Halloween

Audrey was a fairy for Halloween (wanted to be Tinkerbell, but I had a hard time finding an affordable costume. I went to the consignment shop two days before the church party and found this for $4. She loved it--parenting win!)

 Ian really wanted to be Webber for Halloween, a character from an obscure video game (Don't Starve). Luckily for him, I started learning to sew this year, so I was able to put this together with some scrap fabric and a black hoodie from Ross. I spent about $20 (the hoodie was $14) but it was worth it to see how pleased he was. I must say, the spider face is spot on--yay me! I win again!

 So two out of three still makes me the winner, right? Declan was a ghost, kind of. He refused to wear his costume for the church party except for the trunk or treat part (where we threatened no candy if you don't wear it). And for Halloween night, he refused to wear it again (even though he picked it!) and wore his Superman pajamas (as usual). He also screamed refusal for pictures. So this is what I've got, post church party:

Happy Halloween!

October happenings

Ian brought the Kindergarten class pet home (Thankfully it's a stuffed animal and not real!) This is Nutmeg and Ian loved having her visit.

I came downstairs to find Audrey reading to her brothers. Happiness.

One day when Mr. B was out of town, I took the kids to Kneaders, which had just opened. They got the coolest kids' meals and we spent over an hour there just having fun!

Finally we can play outside again after the looong, hot summer.
Audrey and Ian at the park. 

Declan at the park.

A new temple was built near us: The Phoenix temple. Mr. B and the big kids went to the open house while Declan and I stayed home sick. I have been back by myself to do temple work and it is beautiful and wonderful to have a temple 30 minutes away instead of an hour.

Too bright!

First camping trip

We took our first camping trip as a family, joining our ward at the annual campout. We had a really fun time. I loved sitting in front of the fire. Letting the kids run wild in the beautiful weather and actual woods was amazing. And we made it through the night sleeping on the ground!

 After packing up the next morning, we drove out to the Montezuma Castle National Park and saw the ruins there. It was very interesting. 

Note Declan's superman pajamas: For a few months, he wore these probably four days a week. 

First day of school

Audrey started 2nd grade and Ian got to ride the bus for the first time because he started Kindergarten!

 Declan has outgrown his nap, but every now and then it catches up with him. This night he was eating an ice cream sandwich. He finished the last bite and promptly fell asleep.

Laura's house is better than Disneyland

Pt. Defiance Zoo

One day we went to the zoo! It was a lot of fun, especially feeding the budgies. 

Mr. B, Kenny, Ian, Ben, Declan, Audrey 

Failed trip to Orting river still got some good photos and good memories

My cutie pie brother Ben, who was AMAZING to my kids and such an awesome guy to have around.

Puyallup Farmer's market and Laura's pool

Then we spent two weeks in Puyallup having all kinds of fun.

Ocean trip with the Roods

Every year the Rood clan takes a beach vacation and we are the only ones who can't go because we live far away. And Paul too I guess. This year, my mom planned an extra beach trip while we were in town, and it was fabulous. We had so much fun, everything was so relaxing and nice. We went to Pacific Beach and Ocean Shores.