Pumpkin Carving is Done!

Whew! Check one off our list. This list seems to grow instead of shrink! I'm not sure how life got ahead of me but this summer I was doing pretty well keeping up with all my duties and now they seem to be flying ahead of me in my own personal marathon! Aaack! Actually, it's only been 2 weeks of me feeling this way but I don't see any end in sight. I need 48 hours straight, without interruption, at home and then another 2 full days at school. Ugh!

Grandma Linda had a birthday on Friday so we went to Spokane for the night on Saturday. We had a yummy dinner at Prospectors Bar and Grill and then went to Nana and Papa's for dessert. It was a true party - Grandma and Rod, Grandma Margaret, Kim, Kellee, Nana and Papa and eventually Erin, joined us for part of the evening. Fun!

I promised the kids that if they kept the house picked up while I worked at school for a while this afternoon that we would carve our pumpkins tonight. A promise is a promise!

Once again, this year we carved our pumpkins and discovered a handful of change inside each one. This year was even more surprising as we grew these pumpkins in our own garden! We're saving seeds to plant again next year!

Where is the Time Going!

I can't believe it's been 2 weeks since my last post. My days are a blur and sometimes I wonder what I really did between waking and going to bed. Too much on my plate right now!

Last weekend was fun!

We played around with the timer for this shot.

My parents came over for Harvest Fest and to do the Autumn Leaf Run with us. Our hospital puts on a walk/run every year. The kids and I have done it for the last couple of years and have always enjoyed the fall weather and high spirits of the participants. This year Steve and my parents joined us as we walked the 5K. What troopers my children are! Lyndsi took off with Reily right in the beginning of the race and Dylan was off with a couple of his buddies. I didn't see either one of them until the end! We had a designated meeting area in case we were separated. We spent the rest of the afternoon cruising through Farmer's Market on Main street. That evening we went to the O'Connors for a fall bar-b-que.

Do you recognize this face?

If you are a Gonzaga basketball fan you might. David Pendergraft came to play a little ball with the locals in support of the Fall Leaf Run. My mom couldn't resist asking for this shot!

Lyndsi's going to be a Girl Scout!

Actually, the correct name is Girl Scout Daisy. And I am going to be her leader! Yep, this is one of those things on my plate right now! Lynell and I are going to co-lead a troop of kindergarten and first grade girls this year. We had an informational meeting on Wednesday night and it looks like about 12 or 14 girls want to join up. Sounds a bit intimidating to me - but that also means we may have 12 or 14 moms who want to help :) Little did they know they were commiting themselves when they signed up their daughters! Our first troop meeting will be November 6th so I have a little time to prepare (and to breath again!).

Beauty and the Beast

are in Omak! What a talented group of people live around me! Last night I took the kids to see the play, Beauty and the Beast, being performed at the Performing Arts Center. I'd heard rumors of the incredible costumery and set but was still amazed when the curtain was pulled back. Whenever I attend a show put on by our local talent I can't help but be proud to know the participants. IT was spectacular! If you live around here, you need to go see the show. "Chip" is one of my students this year and her mom is "Belle". I would like to brag when I tell you that at least 6 of the assorted napkins, spoons and villagers were also students of mine at one time! We hung around after the show to get some pictures with the cast.

The Beast and Belle with the kids.

Dylan, Chip, a cute napkin and Lyndsi

Dylan and Gaston - who do you think is the strongest?

The baby is here...My good and very pregnant friend delivered her first baby last night. Actually, at 3:30 am on Saturday! I think we're off to see her tomorrow. I have this thing for visiting babies in the hospital!

Ooops!

I know, I know. A week ago I promised pictures. I thought for sure I'd get them up before today but no such luck! Well, here they are.....

Cheer camp and the young cheerleaders

Discovery Beach in Seattle

Auntie Erin getting paybacks in Seattle

This week was pretty much like the last few. School, work, soccer, bed, repeat.... We may have had a few unique moments here and there but pretty much life in general.

Steve and Dylan did go on a Cub Scout hike today. I was pretty disappointed that I couldn't go but I needed to spend some time at school or I would have gone insane tomorrow trying to catch up! Anyway, they hiked to a memorial in a canyon of a young boy who was killed by a cougar some years ago. The boys found a couple of geocaches and then the whole group roasted hotdogs and marshmallows. It was a beautiful day for being outside and I spent it indoors!