Culture night!!

We had an awesome ward party on Friday night.  It was all about experiencing different cultures through music, food, activities, and displays.  Kev set up his display to represent Germany where he served his mission.  We had German wafer cookies for everyone to sample.  I really enjoyed hearing about the different cultures. 

The kids had fun trying out some Canadian air hockey.  There was also a room where you could learn Irish step dance.

Halle dressed up in this darling outfit that my Mom bought in Austria when she was a little girl.  It was fun to have a reason for her to wear it.  It was such a great idea for a ward party.

Celebrating with friends!!

It was Jan's birthday last week which made for a good excuse to get together.  We went and had dinner at Kneaders.  I am so thankful to have such good friends.  Jan and I met when we were in the fifth grade.  We have known each other for 22 years now.  We always have the greatest time when we get together.

I was happy that Danielle and Kathleen could make it too.  I told Jan that I wanted to buy her dessert for her birthday.  Jan told Danielle that she wanted to buy her a dessert for her birthday last month.  Danielle said that she wanted to buy me dessert for my upcoming birthday.  Then Danielle came up with the perfect plan.  She suggested that we all buy our own dessert and just say it was from each other.  Happy Birthday to all of us from each other.  The food was great as always.  We all tried some soup.  We agreed that the cheese broccoli soup was the best.  We each chose a different dessert and they were all good.  We spent over an hour just talking.  It was fun reminiscing about our crazy college days together!

Season of colors

Fall is one of my favorite seasons! It might have something to do with the fact that I was born in the fall.  We decided to go out and enjoy the pleasant fall weather.  We made a trip down to Provo and had dinner at Los Hermanos.  Addy came along with us while Mckenna watched the other kids at home.  It is so nice that she can watch the kids for us now.  She enjoys it and the kids are happy when we get back home.

I had been wanting to drive up the canyon to see all the fall colors.  It is so relaxing just driving with the windows down and enjoying the view.

 We listened to the BYU game as we drove along.  I was happy looking out the window while Kev was happy listening to the game.

It was a beautiful sunset.  I loved the way the light was reflecting off the red leaves.  It was a perfect night out.

Called to serve..

Kev's little brother Spencer got his mission call in May!  He was called to serve in the Carlsbad, California English speaking mission.  Which just happens to be, my very favorite spot to vacation.  We were just there during Spring break of this year.

He had his missionary farewell on Sunday August 26th.  He gave a great farewell talk on the restoration of the gospel.  The spirit was strong in the room as he bore testimony.  I know he will be a great instrument for the Lord on his mission.  Spencer was seven years old when I first met him.  It has been my privilege to watch him grow from the little boy we called "pencil" to the man he is now. 

I made cupcakes for the lunch we had after his farewell.  I printed off  the state flag of California to put in each one.  We were out of colored ink so I colored each one with colored pencil.  It was definitely a labor of love. 

There was lots of family there to support Spence on his big day.  It was great catching up with everyone.

Kev and Spence hanging out later on that day.

We had the chance to be there for Spencer's setting apart as a missionary.  Mckenna and Parker both came with us.  It was a good experience for them.

Spencer said that he was going to miss all his nieces and nephews the most.  It is crazy to think that Addy will be almost three when he gets back.

Mckenna and Spence have always had a close relationship.  Spencer was more excited than anyone when we found out Kenna was on the way.  He couldn't wait to be an Uncle.  I heard him asking Kenna to write him while he was on his mission.  She has held true to her promise and sent him off a letter that first week.

The kids already miss him and pray for him everyday!

It was literally hard for them to let him go!  Spencer has been in the MTC for a couple weeks now.  He is doing good and working hard.  He leaves for California this week.  It is exciting to have a missionary in the family again!

Back to school x4 !!

Mckenna and Parker both went back to school on August 21st.  The summer went by so quickly this year.  They were both ready and happy to go back though.

Mckenna is in fifth grade now!  She has a boy teacher this year.  She was not excited about that.  I told her that I also had a guy teacher for fifth grade and he was great.  It only took her a couple days before she stopped complaining.  She has a lot of fun things to look forward to this year. 

Parker is in second grade this year.  He was disappointed that he didn't get the boy teacher this year.  He was happy to have many friends in his class from last year.  Parker does well in school.  He brought home his first spelling test and he aced it.  His teacher gave him some smarties candy for being such a "smarty pants". 

Here the kids are ready to get on the bus.  Parker is looking so grown up this year.  It might have to do with all his permanent teeth that have come in.

Halle started kindergarten a week later.  She was more than ready to start school. 

Halle with her teacher Mrs. Wilson.  She was not even nervous at all. 

She played on the playground until it was time to line up.  It is nice that she has several friends from preschool in her class.  Halle comes home each day and tells me about the new friends that she made. 

We have the greatest principal.  He really is on top of things.  He rode with the Kindergartners everyday on the bus.  He wanted to personally make sure that they got home alright.  Halle had a great first day at school.

This week was Hayden's turn to start school.  He will go to preschool on Friday's.  I am so proud of my curly haired boy.  He has been working so hard at potty training this last month.  He has been the easiest of all my kids to train.  He really wanted to be a big boy and go to school.  He kept saying, "I get to go to Miss Marci's, Ohhh yeah!"

He is our third child to have Miss Marci for a teacher.  She is the best!  Hayden was a little nervous about his first day but he did so well.  His favorite part about preschool was the toys and playing on the pirate ship playground.

Addy didn't want to be left out from all the back to school fun.  She got into Parker's backpack and found a pencil and paper.  She was delighted to have them in her little hands.  Here's to another awesome school year!