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photos!

Ok, so it's way too late in the night for me to be doing this but here are some fun photos to share...

Life!

So what is it about life that insists on getting busier and harder with each passing day? I remember being in college and feeling like my life was loaded with responsibility and work. If I only had a clue:) I guess that's the point though, just like the gospel, life builds line upon line...

Anyway, my whole point is that I knew things were going to be busy and hard with Bryce back in school, but I didn't think it would keep getting busier and harder. Not only is he in class 2 nights a week (yes, the 3rd night finally dropped off as it was only half the semester) but work has ramped up to take over with more breakfast and dinner appointments, late meetings, two 3 day trips coming up this month, etc. It just amazes me that there is never any end. I sure am hoping that things will slow down around the holidays so that he can take care of me a little more over the last few weeks of this pregnancy before he has to go back to school again. Here's to dreams!!!

We are finally done with soccer which was a ton of fun but a lot of work, it was really starting to wear me out coaching/refereeing 2 games in a row each Saturday. But the kids loved it and as I'm sure you all can imagine I would way rather coach than just sit on the sidelines:)

Here are some cute family facts: As most young kids do Ashlyn has taken to asking about everything but instead of the typical "why?" she prefers "why not?". What does that tell you about her?!?!?!? Claire is finally walking and it is very cute, I hope that she'll get lots of practice over the next 2 months because she'll need to be a fairly good walker when the baby comes or getting around anywhere will be quite the extra challenge! Lauren's speech is SLOWLY improving, she can actually make most sounds that she should be now but has to be reminded to slow down and say things the right way. She is such a good helper though and loves to try and carry Claire, which is quite a problem as they weigh about the same:)

Hopefully I'll get photos and video up today after I teach Lauren's preschool, but that's the update for now...

more birthday fun

So one week after Linda's big birthday bash it was time for John to turn 7. Luckily he just wanted a sports birthday and with our Fall Break starting that weekend we were a little limited on friends but it was still a fun time. He was so cute playing different games with all of his friends and loved all the attention.





Do you recognize the tall blonde in the middle? As one of Linda's birthday presents we signed her up to "Cheer with the Toros." They do this every year but we've never been willing to pay or go to the games but she's asked for it every year so it was time. She was so shy at first but then really had a fun time. They spent the whole afternoon practicing with the cheerleaders then had a pizza dinner and then we came and watched her cheer during the 2nd quarter. It was fun and Alyssa got to go to the game with us as well. Here's a cute little video of her too. They taught them so many cheers and even 2 cute little dances. It was fun, and brought back a few memories:)

ASHLYN!!!!!!

This morning Linda did makeup and hair for everyone and Alyssa gave out pedicures. All the kids enjoyed it and Ashlyn came out looking adorable!

Then while we were working on other things Ashlyn snuck into the office closet and gave herself a "Wite Out" makeover! Yes, it was a mess, but I have to be somewhat amazed at her artistic ability, somehow she painted one leg all the way around, I mean top to bottom front to back, and everything in between. I didn't know she had the patience in her. Speaking of patience the first two pictures are the beginning of cleanup and the last one is 20 minutes later after much scrubbing and a half bottle of nail polish remover! Needless to say we have a ways to go but I ran out of time and patience and she couldn't stand the smell of the nail polish remover. Hopefully that will be a deterrent for future makeovers!!! We'll probably have to bust out the paint thinner tomorrow to get the rest.

Go Cougars!

Wow, it was fun to finally watch a winning Cougar game today:) Luckily for us we can watch the whole game in about an hour and a half which still leaves time for everything else we have to do and the pause button is wonderful with kids!!!

I also wanted to post this cute little video of Claire. She is turning into such a goofy little girl. She'll be 11 months in a few days and is finally willing to take a few steps so we'll see when she starts walking. She is a heavy one to carry around so I'm all for walking early:)



Hope everyone had a great Saturday and that Brian and Angee's move went well. Wish we lived closer so we could have helped!

double digits

So, it's official, Linda is now old enough for double digits! Now of course she acts way older than 10 but now at least it's official:) She had a great party with many LOUD and fun friends. It's a lot of work to put up with that many girls for 3 hours but we decided that Linda does enough work around here that she deserved it and she had a fabulous time. Here are a few highlight photos, and yes, it was definitely warm enough for a pool party even at 5pm!