Today I'm thankful...

...for these little feet. They'll follow me anywhere, but are also always ready to blaze their own path. They'll lead us to the nearest curb, the nearest wish-flower, the nearest puppy, the nearest mud puddle. They are never afraid to dance...especially when someone's watching. They are never afraid to squeeze in between my legs as we sit in the rocking chair reading...just to warm up a little bit. They rarely walk, but prefer to jump, hop, skip or run. They used to be the length of my thumb, but now they seem oh, so big. I hope that they keep this little girl on a straight course, that they help her to walk strong, to help support others when they need it and to go the extra mile.

The guest bedroom awaits...

... our very special guests. Tomorrow, Mom and (hopefully) Dad are coming up to spend a few days. Mom's birthday is on the 9th (if you see her, tell her Happy 29th Birthday!!). We have tickets for Disney on Ice for Thursday evening, and Mom and I are going scrapbooking on Friday afternoon and evening. Thanks, Bob, for watching the kids! Saturday, we've got some running around to do...the Holidays Bazaars have begun!

When we first moved in, we had only seen the house once. So, the furniture was just put where we thought it would work best. Right near the entrance to the house is a room with French doors. We originally had our computer in this room and alot of the kids toys. The futon was upstairs sharing a room with my scrapbooking supplies. Both sets of parents stayed in the upstairs room this summer, and I don't think that they enjoyed it all that much. The windows do not open for fresh air and it was a bit crowded with my scrapbooking table. I also didn't like to see the computer, CDs and all of our bills and papers laying around when I walked by the room downstairs. So, I (easily) convinced my sweet husband that we should take apart the computer desk (again) and put it upstairs in the scrapbooking room. We moved the futon downstairs. I love how it is now. Upstairs, we have my scrapbooking, the computer and a table for the kids to work on all in one room out of sight of visitors. Downstairs, the futon is normally put up as a couch and we call it the family room. It has my scrapbooks, cookbooks, some of the kids' games, my favorite rocking chair (thanks, Holli!) and plenty of room for the kids to wrestle with Daddy. When we have company, I think that it will be a nice room with a lot more space and windows that open!

Off to clean the rest of the house...

Yesterday I was thankful...

...that we can all move like this! Here's a shot from last night's game (thanks, Bob, for the photo). The youngest of us is 30, but we all are still able to dig in with the best of them! On the front is me, Carl and Shelly. Back row is Max, Amanda, and Conrad. Sitting patiently on the bench waiting their turn are Heidi, Greg, and Amy. Out for the season due to injury but so helpful with support and coaching is Eric. Go Team! So far, we're 2-0.

Shoot!!!!

I was just going to upload photos from the nature walk that Mom and I took with Emma, and of our Halloween evening at the Sloan's. However, I just realized that I took my card to Fred Meyers to print pictures, rather than downloading them to Costco. Then, like an numbskull, I deleted them all! I'm so bummed. I love technology, but sometimes you just gotta be smarter than the average box of rocks...

Dee Anne's Costume Party

Did you know that zebras climbed trees?

Jill with the cutest Pebbles and Ladybug!

All of the kids, with Dee Anne and Jill

Aislyn joining in the trick-or-treating fun.

You gotta be inventive when the bag is as big as you!

Dee Anne set up indoor trick-or-treating for the kids. Such a great idea! Here's Twila handing out her treat.

The kids got to pick any pumpkin in the house, decorate it with face stickers and then take the

pumpkin home.

Emma and Ember playing "Pass the Ugly Gourd"

Dee Anne (Snow White) read the kids Halloween stories.

Wyatt

Thanks, Dee Anne, for a wonderful party!!!!

I think that these two might be life-long friends.

Dee Anne and Barb had the house decorated to nicely! The food and decorations were perfect

for the 3- and 4-year-olds!

Boo at the Zoo

Dear friends from the Ontario and Boise fields joined us for our first trip to Boo at the Zoo.

We were told that they were limiting the admissions to 13, 000, due to the new African exhibit. The kids had a great time, but the adults found it a bit crowded. Emma and Wyatt had a close encounter with a Komodo Dragon.

The boys' favorite attaction was watching the bees and ladybugs on the flowers.

The lion apparently did not get the memo that he was supposed to be strutting around roaring. Maybe next time...

Emmalee in her ballerina costume

The Cheshire Cat and her little white rabbit

The giraffes are still a little shy, but it's fun to see such little ones!

Emma and Ryan

Daddy helping Emma see the frogs.

Today's project

Mom and I found the pattern for this Cupcake Pin Cushion at Craft Warehouse. It's very easy to make and takes very little fabric. With two coordinating fat quarters, I'm guessing that you could probably make 10-15 of them.

Today's project

Emma's new library bag, using one of Fred Meyer's pink ribbon shopping bags.

Thanks, Cassie for the idea!

Today, I am thankful for...

...this wonderful time change.

Our morning routine last week:

7:00 Drag myself out of bed and into the shower

7:25 Get the kids up and dressed

7:45 Yell at Ryan for taking so long

7:55 Yell at Ryan again for taking so long and not actually accomplishing anything

8:00 Breakfast and make Ryan's lunch

8:15 Sadly, yell at Ryan once again to hurry and eat

8:25 Push the kids out of the door in order to get Ryan to school on time

Sounds fun, eh?

Our routine this morning:

6:15 Jumped out of bed and got dressed for my exercise video

6:20-6:50 Exercised

6:55 Showered while Bob got the kids up

7:15 Kids dressed, teeth brushed, etc, etc

7:30 Kids off to play while I made my yummy morning bowl of oatmeal, made Ryan's lunch and read the newspaper

(Notice no yelling?!?!)

8:00 Warning to Ryan to get all last minute stuff ready for school.

8:20 Out the door, Ryan to school, Emma to preschool

I love this time change!!! Even better is that fact that the kids bedtime (except for meeting nights and volleyball nights) is now 7:30-8, rather than 8:30-9.

Happy Time Change!

Pumpkin Patch

Emma's preschool class went to the pumpkin patch last week. It was a beautiful day, if a bit windy. The kids had a blast. They all got to run through the hay bale maze and pick out pumpkins to take home. We also got to go on a hayride...along the way to saw farm animals, a zebra and a camel.

Amy and W

"That's the one, Mom!"

The kids could only pick pumpkins that they could carry on their own. Emma finally found one that she could carry.