November stuff..

Sorry for the blurry photo - there was a porcupine in our tree in our yard!!! 

 look at that guy! no wonder lily has had a few encounters with a porcupine. 

the girls working hard on their homework. so proud of their dedication. 

some work back of Ellie's. So proud of the progress they have made. 

Claire's work. 

The start of the thanksgiving projects being brought home and put to good use. 

on to Thanksgiving!!!

Yearly Well Child Checks and Stats

Every Fall since living in Spokane we go to the Kid's Clinic to see Dr. Lee (a dr from Chippewa Falls WI and a badger -- small world!). 

We do our yearly checkups and flu shots at the same time and it is all done for the year. It is at times like this I am reminded how thankful I am for healthy kids. 

Here are the stats:

Charlie - age 7.5. Weighs 60.2lbs (74%). 50 inches tall (61%)

Eleanore - age 5.5. Weighs 39.2lbs (28%). 43.5 inches tall (40%)

Claire - age 5.5. Weighs 39.2lbs (28%). 43.25 inches tall (35%)

***How crazy is it that E&C weigh EXACTLY the same!!! This is at 3pm in the afternoon on a random day. I think it is crazy! They are also the same height - or apparently Claire is .25 inches taller-- I'm guessing that is from her standing against the wall differently. Just incredible that after 5.5 years they are still the same body composition.***

The flu shots are always eventful and hopefully next year they won't be freaking out before them or under the chairs like a dog at the vet. 

I was cracking up at the girls under the chairs before the shots. Not nice, but I was over talking about it. They had watched Charlie get his the previous week and he was freaking out (I had to pin him down) and after the shot was like "oh - that was it??". So I was hoping they would have watched and learned, but that sure didn't happened. I had to pin both of them down. There is always next year! 

October Happenings

October Happenings...WAY behind again. It is true - life doesn't slow down at all! 

This was quite a scene at one of Charlie's soccer games - Ellie in the backpack. Claire wearing the backpack. They are crazy! 

We had a fundraising event for the Hope School for Deaf Children -- it was a hoedown. 

Our kind friends the Dickerhoofs and Oranens joined us. 

I went with the girls to Walter's Pumpkin Patch for a field trip. 

love these two goof balls. 

Their entire Kindergarten Class -- both AM and PM classes. 

at the end of October I was certified by Doris Thew for Indorow and Shockwave -- 2 workout classes I have loved since Rochester. So happy to start getting some certifications! 

Charlie had a wonderful speech meet -- he recited "Gentle Jesus, Meek and Mild" by Charles Wesley. 

October went by SO FAST! On to November!!! 

Jake's Wedding

September 23rd - I flew to Park City for my cousin Jake's wedding. I was so thankful for the mini village we have built here who helped support and care for the kids while I was gone. Even just 1 school day was hard! Bill was home for the weekend so that was perfect. 

Here is a bad picture, but our beloved babysitter Phoebe is a Senior at the Oaks and always stands and sings with the kids during Cantabile each Monday morning and Friday afternoon. She is a gem! 

My friend Ting took the girls to Blaze Pizza with her daughter and they enjoyed Smores pizza -- as you can see. 

Meanwhile in Park City it was a rainy/sleet/snow/socked in mess. Nana drove us up here to go on a hike. 

We went down a bit and hiked where we could at least see a few feet in front of ourselves. Only my brother Tommy was with me and my parents at the wedding and it was super fun to just be together. 

In Spokane - the girls had beautiful weather for their soccer game. 

sweetest Kindercare and her dad who is her twin. 

girls with their favorite playmates -- Emerson and Phyllis 

more hiking with my mom!

Don't we look like we are having a great time! This is so something that we do just because not doing it would be easy. 

 was fun to pack some snow though!

 we were determined to reach the summit! 

we did it! 

our reward - Atticus coffee shop! 

Park City was still pretty sweet!

 ready for the wedding. thankfully, the weather decided to lighten up a bit for the mostly outdoor wedding! 

surprised that the venue moved the tables inside! 

this was supposed to be the spot for the dancing. instead we just had the ceremony out in the cold. 

with my cousin Laura and brother Tom -- drinking wine waiting for the ceremony! 

beautiful scene.

Bekah - Me - Jake (my cousin - same age - we grew up together, same high school, etc), Luke. 

Dessert was donuts!

Me and my cousin Angie - Jake's cousin. 

Jake and his bride - Amy.

Really glad I got to go and it was a blast to spend the weekend with Tommy and our parents. So thrilled for Jake and Amy!