Trick or Treating

The official pictures. Unfortunately, the pictures with all three kids mostly had Addy being restrained by someone in order to even try to keep her in them. Once an outside door opens at our house she just wants to run.

Rhett and Laynee love to pose. They already have about a five year plan for costumes for Halloweens to come.

Addy on the loose. The hat didn't last too long. She seemed to enjoy her night out.

Let the parties begin!

As does the rest of the world, we love our holidays. This year we got an extra early start when we purchased our costumes in August. I thought it seemed like the thing to do to pass some time while Kade was in Alaska. But when they kids asked how long until Halloween and I have to answer "two months", it suddenly seemed ridiculous.

Grandma Sandra introduced them to the joys of wax lips.

NOTE: This should impress all. I am posting on the actual day I took these next three pics. I have a bad record and have be recently reprimanded for my lack of posts.

Having three kids has moderately to totally impaired my capacity to make educated decisions. We decided to have a little halloween party this year. It was going to be low-key, organized and easy. I really think (hope) the kids had fun. But I am tired and we haven't even gone trick-or-treating yet.

We had thirteen children over to paint pumpkins, decorate cookies, pin the nose on the jack-o-lantern, and eat donuts. It was slightly organized chaos at best.

It did have good help from a husband (mine, obviously!), a mom (their work is never done) and a good friend and a sister-in-law. Thanks to all!

It's Been Awhile.....

Once upon a time I was complaining that everyone was so busy and I was so bored, the end.

Just to update...

Addy turned one at the end of September. She started walking in August. She just barely broke her second bottom tooth, we have finally mastered stairs and can fold our arms. She is a happy girl and Kade is always saying, "I can't help it, she is just so cute."

The kids started out by handing Addy her presents and helping her "start" to open them with little rips in the paper. By the end they weren't even sitting by her as they tore into her packages. I hope they enjoyed it because next year I am betting she won't be so nice.

We had a family party on the Monday before Addy's actual birthday. It's basically against my religion to not hold the event on the proper day. I mean, we don't mess with Christmas, do we?! But, Kade had the deer hunt that he was unwilling to give up this year. Last year, I had Addy on opening day. Yes, he came to the hospital! He just thought we could celebrate the birthday a couple days early this year. Although, while he and Rhett were hunting Laynee, Addy and I still made another cake and had a "girl party!"

In other news...

Rhett is still playing soccer and loving it. He has scored two goals (that I have witnessed) and loves defense. He is enjoying kindergarten, but is somewhat disappointed that they won't learn to read in a day and that it is a long process. I help in his class once a week and am finally putting faces with names.

Laynee is taking a dance class with her good friend Katelyn. This week they got to wear their halloween costumes and dance like bats. She is a very good girl as long as she is well rested and being bribed with candy. She defintely does the best job at telling me when I look cute--or not.

And Kade has been asking people if they have heard that I am pregnant. Because I am not. Funny, funny man.

The Best Time of the Year...

Weather-wise, that is. Not too hot; not too cold. Addy discovered the joys of playing outside this weekend. We played outside last night until we were filthy. Grandpa Doug gave us this sandbox and the kids are loving it.

Not pictured: Rhett and Kade. The boys had ridden the four-wheeler out the back to go shooting. I was told by Rhett that he shot at a stink bug and "some kind of bird that is in season." Great. Kade clarified for me. He shot at quail, it is in season, and he had free reign of a .22---It's better for mom to stay home.

Fish Tales

Bear Stories

Bear Hunt '08

This post will mostly be about how a man can tell their story and the woman can mess it up.
So Kade went bear hunting in Alaska last week. He and his good friend, Ben, came up with this plan at the first of the year. Now Ben doesn't have to answer to anyone and gets to do some pretty great things that cause lots of lingering ideas for Kade. I am sure it took careful planning and timing, but Kade approached me about the hunting trip. I personally consider myself pretty easy going, so the trip was on. Anyhow, the jist is that he left us for a week went to California to meet up with Ben, travelled onto Alaska, completed their supply list there and hit the ferry to head to Prince of Wales island for the big hunt. Kade doesn't say much, not that I don't try to pry for all the details down to what they ate for every meal (count yourself lucky Ben) but I think they had a good time.

Riding the ferry and pondering on the possible size of bears to be had.
Fishing. There were Salmon running and I was told they could even catch the fish with their hands so it really wasn't too exciting to fish.
The bear. Kade refused to go home emptied handed and they weren't seeing many bears so he went after this one. It turned out to be bigger than they thought. Something like 7' and a 20" skull (where the scoring comes from) and when they took it in it was the biggest seen to that point. And you can see from their expressions, they had a blast! So the bear is in the freezer at Ben's until we can get it turned into a fabulous rug for the wall, the top of the 14' wall. It'll be awesome:) And after reviewing the trip, it has been decided (assumed) that they will go again in 18 months on the spring bear hunt and stay longer. Good luck boys.