Growing

Leisel is getting more independent and wants to try to feed herself.

Tessa LOVES playmates when the boys are at school!

Cousin Orion is One now!

Aunt Haley had a baby shower and then we welcomed baby Olivia into the family!

Michael earned his Wolf rank and advanced to Bears.

"Preschool time"

Jared and I decided to try making sushi at home.  And the kids love it too!

A quick photo we sent to dad saying "hi" during work at Christmas break 

     

Halloween

We did it!  We finally put together a family costume for the annual Halloween party at Uncle Ron's.  The photo isn't fabulous (and neither were the costumes), but hopefully you get the idea.  My mom remade the suit jacket for Jared and I forgot his tie.  We even learned the song "Edelweiss" for fun to get us into the spirit of the costume. 
Jordan was a good sport about the idea and Michael only went along under duress.  Knickers and lederhosen are not his idea of a cool costume.  I think it was a success.  Any ideas for next year?

It was a real treat to visit neighbors with Aunt Linda and cousin Orion.

We enjoyed visiting the Brown's horses in the afternoon.  Tessa got a ride in her princess dress. :)

The Kids

I had to take the annual photo of the kids around their birthdays.  And Grandma's house always has nice spots. 

                                                              
                                                            I love these kids.

                                    We have another year of fun and growing ahead!

p.s. Grandpa is showing off his newest gun.  classic.

Boy Scouts

Michael and Jared got to participate in the commemoration broadcast for the 100 years of scouting in the Church.

They are taking a break outside the conference center (It was a fire alarm) during one of the rehearsals.  That's the "wolf" hand sign Michael created.  Hands are a great toy to always have on hand.

Some of the other scouts and leaders from our neighborhood. 

This event made the last few weeks in October a bit more hectic, but Michael and Jared really enjoyed the experience and gained testimonies of the Lord's work in scouting.  

Birthday Boys

Whoa!  It was a mostly pokemon birthday (gifts, that is.)

Jordan's lemon cake

and pumpkin

Jordan loves to read everything now! 

and chocolate!  whew.  Now all we need is some more sweets.  Time for Halloween candy? 

Fall Festival

Ever since the amazing farms and orchards of Michigan, we can't pass up our annual family trip to a fall festival.  (Although Florida was the exception.)
Here are my favorite photos of the visit in no particular order.

second or third time around...

a pumpkin treat = smile

a fun, bumpy hayride

trying a hand with the lasso

getting found in a cornmaze

the resident goat!

Fall is wonderful!  We love apple cider, donuts, cooler weather, playing in the leaves, and decorating with pumpkins.  Do you have a favorite tradition to share?

Birthday girls

1st Birthday!

    This girl loves food. :)  I had to take a million photos as her breakfast cake disappeared.

 Grandma made her birthday really special with chocolate cupcakes with cherries on top and a cupcake princess dress!  Maybe next year I'll coordinate a cute theme.  Thank goodness for Grandma!

The cutest thing of all was how special Leisel felt. 

And Tessa too!  I love birthdays.  We celebrated Tessa a few weeks after Leisel's day.

Our good friend Inez knows how to make Tess's day special!

Renee made this party a hit.  She came, brought all the fun cousins, and planned the fun activity for the girls.  Whew.  Easiest birthdays yet.  How did I get so lucky.

Then we got to celebrate with the Clark's too!  Spending time with family makes birthdays special.

ice cream happiness

and fun chaos of  presents

Yea for cousins

Still not sure if this was a present for me or for the girls.  Thanks!  Wagons are my favorite...

a birthday parade