October Wrap-up

1. The fall soccer season went well. Kathryn was a little back and forth the whole time, but she enjoyed it overall. At one point, she told me the reason she didn't like soccer was because of all the running...hmm. She really progressed through the season and did such an awesome job her last game. She actually kicked the ball several times. I was so proud of her for sticking with it. She had a great team and made some new friends. And, she is already planning to play again in the spring.

2. We are so lucky to have an awesome fitness/tumbling class for kids in our town. Mrs. Kristy is a trained dancer and gymnast, not to mention an awesome teacher to young kids. Kathryn participated in this class when she was younger, and we loved it. So, when Max was old enough, we put him in the class too. He really does a spectacular job and has such a knack for this kind of stuff.

3. Kathryn participated in a mini cheer camp that the high school cheerleaders put on. They practiced after school several days and then performed at the high school football game. She was so adorable!

One of Michael's technicians is the assistant coach.

4. A huge part of our month was spent preparing for and recovering from surgery. Maxwell and Samuel both had surgery. These sweet little boys were troopers.

There was a lot of time spent at home in pajamas, watching shows while eating Popsicles:)

5. Our pumpkin carving took on a whole new level this year. Michael got very creative and pulled out his saw to get the hard to carve areas. We ended up with a pirate and a one-eyed monster.

6. Our sweet little girl turned six this month. Oh my goodness, Kathryn is such an angel and such a gem. She is kind, loving, thoughtful and creative. She is a precious spirit. I took treats to her class a few days early because her teacher was going to be gone on her birthday. She LOVES her teacher, so it was only fitting that she wanted her to be there on the day they celebrated. We (Maxwell) had some serious meltdowns on her birthday, so I ended up taking Kathryn out to dinner at our favorite Mexican restaurant while Michael put the boys to bed. It was a fun little girls date. Then, we came home and opened presents and ate cake with Michael. I think she felt pretty special having us to herself. 

7. I took the kids out for some pictures in their Halloween costumes before we went trick or treating. Kathryn was a witch and Maxwell and Samuel were superheros- Mighty Max and Super Sam. 

8. We invited some friends to trick or treat around our neighborhood. It was a perfect night.

Bickering

Bickering. Fighting. Arguing.

I just couldn't stand it any longer. I had reached my breaking point last week.

It seemed like nothing was working. 

And then, I decided to take away their television privileges.

 They are behaving so much better. And I am behaving so much better.

It's amazing to see the change that has come over them.

They are playing so much better and they are being so much kinder to one another.

They are working together and working things out. 

 Yesterday they played puppies for hours, and they built a secret hide out today.

I know it wasn't really the television that made the change. 

It was a change in them. And in me. I love to hear their laughter and see their imaginations.

Nothings perfect yet, but it's so much better. Love these sweet kids.

Lights

There were jack o lanterns on the porch and Thanksgiving decorations inside,

But we decided to put up our Christmas lights. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

To the mountains

This trip seems like ages ago, but it was really only two months.

It was only hours before loading up the car, that we made the final decision where we were going.

Michael had a long weekend, and we wanted to make the most of it.

So we headed to Sun Valley and the beautiful mountains. 

Sawtooth Mountain Range

We took our bikes along for the ride.

The fringe on Kathryn's handlebars cracked us up the way they were flapping in the breeze.

It was almost like they were super excited for the trip too.

Alturas Lake

  

Feeding the ducks is always a must in the Sun Valley Resort.
As was the jumping spider and bike riding. Oh, and lets not forget eating yummy ice cream.
A lot of shops were closing down for the fall and winter months, so it was pretty quiet.

One of the perks from the condo that we stayed in, was a pass to the local YMCA.

It was truly an AMAZING place!!! We even contemplated moving there just for the gym:)

There was a giant water slide, splash pad and lazy river. 

We dropped Sam off for a while at the daycare center, and took Kathryn and Max swimming.

We all had a blast! Even Sammy loved playing with all the toys.

While we were at the gym, we put Sam in a locker, just because he is so darn cute.

We also made a quick detour to this fine little mineral pool called Russian John Hot Spring.

20 years ago, Michael's brother fixed this little place up for his Eagle Project.

We always have to stop and check up on the place when we are passing by.

This trip was just what we all needed.