November Girls Weekend!

In August - Rachel, Becca, Nicole and myself realized we were not going to see each other for ANOTHER year if we didn't pull off a quick girls trip. So my gracious in laws volunteered their home as a place to meet (since we had 2 babies with us still). My mom graciously drove 6 hours (one way!) to come cover for me while Bill was at a work retreat. 

A quick trip to MSP! Friday morning I left and came back Sunday night. 

we arrived in Hudson Friday around dinner time and it was perfectly set up! 

I used my firestarting skills to run the fire and it was heavenly! 

Nicole, Rachel and myself went out running each morning. It was too cold for Becca! 

Natalie had a rough hour on Saturday, but I tamed her with my bouncing skills. loved meeting her and spending more time with Leif. 

It was so soul filling spending the weekend with these ladies. I am so thankful for them and their constant support and friendship despite the distance. Having soulmate friends is the best gift from the Lord! 

on Sunday before we all went our separate ways we shopped for a bit and of course the only full photo we have of all of us was in a lulu! ha!

Can't wait until our next one! 

October wrap up - Halloween

At the end of Suzanne and Grant's visit - Bubba and Pappy came! They even got to hear Charlie's piano recital! 

During one of the beautiful Fall days, I met up with my friends Erin and Kelley and walked along the trail and soaked up the sun! 

Charlie before his last outdoor soccer game! 

playing at a park with lots of leaves after church one Sunday. This is also the Sunday our friend Patrick dove to catch a football and broke 3 ribs and his collarbone. ouch!

HALLOWEEN!! Hamilton was the theme!

Charlie as Alexander Hamilton! He did so awesome! 

I love this picture!

these 3 rocked it! Schuyler Sisters (sans Peggy) - Eliza and Angelica. 

this is the most excited Charlie was over a character. Bill walked around our loop with a huge bluetooth speaker blaring Hamilton. ha! 

The Reeves and the Dickerhoofs joined in the fun with our loop. 

it was a SUCCESS! Kids had a blast! 

Mrs. Holland took this picture during recess. ha

on to November...

Speech Meet

Every Fall the Oaks has a Speech Meet for the Grammer School children. 

I was so impressed how all the kids did! 

Eleanore recited The Swing by Robert Lewis Stevensen

Claire recited The Worm by Ralph Bergrenren

Charlie recited The Lion and the Mouse - a Fable by Aesop. I only have videos of him! But they all did wonderfully and Charlie was selected to go to the Inter school speech meet! I was out of town for that speech, but Nana was there and filled in. He received an Excellent award. 

Charlie with his buddy Stephen who went to another school this year and his classmate Evan. 

Well done kiddos! 

October Start

Bill's group had an event at Trezzi Farms up in Greenbluff. We got to spend an evening with our friends the Hubbells! 

The girls finding a fun way to play with a swing together while waiting for Charlie's soccer game to finish! 

In the middle of October Suzanne and Grant came to visit Spokane for a WEEK! They were checking out the city to see if they could live here (we are praying they come!!!). 

we took a hike one day and it was so beautiful out! 

On Sunday we headed to CDA to check it out because it was a beautiful day! We ended up hopping on a boat cruise which was perfect.  

the CDA beach is always a great spot. 

the trees were so awesome against the blue sky!  

Charlie on the cruise. 

Uncle Grant is such a champ letting squirmy Claire sit on his lap.

Can't be a brunch at the Yards!

Walking the Centennial Trail by Kendall Yards. 

the water was so low compared to this spring! Love seeing the differences by the season.

one night we headed to our favorite mexican restaurant... Claire never is short on facial expressions.