Happy Happy Halloween

 The Halloween Extravaganza was a lot of fun this year. We decided to not go to the school trunk-or-treat because we had three other activities this year. We were able to our ward's trunk-or-treat, we went to Dave's work to trick-or-treat and then on Halloween we went trick-or-treating with cousins. The kids had way too much candy but had so much fun getting all sugared up several times. Tanner was Iron Man Patriot, Ella was a fairy witch, and Soffie was a ladybug. Tanner kept being mistaken with Captain America and he really started to get mad when people call him that. Soffie loved all the candy.

Sparkle Motion

 Ella really improved this soccer season. She really loved it more, I can tell it is slowly starting to click. She loves her team, she was on the same team as last year and the girls did great. Her coach is my best friend's husband and Ella really loves him as her coach. Her last game was in the fog, it was perfect too because it was also the week of Halloween.

Time Out For Women

I have a great friend that moved to Tacoma a couple years ago and we don't get to see each other enough. We planned a Time Out For Women to go stay with her and have a girls weekend. Me and my bestie, Julie, headed up to Tacoma to stay with our friend McKenzie. It was a fabulous weekend. We ate way too much food and stayed up late chatting. It was so nice to see her and spend time together. We did a little shopping, a lot of eating and was also able to hear some amazing speakers. I always come away feeling like I'm doing alright but it motivates me to be a better person, friend, mother, and wife.

Back to School

I know its a bit late but both my kids have started school. Ella started 1st grade and Tanner is in Preschool. Both are loving it. Ella loves going all day and eating lunch at school. I do not like it, we all miss her while shes gone. Tanner and Soffie love to watch for her when she comes home. We did a back to school night with a special dinner and a fun table setting. Topped of the night with a special FHE with father's blessing.

We Love Summer

We have had one great Summer. We spent a lot of our days on the boat. We were able to take friends with us a few times. Janet and Nick came with us quite a bit, which we love. At the end of the Summer we invited several families to come with us. It was a blast. The kids had fun tubing and knee-boarding. A friend brought some ice blocks so the kids went ice blocking. So grateful for amazing friends.

We had fun swimming in Janet's pool at her apartment. We also spent many afternoons at a water park that we have a membership to. We have had a great Summer, just even hanging out in the backyard playing and eating Popsicles. We will miss Summer.

 Tanner has the best boat hair.

 This girl loves her Uncle Nick.

 Next Karate kid?

 Boating with friends!!

Ice Blocking

Grandma and Grandpa

Dave's parents were able to come visit us for a whole week, the kids were in heaven. They don't get to see them very often so it is quite the treat to have them. We had a fun and very busy week. We started off by heading up to Leavenworth, which is a little German town. Dave's dad went on his mission to Germany so we thought he would love it and he did. We spent the day looking at all the shops. We also went to a petting zoo near by, which the kids loved.
Dave and his dad had a fun day of fishing. They went on a guided fishing day trip and learned to fish for Perch and Walleye. They had a successful day. That night my dad offered to take them Sturgeon fishing on his boat. They had a lot of fun.
The fair was going on that week, so we went to the fair one afternoon. The kids had fun looking at all the animals and going on outrageously priced rides but the had a great time.
We also took them out on our boat. The kids had fun tubing, knee-boarding, and Ella wake boarded.
Grandma always brings crafts and fun games to play. We had a great time and can't wait for them to come again.

S-E-V-E-N

Our sweet Ella turned 7. For her birthday we decided to invite a couple of friends to go to "Smurfs 2" and have ice cream cake. It was the best and easiest party I have every done. The girls had fun. She also got a haircut that night by one of her friends that led to her getting side bangs.
Ella loves to learn, she is literally a sponge and remembers most of what she learns. She knows all of her Articles of Faith, thanks to her dad. She loves school. She loves to play Just Dance on the Wii as much as I let her. She loves her friends and is always wanting to have someone over to play. The girl is crazy brave. She has gotten up on double skis and wake boarding this summer. She is a pro at knee boarding. She has really started to read too. She can read small chapter books with a little bit of help. She is a great big sister. We love having our happy Ella in our family.