{The WOLF}

The kids LOVED Great Wolf Lodge!

The Magi Quest game was a BIG hit, and Chad wants his own wand next time (big kid)! If you haven't played it, and intend to go, or go again, this game will keep the "kids" busy all night!Spider Man after trick or treating and before the Halloween parade.Story time before bed.

See ya next time Howling Tornado (a very freaky water slide which takes you into a red and yellow checkered tube before dropping you down a shoot- definitely a "tornado" depending on the more weight you have)!!!

{Oma's Birthday}

Last weekend we celebrated Oma's birthday. We've called my mother in-law Oma since my in-laws started visiting Germany annually, soaking up the heritage and culture. In Germany Oma means Grandma. Anyway, we had a wonderful family dinner at Jake's Grill in the Governor Hotel where they were staying for the night before heading to Victoria for the remainder of her birthday celebration.

I LOVED watching these two little grand-boys hand all around Oma. She raised three mamma's boys, and naturally, boys just love her!Thanks Opa for planning such a fun celebration!

{Finally}

FINALLY, this boy sat through a dentist appointment. The hygienist and dentist are wonderful, and they made it so fun. If you have kiddo with anxiety about visiting the dentist for the first time (yes, he's 3 1/2 but would not let them examine him until now), then practice, practice, practice.
For our last FHE on the word of Wisdom, we played dentist for the activity (the metal pic, floss, the tiny mirror, new toothpaste and toothbrushes, the works). Then, for an entire week we kept practicing, and for two weeks we read the Usbourne book, "Going to the Dentist" about kids going through the whole exam.
Ry had anxiety while watching Maisey go first, but he ended up loving and said, while waiting for the dentist after the hygienist, "I want to be a dentist."
It was great. One more milestone and anxiety out of the way!

{the swing of things}

As of Monday, my 3 week break from school ended. Believe it or not, I dislike vacation time which exceeds a week. I like the structure of my busy, busy, second-to-second filled schedule.

I don't like the break, because it makes me want to go to be at 11 pm like normal people and it gets me thinking about what life will be like post-grad school- which is still 2+ years away... Nothing to think about now!

But, I certainly enjoyed the time with my family and friends, and vacation felt like eternity since we were only out of town 1 weekend- that's a lot of extra time for me!

Maisey's schedule is jammed full, so Chad and I seem like we barely see each other (the life of a parent with multiple hats), but being home and online for school at least makes me feel like I am part of the family- cause I certainly am! I still plan and cook all the meals, host play dates, volunteer, work, do my 30 hrs a week of school, and manage to fit in some girl time regularly.

In attempt to save time, I ironed Ryley's button-ups at once so we could rotate. As you can see, his style has not changed (the other 2/3 of his clothes are sweaters and boring polos- like his dad) since another post I made about ironing over a year ago. However, his style is debatable because EVERY day when we get home from things, he immediately strips his clothes off and puts on pj's! I think it is because it's the only licensed superhero/character stuff I will let him wear! BUT, it makes me think of the Church kids daily, since they too like to be home and in their cozies!

{Annual trip to Oregon Heritage Farms}

We love this apple farm and the ski teams annual fundraiser every fall. The kids love going and this past weekend was great because it was dry out (not usually the case when we've gone)!

The kids enjoy tractor rides, child size corn mazes (one for preschoolers, and the other bigger one which they use flashlights to conquer). They get their face painted, enjoy the smell of some pigs and goats (really, they are the cleanest farm animals I've ever seen), jump inside a hug inflatable apple, eat some flavored honey (did you know they have Rootbeer), and eat some de-lici-ous apples (we like 'em all, especially Honey Crisps), and handmade caramel!My boy is not very into pictures these days!

And, here is a Fall wreath I saw on Pinterest. I made it for a friend and all I can really say is I am glad she is one of the sweetest ladies in the world! I have to say, the gray burlap online looked way cooler (but JoAnne's didn't have any). In fact, I am pretty sure this looks way cooler in person, but judging by the picture, I am not sure if I can conclude it's style based on those memories. Kristy, I am giving you permission not to hang it!

{Picture Time}

So I absolutely HATE, yes HATE, getting pictures. However, it's been way too long since we've had family pictures! So, these are some of the ones I liked. Maisey's all turned out beautiful, and she said she wants to be a model. She has always been photogenic and so this was right up her ally- unlike me!Ryley was very tired, but we got 1 family photo which I think will work for Christmas cards- thankfully!

Chad and I certainly are to blame for ruining this one, but the kids still look cute! But how could they not, right?

{Fall Projects}

Modge podge pumpkins These are still wet- but worth acknowledging, I thought! After searching 5 stores for napkins, I settled with tissue paper. Same idea, right?
Candy corn garlandTextured pumpkins
This big one was not so fun, but I think it was worth it to compliment the "collection."

{Big Dog}

Maisey's school encourages all parents to volunteer and I think they have a wonderful amount of parental involvement (if you ask me).
This year they are encouraging fathers to spend a whole school day helping out. They call them "Big Dog's" and the kids love them. Chad spent Friday at the school helping with bus duty, recess, cafeteria, student store, library, in the classroom, and the works. He enjoyed himself thoroughly and it was a fun day for Maisey since she had dad at school with her!

It happened to be school spirit day and the two left in their Q gear.

The thank you Maisey wrote to Chad

{Outside In}

I met some friends at Outdoors In with Ryley this week. It's a pretty new indoor playground and I didn't see a point in going until now. However, Fall is here and I realized it's just one more place to hang out at when the rain hits!

{Girl Time}

My daughter is definitely like me when it comes to socializing! She loves being with friends. Here she is with her "BFF" having their first sleepover. Play dates sure have changed over the years.

The girls did hair on their American Girls (see their matching doll outfits too) and they also played American Girl games on lap tops at the same time where joined in rooms together and played games.

They also had fun with their crafts (necklaces, mugs, bracelet's, and water color canvas').

Oh, the joys of being 8!

{Fall}

I LOVED the rain today! Yes, I loved it because it felt like fall in Oregon. I don't want rain tomorrow, but it got me excited today.

I was busy with all the usual things, but we managed to get some crafting and baking in around here, a good day.
Maisey and her friends made candle votives and modge podge pumpkins (picture of the still very-wet projects)!

I WAS SOOOOOO excited when I found a recipe online for homemade modge podge. You use 2 parts Elmer's glue to 1 part water. I spend tons of money on this stuff (it's $10 for about 12-16 ounces, but you can make it for so cheap)! It dries smooth, and clear.

It's perfect!

The girls needed an after school snack... Popcorn, apples, and THIS sweet treat.

While they munched, I baked pumpkin chocolate chip muffins. We assembled them (Chad cut the burlap, Maise and I cut and stuffed) and delivered them to some friends for FHE.

Apparently they were a hit (I just loved how they looked) and you can make them by following THIS recipe. Enjoy and happy Fall!

{Eartha}

We went to a super fun circus themed birthday party the other day and this earth-loving clown "Eartha" was there. She was very interesting, but the kids loved her!She had a pet possum, and educated the children on these animals.And she also had pet birds who were part of the show. Chad and Maisey liked holding this one named Major.I've always wanted to have a circus party for a couple years and I think Ryley needs one in the upcoming years!