Friday

 I’ve been looking forward to this weekend for a while now because it’s General Conference weekend and the kids don’t have any games. We are going to enjoy all the family time, sleeping in, and hanging out! Kade didn’t have soccer practice but he did come home and play a lot of soccer with the boys in the backyard. Then we picked up Tenley from practice and took everyone out to dinner! Kade has been craving a certain chicken sandwich at a certain restaurant and I’ve just been craving family time so it worked out perfectly! The boys played more soccer when we came home and Tenley fell asleep on the couch! It’s been a long week for her.

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!

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.

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!

September

 I made the new calendar for September and we have a busy month ahead! It’s filled with a lot of fun sports though so I’m excited! I’m sad that I won’t make it to every sporting event but the kids will be having fun regardless of if I’m there or not I’m sure.

Tonight Brad and I went to a dinner with people from his church calling. It was fun to socialize and eat good food!

Back to School

 The boys and I started school again today! It was really nice to have a schedule again. We started working on things inside but then Luke wanted to have school outside. It was great weather and we enjoyed it. The boys would rather be free but they actually did a pretty good job focusing and getting the work done. We practiced the piano and read books as well! We felt very accomplished. I hope every day goes so well!

First Day of School

 I dropped Tenley off at High School this morning! That was crazy but she was excited so it made it easier for me. She actually had a really great day too! She has friends in most of her classes and she always has volleyball practice to look forward to which is her favorite so she’s happy!

Kade didn’t have to be at school until 11:30 so he met up with some friends at McDonald’s for breakfast. He had a great day too!

Ryder got to go to Starbase and learn about space and science with friends today. He loved it. 

So that left Luke and I at home! The quiet in the house was crazy and I was missing my kids but Luke and I had a lot of fun together. We took the dogs to the park and had lunch with Brad. Luke was so happy and fun even though he was wishing he had been old enough to go to Starbase with Ryder. 

Kade and Tenley finally made it home at 6! They have long days away from us during soccer/volleyball season. It was fun to catch up with them tonight and hear about their days. That was my favorite part. 

Workout Buddies

 Ryder and Luke woke up earlier than normal today so they decided to join me for my workout! I loved having them join me. They did a great job and we had a lot of fun. They also helped me weed the garden which was hard work. But they did a great job. And we got it all done before Kade and Tenley even woke up for the day! Those two have been loving staying up late to watch a movie and eat popcorn. It will end soon so I’ve been letting them live it up while they can.

Ice Cream

 The kids and I tried a new ice cream place today and it was so delicious! Summertime is the best and it must include delicious ice cream with fresh waffle cones! I’m glad we got it in finally. We have a few more fun things to squeeze into summer still and it’s going by too fast!

My Big Kids

 Kade has been such a good oldest child this week. He’s been taking really good care of everyone and I know Tenley has been a big help too. He took them all out for ice cream yesterday and he took them to the park to play frisbee today. They seem really happy. I miss being with them. We didn’t even make it home for lunch today because we had a patient at the office late through lunch. Brad and I ran over to pita pit to grab lunch since we couldn’t make it all the home. I wasn’t complaining to have an impromptu lunch out with Brad!

Survival

 Today was my first full day of work by myself. I am certainly glad I’m just filling in and I’m even more glad that Ashley is so great at her job. We are lucky to have her. But we survived today. It’s fun working with Brad and his staff. They are all so awesome and so kind. 

The kids survived at home as well. I left them a list to keep them busy all morning. They even took the dogs for a walk and Kade took them out for ice cream after lunch. I hope tomorrow goes just as well.

Ryder and Luke had another soccer game tonight. Ryder scored again! And Luke played so hard again even against the kids twice his size. 

Stake Camp

 Kade and Tenley both left for stake camp today. I took Kade up a few hours early because he’s a youth leader, or a part of the ‘hype squad,’ and he needed to be there early to prepare for all the campers. He’ll be great at hyping people up! They both seemed really excited for the week! It’s going to be hot and there isn’t a lot of shade where they’ll be, but there is a river close by so that should be refreshing. Kade fit all of hi gear in or on top of his overnight backpack. It was really heavy! I will miss my big kids a lot! They don’t even have their phones with them and I think that will be harder on me than it will be for them. I love being able to check in on them all the time.

Ryder, Luke and I had fun tonight. Luke broke his cleats at his soccer game last night so we went to the store and bought him some new cleats. When we got home the boys set up the soccer net and practiced. Brad had interviews and meeting tonight so the boys and I watched a movie.

Boring Routines

 It’s good to be home! As much as we miss being with family and being in vacation mode, I love our boring routine and it’s good to be back to it. The first thing Luke did this morning was pick out a new kiwi co project to work on. He made a pinball machine today and he loves it. Tenely had volleyball this morning and Kade had soccer practice. Ryder and Luke had soccer practice tonight. We got some laundry and grocery shopping done. It was all boring but it feels good to be home.

My Parent’s New Adventure

 My parents sold their house today and head to their new house in St. George tomorrow! I’m so excited for them and I can’t wait to go visit them. It’s crazy that they’re both retired now and onto a fun adventure. But they deserve it.

The kids are still enjoying summer. They went to the library together today. I know I mention this so much that it’s probably annoying by now but this time in life with the ages my kids are is magical. It is the best and I don’t want it to end.

My Kids

 The kids have been making the most of their time together. I have really been enjoying this season in my life with the ages my kids are and being able to have them all at home. I especially love seeing them all hang out, get along and have fun together. Today they took monopoly outside on the patio with some music and played. They’re the best.

First Day of Summer

 I had all my kids home most of the day today! It was really nice. Kade did leave this morning to meet up with some soccer friends and go for a run as part of their soccer training for the summer. And Tenley was gone for a few hours tonight for volleyball open gym. But other than that we enjoyed the day together! Luke was especially happy to have Kade home. Ryder was sweet and made them all ham, egg and cheese sandwiches. I got to sit out enjoy the patio again. It’s going to be a great summer!

The Drive to Missoula

 It was Kade’s last day of seminary for the school year today. He had a friend who has a tradition of biking to seminary and school on the last day so Kade and several other friends joined him. I think he had a lot of fun. And I think he’s excited to have a few months of sleeping longer!

It was such a beautiful day so the boys and I had school on the patio. It is heaven and I’m so grateful for the nice patio!

We were supposed to leave as a whole family for the weekend to Missoula with Brad for his dental conference but Kade has so many tests and projects for school that he just couldn’t miss. Brad and I decided to get away together and leave the kids at home. The kids are excited for a party but I will miss them!!! 

The drive to Missoula was gorgeous with everything getting so green. We also drove through a crazy rain and lightning storm. It was neat to see over the mountains. It is beautiful here!

Soccer and Piano Recitals

 Kade’s state soccer tournament is this weekend here in Great Falls. He had a game at 7:30 this morning and at 7:30 tonight. It was a weird schedule. We had a lot of fun cheering him on even though it was so cold! The team won the first game and unfortunately lost the second game. 

The kids all had their end of the year piano recital this morning and Tenley also played her flute. Tenley, Ryder, and Luke had all practiced their songs 100 times! Kade practiced a lot as well and they all sounded so good! They got to play at the history museum on a 1925 chickering 9 foot piano. It was beautiful! Luke got a flower for graduating from book one of Suzuki!