October

 

This was across the street from the church. The next week there was another one, making a total of 4 coyotes.  It was quite the sight. :)

Below was the morning of Halloween. I totally forgot to make my traditional breakfast and scare everyone. I realized when Michael said, "Happy Halloween to one of the kids" I went back and put on a cat face and then went out to try to scare the last couple that were in bed.

Maebryn has been a fan of taking pictures, this is one that she took one day. Below is the pictures that Maebryn left me and drew for me when I was at school one morning. I always, and I really mean always come home to find something she has made for me or left for me on my pillow. When we are at school all day she makes me a card at school that she brings for me. She really hasn't missed a day in many many months. She has so much love to give and share.

Above is one of the meals the kids made while I was a school. They really have done well while I am at school on Monday and Wednesday. Below is the barbies that Frances gave Roslyn and Maebryn.

One thing I did do this year was get everyone a costume so that we could have a theme. We were all Winnie the Pooh characters. I found them all online at thrift shops for $5-$10 and they worked out great! 

Maebryn's birthday. She loved every minute of it as always. She especially loved opening presents. I think she sometimes almost could care less what is in those presents but loves the thrill of opening the to see what's inside. Obviously she did like the things inside though. Her birthday was on a Friday so we had pancakes before Friday school then went to Friday school and came home and had pizza. and the pizza pockets. In the evening was the Ward Trunk or Treat so we went to that in the evening. It was a full wonderful day.

These are pictures I took as a boy at school made a poster to make Calvin president. He ended up winning so they did a good job on the campaign. 

We put in the cement we've been wanting to add. The weather has been perfect so one afternoon we went and played pickleball. We're hoping to play it more especially once we get the lines marked for it.

Roslyn has been reading the little House on the Prairie series. Below the girls at gymnastics. They have loved doing gymnastics and have done really well at it. I am glad I got them signed up.

In my math class at school working with the pattern blocks. Time is always short so I do a short activity and then their worksheet...at some point I am hopping to do some outdoor activities. Below is the kids in the mornings when we leave for seminary. We do scripture and prayer together and then they go lay down in the living room to get some more rest. I usually leave them like this when I go.

Above is Sunday afternoon game time. The boys usually always play but every now and again I will go up to join them.

Below is Benson's birthday. I am amazed at all this little guy does. He is a quick worker and likes to get things done quickly. He really is learning and growing a lot though. I have been amazed at all the research he has done into the rabbits and the posters and other material he has written about them and for them.

He had a big cookie dough cake. Calvin had the same cake on his birthday and Benson had really liked it so he had it as well. We had a wonderful day celebrating. His big present was a new board game.

I don't do my girls hair very often but love it when they will allow me to do their hair and when they leave it in after I do it. They sure are cutie pies. Below we watched a friends dog for a day, the kids enjoyed taking him for walks.

All of the boys and Michael went to the BYU football game to watch their cousin Fuller play, we also got to have their family come and spend the night with us and watch a session of conference so that was really nice. We love having family come stay!

The night before the football game we had planned to go camping with friends but it looked like it was going to rain so we just did dinner and smores at our house. It was a nice evening. We ended it with singing songs together.

September

 

Calvin's patriarchal blessing. This was a joy and a highlight to be at this special blessing for Calvin. 

Cute girls having a girls night with me while the boys went to the highschool football game. We watched the live action Cinderella while snuggling on my bed, got Rosa's and danced. It was a fun night.

This year I was determined to have good matching costumes for Halloween and we have all of them ready even a month before Halloween. We are going to be Winnie the Pooh characters. Below was a Saturday night hamburgers, we hadn't had hamburgers for a long time. We used to have them weekly but the kids got tired of them, but it's been many months since we've had them so everyone loved it.

Maebryn often likes to come with me wherever I go this was on a Tuesday when we had taken Calvin to track. She fell right asleep and slept for quite a bit. I think all day at school wears her out sometimes. Above is one of the dinners the kids made.

Above was a swim party we did with our primary class. Basically everyone was there, it was a lot of fun to have them all over. Below is the kitchen every Monday and Wednesday when I get home. The kids always clean it up well while I am at school and prep dinner and then they get to watch a show.

Above are the cards from Maebryn that I find daily on my bed and she also gives me cards throughout the day. It is a joy to have these sweet little ones. Below was a scratch Calvin got from a kid at school. It was in my classroom and I felt bad that I didn't catch it.

Maebryn is quite the little artist. She is often painting or coloring. I have received a picture from her every day for well over the last month or two. She really hasn't missed a single day and often has given me many in one day.

Below is the grave of Goldy, Benson's bird. It was sad on what I think was the second week of school or so, Goldy didn't look very good the night before school but in the morning really looked bad and she died just before the kids left to school. The boys wrote up a thing for her and buried her.

On Thursday during the first week of school the girls started gymnastics. I am excited for them to learn all that they will learn.  They are excited about it. Above was us going to the water park with some friends on the weekend of that first week of school or so.

First day of school pictures. I never did get one of everyone lined up together. We left to seminary before the littles were ready and then I couldn't get everyone together at school so this was the best I got. I still want to get one of them all lined up with their grades and school shirts on.