had to rush him into the ER today. I’m so grateful we have them and we can treat him ourselves. He got to bed early tonight and will be sleeping in as long as possible tomorrow!

The weather was beautiful today so the kids and I went to the park. Then we picked out pumpkins and painted them at home. Ryder wanted the biggest pumpkin he could carry. It ended up being 19 pounds! And Luke wanted the smallest pumpkin he could find. Even though they like to dress the same they are so different. Everyone did a great job painting! Our porch looks much more festive now.

Hunting

Brad and Kade went on their first hunting trip today with Jared. They left really early and didn’t get home until after dark. Unfortunately they didn’t get a deer. They’re going to go out and try again tomorrow.

The rest of us had fun at home. It’s fall break so the kids don’t have school. Tenley and I did a little shopping and found her some new shoes. Tonight they played night games together which was pretty cute. And they all helped me make dinner.

The Warped Wall

Luke got to run up the warped wall for his first time today. It was pretty cute to watch him. He really loves his ninja class.

Ryder got a pumpkin from school today. All the first graders in the city received one. It’s a traditional thing that they do I guess. Ryder was pretty excited to tell us that ALL pumpkins float. Tenley didn’t believe him so the first thing Ryder did was fill up the sink with water and then put his pumpkin in it to show her that they float. 😆 

Mall Trips with Luke

Luke and I had to go to the mall today to pick up a few things from Harbor Freight and Bath and Body Works. Most of the stores have closed down in the mall so it’s actually kind of sad to walk around there, but Luke still had a blast! He loved smelling all the yummy scents at the lotion store and he loved sitting in the arcade cars. It’s a good thing that he doesn’t know what happens when you put money in them! He’s a fun little buddy to have around.

Grandpa and Grandma Judy

Grandpa and Grandma Judy had to leave this morning but we’re so grateful for the fun weekend that we were able to have with them. Now they’re off to see Brad’s sister. Retirement life sure sounds like a lot of fun!

The Primary Program

We had the primary program today and all of the kids did such a great job! I enjoyed being on the stand with my class and my kids. The last song they sang was “My Own Sacred Grove.” It’s one of my most favorite songs and the kids sang it so well! I was holding back tears as they finished. We have some amazing primary leaders and teachers and amazing kids! I love being apart of the primary.

Brad got some yummy cookies from a sweet family in the ward. It means a lot when people think of Brad and are kind enough to do something nice for him and for us. The little things, like delicious cookies, make a difference! 

A Great Coach

Ryder had his last football game of the season this morning! He’s sad that it’s over but basketball starts soon so he’s excited for that. He really loved football and he had such a great team and a great coach. After coaching soccer this summer I have a new found respect for parents who volunteer to coach. Especially someone willing to coach six year old boys!

Tenley’s basketball game went really well. Her team won 28-6 and Tenley had six points!

Brad, George and Judy went down to Helena with Kade to watch his tournament games. They won the first 4-2 and tied the second 2-2. Kade had a lot of fun! His team is the number one seed now. They play in the semi finals tomorrow and if they win that game they’ll play in the finals. We’ll be cheering for them from home though. Kade chose not to play in the Sunday game. It was a hard decision for him and he’d love to be there to support his team, but he feels the better choice is to go to church. We really hope the team does well! 

Birthday Parties

Tenley had her first friend birthday party every today. She wanted one really badly so even though I don’t love throwing friend parties, we did it for her. Amd it actually went really well! The girls were so cute and they all had so much! The boys were with Brad at the ski swap so it worked out pretty well. 

After the party we all got to go see Tenley’s basketball game. It was fun to have us all there to cheer her on!

Football

Watching Ryder play sports has become one of my favorite things. He did a great job at his football game tonight and scored another touchdown! Brad’s dad and Judy showed up just in time for the beginning of the game. We’re excited to have them here for a few days and they’re hopefully excited to watch our kids play a lot of sports! 

Youth Night

We got to have some of the youth from our church over for dinner tonight. It was fun to have a meal with them and get to know them a little better. Kade was able to go to another members home and he had a great night.

Ryder found some old Christmas pjs for Luke and him to wear tonight. Luke is wearing Ryder’s old pair and Ryder is wearing Tenley’s old pair. It’s nice to see them last so long!

Tenley

Tenley turned ten today! She was so excited for her birthday. We had German pancakes for breakfast and she went to school with cookies to share with her class. I also met her for lunch with a happy meal. 

She had basketball practice tonight but after that we were able to have her favorite dinner, chicken and rice, and her birthday cake while we watched a movie.

All in all she had a pretty good day even though we lost Keena for a whole hour and another girl on her team accidentally hit her in the face during practice. She enjoyed her presents and all the cards and phone calls from family.