8:00 A.M.

snow fell for the first time since we moved into our new house.  the boys were outside bright and early playing in our very own yard!  i liked watching them, listening to christmas music and enjoying the beautiful moment.

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there was a lot of discussion about what to be for halloween.  abe decided on a mad scientist.  max really wanted to be ONE purple grape, so i was really excited when he and kai chose to be penguins since we already had those costumes.  sadie dressed in all black and i think she changed what she was at each house...ninja, 80's person, GYM TEACHER (my favorite!)  

halloween was great.  i was in charge of max's halloween party in his kindergarten class, we had a neighborhood party and then abe invited a few friends to go trick-or treating (kai and max included).  dave walked them around while vivian and i handed out candy.

notice our door that the boys decorated.  i gave them free reign this year and i thought they were pretty creative.  also, loved this little pumpkin that kai decorated.

grandpa bought vivian this cute pumpkin outfit that she sported most of the night.  she was super tired before the evening was over, so she retired to bed before the festivities were over...but not before she got all dressed up like a strawberry.  cute girl!

(notice the gross, throwing-up pumpkin abe made.) 

the boys ended up back at our house for hot chocolate and counting/trading candy and a movie.  

 they wondered about all the banging (and i screamed a few times), but it was just dave and i having fun trying to catch the mouse we found running around our house, which we decided was there to add to the overall creepiness of the night....don't worry, we are now mouse-less!

basketball

last spring, sadie came to me and said she thought she wanted to try to play basketball her freshman year.  she had never really played...ever.  well, besides at her grandparent's house with cousins.  her grandpa had pushed her to play a few times, but she wasn't interested.   i told her if she was positive, then she knew who to call (grandpa), but to make SURE she was ready to work hard before she called.  my dad worked with her each week for a couple months so she could learn some basics, then we got her set up with a couple great coaches in provo.  she has been working with them all summer/ fall 2-3 times a week.  she had a lot to learn and she worked hard.  it was an investment for all of us.  i was surprised when she said she wanted to try basketball, but once she decided, we didn't hold back.  i wanted her to know she could set a goal, work hard and accomplish it.  last night she had freshman girl's basketball try-outs.  

 tonight we celebrated!!!  she made the team!!!

thanks to grandpa, alli and stacie (her coaches), dave for being willing to fund the lessons, little brothers and a little sister willing to drive to and sit through lessons:) and WAY TO GO SADIE...you had to expand your comfort zone, believe in yourself, have faith, and work hard... and for that, i am so proud of you.  

fire bird

this is what after school snack looked like at our house today.  

popcorn, hot chocolate with cream/sprinkles, job lists, and kai's new bird named "fire".  

this little bird was a 'must have' for kai.  he bought it with his own hard earned money.

it does look pretty realistic, or as max used to say, "real-stick".  

it's close

my sister-in-law gave me this card. it lives on my desk.

tomorrow is a big day.

 max's american flag made out of marbles:)

GO MITT!

bunny ears

max can now tie his own shoes!  
what an accomplishment.

i love his proud-yet humble, look on his face when he finishes.
also, we have started a new chore system at our house.  each person has a job list written on a post it note each day.  they come home after school, eat a snack, then do their jobs.  once finished, they can trade the post it for $1 from the family bank/drawer.   max likes to stick his post it on his shirt so he "won't forget".  i laughed when i noticed the job list stuck to his shirt:)

happy halloween