{The Deal}

 

 

We've been going to Out of This World weekly (and Pump it Up), and sometimes 2x a week. We have a pass and can usually take 3 friends, so it paid for itself right away (I think we are for renewal soon). Let us know if you ever want to meet there!

 

 Chad has been watching football. I HATE football, not because it's football, but because I HATE TV. I feel like it's the biggest waste of time and I am so glad we don't have cable. Much of the time I wish we had no TV, but we do. And, I do enjoy watching it 2 hours a week during the "on" season.

 Lots of bike riding for Ryley, unfortunately our family hasn't gone together much lately. As you can see in the picture, Ryley has his shin guards on. He is loving soccer! We love it too because we both love the sport!!! 

 We went on a nature hike the other day. We have had BEAUTIFUL weather the last couple weeks!

We even had a pool day Friday. See Ciara running to catch Herbie before he tipped over?

 Ciara and Herb always take us boating. Such nice friends. This day we made a big camp on the beach and took trips going out and resting beneath the canopy.

 

 Maisey is still a dancing fool. This day she was headed to the studio for pictures-and classes.

 We had a family movie night flop and instead the kids just came. Here's a picture Maisey took before the other treats were on the table. The kids reaction, "Are those real sticks from the ground?" It was messy, but they ate their apples, leaving all the other treats.

Watching the Halloween movie Hocus Pocus. 

The girls

*********************

On Saturday 9/29 my clients invited me to their temple sealing. It was amazing. To top the spiritual high, we were able to hear the blessing on Sunday. One proud daddy did a great job his first go around! My clients are so dear to me and I am ecstatic when they include me in such special events.

**********************

So, the deal is, since getting my new smart phone the last day of June, I have been posting more pictures, only on Facebook. Now, a few days ago I joined and posted my first Instagram, only the picture, which showed correctly on my camera, came out upside down online and so I am not sure how much I like it as of yet. BUT, I am going to try to start blogging more regularly, my goal has always been weekly.

{Lately}

Life once again feels like the movie "Groundhog Day." I work in the office on Mondays and Tuesdays. Chad and I are coaching Ryley's soccer team on Tuesday and Thursday nights.

Maisey has 14 dance classes a week (M-TH).

We have church on Sunday's, and other activities like visit teaching, home teaching, and plenty of fun on weekends. And lastly, school and involvement that comes with that. Chad and I are both in school (we are actually on a break right now after wrapping up summer term, me full time, Chad part). Maisey is in the 4th grade, and Ryley preschool co-op (I don't teach until March and April), and then Ry just got into the high schools pre-school program (yes, our social bug is doing 2 after a 2 year wait)!

 

 My work bbq Friday night

 Lots of bike riding going on for this little guy. We've had the perfect weather.

 Our team of 4-5 year olds (minus me, the one who hates photos).

Our busy dancer!

{Home}

After 11 trips in 3 months, we are home- for a bit. We have a couple trips before the holidays, but we want to be home anyway!

 

Summer has been so much fun, but the pace of normal life, yes, "normal life," work, school for Maisey, pre-school co-op for Ryley (I will teach too), classes for Chad, and my full-time masters program, soccer (Ryley, Chad and I coaching), gymnastics (Ry), dance (Maisey, 14 classes), church, and other things like parties, and hopefully some date nights somewhere too!

{Seattle Girls AG Trip}

To wrap up summer we took a quck jaunt up to the AG store.

 

Lunch in the American Girl Bistro

 We got to celebrate Lexie's birthday at the end of the month.

 The dolls from the 70's- Julie (the blond) and her friend, along with their $350 car.

 The hotel let them borrow high chairs from the AG store and gave them travel beds which were really cute to take home.

The girls at the end of the trip in their matching doll outfits.

Girls are so fun- a lot of work maybe, but definitely worth the drama!

{Goodbye Summer}

It's hasn't been too hot lately, but we enjoyed our summer weather for the most part (other than the fact it was a little late).

 

 The girls. The water was warm, but I was too chicken to get in because the outside temp was much colder!

 Ryley and his BFF

I remember when Ryley slept in this spot!

{Back to School Skate Party}

Dance-girl style!

 

We only had 6 of the 12 dance girls on the old Stardust team, but that is to be expected when the girls flee town after committing to dancing all summer long! The 13 hours a week Maisey was dancing multiplied when she attended mandatory dance camp last week. She arrived at 7 AM and was picked up at 8:30 PM each night. The girls were beat after the studio sleepover on Friday, but they had a wonderful time!

 

 The games- and music are still the same at Skate World! As well as the look and smell for those of you who aren't regulars.

Red Light/Green Light

 

A summer of memories, that's for sure!

And we have another couple more coming! Stay tuned...

 

{Baby Shower}

It's no secret I love parties and having a baby is certainly a reason to party!

My beautiful cousin is having her first child- a little boy.

As usual, I always fail to take lots of pictures but I did get a couple.

The food was so fun. With all the parties I do, I always skip appetizers. I think I am so busy doing the decorations and main food, and massive quantities, that I skip them. However, I had fun with these ones and so I may give them a chance in the future!

Appetizers:

Greek Salad Bites (cubed feta, kalamata olives, English cucumbers, tomatoes)

Chicken Caesar Salad Bites (Parmesan rounds, chicken, Caesar dressing, arugula)

Herbed Cucumbers (cream cheese, fresh: sage, rosemary, thyme, basil)

Fruit platter (with strawberry and marshmallow cream cheese dip)

My aunt made: yummy bruschetta and pita sandwiches

Happy nesting cousin!

{Sun River}

We went to Sun River to the family cabin this past week. It was a wonderful 5 days filled of swimming, biking, hiking in caves, more swimming, and TONS of boating.

This old cabin was built over  50 years ago by Chad grandfather and it is a treasured family possession. It sits on an icy cove on the Deschuttes river which is why we enjoy the boating. They have a kayak, paddle boat, row boat, and inflatable raft.

Juniper Swim Center in Bend

the coolest part... the rubber lined pool

View from the deck. I brought a pool to set up (I envisioned reading while the kids played in the evening), but instead they wanted big pools and wouldn't touch the small one so I soaked my feet. The cove is really close, but I am a much higher elevation.

Back of the cabin from the water (again it's close but this angle is from a lower elevation)
Cabin upgrades

New bathroom

New kitchen floor

Chad and my brother in-laws, as well as their cousins made these plates every year when they were kids. Chad decorated his portions when was two and three.   

Blinded by the camera flash in the Lava Caves.

This is Ryley's new pose- He says he's a "Rock star."

Smores

 Ryley hated this deer on the wall.

 Maisey trying out her skills in the double kayak.

 Girl night. Make-up, nails, masks, and chick flicks

We have missed this old family tradition for 5 years now! Yes, we use to go every summer (like all the other family members do, some multiple times), but we skipped the year we moved to Beaverton, and so that makes 5 summers. NEVER again however, we loved all the peace and quiet!