Fall

Peaceful sunset during a soccer practice

 Best birthday favor ever.

Last school game for Mike and all I remember is John learned how to shoot a scrunchie.

End of rec league season for Jacob, great coaches this time around!

Jim had his yearly amputee fishing trip in Wrightsville that his work sponsors and he took Diana along. She was on top of the world, like a shooting star so full of happiness and energy. Every moment she was thrilled to be with her Dad. I loved her little phone calls and the pictures they sent. She came home feeling so great and Jim said that they've had a closer relationship since then- that it really was a good bonding time. I love these one on one adventures!

The only thing she wanted out of the whole trip was a stuffed animal. She treasures this narwhal.

End of rec league season for Michael and his cousin Dallin. It was crazy having Mike on two teams- the school team was so unexpected and then we didn't think he'd play anyways. Not sure what we'll choose to do next year, but it was fun to have him grow and have a constructive place for all his energy!

Smash cake for a client's grandson. She gave me a picture and I copied it.

Grandma Kathryn came to visit for a few weeks! She always brings a load of fun, and got the kids this skeleton helium balloon that they loved. They put it in the front window where the vent would blow air and make him move.

Cakes and sheet cakes to serve 150 for a wedding at a venue in Cary. It was fun to be a vendor and working with the other vendors to make it all come together.

I thought the florist would do the flower arranging according to emails I'd had, so when they asked me to do it, it was so crazy/fun! It was so nice to have Jim there so I could have someone to let me know how things looked.

Jake was at a kids birthday party at a fun arcade. We made sure he knew to stay with the group, but when we went to pick him up all the kids were all over the place with adults chatting in the corner. I don't know how you'd keep track of all the kids at all, and I think next time we'd stay to hang out with him. Of course, Jacob was so into mario kart he had no clue.

We tend to do landscaping when Kathryn comes- planting bulbs, digging, moving plants... This time we really went all out and replaced the front planter beds. Tons of work and tons of fun.

Nicole gave her first talk in Sacrament meeting. She wrote her talk after I explained how to review the given talks, use personal stories/scriptures/testimony. She even let me do her hair haha.

A vendor took a picture of the final cake setup.

Sunday night dinner and they all end up on Dad's lap.

Practicing with the fun lights in prep for a concert.

The temple is finally open and Jim and I had a wonderful time going together!

Finished! Can you see the skeleton in the window? haha!

Halloween night has some fun traditions- dry ice rootbeer!

Mummy hot dogs!

Katy's kindergarten class got to see the middle school's band "in concert" in the music room, so they didn't have to wear school uniforms that day and could dress like they were going to a concert. SO cute! 

She works hard to get As, happy for her!

John left a trail of footprints and fingerprints. He had put the makeup back in the drawer but his prints gave it all away.

He was so very surprised that I found him trying to get clean. It was such a mess to clean up!

With John in preschool I'm able to attend the temple regularly without leaving the kids at home and I have really loved the time spent there!

Diana loves crafting in any form and would happily color, cut, glue, paint, draw, fold, and staple her way through life.

Michael and Jacob have a master plan to earn money for laptops. Because they think they'll get unlimited time playing them. Despite my assurances to the contrary. They are still very persistent and keep updating their plan.

All kinds of diagrams that make me chuckle.

We handed out invites to some friends and practiced really hard to prepare. Lots of baking and food prep too.

Our newest family member is Mango, Nicole's green cheeked conure. Smart parrot, 4 months old. We're working on training him!

One cloudy rainy freezing cold day outside didn't have any affect on the beautiful peace inside the temple.

We decided to put our work to good use as a benefit concert! We got the cupcakes ready in some really tasty flavors.

Katy and I at Jake's basketball practice. She was dying to come with me and we had fun giggling on the sidelines as we colored, practiced spelling and taking pics of Jake.

This year is the first season his rec league allows stealing and Jake is sure nervous about this. He hasn't played for a year so we'll see how it goes, I thought he did great.

Sweet friends helped run the hot dogs, hot chocolate, cupcakes and chips.

Diana joined the band! She added some great tambourine to a few songs!

We'd planned on being outside, but a super cold front came in with 30mph gusty winds. So we went inside and it worked out just fine!

Michael is the perfect lead singer, he puts on a great show. And we truly never know what entertainment he will provide us.

People donated $257 that we gave to the Bahamas Red Cross. We had a great time, got to meet some neighbors and parents of kids from school. Most of the attendees were sweet friends who just came to support us and we were so grateful for their cheers and kindness! We had such a fun concert thanks to everyone who came!

Even John got in on the action with some maracas!

Diana working in class, I love seeing pics of them in action at school. She also has taken to doing her own hair and it is always a side pony. Totally fits her personality :)

Our family band picture is always a favorite of mine! This has really evolved from a church talent show thing we threw together into a fun family activity that brings us together with our love for music.