On Our Toes!

There is hardly a dull moment around here.  We have been keeping busy with sports, church callings, work, the day to day life things, not to mention: taking care of four children who keep us on our toes.  It is nice to have an evening where no one has to go anywhere and we can just spend some quality time as a family (one of the main reasons I look forward to the Holidays).  Although I like to watch Payton in soccer, it will be nice to have one less place to run during the week.  Anyway here are a few things that keep us going... 

This cute little girl who is learning new words and things every day.

This handsome boy, who can be found in a Super Hero costume more often then not.  One great accomplishment lately is that Taylor is Potty Trained!!!   Can you tell I am thrilled to have one in diapers again!  He is so smart so it was frustrating struggling with #2 for so long.  He was great at the other but something about #2 had to be on his terms.  I swear we tried everything, but he would find a way to hide while he knew I was busy, in the shower, or just plain sneak off and take care of business.  Taylor has been all TALK and would tell me he would do it it the toilet next time, but a couple weeks ago something just clicked.  Since then we have not looked back and it has been AWESOME!  He has been so proud of himself and will tell complete strangers "I poop in the Toilet"!  Their reactions are always fun to watch and he now says he is getting HuGE!!  While it is hard to watch my kids grow up so fast, there are just a few things that I could live without.  So I'm glad that phase is over!  (3 down 1 to go, as of now anyway.)

McKenzie, Payton, and Taylor hanging out!  I love that they are such great friends!  So far Payton and McKenzie are loving school, making new friends, and learning everyday.

Sweet little Brielle has seemed to really shown her personality lately and is such a huge part of the family.  Everyone giggles at her silliness or cheers her on when she stands or takes a few steps.  The kids are her biggest fans, as she is theirs in return!

I will forever cherish this picture of her.  It just makes me happy looking at it.  She is just so fun and happy in this picture!

On Friday the kid's school had a Fall Carnival.  We took the kids for a little while and they had fun!  They really are our best friends and our source of entertainment!

In line waiting for the cake walk.

Taylor, Payton, and McKenzie.  (Brielle was off looking around the school with Mckay.)

The CUPCAKE WALK was fun for the kids...it helped that everyone won something each time, but it was even pretty cute to watch them play the game.  They enjoyed their treats and some cotton candy afterwards.

It was a fun little evening with the kids.  We can't imagine what life would be like without our children, who make it such a Journey to Enjoy!!

Payton's 2012 Soccer Season

Payton just finished up his Fall 2012 Soccer Season, Saturday was his last game.  He had a great time and learned a lot of new skills this year.  He used to get winded after running quite a bit, or when we would go on long bike rides and he had to peddle twice as fast to keep up with our bikes with larger tires.  Now he seems to be in good shape and go for a long time with ease.  He is pretty certain that he could beat both Mckay and I in a foot race now!  Payton liked the practices, but loved the games!!  (Especially the after game snacks!)  At first he said he didn't want to be the goal keeper, but eventually after giving that a try he actually enjoyed that position as well.

Getting ready to start.

Our soccer player.

Payton is usually one of the smallest on the team but he tries hard!

He loves to play sports.  I think he is already interested in football and basketball as well.  It will be interesting to see what is in store for him in the future and what his real hobbies will be.

Watching the ball.

Go team FIREHAWKS!!

It came as no surprise that Payton was so thrilled when he found out we were headed to Idaho Pizza Company for dinner after practice his last practice.  We had a fun little team party and the boys were given trophies as we thanked the coach.  Payton has secretly been wanting a trophy for a long time now and was hoping he would finally get one this year.  Each family pitched in money for their own boys and Payton's wish came true.  I tried to keep it a secret until he saw them, but he was pretty hopeful most of the season!

The family waiting for Pizza!

Payton was so happy to finally get his first Trophy.

It has been fun to cheer him on and watch him improve!  We sure do love Payton, he is such a good boy!!

Go Payton!

Payton has been enjoying his soccer season!  He is such a fun active kid, it is fun to watch him improve and try his best.  Here are a few action shots!!

 He is usually one of the smallest kids on the field but he works hard!

 This was a colder game but we are Payton's #1 FANS!  Grandma even came to cheer him on and take a few pictures (he felt pretty special).

 We sure love this kid!

Oh Payton, you are growing up so fast and we love to be there cheering you along your way!

Boise Temple Open House

On Saturday my entire family (minus Daniel on his mission, Michelle who is recovering from surgery, and Kaitlyn who was not feeling well) went to the Boise Temple Open House.  It was a great experience and so wonderful to take the kids in the temple.  I hope this is something they will always remember!

 

Before arriving at the Temple we met and drove together to meet at a nearby church and be shuttled over to the Temple in a bus, since the Temple parking lot is usually pretty packed.  Once we told the kids that we were going to ride on a bus to get there, they were thrilled!  They kept spotting other buses along the way and thought each one was the bus that would drive us the rest of the way.  It made this experience even more exciting!  After visiting the Temple we headed to Sizzler for a family dinner.  It was a great evening with the family!

Taylor on his first bus ride ever!  He was so excited and just the thought of not having to wear a seat belt, was pretty cool!

Brielle, me, and Payton on the way to the Temple.

Taylor and Mckay sharing a seat.

McKenzie and Ashlee were all giggles while riding together.

Allyssa and Payton were on their best behavior!

It sure was beautiful inside the Temple and it felt great being there as a family!  Overall the kids were pretty good with a few minor fixes here and there for Brielle and Taylor.  It was neat to see the kids reactions...at one point Brielle just kept staring up at a beautiful chandelier.  She was fixed on looking up toward heaven, and we couldn't help but think that she felt special in the Celestial Room like the rest of us, and right at home.  I think all of our kids enjoyed the feelings they had while being in the

House of the Lord. 

Mckay with the boys (and Kaden).

Our family!

Whitney, Brian, and Aubrey

My wonderful parents!

Dean, Cynthia, and Max

Allyssa, Mark, Kaden, Kenzie, and Ashlee

We are so grateful to have the Boise Temple up and running again!

Kenzie's Kindergarten Field Trip

On October 11th, McKenzie's Kindergarten class went on a field trip to Linder Farms.  I got to go along, which was really fun (thanks Cynthia for watching my younger kids so I could go).  McKenzie has really been looking forward to this and I was happy to come and spend some time with my little girl and her cute classmates.  It is fun to get to know who she has been talking about in her class. 

Being dropped off by the bus.  (Kenzie is in the purple coat.)

McKenzie is loving Kindergarten!  Field Trips are the best!!

My sweet McKenzie and me on the hay ride.

Picking our her perfect Pumpkin!  Although we recently went to Grandmas where each of the kids already picked out their favorite Pumpkins there.

McKenzie and her good friend Carina.  They are cure little buddies, it was cute as they would hold hands.  I'm glad Kenzie let me join in on the fun with her too!

Silly Girl!

Finding her way through the Straw Maze.

Having fun!  We even got to go through a Corn Maze and Kenzie loved it!

A fun snack of Popcorn and a Capri Sun to top it off and make for one happy girl!

Oh how I love the different seasons!  I tend to like whatever season we happen to be in.  So I gladly welcome the changes in weather, the beautiful scenery, changes in pace, upcoming holidays, snuggling in a warm cozy home with my hubby and kids, (Yes, and maybe even taking a break from mowing the lawn, although once I am actually out there doing it I really don't mind) as well as making new memories with the family. 

Happy Fall Y'all!