Double Digits

I can't believe Aliza is a whole decade old. She has a tender heart and sees good in everyone and every situation. She helps me stay positive when sometimes I just don't feel like it. Aliza loves to read, loves gymnastics, and loves Legos. She is a great big sister and has great self initiative. If she needs to get something done, she just does it. Rarely does she need help or ask for it. She just knows how to get things done. 

We made these cute treats for her class at school.

And we celebrated as a family at the newly opened BJs restaurant.

PRESENTS! She told us she had to open presents before church or she wouldn't be able to concentrate at all during primary. We couldn't have that, now could we?!

Oma and Poppy came over for dinner and cake. She requested orange chicken and fried rice, and an ice cream cake.

School Projects

Aliza worked super hard on her "Living Museum" project. She chose to be Anne Frank and studied all about her. She created this beautiful presentation where she had to act as if she was Anne. She was also the very first person as you walked into the classroom, so she was a great greeter and everyone got to see her.

 I believe Aliza thinks this as well. She sees the good in everyone, it really is a talent of hers.

Charlotte finished her unit on American Indians and she loved it so much that she asked for the Indian American Girl doll for Christmas. (which she got...)

 The name she chose for herself was Fast Rainstorm, and Dallin chose Lightning Strike.

 A tepee village made of clay and other things...

Fall Fun

Koda continues to grow and grow. And our hearts are growing more for him each day. He has really become a part of our family and it's been a good thing. He always wants in the bath if someone else is in there.

 He would lay out in the front yard all day long and watch cars drive by if we let him.

 He took his own bath, but was too exhausted to get brushed out or even really dried off.

 We discovered a really great dog park that we take him to occasionally, and there is a fun people park there too!

And Carmen pretty much adores him! It's hard for anyone else to get snuggles in if Carmen is around.

We enjoyed are gorgeous Fall at our new place! The yard was so beautiful with all the Fall colors. Although we spent every free moment that David had raking and bagging leaves... that part wasn't fun. No amount of bribing could keep the kids working for every long in the yard.

And I was totally mesmerized by this sunrise one morning. The sky looked like it was on fire. We sure live in a beautiful world.

One beautiful day, the kids built this amazing Indian Village in the backyard. They played here for hours. I just adore this kind of creative play.

 The hammock became their canoe

I made apple dumplings with Grandma Teerlink's recipe and secret sauce. I just love those things!

 I took the kids to the Meriwether Fall Festival.

 Charlotte played soccer this Fall, she was the only one. This day we celebrated at IHOP because she scored FOUR goals!

Koda and Dallin enjoyed watching from the sidelines.

 Halloween came and went with little commotion.

Carmen: Thalia Grace (Percy Jackson)  Aliza: AnnaBeth (Percy Jackson)
Charlotte: Indian Girl    Dallin:Ninjago

My mom and I went to a Carrie Underwood concert. I couldn't have named one song she sings before the concert, but it was a fun time! Mostly great to just spend time with my mom.

This boy just gets sillier each day. While he goes to preschool 4 times a week, we still have afternoons together. Which I try to make fun, and not take that time for granted. He'll be in kindergarten next year and I'll miss hanging out with him.

And just to keep things real on this blog - middle school math is killing me!!! I had to ask the teacher for some extra text books that I could use to help me better help Carmen. It's pretty ridiculous, and humbling too....

And I snapped this picture of laundry day, it's pretty ridiculous too. All these clothes are clean, they just need folded and put away.