Star Scout

 Nathan works so hard in so many areas of his life.  Right now he is on a Peer Leadership retreat overnight for his school.  He is awesome!  On Sunday we had a Court of Honor and he earned 14 merit badges!!  We did miss the last one, making it sound like a ton, but he was SO excited to get them all home and on his sash.  He also achieved his Star Rank!  Only 12 years old and moving up  like crazy!  It is exciting to see him want to succeed!

Witches Tea

 We went to our neighbor Joann's Witches Tea again this year.  It was lots of fun and the girls had a hard time waiting all day for it to start.  Next year I am going to find a better costume for myself, I have just worn a black skirt and shirt the last 2 years and I am way under-dressed.  We had to leave early because Annabelle and I needed to go to the General Women's Meeting for our church.  This was the first time she was old enough to go.  While it was hard for her to sit still, making it hard for me to concentrate, every once in a while she would sit up and hear something that made her stop and think.  We went with a bunch of cousins and went out for treats afterwards.  I definitely didn't need more treats after the witch party, but I am not one to turn down Frozen Hot Chocolate from Smart Cookie.

Family Life

 Callie is loving preschool and growing up.  I complied all of our "learning to read" books and she now REALLY wants to learn to read.  She also wants to pump up her own bike tires, even if they don't need it. 

 Nathan's math homework is getting more and more difficult.  It is tough trying to help so many kids with homework and watch others who want to play outside and make dinner.  It is a constant juggling act and I just hope and pray that my kids remember how hard I tried.  Especially when it comes to problems like: Show in pictures how to solve the problem 1/2 divided by 2/5.  We had to call my mom, a middle school math teacher, before we finally figured it out.

 Sometimes my fridge is a mess.  I try to keep my things on the upper half, but even that gets crazy with all the reminders I have of places for me or the kids to go.  Callie loves playing with the letters and hanging up every pictures she does.  We have a magnet board in her room, and in the hallway, but my fridge also gets to show off her work (and Ryan and Annabelle).  Sometimes I get a little OCD and clean it off and make it look more organized, but most of the time I let it stay crazy.

 We went to our school's movie night.  It was supposed to be outside but thunder, lightening and rain moved us inside.  When we got there they were in the process of moving things inside so I offered to help.  I ended up helping do concessions all night.  I'm so nice sometimes.  The kids did fabulous (according to a few parents who told me later) and we even won a prize from the raffle with the 1 ticket I had time to buy while dealing with the rest of the school.  I actually am really glad I didn't have to be in the cafeteria with all the kids and the loud Lego Movie.

 Greg is an amazing musician.  He excels in so many areas.  Lately he has been playing the guitar a lot.  His fingers are all callused because of it.  I love hearing him play, and sing.  Especially when I come and serenades me to sleep.  I am so very lucky to have found the perfect person for me.

The Mascot Bowl and a Migraine

We decided to take our kids, plus cousins Josh and Jacob, to the Mascot Bowl.  I have heard about it every year for the past 10 years but never felt like it was something we needed to do.  The kids had a blast. Finding seats was pretty crazy, but once we were seated, and the clouds blocked the sun, we had a lot of fun.  I do think it is something we will do again, especially after all we learned this year.

 The gorilla came up right behind the girls and scared them a little bit but it was cute to watch them shy away and want to go closer at the same time.  The sky was incredible that night!

 During half time the boys headed down to the fields to run around.  I had been having a headache all day so I convinced everyone that Callie needed to get home.  The headache only got worse so I am glad we headed home, but really glad that we went.

 Monday's are not my best day.  I am always trying to clean up the house from the weekend mess and do laundry.  Then once the kids are home we have piano, dance for both girls and the boys both tutor math at the library.  This particular Monday I also had 2 extra kids, made homemade hamburgers for dinner and decided to take the kids to the Mascot Bowl.  Add all that up and I got the worst headache ever.  Later, when I was telling my cousin about it she told me it was probably a migraine.  That is not a word I wanted repeated with me in the same sentence.  I have bad memories of my mom having migraines.  I don't want to have migraines.  So I had to change things.  I had to take control.  Yesterday I put dinner in the crock pot and loved having it all ready at meal time.  I did shatter my 9x13 pan of cookies because I left it on the burner to cool and turned the wrong burner on to make veggies, but I was less frazzled since dinner was safe in its crock pot.  I also did laundry on Saturday.  Luckily it was a rainy Saturday and so there wasn't much else to do.  I made sure the kids cleaned up more Saturday and made less mess on Sunday so the house wasn't a total disaster Monday morning.  So far I haven't had a headache since, and I am really hoping to keep it that way.

Ogden Temple Re-Dedication

 On September 21 our family, minus Callie who isn't 8 yet, was able to attend a broadcast of the Ogden Temple Re-dedication.  The kids responses were that it was very spiritual.  Annabelle was sad that we weren't able to actually go to the temple.  Someday maybe.  In doing so we were also able to watch some children during another session so other families could go together.  I loved watching Annabelle play with little Eliza.  She is going to be a great baby-sitter.  Check out the cute "Cinderella" shoes we have now in our dress-up box!  The girls love them.

 Ryan always get along with younger boys.  He is such a good buddy to them, and they always seem to love hanging out with him.

Party Time

 After School Snack/Dessert is a fun time at our house.  It isn't always so crazy and sugary, but I couldn't pass these dishes up and the kids loved them.  Especially the candy and the pistachios. 

 Greg and I took the kids to a Pizza Buffet and they were in heaven.  I think they had more dessert pizza than regular but they can't wait to go back.

Busy Times

 I know that I am not the only person who has a busy life.  I know that I could simplify, and believe me I feel like I am as simple as I could be.  I was looking at my icalendar on the computer and it shows the fullness of your days as yellow, orange and red.  Red being the most busy.  I had A LOT of orange and too many reds.  Not enough yellow.  I love being busy though.  I feel like my busy stuff is all good stuff: piano, dance, preschool, soccer, boy scouts, cub scouts, girl scouts, school, work, callings.  All of those are good things that I enjoy watching my children participate in.  Sometimes I get to relax or do a project of my own.  Sometimes I get to sit down and read.  Sometimes I get to blow bubbles or help a child make cookies.  I like both times.  I need both times to survive as a mom.

 Gymboree bubbles are the best!! 

 Greg taught the kids how to make Felix French Toast.  Batter: 1 c flour, 1tsp baking powder, 1 tsp salt, 1 c milk, 1 TB vanilla and 1 egg. Mix batter and dip bread in and then place on griddle heated with shortening. Keep the shortening layer going as you cook them. Sounds horribly fattening but it is delish!!

 I helped the activity day girls go on a field trip to the temple.  Such a beautiful place!

 I helped my friend Cari sell her clothes at the Utah Women's Expo. 

 I made applesauce and peach jam, YUMM!!

 Annie kept this flower alive for a few days.  Every time I saw it on the counter it made me smile.

 Ryan made this entire sign and hung it up all on its own, love creativity!

 We have been hoping this turns into rock candy.  Ryan won't let me throw it away until it does.

 Elsa helped Callie do this puzzle one day:)

 I love how well my kids play the piano. I don't mind the books all over the piano because it means the kids are practicing.  Nathan has started the violin and is so proud of how he has memorized Mary Had a Little Lamb and Ode to Joy.  He also stretches before he practices and it is awesome to watch.

 

 Nathan played awesome at his soccer game, he even scored.  I think soccer is so fun to watch.  I hope that he keeps going at it.

 Annabelle made a batch of M&M cookies on Sunday.  The best part was that she was so excited to give away a bunch of plates of them to friends and neighbors.  We took 8 plates around and she saved some for Girl Scouts since she was in charge of snack on Tuesday. 

 I am pretty done with squash.  Today I finally looked up how to freeze it and I got 3 big bags of squash that will make yummy side dishes this winter.  I am so relieved now that I don't have to try and cook it all before it goes bad.

Family In Town=Fun Craziness

 Whenever we have a big event a few members of my family come into town.  My mom got here Wednesday night.  I loved having her to hang out with and chat with during the week.  My Dad and sister Kayley's family flew in Friday night.  That doubled my household and made for lots of fun and craziness.  Then after the baptism we had a bunch of friends and family come over to celebrate Annabelle's decision to be baptized.

 

 Totally worn out!

 We made s'mores (gluten and dairy free for my mom!).  It was a gooey and yummy mess.

 Callie always wants a picture with mommy if Annabelle gets one!

 
 Ryan got sick while everyone was here,  so sad.  As far as I know he was the only one.  We said a prayer before the baptism and he perked up for that and then he crashed afterwards.

 

Grumpy got to stay a few extra days with us.  I put him to work and had him watch Callie on the morning of my big assembly.   He thought he could sit there and read the whole time, but got a little winded after 6 books.  I am impressed that he made it through 6! 

After we went out for dinner Greg taught us all a fun round and we had fun singing together for family home evening.