Happy Halloween!

    My Halloween started with my twins class party.  It's so fun to be their room mom and have them still excited to have me around.

     This was probably the last year when all of my kids will dress up and go trick-or-treating.   They came up with some pretty great costumes.

Mac was a great nerd. Keaton was Alfalfa...notice the cowlick!

Tate came up with his own costume as a dark wizard. 

Avery wanted to be Anna, since she was Elsa last year.  

And Brecken was a vampire. 

Corey & I got in on the dressing up scene, and even coordinated. 

     Then, as we've done for the past few years, hosted the teenage after-party. It's always fun to have the kids gather here and we usually get to have a good visit with Sunny & Ty.  

For the record...

     I know I'll look back at my time with little children and be very sentimental...just so I don't forget that those sweet little kids created a lot of laundry.  This is my Monday folding.  I usually do a slightly smaller batch close to the end of the week as well.  It's a pretty impressive amount of clothes!

Back to School

     What a crazy back to school year!  McKay starts high school this year.  It was totally surreal as I walked through his high school during freshman orientation...."wasn't I just here??"  He's excited and getting taller all the time and as I looked around noticed he looks more like a high-schooler than I realized.

     Keaton is on his second year in middle school.  He feigns a dislike in school but he loves the social aspect of it and deep down inside likes to challenge himself in his schoolwork.  Go Keat!!

     Tate is in 4th grade this year and is fortunate enough to have the best teacher in the school, Mrs. Asay.  This kid works so hard and we're so proud of him and excited for a great new year.  

      And now the twins...in school!!!  Brecken & Avery win for the most excited to start school, but who can blame them, it's kindergarten!  They were more than thrilled to start in Miss Griffiths class and join the big kids on the bus.  I wondered about myself and my reaction to having them gone half a day, but I was so excited for them I couldn't help but be happy.  Love you big kids!

Scout Camp

     McKay and Keaton both attended a week-long scout camp this year.  It was a great experience where they learned a lot and had a week of boy-fun-experiences.  It's a great opportunity for them to be away from home for an extended period of time.  I want them to not be totally out of sorts when they go on their missions or off to college, but I surprised myself by how hard I had to work to hold myself together when I picked them up after that long week.  Boy did I miss those boys!!

     These are "before" pictures.  They weren't nearly this clean when they got home!

Happy 24th of July

     Every year our neighborhood gathers together on the 24th of July for a children's parade and a pancake breakfast.  The kids decorate their bikes and wagons and dress up in patriotic or pioneer fare. Avery just got a great cowgirl hat from Grandma and Grandpa Peterson and she couldn't resist showing it off!

6!!!

      Having twins is really fun (after the age of  4).  We stayed with family celebrations this year and had a fun day spent together and had a fun movie date.  They got their own cakes.  Avery chose an Oreo ice cream cake and Breck wanted a Hulk smash cake.  Happy Birthday twinners!!  I can't believe you're 6. 

12!

 

     How cute is this 12-year-old???  Keaton turned twelve and we're so excited for him.  He was super happy to have the privilege of being ordained as a deacon in our church.  We're so proud of him and the great kid he is!  Happy Birthday Keat!!