Halloween

We had a fun and warm Halloween! Well, warm for Great Falls. It was so nice not to have snow on the ground! The kids had fun at school and Kade was happy that the teachers didn’t give them any homework tonight. Luke and I got to go hang out with some friends this morning and I got to hold her precious new baby boy! It was so nice. 

After dinner we all wakes around the neighborhood to let the kids trick or treat. They had a blast! 

Little Burritos

We had a good Sunday! The kids practiced for their primary program that they’ll have in two weeks at church and they enjoyed that. Since it was a 5th Sunday we had a special meeting with all of the adults and were able to hear from our ward leaders about WHY they attend church and what their conversion story is. It was a spiritualy powerful meeting and I really enjoyed it. My favorite thoughts were: “I come to feel the spirit,” “I come because when you show up, blessing come,” “I come to continually work on my conversion,” “I come because I believe in the Savior’s promise of eternal families.” For me, I go to church each week because I love Jesus. I want to strengthen my relationship with Him and I know that can happen as I renew my baptismal covenants when I take the sacrament. 

Brad had an emergency patient when we got home so we didn’t see him very much today, but he did find time to twist up our little boys into burrito blankets! The loved it! 

Halloween Symphony and Trunk or Treat

We had a festive Halloween day today! We started with going to the symphony for a Halloween special. The musicians were all dressed up in costumes and most of the audience was as well. The kids enjoyed the music! But Luke’s favorite part was seeing all the costumes! 

Ryder went trick or treating with his friend down town and then his friend came to our church trunk or treat with us. There were a lot of people there! The chili was delicious. There was also a spook alley set up which was a lot of fun. The little boys went through several times because they loved it so much. It was a good day.

Piano and Flute Recitals

The kids had their Halloween recital tonight and they all did such a great job! And since Tenley is learning to play the flute with Miss Jody, Tenley got to play the flute tonight! She did such a great job! 

A-Team

Basketball practices/try out are over for Kade and he made the A team! He was excited and thinks the basketball camp he went to over the summer helped a lot. Two of the kids will have to volunteer to move down to B team though so maybe he’ll change his mind. But he’s really enjoyed playing basketball this week. 

Ryder has also been loving basketball practice! His first game will be next week!

My Little Bookworm

Tenley had an orthodontist appointment this morning and right when we got there Luke found the books and sat down to read. It was cute. We’ve still been doing our reading lesson each morning and he still loves it!

Fall Leaves

Keena and I enjoyed a nice walk in the sunshine this afternoon while Tenley was at basketball practice. It was fun to explore a different part of town. The trees leaves were gorgeous!

Reading

Luke and I started the learn to read book that I’ve used with all the kids to get them reading before they start kindergarten. It was a great first lesson!

Snow!

I don’t know if I’m as grateful for the snow as my kids are, but it’s here so I better make the best of it. Ryder and Luke got straight into their snow clothes after church and were out in the snow for a few hours. They made a few snowmen and lots of snow angels. I’m so glad they have each other!

Kade got all of his deer meat back today. It was a lot more that I had expected. We may need another freezer before too long!

Tenley’s Birthday Party

Brad went hunting this morning with a friend. He left really early to drive to Lincoln and it was snowing! They didn’t get an elk but it sounds like they got a good workout hiking up the mountain!

Tenley had some friends over for a birthday party tonight. I made them fondue and they had ice cream sundaes. They were giggling all night so I think they had fun!

Sleeping In

We all got to sleep in this morning and have a warm breakfast together! That has happened in a few months now with all the sports going on. It was really, realy nice. We spent most of the day getting ready for winter. It will be here soon. I mowed the lawn, Brad blew out the sprinklers, Kade took care of the leaves and we got the rest of the vegetables from our garden. I even canned some tomatoes! I hope they turn out. That was my first time. 

And then we had some fun and took the kids out to dinner. Luke fell asleep on the way which was sweet. I guess he didn’t sleep in long enough!

Hunting

Brad’s brother Jared arrived late last night so he could go out hunting with Brad and Kade. They actually found success this year! Kade shot his first buck. He was so excited! We even had some of the meat tonight and it was good. 

The rest of enjoyed this beautiful fall day at the park. 

Ice Cream

Today was the last day of school for the week! We went out for ice cream to celebrate. I’m looking forward to a long weekend with the kids!

Painting

Tenley came to parent teacher conference with me after school today and when we got home the missionaries came over to visit so by the time they left it was after 5 and Tenley was exhausted from her long day. She got out some water color paints and the boys joined in on the paining with her. They had a lot of fun!

Impromptu Park Stops

On Mondays after school Luke and I drop Tenley off at art class and then we drop Ryder and Kade off at their ninja class. We were headed home for a bit when Luke saw the park and asked to stop and play. This may very well be the last nice week of fall here so even though Luke didn’t even have shoes on, we stopped to enjoy the warm sunshine. It was the best way to spend the time while we waited for the big kids to finish their classes!

Safe Travels

We made it back home safe and sound today. The drive wasn’t too bad. We just made one stop and made it back just in time to pick up Keena. It was a good trip and the kids came back really loving BYU! Maybe we can get them down there to see games more often. 

BYU Football

We enjoyed all the game day festivities that we could handle today. The kids got face painting, free shirts, free food samples and so much swag! I had to take a trip to the car to drop things off before we could enter the stadium. We went on a fun scavenger hunt inside the stadium and got some sweet prizes at the end. The game wasn’t as fun to watch, but we still really enjoyed being there! 

We picked up some dinner afterwards and went to a park. And then we drove up to the Y because Luke loves it so much. I think our hike to the Y last summer made a lasting impression on him. He is constantly looking for it when we drive around and has had me take several pictures of him in front of it. 

Then the kids begged to go to the creamery again! Which, why not!? It was a fun day!

BYU Campus

We took the kids on a tour of campus today and even bought them some fun BYU gear. I think they had a lot of fun. Luckily they’re at a good age where they enjoy hearing us reminisce about all of our memories here. I always enjoy coming back to campus because there are so many good memories! And it was a beautiful fall day. Nothing is better than a beautiful fall day in Utah. The mountains and fall colors are gorgeous. 

We drove up to my parents house tonight to have dinner with my family. It’s always so good to see them and catch up! We even had a little celebration for Tenley’s birthday which was really sweet. Luke and his cousins made a mess of my parent’s room with all of my mom’s scrapbooking stuff but the kids were sure having a good time!