Odds 'n Ends

Addie's first true love - "Yoya" (Lola) the dog.  We traded Grandpa for "Popper" (Copper) for a few months while Grandpa tries to help Lola get over a fear of gun shots and "Popper" is just as loved.  Addie stands at the window, talking to Copper and loves to take him for a walk.  When we take him for walk, Addie loves to boss him around. :D

 Family movie night snuggles.

 In October, our health insurance paperwork finally went through and I got to go see the doctor!  Our first visit was around 24 weeks so we found out right away that we were expecting another little boy!

 Our long drive to church produces interesting conversations with the kids sometimes.  

Who knew Gracen was the only talented one in our family?!

A fun family day in Lewiston.

 This wonderful picture is from my birthday lunch in the park!  Megan and Haley spoil me!!

 One Saturday morning Eli instructed the kids that they needed to pack a "hat, a snack, a blanket, and a weapon" and the kids set off on a backyard adventure.  I love it.

 Reed, who refuses to nap, fell asleep right on his car rug one afternoon.

 Alden is learning the saxophone.  I'm so glad he's learning music but some nights the practicing is hard and we banish him to the basement. :D

 Reed really wanted a picture with Grandpa's fish but he wasn't happy when he accidentally got close enough to touch it! :D

Football

The boys had an opportunity to play football this year.  I had mixed feelings about it.  On one hand, I think sports can teach kids a lot.  On the other hand, tackle football when you're 8 and 10 years old?!

The season was only 5 weeks long but it was intense - games and practices 6 days a week.  I hesitated to sign up - I really cherish our evening time with the kids.  It feels busy enough with homework and dinner and I'm very protective of that time as a family!  Some of the weeknight games were an hour away so between the two teams (3&4 grade, 5&6 grade), there were some nights that were a 4-10pm commitment.  I'll be honest - I came to resent it.  And so did Eli, even though he was pretty good and got a lot of playing time.  Midway through the season Eli was complaining that he had football AGAIN.  Alden on the other hand got almost no time on the field at all (he's easily distracted and doesn't really pay attention to what's going on on the field) and yet said he absolutely wanted to play again next year. Hmmm.

Eli.  Always good for a pose. :D

 Alden is on the end in the yellow sleeves!

The best part of football to me was the beautiful sunsets. :D

Cassy Comes to Visit - The Sights of Cottonwood

Cassy was the first to come visit us at the beginning of September.  For the most part we just had a quiet visit and enjoyed having her here but we did take her to explore the sights around Cottonwood.

First up, the Dog Bark Park.  For only $99 you can spend a night inside a dog's belly!I wish I could remember the name of the owner.  He's as squirrely and unique as his hotel!

 A replica of the interior of the hotel, located in the store part of the park.  

 We also went and  checked out the hiking trails at Fish Creek.

First Day of School

Another day to commemorate how big my littles are getting (sniff). 

Alden enters 5th grade, Eli 3rd, Gracen 1st.

 Eli and Mrs. Schumacher

 Alden's two teachers split the subjects for fifth and sixth grades, Mrs. Sonnen and Mrs. Holthaus.

 Gracen's teacher Mrs. Schumacher (I think half the teachers in Cottonwood are called Mrs. Schumacher! :D)

Kinetic Sand

 Kinetic Sand came onto the market a couple of years ago.  We have really enjoyed it, even though it makes a meeeeesssss that gets into the carpet and scratches the wood table.  Nonetheless, it's pretty neat stuff!  And I love any activity that interests all five of my kids at once.

Addie Mae!

Idaho County Fair

The Idaho County Fair happens to be right here in Cottonwood!  We had so much fun at it and enjoyed a little too much fair food!  I haven't been to a fair like this since I was a kid so I really enjoyed it.

The first event we attended was the little girls' ponytail contest.  All the girls won a prize and a ribbon.  Gracen got third for longest ponytail and Adelyn got second shortest.

Gracen, Winnie, Alli, Addie, and the little girl Megan babysits.

 Each of the three oldest entered something into the fair.  The boys submitted to the "large lego craft" category - which we thought meant Duplo size, but we were the only ones not built from regular sized Lego. :D Nonetheless, Alden won a second and a third.

 Eli's "crown of El Dorado" was the only thing that didn't win something.  Hard for him to take but he handled it like a champ.

My personal favorite entry into the fair, outside my kids' entries.  Why don't more people enter their homemade lingerie?! :D

Gracen, next to her first (the rainbow) and second (the whale) place paintings.

 Needless to say, Addie loved the fluffy animals.

 Alden really hummed and haa-d over whether to spend his money on this trampoline harness.  He really wanted to do it but $6 is a lot of money for a 10 year old and he was also a little nervous of doing it.  Finally, he decided to take the plunge.  He was terrified but got braver as his turn went on.  When he got done, he told me he was glad he'd spent his money on it because now, instead of fair food in his belly like the other kids, he had a neat experience that helped him get braver.  I was so proud of him for thinking that way.  Awesome.

On a different day, Gracen went to the fair with the Rambos and since they have endless connections, Gracen got to use the trampoline jumper for free!