So here are the kids just doing what they do best.  Nate is reading the 6th Harry Potter. Tait and Quinn are playing barbies. It's nice to see them still being little at heart! Now if they would ever clean their rooms...

Happy Thanksgiving! We had a great one. We went to Matt and Teran's. Joe and Shell and their kids were there too, as well as my mom.Everyone made their specialties, yum. We all had to have our favorite pies, so when all was said and done we ended up with 8 pies for 19 people. Lot's of leftovers! Addison made his great grandma's apple pie. He did a great job. Nate helped make a lemon merangue and I made pecan, coffee toffee, and a crumb apple. I do like making pies! This morning I met Teran and Shell at walmart for shopping at 5am-too early! I did find some good deals, but now I think it's nap time...

Big news of the week...I got a promotion at work and am now officially an assistant teacher, benefits and all. Wow I kinda feel like a real grownup. Tait and Nate got their report cards this week, Nate had pretty much straight a's, and Tait had mostly a's with some b's and c's. So...life is good. Well except.. since we got Monkey fixed he has turned into the demon cat from HELL. He has attacked all our houseplants and a few of our children. I don't think we should be pet people

Addison's bday

Addison turned 17 on Monday.  He had a fundraiser for drama that night, so we celebrated tuesday. Wow nothing makes you feel old like having a kid who's almost grown. He's been throwing around the idea of going to Snow for school after he graduates. He's turning out to be a really good kid.  

Steve being his awesome daddy self in this picture making Tait a stage for some of her toys.Today was a super busy day. Tait and I helped grandma with her garage sale, and were rewarded with a trip to taco bell. 

At our most favorite "restaurant," after a hard days work of packing and haggling. 

Halloween night

Here we have an angel, Rosalie, a dancer, a dead fairy, and the grimm reaper
 Here is Otto, I mean Joe
 Tait and Shell

  Nate and Carson

Quinn and Tait with cousin Eric and his girlfriend
 He was singing greased lightning when we took this

Smore makin'

So here we are having fun with the s'more and caramel apple kit Gary and Elaine sent us for halloween. Yummy!

Halloween is almost here!

So last night we carved pumpkins. We went to a stand and got some pretty huge ones.!

Radle gladiators-trampoline jousting

So life keeps going...

This week we had parent teacher conference for Tait Nate and Quinn.  Everyone is doing well. They all have good grades and their teachers seem to enjoy them. Tait and Quinn both need to work on their multiplication skills, but other than that wonderful!  What a relief. Nate went to a skate park for his best friends birthday party and had fun. Nate is going through a little brother annoying phase as of late. But the threat of the dreaded hair cut will hopefully keep him in line. I have started the zone diet that Steve slimmed down on and I'm really trying to be good. Oh but I'm going to miss bread and nachos.... Our neighbors have a huge apple tree they let us raid this year and we have been making applesauce, juice and pies. YUM apple pie! The kids (including Steve) have had a good time climbing that apple tree. I've enjoyed baking apple pies. going back to work at Headstart has really been exhausting. I forgot how much being in the classroom takes out of you. Steve has been busy with work and crossfit, (of course) and next week we'll have some more info on some other stuff that's going on with him. So until next week...

This weekend we went to the state fair. It's become one of our family traditions. We saw the animals, and went on the rides, and saw a tiny bit of the demolition derby. Good family fun! We have been working on the mess we fondly call our backyard.  The pool was a new experience this year that hopefully we have learned from and next year will be better. We still have about a zillion tomatoes that are green. I guess no one told them it's going to be cold soon.  Taitum has started recorders at school she seems to like it so far. Addison went to the homecomming dance this weekend.  Nate has just gotten into pokemon and found a good deal at the fair on some more. Quinn had school pictures yesterday. And Chloe has become obsessed with twiilight (the vampire series) Steve has been his usual workout fiend. I started back at Headstart monday but I will be continuing at aspen as well here and there.  That's about it.... 

Well we made it through the first few weeks of school. Life is beginning to settle down again and that is soooo nice! Tait and Nate are both at 100% homework! Yeah!! The new pics are from an event at the covey arts center. The theme was Egypt (Chloe's fav) They had an amazing reptile show and the kids got to write their names in heirogli...(sp?)  After we went to seven peaks for our last trip of the year. This last weekend we had a fun camp out in the backyard. Addison just got a part in the sound of music as a nazi. He is also auditioning for another play. Steve is having a good time at crossfit where clients are improving weekly. I'm doing crossfit occasionally. Think that sums it up. 

School time

Well...we've been getting ready for school and that has kept us busy! Last night Tait and Nate had their meet and greet with their new teachers. Nate decided maybe the rap his teacher had wasn't quite deserved. She was very nice and even let them pick their own desks. Tait's teacher is formerly retired, but was asked to return and seems like a great fit for her. Chloe started junior high yesterday. She tells us it was a great day, and a former "worst enemy" from elementary could be a new best friend, :) I've been working a little more and have added some new fun clients. What a small world it is! One used to live in the house behind us, and another ones daughter used to work with Steve. I will be returning to Headstart in mid September and am hoping to keep working for aspen as well. It's been a wonderful summer but I think the munchkins are ready for school again!

Is it that time already?!?!

Steve just finished the class he's been taking. Yeah! He'll start his next in a few weeks. And it's almost time for the kids to go back. The 18th school starts.  It's amazing how fast summers go by. Tait got the teacher she wanted :) and Nate got the teacher he was dreading :(   We told him we are sure he will charm her just like he has every other teacher he has ever had! Bron is looking into a class for the fall.  She has also decided to paint the hall this week-pictures to come. Addison has been busy with his job at kmart-he does enjoy having some spending cash! We went to park city last weekend with Joe and Shell and had a fun time playing games and shopping at the outlets. Joe and Steve of course went for a nice(well, what they call a nice) ride. Steve has been training at the cross fit gym and Monday night Tait climbed the rope all the way to the top! That was sooo cool! We'll probably be a little crazy the next few weeks, so posts may be lacking.  :) 

Nate's Birthday

Today our baby Nate turned 9. Wow I feel old! We had a fun little get together tonight with cake and ice cream. Nate made out like a bandit. He got to have a fun shopping spree at toys r us with all his loot.  He brought along cousin Carson and the boys had a great time. This weekend we went to Joey's(sister Shell's son) wedding. It was beautiful. 

Last night we went to an illegal fireworks display at an unnamed relatives house. I think they were bigger than anyone expected, and the fire marshall drove by as another round was being brought out.  But no one was caught. We had really good food and it was fun to see everyone. The kids  enjoyed the sparklers and small legal fireworks the most.  We all know the big ones are for the big boys anyway.         Quinn picked out a cool new beach cruiser bike for her birthday yesterday. We also went to an Ellis Island simulation where we got to learn a little bit more about our country and immigration. Even if it was presented with a slightly skewed political view.  No matter, it was fun and we got to take a citizenship test and citizenship oath.  It was a fun day! 

catching up

so...Steve has gotten certified as a trainer for crossfit. He went to San Francisco last weekend and worked out with a bunch of the crossfit big guns. He will be training at Viking Crossfit now. Yeah! He has informed me I will be his first client. Not so yeah.  Addison got a job at kmart and started Monday. Chloe is at the Scera on Wednesdays.  Quinn has turned 10 as of yesterday.  Nate will be 9 on Monday the 14th. Taitum has turned into an amazing helper around the house. On a sad note, we let GoGo go on tuesday. he had been such a good trooper but he needed us to let him move on.  i like to think he can do all his tricks again and has lots of energy for walks like he used to love. On a happier note, nothing helps a broken heart like a new kitten. We have welcomed a sweet little siamese kitten into our family. As of today his name is Cosmo. we'll see how long that lasts.