Day Off From School

And this is how they fill their time!!

Thankfully, a foam sword and plastic knife are not too dangerous.

Precious Memories

I've always loved this picture of Bryce's hands and Grandma's hands.

Thanksgiving 2006 with Grandma and Grandpa.

We miss you Grandma.

Our Last Two Weeks Pictures

Aubree and Daddy

Sunday afternoon hike at the lake

This seemed to be the best way to pick up the shells so no one had to get wet or fall in.

We did remember to take Bryce's glasses off.

Bryce receiving his Bobcat Patch at Cub Scouts

Tie Dying t-shirts at our 4-H meeting

Are We Invited?

The word invite has been used a lot in our house lately - the kids have been invited to a couple of birthday parties, we've talked about wedding invitations and just yesterday mailed shower invitations for Aunt Karen and Uncle Scott.

Yesterday afternoon, we stopped for a funeral procession to pass. The kids asked whose funeral it was. Then Aubree asked if it was for Mr. C (An extended family member that passed away on Thursday.) I told her that his funeral was on Sunday. In all seriousness Aubree says, "Are we invited?" I wanted to answer her respectfully but she really caught me off guard with her question, I had to pause and keep my grins to myself. Then, I explained that there were some events you were invited to attend and others, like funerals, that normally you can just attend out of respect without an invitation.

Fall Festival Pictures

Fall Festival with Homeschool group at Warehouse. Donut eating game. She was so funny trying - I think she got one little bite. But then she got to finish the donuts!

Donut Face!
While at the party, Bryce got involved in a mean game of dodge ball and took a hard hit to the face AND glasses. Thankfully, the technician at Costco fixed them up like new!!

Our Cinderella!!

Our Pirate!!

They had a blast at the Fall Festival at church. Bryce played games and accumulated a lot of candy. Aubree went back and forth between the big slide and jumping castle.

We finally got her to change clothes. And she got her face painted. She picked these out (she has a puppy dog on the other side.)

17 Years Ago Today

When I write it like that, it seems like a very long time ago. Well, I guess it was...

Newman proposed to me 17 years ago today. I was a sophomore in college. He had been working for the City for about a year. We usually did not see each other during the week, but that night we met for dinner at Darryl's. After dinner, he took me to a shopping/business complex with a beautiful water fountain at the entrance. He had me sit by the fountain and close my eyes. When I opened them, I had a huge plastic spider ring on my hand along with the diamond ring which was turned upside down. Then he asked me to marry him.

We will celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary in December!! I can't believe how God has grown both of us in love for each other as well as blessed us with two wonderful children.

Our (Last) Week in Pictures

Bryce's 7th lost tooth. And it's not gotten any easier. I needed a chapter on "Kids who are traumatized on having their teeth pulled." It was loose for a very long time. He's even tried to pull it himself, but it became a desperate situation when a permanent tooth got yucky looking because it was not being brushed as it should. Nonetheless, he still got his dollar!

Crazy hat night at AWANA.


Their first hot chocolate of the season.

With marshmallows and animal cookies.

Aubree's artwork. As you know, kids have a hard time of letting 'stuff' go. I read in a magazine to take a picture of them with 'it,' then trash 'it.' A much easier situation for all involved. (I actually may have kept this one, but there are many more that are gone!!)