ThankFULL November

We had such a busy November that I blinked and it was over!

The first and VERY exciting event in November was Beren's first Wrestling tournament.  He wrestled three matches and Won the second one!

This is the video of the match he won.

He was so excited, he ran straight to his coach!!

I wasn't sure about wrestling.  But, Beren Really loves it and is doing so well.  I am glad we gave it a try, the camaraderie is like nothing I have ever experienced in sports. I am now a fan!

Beren's Cubscout Den went on a field trip to a Steel Foundry.  

Hard Hats!!

Molten Steel!!

Every little boys Dream!  They got to keep the hard hats and a chunk of melted Chrome, my son was in Heaven!

Eris has starting Volunteering on the weekends at a local Horse Ranch!  She helps with barn chores, cattle sorting and roping.  As well as Horse Handling for Children's B-day parties and Riding classes.

She comes home dirty, exhausted and with a huge smile on her face.  She is gaining some great life skills and working hard, it is a win-win!

Every year, the month before Christmas, the kids and I go through the house and collect things for donations.  This year was one of our biggest trips ever, it almost didn't fit in the car!

I love that my kids are so enthusiastic about clearing out the old and giving to the less fortunate!

Beren built a log cabin out of graham crackers, pretzels and peanut butter.

Just because!

I was so excited this year to have Tye and  her children for Thanksgiving.

Cousins veggin out!

Ice Skating!!

Look at that smile!

I love how Baylee is trying to do what her Big Brother is doing.

More awesome smiles!

My kids had the best time with their cousins.  This is what the holidays are all about!

Time for Dinner!

Tye and I spent All day in the kitchen together.  A day I will cherish forever.  Cooking with my Best Friend, for our Children, who spent all day playing together.  We literally used to daydream about sharing moments like these!

This was the first year we had a Children's table.

The first Thanksgiving our families have spent together.  I am truly Grateful!

Time for the crafting to begin!

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Holidays.  My heart is so full this year with the time spent with loved ones.  I live for this time with my family, sharing laughter, love and quiet moments of cuddles.  These truly are the moments I will carry with me to eternity.

Falling for Fall

 I have said it before but will say it again, Fall is my Favorite time of year!!!

I love everything about it.  The smell of wood smoke in the air, the beautiful trees, the chill in the air, the pumpkins and of course Halloween!

We kicked off our fall with a trip to Tye's in Anacortes where they have a Family Farm Festival.  Many of the local farms participate in an entire weekend of activities.

Our first farm visit was in Mount Vernon. 

Here we went on Barrel rides.

And the kids did the corn maze.  The split into teams and the boys finished first then went back in after the girls.

It took them quite awhile, but they loved it!

The next day we went to quite possibly my favorite farm ever.  The Highland Scottish Cattle Farm!

It may sound strange but I really think they are beautiful!

At this farm we went on a hayride through the apple orchards.

The weather was amazing, I could have stayed here all day!

Of course there was plenty of animals to pet and interact with.

This guy thought Beren was especially tasty.

Aren't they beautiful!!

The little guys got to go on pony rides.

Then it was time for everyone's favorite activity.  PUMPKIN picking!!!!

Almost has big as he is!

It was such a wonderful weekend making memories with family.

My kids each make dinner once a week.  As they get older they are becoming more adventurous in their choices.  Beren made Teriaki Salmon and it was so good the kids were fighting over the last piece.  It was so pretty I had to take a picture.

Finally Halloween approaches and the decorations go up!

Some local friends invited us to a Halloween bonfire.

The kids wore their costumes to the bonfire.  They both designed and made their own costumes.

Beren dressed as a Hydrogen Atom!

Eris dressed as Fluttershy in a Gala Gown from My Little Pony.

This has been one of the nicest Falls I have ever experienced here in WA.  One afternoon it brought us a Halloween visitor!

We headed back up to Anacortes to Help Tye and the kids move into their forever home.  It just happened to be the weekend of Trick-or-Treating, so the kids all got to go out together.  

It was one of the funnest Halloweens we have ever had!

Pasha all packed and ready to go!

We got Tye all moved and settled in their new house.  I wish them all the happy memories they deserve!

What an incredible October we have had.  I can't wait for November and December.  Bring on the Holidays!!!!!

September Start Up

And so begins the beginning!!!  The first of the school year is always so busy.  Not only are we starting up in new grades for school but it is also when scouts and sports activities begin again.  Busy, busy busy.....but definitely the good kind of busy!!

 

 

 

 

 

This year Eris is in ninth grade.  While her year got off to a bumpy start we have rebounded like champs and are settling into what promises to be a fun and challenging freshman year.

 

 

She continually amazes me with her beauty and depth!

 

 

 

 

Beren started fifth grade this year.  However, in math he is in sixth grade level.  His favorite subjects are Science and History though.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our first Cub Scout activity was a trip up to Mount St. Helens.  It looks strange to me when it doesn't have any snow on it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is also the time of the year that the Scouts have their big fundraiser selling popcorn.

 

It is a lot of work, but it has paid for Beren's summer camp every year so far!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eris is our resident Artist, who is always bursting with ideas and creativity.  She asked if she could paint a mural in her room.  With out hesitation her father agreed and she got right to work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some of the most exciting news is that Beren has discovered Harry Potter.  A much beloved series in our home.  It has been so much fun to experience it all over again with him.

 

He just can't put the books down!

 

 

 

 

 

I just love this photo of Beren doing his chore.  Giving it his all.  The kids are great helpers around here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is the finished masterpiece!!

Good job Eris!

 

 

 

 

 

This year Beren wanted to try Wrestling instead of Soccer.  So he passed on Soccer season to join the local wrestling club.  He is totally in his element!  I wasn't sure at first, but WoW, he has definitely found his sport.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I can't believe that holidays are right around the corner.  I am trying to savor every minute of my favorite time of year!