Family

My Aunt Joyce and cousin Mike are in town vacationing from Pennsylvania. Yesterday my cousin Hannah picked them up from their hotel and drove to our house for dinner. It was such a great night visiting and catching up. We had a blast, and Hannah is a trooper - I think the kids had her hoola hooping, playing soccer, and sword fighting on and off all night. Always a treat when family is here.

Kids with Aunt Joyce

Hannah, Mike, and me.

Oh, and the weather is amazing here today - feels like fall. Wearing fuzzy slippers, pumpkin candle burning, and leftover chili and cornbread from last night for dinner. Might even make hot chocolate later. I'm sure 90 degrees is around the corner again, but I'll take this day.

Our Week

It's been a good week all around. Raided Wal-Mart for Halloween costumes. Shows are back! What's better than that?!

Off to school this morning in spirit wear for end-of-the-month assembly:

A few pictures from the week. Soccer practice - the weather's been really nice:

Love this girl.

Tyler got a couple awards at cub scouts. Then the boys participated in the raingutter regatta. Tyler and his boat. He won 2 of 4 races.

Cole and I have had nice mornings together. Went to the park - he played with friends while I exercised with girlfriends. Hit story time. He was my little buddy while Amber and I went visiting teaching. Yesterday we made pumpkin oatmeal cinnamon-chip cookies with Paisley. They were a hit, and I think it was the first time he helped me bake? He had his Ladybug Music class today with Kristy. He was happy to be back.

 Cole always runs and gives Kristy the biggest hug after the Goodbye Song:

After Ladybug we dug out all the Halloween books from the garage. Reading up on ghosts and skeletons was serious business for Cole.

Looking forward to a nice weekend. Outdoor primary movie night tonight, and we get to see some out-of-town family tomorrow.

Soccer Saturday

Okay, I'm a fan of afternoon soccer games (as long as the weather stays this nice.) Got there just in time to cheer loud and hang out with these crazies:

Our team is full of beginners but they have a lot of spirit and fight! Great game Audrey and The Purple Tigers!

Lovely Friday

It's the most beautiful day! Much appreciated after the heat. Cole being home with me, every once in a while I want to attempt some preschool time. This morning we read Ducky's Ducklings, then went to feed the ducks and enjoy being outside together. We talked about schooly stuff like what color are the ducks, what does a duck eat, what sound do they make, and so on. I cannot get this kid to memorize his colors which is funny since he remembers every superhero ever - even the lesser-knowns.

Came home with the intention of making this cute craft with him, however I guess I haven't replenished my art supplies since Tyler was little because things were either missing, or old and dried up. Water colors it was - ducks and turtles from our pond:

Practiced some cutting, too. Next time I think we'll do apples and pumpkins for fall. And maybe make cookies next week. Right now I enjoy having these little plans with him. Cole ended his morning in the sandbox, clearly more fun in just a diaper:

Spent after school in more of this lovely weather, playing at the park with friends. Helped to get out of the house because by Friday afternoon I can get a little cranky. Ladybug starts tomorrow and I'm looking forward to it, actually. A nice little break for me in the morning and I'll get home just in time for Audrey's soccer game!

It's HOT!

That's pretty much what's going on around here. Apparently I haven't been taking photos, and have no major stories to share. Here's some updates:

Adam: Working hard. Henry Danger premiered for real and now there are weekly episodes on Nickelodeon, so watch with your kids! It's pretty cute - we are fans over here. Adam also wrote a web series, and will shoot it next month. Kinda cool, crazy process, but fun. Can't wait to see the end result.

Tyler: Loves piano so far! Reading like crazy. Super lego builder and video game player. Karate might be getting a little old, but we're hangin' on 'til November - he's loves it once he's there, it's just the getting there that is not our favorite. He's going on a field trip to the Castaic Lake Water Agency on Friday - guess he'll teach us all about the drought when he gets home.

Audrey: Super soccer star, although her last game and practice were cancelled due to over 100 degree temps. Should be good to go this weekend, though. Doing great in school, reading a ton, too. Tyler helped her enter a Lego building contest, which was pretty cute. We'll see if she wins.

Cole: My little buddy. Went to our first storytime at the library this morning and had a great time. Last Sunday he started stuttering. I remember Tyler going through a stuttering phase when he was little. It's kind of annoying. I feel sorry for him, though - I can tell it's frustrating. Hopefully short-lived, poor little guy. We are due for a Travel Town or zoo trip. Want to take him to feed the ducks, too. This weather is keeping us in.

Me: Ladybug starts Saturday. I've really enjoyed this break, but time to get back. Primary program is Sunday and we are ready! Love serving with all those cute kids, and awesome leaders. Bought my first couple Christmas presents yesterday. I never shop this early, but couldn't resist since they were perfect and at Costco, and sometimes Costco items disappear quick (lesson learned when I went back for Audrey's Halloween costume and they were sold out!) Still trying to finish Gone Girl! Kids and I watched The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe after reading the book. I think that's been my favorite one so far. Gonna read them Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day since the movie is coming out, too, and it looks cute (at least to me). Might be a fun date with Tyler and Audrey.

The fall is in full-swing, and we're in a busy (but good) routine. Now ready for lower temps please! At least the 80s.

Crafty Cole

Today in nursery Cole made a temple out of sugar cubes. I don't think I've ever seen him more proud of himself. Smiled from ear to ear to show it to us, carried it carefully all the way home, now it's on display. Maybe I need to figure out some projects for the two of us while we're in school limbo. Super cute!

This Week

 Adam was on a short hiatus, so we worked on our bedroom. Wish I could get a better picture of it - it's coming along!

Since Adam was off I volunteered in Audrey and Tyler's classes. I really like their teachers, and the vibe in both classes is great. Made me excited for what this year has in store. Thankful for their school, and grateful for teachers who seem to have a good feel for my kids after only a few short weeks.

Thursday was Chuck E. Cheese night for the school, so thank goodness Adam could tag along for that one. Loved watching Tyler and Audrey run around with all their school friends though. Audrey and Kallie took this photo that night. They were inseparable - love it!

Friday went on a double date with Becky and Hyrum, since he and I share a birthday week. I think that needs to become a tradition. It was super fun, and we had delicious Thai food.

Today was Audrey's first soccer game! What a rock star - she is a machine on the field. Never played a game in her life and jumped right in, fearless. Played both offense and defense, and she is fast. Can't wait to see how she does this season, as she gains more experience.

 Warm-ups

 Coach pep-talk

 Had to get Menchie's afterward... it was so hot! Nice ending to the game for all.

Happy Long Weekend

Ah, it was a lazy Labor Day. Well, not for all - Adam painted our whole bedroom solo because he's pretty much awesome. We've been working around the house, grocery shopping, hanging out, cleaning the yard. I took a pilates class, kids read a bunch. We waited for the ice-cream man forever. Heard his song in the distance and waited and waited.

He found us finally!

Worth the wait.

Right in the bath after devouring his Spiderman.

Cliche boy and girl shot - video games and makeup.Will the teenage years look like this?

Ended the day barbequing hot dogs, and watching more redbox. It's been a great one. I know it'll still be hot here, but feels like we're saying goodbye to summer, hello fall.