Pumpkins!

After Garrett's last soccer game, we had to make a quick trip to ML and decided to hit the pumpkin patch we'd heard about over there. While it wasn't anything fancy, the kids loved it. I'm sure Todd loved that the whole expedition was short and sweet, too. :) Somehow I missed getting a picture of Garrett picking out his pumpkin, but they all had a fun time picking out one just the right size. I think Garrett was looking for a giant pumpkin, but there were none to be found :).

A couple of days later we decided FHE would be the perfect time to do something with those pumpkins, the kids decided on painting them. The girls painted their entire pumpkins pink and purple, and Garrett was going for more of a camo look with green and black. I had to laugh when I heard Lauren on the porch chatting with her friend about how they thought Garrett's pumpkin was "ugly, but we won't tell him that!" Too funny! Oh those little princesses. :)

Fall Soccer 2011

Yep, serious bunch these Killer Bees....not sure how this turned out to be the best picture I got :)

We had an interesting soccer season this fall. All in all Garrett was happy so that's ALL that matters. :) We started out the season late, and Garrett was on one team but there weren't enough players on another team (that practiced with them) and Garrett was the one who finally made the switch. They did have some good little players on this team, it's fun to see them get more competitive each year. This was the first year we've ever had to travel for games (and because we started late we only had to do that once).

This year we also found out Garrett might have allergy or excercise induced asthma. He was having a lot of trouble with endurance on the field and would sometimes stop with his hand to his chest. He kept saying he was just feeling his heart beat, but I could tell by the way it slowed him down there was more to it. We finally got him in to our family doctor and they have referred us on to a pulmonologist. In the meantime he gave us a prescription for an inhaler and we saw a HUGE difference in the last couple of games. While we were grateful the inhaler helped, I am still planning to take him to the pulmonologist toward the end of the month to make sure we are covered for the next sport he plays.

Testing, testing, 1...2....

So does anyone read this thing anymore?! LOL! I was feeling a bit nostalgic tonight and reading through some of my posts over the last few years. First, where the heck has all the time gone? Second, wow, have I become a blogging slacker! Since my reason for keeping this blog is that it is essentially our family journal, I've decided I need to remember to post about the little things, as well as the usual holiday/sports season/big life events stuff. :)

Soooo...what have we been up to? For one, preparing for that little bundle of joy I told you about here . Oh yeah, and that little bundle of joy is a BOY! See....serious slacker here, we've only known for 12 or so weeks now and I'm just now posting it on my blog! I can't begin to tell you how excited we are to add another boy to the family! We have a little over 7 weeks (yikes!) left to prepare for this little man. Part of those preparations must include buying a new vehicle, something my dear husband has been in denial about. I'm not too worried, though, because it HAS to happen. I've given in to the fact that it may not happen in my time frame, and may not be exactly what I was hoping for, but it will happen and whatever comes, comes. We should also be coming up with a name for this little guy, but have come to the conclusion that boys are very hard to name and putting it off just sounds better than fighting, ahem, fretting about it. :) I have to say a little about this pregnancy.....it has been one of my easiest. Not to say that my teeth aren't falling apart as usual or that my back isn't KILLING me half the time, but at least to this point it has gone by very quickly and at least when I sleep, I sleep semi-well compared to when I was pregnant with the girls. Now, here's to hoping the next 7 1/2 (give or take) weeks go just a well! Garrett's really enjoying school this year and has been keeping busy the last month or so with soccer. His new favorite position is goalie, which surprises me, but to each his own! We have noticed some issues with his breathing/endurance this season so I took him to our family doctor and he will be referring us to a pulmonologist for further testing to see if he Garrett may have exercise-induced asthma. We only have a couple weeks left this season, but it will be nice to have some answers.Lauren is back in ballet and LOVING it. Other than that, she has been working hard on her home-preschool workbooks and amazes me every day with her ability to soak it all in. This girl loves to learn. She writes her own name very well and is working on her middle and last names. She's always asking me how to spell this word or that word so she can write "letters" to her friends. Such a sweetie!
Our little Ella is just busy, busy, busy! Just this morning I was informed by Lauren that Ella had gotten hold of a permanent marker and proceeded to leave her signature on the walls, bunkbeds, toddler bed, not to mention HERSELF! If you happen to see her and it looks like she has a black eye, that's because the purple marker hasn't scrubbed off yet!!! I'm not sure how I'll survive this busy little girl once we have the baby. Luckily she's as sweet as she is busy. I love the new things she comes up with every day, and her ability to quote movie lines...it's pretty hilarious. Luckily she hasn't heard and/or quoted anything too embarrassing...yet!

I think that about sums up our lives at the moment. Hopefully the posts will get more frequent, even if the only ones reading them end up being US!

A Big 2nd Grader!

Wait! Didn't we JUST start summer vacation?! How is this little man already starting 2nd Grade?! Well... ready or not, today was the first day of school. The weather was more than happy to cooperate, already dropping 10-15 degrees from what we've been enjoying the last few weeks. I was almost shocked that he had to run upstairs and grab a sweatshirt before getting on the bus this morning.

We were as ready as could be....we went to the open house last night and met his new teacher, Mrs. Firl. I was a little disappointed to see that none of his close friends are in his class, in fact they all seem to be in one other class, but that will just give him the opportunity to come out of his shell more. Daddy gave him a sweet blessing last night. He was too anxious/nervous/excited to eat a good breakfast this morning, but I was finally able to talk him into a trail mix granola bar. We were relieved to see his bus driver from last year, Melissa Adams, this morning. I was a little anxious for him, but I knew he'd be fine. I just can't believe how fast he's growing up! He had a great first day, at least he's excited to go back again tomorrow....I'd say we're off to a great start!

4th of July Weekend 2011

Not even sure where to begin with our whirlwind 4th of July weekend this year! Friday I had planned to go to Spokane to be with my cousin's family as they were sealed in the temple for time and all eternity (so sad I had to miss it, but soooo excited for them!). I was unable to find someone to watch my kiddos, so instead we took a little trip to see my friend Ashley and her sweet baby and kids. We hung out for the afternoon and then headed to a sprinkler park for a bit before dinner. I'm not sure why I have no pictures other than those from the sprinkler park, and even then there are none of Lauren running through the sprinklers. Maybe because she spent most of her time elsewhere, like the sand or the playground! Here's a few that I did manage to catch....

We had so much fun and I'm very much looking forward to the next time we get together!

Saturday was mostly spent around the house. Todd got to go fishing that morning with a friend and managed to catch a walleye. We decided to do some dutch oven cooking that night and headed out to Todd's parent's house so we could spend some time with them and use their fire pit. After a yummy (although a little late) dinner, we roasted some marshmallows over a fire. It was a perfect night to enjoy being outdoors.

Sunday we went to church, then headed off to a Cole family dinner. I love family dinners and just hanging out with everyone, talking and laughing. Mom and Andy took Garrett and Lauren for the night, so we made our way home with just Ella. She definitely missed her big brother and sister and ended up being pretty high maintenance that night. She even ended up sleeping with us.

Monday morning, we headed back over to meet them and have breakfast with their ward. It was at the Cox Pond so there was lots for the kids to do. It wasn't in our plans but all of the kids ended up in the water at some point. Todd and I enjoyed the time in the bench swing there just watching the kids have fun with their cousins. We went to my mom's to get some rest (which we ALL needed, Garrett and Lauren both slept all afternoon) and headed out to watch my brothers and cousins do awesome in the demolition derby. On the way home we stopped at my cousin Mishelle's house just in time to have hot dogs and s'mores, and watch all the fireworks over the lake. We arrived home one tired bunch (I felt so sorry for Todd who had to get up at 5:00 the next morning).

We had such a fun weekend and I am so grateful for all those who have sacrificed for our freedom, so that we can enjoy all the amazing things that I hold most dear in this life.

Little Miss Ballet....

Lauren had her first ballet recital early this month. It was so, so fun to watch her beaming on that stage. She loved every minute of it!

Last Day of School 2011!

Here's Garrett with Mrs. Barbre on the last day of school. I can't believe my little man is moving on to 2nd grade! Yikes! Garrett says his favorite things about 1st grade were:

- Math

- Writing

- Good friends

- My teacher (he says he will really miss her :)

He also earned his Junior Jogger's shirt a couple of weeks before, so proud of him!