Halloween

As the kids get older, I get less pictures of them. As evidenced by the complete lack of pictures I have of my older kids. Ethan dressed as an old man (again) and Libby went as a blue M&M, her friends went as the red, green, and yellow M&M's.

Libby and I did do a craft projects which we then delivered to our church friends.

I don't have a picture of Libby in her costume, but I do have a picture of cookies that Libby decorated for a school party. I talked her out of hand-cutting ghost sugar cookies and painting them with icing. I can't even manage to take pictures; we sure as heck ain't got time for that kind of nonsense.

Sam decided to go as Gandalf the Gray this year. We cut down a graduation robe from the thrift store, added a beard from a different thrift store, got stick from my mom, and I crocheted a hat. He was well pleased with his costume.

Grace went as Hermione. Thankfully we already had everything for this costume, as it is a recurring favorite in our house.

My birthday happened to fall on Halloween this year (much like it does every year). The kids bought me a crazy amount of chocolate and Libby made me a paper mache pumpkin. I think having kids is making me fat, but I love them all.

Caramel Apple Party

This year my kids wanted to make caramel apples. With their friends. All of them. My house is not big enough, nor my patience long enough, to host 15 or so kids at once working with hot syrup and candy.  Grace and Sam each invited a couple friends to make a practice batch.

They made a lot of apples, ate a lot of apples, and had a fun time.

A week later Libby invited over three friends and we did it all over again. The girls enjoyed the apples thoroughly.

Then two weeks later it was Ethan's turn. He had four friends over, which I have no photographic proof of. One of his friends was even a boy! He brings over female friends on a fairly regular basis, but the male variety is a lot rarer. They stayed for hours and ate most of the apples before they even got them home.

We made thirty-ish apples, made my floor crazy sticky, but managed to not burn anyone! I count the caramel apple parties as a total success!

So Much Music

Once again, Ethan and Libby are active in music. Ethan is in three (two audition) choirs at Borah, while Libby is in one audition choir and orchestra. That means that we go to a LOT of concerts. I have lost count of the number we have already gone to this year. I would guess it's close to a dozen, and we haven't even hit the Christmas concerts yet.

This looks like a picture from Boise Music Week, but it was this school year. We remember going. Libby sang, we don't remember why. So many concerts. They just blur.

Ethan had a concert with the Yale Whiffenpoofs, You can barely see him on the top row; look for the swoopy hair.

Libby is playing first violin for her orchestra this year. She not as in love with orchestra as previous years, but she still enjoys it.

I'm pleased our kids have found something they enjoy!

Action Shots are Hard

This fall, Grace's first in public school, she decided to join the basketball team. Years ago when Libby was on it, it had seven players. This year there was about fifteen. The girls didn't get as much play time, but they worked hard and had a lot of fun.

She started the season with no idea how to play, but she quickly caught on, and was excellent at defense.  She is still working on getting the confidence to play a more aggressive offense. 

The last game of the season, Grace reminded me she hadn't made a basket all season (and had only attempted one). She was hopeful and prepared to finally make a basket for her team. I mentioned her wish to a few of the moms I sat with. We watched as Grace took the ball down the court, and then instead of passing, she shot! All the moms (including Grace's) lost their minds when the ball hit the rim and fell through the net! Grace was very pleased and embarrassed by all the attention.

After the last game of the season, she asked when track and field began. Looks like I might have one who actually enjoys team sports.

More Changes in the Wind

Michael has been with St. Luke's for nearly twelve years now. He has gone through many changes of job title and changes of department. He has loved each shift and we are thankful for all the good that has come our way. One of the only parts of his job that has stayed the same is his annual trip to Sun Valley to serve as tech support for a medical conference. This is his tenth year supporting the conference. The first year we brought all the kids with us (Sam was only a couple months old), but since then just Michael and I have gone.

He has worked and I have been able to just take a break from being mom. We've eaten tons of wonderful food, taken hikes, and enjoyed just being a couple. It has been a wonderful weekend and the conference organizers frequently tell me how much they rely on Michael. Unfortunately, this is likely going to be Michael's last year supporting the conference. His latest job shift has made his job much more about photography and videoography. Doing tech support no longer falls under his job description.

We will be sad to see this weekend go. Michael enjoys hosting it, but I think he also enjoys giving me a weekend were I can just relax and enjoy the beauty that is here. We have enjoyed our years up here and we made sure to enjoy this weekend as well. 

We even managed to play some pool and air hockey. I crushed him at pool but he destroyed me at air hockey, so I guess we are even.

I will miss our Sun Valley weekend, but now that the kids are older and less needy, I don't need it as much. I'm so thankful that we have got to do this for the last ten years. I'm excited to see what the coming years bring.