{Exhausted}

5 new posts below...

This is how we feel after our busy week which included a trip to Seattle

Not pictured, the mundane day to day things like work, grad school, doctors appointments, and multiple weekly lessons!

{American Girl Trip}

Maisey and Peyton at the girls trip to the AG store. Lunch with the ladies

Peyton, Me, Angel, my Great Aunt Sally and Maisey

Maisey and Maise (dressed like the historical character Rebecca)Cousin Peyton and AG NatalieTable conversation starters- a great idea!
I couldn't resist- the bathroom was so cute in all the tones of pink! Doll holders in the stalls!Maisey blew her "life savings" at the AG store! She bought the Molly "Title of Liberty" tap shoes (since she's tapped for 6 years), braces and head gear, ice skates, and a guitar. Aunt Sally got her the "Get Better" kit (she wanted the cast set with little crutches since she broke her foot) and a polar bear sweater and fur head band. And Chad and I got her and her doll Maise matching pj's and hangers. She was EXCITED to say the least! Until our next trip, Maisey will need to rebuild her savings- until this phase passes :-)

{Maris Farms}

We went to a fun farm while in Seattle. There were farm animals, pig racing, tractor hay and cow ride (cow barrels for preschoolers), monster truck rides, pony rides, tunnels, slides galore, a bouncy house and bouncy "pillow," corn launching, and much more! Aunt Sally, 2nd cousin Angel and her husband RandyPony rides
Ryley couldn't resist taking a ride on this with Chad (I missed it with the camera though!)Chad and Ryley (dodging the camera) on the hay ride

{Rainforest}

While Maisey was having a sleepover with cousin Peyton, we took Ryley to the "Rainforest." He may not look excited (he was really tired), but the environment was entertaining enough to get us through dinner and he later said it was his favorite part of the trip.

{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?