School and Soccer

We got a TON of pumpkins this year since we got two separate batches. We decided it was time to pick the rest even though a couple were still green. We put this one inside to have an experiment and see how long it took to get orange. Brandon and Ryan wore matching outfits.

My sweet piano player. She is really getting very good.

Cody was coloring and singing really loudly. Of course when I went to get a video, he stopped. So we had to settle for a picture.

It dropped 30 degrees this week and Brandon had soccer practice in the cold. He came in with pink cheeks and sweaty hair (from wearing a snow hat). He looked so cute.

I know this picture may not seem significant. But it is. Today is the first time in his life that Cody's hair hasn't been totally poking up all over. I don't know what happened. I guess he is just growing up.

Now the pumpkin has a little orange in it.

I found this picture on my cell phone from kindergarten registration for Brandon. It was Brandon and Cody's first time on a school bus. They were in heaven as we drove around the block. Brandon got this school assignment back this week. He did so great. It takes him forever, but he sure does have nice handwriting.

The kids really wanted to make a Bingo chart for when they watch conference. They picked out the pictures and where to put them. I thought it turned out pretty cute.

Kathleen got her first 10/10 on a spelling test last week. We were so proud that when she got home, she and I jumped up and down and screamed with excitement. Now I think she expects me to do that every week. So this week when she came home with 9/10, we still jumped up and down.

My cute family: These kids really do love their daddy.

More soccer pics:

Yes, this is a very flattering picture of me in my pajamas. Ryan and I made some banana bread.

The kids had their primary program at church and got little medals for a good job. They loved them so much that they wore them to school the next day and only took them off at night when their mean mom made them.

Kathleen has started taking better care of her things. So while she was at school, mom and Cody fixed up her doll house really nice and added a bunch of fun things to it that had once been taken away. She loved it and played in her room with it for a very long time.

Cody had his friends Autumn and Daniel over to play the other day. They jumped on the trampoline while pretending to be superheros. The best was that Autumn was "Ordinary Girl!"

Mexican Independence Day

Kathleen started ballet again this week. She is pretty excited about it. I love legos. Cody and Brandon will play with them for hours. And every time you buy them a new little set to add, they get so excited. Last week I took away the TV for a week and they just played with the legos all week. It was great.

Wednesday was Mexican Independence Day and you know me. I love to celebrate any and everything I can. So we got a pinata and had a Mexican feast with Spring and her family.

When the Cat's Away, the Mice Will Play

Just how nerdy are engineers? Well, you are about to find out. Ryan's boss was out of town for the week, so they collaborated and decided to have a "party" week. I use the term party very loosely, because you and I would never consider this a party. But engineers...

They decided to have a theme for each day while their boss was gone. Monday was Labor Day, so they declared it "Miss-a-day Monday". That means no one comes to work (because they have the day off anyway).

Tuesday was "Tacky-tie-Tuesday". Thursday was "Throw-on-shoes Thursday". AKA mismatch shoe day.

Wednesday was "Wear-pink Wednesday". Many of you may recognize this butt ugly shirt as the shirt he was generously given by Steve Holding, when his wife forced him to get rid of it. Ryan also showed up to our engagement picture shoot wearing this as a joke. I haven't gotten rid of it yet because he rarely wears it (unless he wants to start a fight).

Friday was "Don't-Fry-your-head Friday" because Ryan's boss has a bald spot on the back of his head that he often forgets to sunscreen. You and I would call this "Hat Day" but you know.

Grammy and Pompa

I know what you are thinking. You have never seen the likes of this at my house. And yes, it was my idea. For FHE activity, we tried to throw popcorn into each other's mouths. And like always, it gets out of hand before it ends.

Kathleen dressed in all purple and borrowed mom's scarf. She wanted to look "stylish" at school. She always makes me smile.

I got my hair cut last week. Brandon took this picture of it. I know, I look old.

Don't ask me what this face means.

Brandon has gotten pretty skilled with twisting the swings. We really didn't think he would be able to get on this one. But he never ceases to amaze us.

Cody was standing in front of the closet and there came a banging from inside...

Here is what I found inside.

Grammy and Pompa came to visit us. We were so excited to have them here. They got to watch the kids soccer games.

The boys were dancing around on the table singing, "Who you gonna call? GHOSTBUSTERS!...I ain't afraid of no ghost."

Present Day

Do you like our salsa we made? We were so proud of ourselves. We used tomatoes, jalapenos, bell peppers, and onions all from our garden. The boys are ready for the bus stop. Brandon has been getting ready so early and so fast that we have had to start doing chores in the morning. I guess he really likes school.

Present Day finally arrived. We have had many inquires as to how to celebrate this special occasion. So here it is if you want to join in. It takes place every year the Wednesday before Labor Day. On Monday for FHE, we all go to the store and separate into teams. There is a budget for each person (usually $5-10). Everyone gets a gift. We go home and wrap them. Then on Wednesday after dinner, we open them one at a time. There are never too many days in the year where you get presents!

I got a kickball and a candy bar. The ball has been so much fun and we have played a lot with it. The best part is that I always get to kick first since it is "my" ball.

I was babysitting some kids the other day and Autumn and Cody tucked themselves into Kathleen's bed. It was so cute I had to get a photo.

I woke up the other morning after the kids and came downstairs to this. They were all coloring quietly. That never happens.

One day the kids and I were all sitting on the stairs (I am not sure why). Brandon asked if we could take a picture with the timer on. So we did. Clearly we take too many pictures on our stairs.

The day has finally arrived. Even better than present day. What could it possibly be you ask? Well, here it is. Cody FINALLY pooped in the potty. He has been potty trained without a pee accident for a month and a half, but has not once pooped in the toilet. It has been a lot of fun clean-up. But Friday, he finally did it. And has done it consistently since, without help. YIPEEEEE! So he got a Thomas the Train toy with a new track to add to his old one.

Since we have church at 11:00, it overlaps with lunchtime. So we have a snack before church. Sunday we had ants on a log. The kids loved it. Celery, peanut butter, chocolate chips.

Cody's dog shirt (one of the 5 rewards dealt out one at a time for proper pottying).

Brandon wanted Ryan to tape his mouth shut. So, without hesitation, Ryan obliged. Of course, Brandon was so excited for the picture that he opened his mouth too wide and it came untaped. All good things can't last.

Can you tell I am excited about this? Here is a picture of it, in progress.

By the way, I realize there are a lot of made-up words in this post. Can you find some?