I think I have raised a MONKEY!

Every time we turn around, Anna is climbing! Not just onto chairs and tables, but onto counters, in sinks and making her own stools! I came into the kitchen the other day, and she had pulled out the drawer under the stove and used that as a stool to completely demolish my silverware drawer! The very next day, as I was cooking dinner, I heard silence. Well, anyone that knows what my house normally sounds like, knows that silence is very odd (and someone should be worried!) I knew that Claire was at a friends house and Garrett was with Ryan feeding horses, so I was concerned about what Anna was getting into, eating or dumping out... well, what I found was my little monkey had crawled onto the toilet and up into the sink! She had the water on and a toothbrush in her mouth! What did I do you ask? Well, I ran for the camera- what else??? She is pretty cute- but very BUSY!!!

Not mother of the year... but close!

So I will not win mother of the year this year... Let me tell you why! There was a gingerbread house making night at the school on the Monday after Thanksgiving- and being a teacher at the school, one might think we would go... well, to make a long story short, we stayed home instead! We did make gingerbread houses, but instead of going out into the cold, foggy night- we stayed at home in our jammies! I know I missed "mother of the year", but I guess I also missed "teacher of the year" :)! We had fun anyway, listening to Christmas music, eating yummy treats and making houses!

We are still here...

Yep, I haven't posted in over a month... I know! Honestly, not much has really been going on in our lives. Garrett has had basketball games every Saturday, but pictures of that aren't so exciting! Claire is busy being all girl! My neice came over to spend the night the other night and they decided to do make-up! Well, needless to say, my sister was not so pleased! In Payton's words, "My mom will FREAK!" I just laughed! and then there is Anna...She is BUSY! That is all the words I can say about her. She is climbing and pulling out everything possible as fast as possible! I don't remember the other kids being such a little terror! I am sure they were, those memories just fade fast! She is still very cute- just a pain! She also isn't really talking either! Just this weekend, I got her to say "momma"- but she just says it not knowing what it means! I am pretty sure that she is just pulling a "Kacy Ann"- I didn't talk either- mostly because I had a big brother and sister that talked for me!
We had a nice Thanksgiving- we have so much to be thankful for! My mom and stepdad came for the long weekend. We had a wonderful dinner at my sister's house, then woke up at 4am to go shopping! Even Ryan went shopping at 3:30 am!! My mom and I had a blast and got lots of great bargins! She was such a trooper- having knee surgery 2 weeks previous and was sick on top of it!
Tonight, we made gingerbread houses- it really got us in the Christmas spirit! I can't wait to put up the tree... oh wait, remember my comments about Anna? Yep- not sure we are going to put one up! She will be climbing it when we aren't looking! YEEK! We will have to see! Stay tuned for the latest pics!

Happy Halloween!

This is the scary bush!

We had a great Halloween! Claire was a black cat, Anna was my little bunny and Garrett was the infamous, Rodeo Clown- the costume he has worn for the past 3 years! But, he loves it!!

We first went to the church for their Harvest festival- the kids had fun playing games, decorating cookies and running around. Then I took Anna and Ryan home (Anna was tired, and Ryan was sick), then met the Rea's (the old neighbors) back at the church where we drove to a neighborhood to do some trick or treating! I really think the kids had more fun running from one house to the next gathering candy. Claire's friend, Emily would come running down each driveway saying "I am a winner daddy, take my picture!" after everytime she got candy from someone! It was pretty cute! The kids had fun, but there were a few houses that were scary too! One house, the bucket of candy was on the porch sitting next to a bush- but everytime the kids went to get a piece of candy- the bush would talk and move. Garrett was the only brave one that actually stayed up there and got candy from the bucket (we realized it was actually a guy dressed up like a bush- it was a great costume!!) Garrett may be in therapy for years talking about the scary bush!! We had a fun night!

Pumpkin Patch time!

The girls and mommy on the hayride!

Miss Brandi (Claire's preschool teacher) and Claire Bear!

Claire's preschool class


It has been a week of pumpkins and the pumpkin patch! First on Tuesday, Claire's preschool class went on a field trip to the pumpkin patch. I took the afternoon off to go with her (and have some GIRL time!). First we stopped and had pizza, then we went to the pumpkin patch to meet her teachers and all her sweet little preschool friends! We went on a hayride, went through a hay maze, picked out her own pumpkin and even got a snack! It was a fun time!

Then on Saturday- Garrett was dying to go to the pumpkin patch for his own pumpkin! So, this time we went as a family! What a beautiful day to do so- however, EVERYBODY else in the state of Idaho thought that is was the right day to go as well! It was so crowded! And, if you know my husband at all, he doesn't do well with lots of people!! So it was a fast in and out trip! We went on the hayride, went to the petting zoo (complete with camel and zebra!!), and searched all over for the perfect pumpkins! Ryan was getting impatient waiting for the hayride to come back, so he put the 2 heaviest pumpkins on his shoulders and started hiking back! If I didn't have my hands full of Anna and 2 small pumpkins- I would've taken a picture of it! It was classic! We had a great time!
The next day, the kids woke up wanting to carve the pumpkins... I really dislike carving pumpkins, so I tried to sidetrack them as long as I could... well, at 4:00 we couldn't hold out any longer! The problem with carving pumpkins is the kids love the idea of it, but really can't do much! So after the second handful of oopey, goopey, slimy pumpkin guts, they lose interest and run off playing! So, who is really left with the chore of carving? Yep, you guessed it, mom and dad- the ones who didn't want to do it in the first place! Ryan and I had a little competition to see who's was best! I am sure I won- but he would probably give you another story!

The end is here!

The Flaming Fireballs!

(Garrett had lost 2 teeth the day before- he hasn't figured out how to smile!)

Saturday was Garrett's last soccer game of the season! Although I will miss the Saturday games and the look in Garrett's eyes when he gets to play defender, I won't miss the freezing cold mornings! Garrett had a wonderful season and made some new friends. He really started to improve by the end of the season and was running much faster! But all good things must come to an end! However, our Saturdays are not boring- we have now entered Basketball season! Who knows, we may have the next Michael Jordan on our hands!

Girls weekend in Seattle!

The high school girls at the infamous bar in Issaquah! Some of us have been friends since 3rd grade!

Last weekend, I had such a great, fabulous weekend in Seattle. I went ALL BY MYSELF!! I know- it was a one of a kind trip. I didn't even know how to act in the airport without my 3 children running, screaming and wanting everything! I was able to go through the "no kid" line in security and I read my book without ever looking up during the flight (well except for the last 15 minutes when I almost wet my pants- I had to have some memory of my children).

My weekend was great, fabulous, wonderful and did I mention I had the time of my life? Did I mention I traveled ALONE???

When I got to Seattle, my mom picked me up from the airport and we drove straight to the mall to shop and eat lunch (what more could a girl want?) We had lunch at Cheesecake Factory and then met Heather (my best friend from high school) to go shopping. We shopped at lots of fun, new places, but we also went to the traditional ones too!

We soon left my mom and headed to Mexican food with Heather's husband and 3 adorable children! After returning to her house, we rummaged through all of our great buys and compared notes.

The next morning we woke up, had coffee and headed out the door to get my very first pedicure (yep, first ever!!) It was wonderful and we had such a great time talking, laughing and watching the Ellen show- it was hard to leave. But we were on a time crunch- since we had a lunch date with our old friend, Martina. We had lunch with her and sat and chatted for a bit. Then off to shopping, shopping, shopping in Issaquah! When I first moved to Issaquah there wasn't even a stop light- now it is a real city with Target, Costco and lots of fun shops! We had a blast trying on clothes, purses and looking at kids clothes! We even stopped for coffee! Our next stop was Pogatcha's for dinner with the high school girls. One might think we would be tired- but we were ready for a party! We had a fabulous, yummy dinner with great conversation until the band started. Then our conversation became a screaming match- so we decided to head for the infamous Issaquah bar- the Joker! I was dying to see someone from high school!

In the pouring down rain- we headed to the Joker. We had a good time (we FINALLY saw someone we went to high school with)- had some beer, but then we started to fade!!

The next day was the day to celebrated Heather's big birthday- she was turning 34! We were also going to watch her little boy play his soccer game and then head to Salmon Days in Issaquah. Unfortunately, it was pouring rain- so we watched the game then headed to Mexican food for lunch. (almost as good as Salmon Days:) ) Then off for more shopping!!

All of our fun had to come to an end when they took me to the airport. I got on the plane and flew home! However, I was very excited to be greeted at the door by my 3 wonderful children and great husband!

What a great weekend- one I will remember and cherish forever! I am thankful for the great friends I have back in Seattle- but also thankful for my wonderful friends Ihave here in Idaho!