Happy Halloween

Oh how we love dressing up for Halloween.  It's fun to come up with costumes and for some reason I just love homemade costumes for myself.  This year I saw a picture of a leg lamp and couldn't wait to do it.  After spending time and money buying all the supplies to make my own lamp shade Todd found one that was perfect in our storage room.  So I wasn't up all night crafting :)

Tayson decided he would help me and take the girls trick or treating this year.  I mean why not get candy while helping out.  Smart kid.

Luke dressed up as Star Lord from Guardians of the Galaxy

 Tayson was a skeleton

Elsa

And of course my little Princess Anna (who had cute braids in the morning but decided not to keep them in).  She really wanted the coronation dress but it was $100 so she decided to wear the costume she got for her birthday and asked me to buy her a toy instead. win win.

First Day of School

Summer is over.  How is it possible that I went by so fast?  It's a big year for us - Tayson is starting middle school and Sophie is starting full day school in the Portuguese Immersion program.

Tayson - 7th grade

 Sophie - 1st grade
Claire - 3rd grade

Luke - 5th grade

Last Day of School

Goodbye school. Hello summer.  We are so ready!

Crazy Horse & Mt Rushmore

Today's adventure started with the Crazy Horse Monument.  It was HUGE and a very interesting story.  It will be cool if they are ever able to finish it.

Then we headed over to Mt Rushmore. I have so many fun memories of Mt Rushmore - it was fun to be back and to see the boys on the mountain.

The kids did the Jr Ranger program - and learned a lot of cool facts while having fun.

Passports

We got our passports!  Bring on Mexico.  We had to put them under lock and key because Sophie kept trying to take hers and put it in her purse or take it places. 

Making Valentines

This is my one and only year to have all 4 kids in the same school and all making Valentines for the class.  I can't believe that next year Tayson will be in Jr. High and won't be doing this.  All of the kids had to make boxes and class cards/treats.  Todd jumped right in and helped the kids tape treats to their cards and do their boxes. 

 

Luke made a special Valentine for his teacher.  He is hilarious.

 

Luke came home about a week ago and told us that he asked Amber to be his Valentine.  He said he had his friend Cody ask her at recess and she said yes.  He was "pretty sure that's how you're supposed to do it".  I asked him what they would be doing together - eating lunch together, playing at recess, kissing, etc.  He said "no I just give her an extra treat after school....the only kiss she will get is a hershey's kiss".  Then a few days later Sophie told me she asked Luke Wiederhold to be her Valentine.  She said she was very scared but knew I would want her to be brave so she asked him and he said yes.  I was dying.  She is the silliest girl.  So when we were at Wal-mart buying stuff they both picked out a little something extra for their special valentines.  Then when we were putting them together Tayson was teasing Luke about having a crush on Amber and Sophie said "I have a crush on Luke.....wait what's a crush?"  She always makes us smile!! 

New Year's Eve Party

We had a blast doing our hourly activites and rang in the New Year east coast style.  I didn't get pictures of all the hourly activities because I was having too much fun playing with the kids.  But as always the best part of the night was the glow stick dance party!!!

Great-Grandma

Great-grandma is 90 years old and we love coming to see her at Christmas.  It helps make the trip completely worth all the driving and packing during the holidays.  It's always so sad to say goodbye but we are so grateful for the time we get to spend together and know that there is always next year.  We love you Grandma!!!