Ashton turns 11

Ashton's birthday fell on the day after Thanksgiving this year which I loved because that was his actual birthday. Lucky for him cousins were in town so it felt extra special. We all went to the crayola factory the day before Thanksgiving.

 Then he requested Texas sheet cake for his birthday. I know the name is particularly endearing as he still considers himself the biggest Texan in our family. He has lived 7 of his 11 years there so I'll give it to him! 

He got a little mini all sports camera this year for his birthday. He was pretty pleased with it and has been making several stop and go lego movies. 

These were pictures from the beginning of December I didn't want to leave out. Ashton ran for student council his 2nd month at a brand new school and won as his class rep. This describes who he is perfectly. He is socially savvy and not afraid to put himself out there. When student council said they needed a few students to dress up as Rocky for their Barnes and Noble day he was the first to volunteer.

I went with him and helped him get dress and it cracked me up. He was loving the power of being in costume.

I always tell Ashton he got the best of both of his parents. He has David's book smarts. He has my ability of reading fast and David's gift for retaining all the information. Which makes his reading (which he does all day everyday) the coolest combination. He also has some serious street smarts, which I'd like to think comes from me but there have already been so many situations in his life where he has out witted me. We hope to continue to harness that for good! As each year passes he becomes more and more responsible and sees the value in being super helpful around the house. I love this boy and am so glad he is the oldest!

2018 random pics

Crazy hair day.

Mallie took Rachel into Ms. Sardella's class for show and tell. The best was when one of the kids raised their hand and asked if they could pass her around. Classic.

Daddy daughter date.

Ashton got to compete in a district wide Stem challenge. His team came in 2nd!

David and I had an errand to run at the mall and the kids begged to go up and down the escalator several times. David obliged and it was so fun seeing how happy the kids were.

Halloween 2018

 After our Waldo costumes last year got so much positive attention at the ward Trunk or Treat I knew I could convince the kids to do a family theme for at least one more year. I've been thinking about doing Sound of Music long before we had the perfect line up or 5 girls and 2 boys. After finding out we were expecting #8 I knew this was our year to pull it off and I almost didn't do it. Fabric seemed too expensive and I've never made any clothes other than a skirt but I decided if Maria could do it certainly I could. I bought some fabric watched some tutorials on dresses and shorts and started sewing. 

 I thought Mallie's bandana really finished off the family look. I was as pleased as punch with the line up. If you looked closer at the costumes you could tell they were definitely made by a novice sewer but overall it was a fun project knowing they just had to survive for one night.

 

 A lot of my friends couldn't believe Ashton was talked into this. He was all in and didn't complain even once. I'm so grateful he doesn't think he's "too cool" for stuff like this yet.

 This is the only candid picture I have from that night so I had to throw it in.

Here we all together. I think I'm about 20 weeks pregnant trying to hide the belly. When David separated from the Army over a year ago and asked if he should keep his dress blues I told him to hand on to them just in case this night ever happened. It did - and he looked the part with a whistle and all! He was a trooper about this as well.

I wish I could describe the reaction as we walked into Trunk of Treat that night. When they saw one kid they immediately looked for the rest and were so elated to see everyone all matchy in their curtain costumes. Everyone went crazy and even the teenage girls were telling each of the kids how amazing this was. I'm pretty sure this is it it for family themed costumes. How in the world could we possibly top this?!

Apple Picking

Honeycrisp apples are my favorite fruit ever. So at the end of September when the ward playgroup met at the local orchard and I found out we could pick our very own apples for cheaper than the grocery store I just about died!

Then naturally I had to take the big kids back a few days later to pick apples for their first time.

The weather was warm and it was the perfect after school activity.

Goll, I love them all. When they're all standing close together they don't look like nearly as many!

The best part is there are so many apples in our bags (for cheaper than the grocery store) that the kids all eat at least a couple while we're picking.

And then naturally we could not let David miss out on this experience before the season was over. So one of the last Saturdays before the frost hit we all went again. 

It was so helpful having him there to get us to the highest apples that hadn't been touched yet!

That was one of our first really cold days here in MN where it was windy and below freezing and boy did we feel the change!

Having a bowl of apples like this on my counter every week this fall was just heavenly! 

Rachel Turns 3

 Oh my goodness this girl has been a little ball of energy and sass since she started walking. She knows what she wants all the time and has no trouble bossing around people 5x her age to get what she wants. I love how articulate and self sufficient she is. On the morning of her birthday she woke up early and opened this doll from her grandparents.

 Then she and Scotty helped make her cake. 

 When all the siblings got home it was present time.

 I love pictures of all the kids gathered around watching siblings open presents. I know there are sparks of jealousy as they check out all the goods but these are the pictures I think they'll all look back on and like to see their interactions.

She has been "borrowing" Lucy's music box for months so she was thrilled to get her own.

 Is this picture a classic? Mallie has been Rachel's mini mom since Hattie was born. It solidified their bond and Mallie is probably the only one who could keep her from blowing out the candles without getting bitten.

 Even though she is crazy independent I adore that about her. I find her personality fascinating and love to just observe what she comes up with.

 Happy Birthday Rachel Grace!! Here's to 3 going on 13!!

First Day of School

 A new school for these kiddos! This will be Ashton's 3rd elementary school and only the 2nd for the girls. They handled the change like a champ and I'm so glad these 4 have each other.

 Lucy -1st Rothe

Mallie - 3rd Lopponow

Hannah - 4th Beekman

Ashton - 5th Brandwein

After a 4 month summer break they were ready to get back to the routine of school. We'll see how long it lasts!

This year they started riding a bus for the first time. I'll miss not having a school within walking distance but I wont complain about the bus stop just a few houses away. We're crossing our fingers for good teachers and another great year!

Lucy Turns 6

I love this little toothless girl! I feel like I say the same things about her every year. She is still my shadow and she still has the best giggle.

My attempt at a unicorn cake... it was falling over as we frosted!

Her shirt pretty much sums her up. Lucy is always smiley and has the remarkable ability to make everyone around her just love her. She always says she's "shy" but every time I take her anywhere everyone says "hi Lucy!" she doesn't even remember all their names which cracks me up. Happy 6th birthday Lu!!

Perch Lake

After our long vacation David going back to a rigorous school schedule was a pretty big adjustment for the kids and I. He was staying late a lot of days and when he was home he was doing a lot of studying. By mid-August we made sure we finally got to explore our new area and headed to Perch Lake just over the border in Wisconsin.

We rented a paddle boat, kayak and stand up paddle board.

 The scenery of green surrounding the entire lake was pretty majestic and the lake water was so clear.

 We used the paddle boat as our floating home base held our cooler bag with an obscene amount of snacks and the kids loved hopping on and off to the different toys.

 We found out Hattie much preferred to be lower to the water where she could feel it.

 All the big kids were so good about giving rides to the little kids on the paddle board.

 One of the hilarious parts of the day was when David and I were kayaking and then he jumped off to hop in the paddle boat with the kids... but they took off without him. They felt so powerful that for once they were in a vehicle where they could out run the parents.

It's so fun to live some place new and experiences things like this just 30-40 minutes from home.