October Reviews

As always, I'm a little tired and crunched for time. Here are a few shots and brief listings of what we've been up to in October. Honestly, I can't figure out where the month went. Landen played for the last time in the State cup tournament with his old Forza team. They did well-lasting till the semi's. It was emotional for us to leave that last game. Landen LOVED playing with them and felt very understood there since all the boys loved it as much as he did. I feel grateful that he had that sort of opportunity and hope we can find something that will be a good fit for him. Landen REALLY loves soccer and gets really intense. Every spare minute he has he is out shooting. We have been very blessed to have a next door neighbor boy who is sixteen and also loves soccer. He is busy a lot, but every chance they get, they play together.

Carving pumpkins. We were amazed at how much easier it seemed this year. Still love the power tools. Landen did jagged teeth, Breck and elaborate peel face.

Rhyse-a bee, Breck a cow, Capriel-monkey once and chicken another time, Landen-something scary, and Talia-mouse. Notice the cuffs, she was a monkey a few years ago and as the big day drew near this was the only thing she could handle. So I had to find some fabric that sorta matched and add 7 inches. She was happy. This was the first year that we drove. Rhyse loved it and completely understood the concept. She was darling to see running from house to house with her little stinger wagging.

Having a bonfire to burn all the yard waste and weeds we'd been accumulating. Had to get a burn permit. It was very hot and reminded me of my runaway fire with Dad.

The colors are beautiful. Rhyse found playing in the leaves so fascinating. She is always singing "I see the light" from Tangled. She likes to come to me and say, "You Eric I a princess" and then want me to dance with her.

Breck's pumpkin. In the end it had metal braces and eyelashes. She is endlessly creative.

We also went on a fun bike ride to the Pumpkin toss where USU students had designed and built catapults to throw the pumpkins from the Cities pumpkin toss. It was really fun.

Getti came for a few days and we enjoyed her beautiful children as well as working on a fun home improvement project together. I am really starting to appreciate power tools.

Talia started violin and is adjusting to a new teacher and different methods. Breck is still happy in her art class. Capriel started ballet and LOVES it.

Craig automated our budget and now we are trying something different than the cash method! Hurrah!!! I was trying hard, but honestly, I hated the cash thing. It seemed like I was always fiddling through my wallet, trying to count it, keep it organized in it's specific spot, having only a 100$ when I was buying something for $3, etc.... I'm starting to relax a little about the whole budgeting thing. I do much better when I have specific amounts that I can spend in each category instead of just trying not to spend money.

We got a few things done on the house. Landen and Talia have new windows, I had a electrical strip installed in the kitchen and the microwave moved to a new shelf underneath the counter. I added a shelf over the washer and dryer and a hanging rack for clothes to dry in the laundry room. I have more ideas and projects up my sleeve than we have money and time for.

I must say that I love a lot of things about this house. I love the eastern view up the mountain from my kitchen window. I love my bright big bathroom that also looks east. I love my big kitchen sink. I love my third car garage. I love the space around me.

I've been talking too much to my sisters since I have so many fewer acquaintances here.
I'm waving my arm around on Sunday while people sing. I was much less nervous. My accompaniest is teaching me a few things. Mostly I just don't know enough to even know what I should be doing.

Things are good. Breck even said that she is glad that we moved and that she likes it here. We miss a lot of things but we also are finding new interesting people, things to do, challenges, and opportunities.

Craig is busy, happy, and seems more content.

We got our first snow, as always, ahead of me finding and pulling out and organizing all the snow gear.