He's playing basketball!

I'm so excited. I never thought this day would come- I have a kid playing basketball! Justin and Ty have NEVER liked basketball... I've tried since they were little to get them to play, but couldn't force them. Instead, they've loved football and Justin wrestled last year. I now enjoy watching them play football... I'm still working on wrestling, but I love basketball! We're so proud of Justin for trying out and making the team... especially since he's never played before. The first couple weeks were rough... Coach told him to "box out" and he didn't know what that was, so he got to do some extra running. He was hoping the coach would just kick him off the team. No such luck! His 1st game was last night and he did really well... it's not his favorite sport yet... but, there's still plenty of time!

He's #45 in white

old hat, new hat

Caden's favorite book is Old Hat, New Hat. We read it several times every day! It's no wonder he was so excited for us to open the winter clothing box... hats! He had so much fun with them!

So Thankful!

In our new home, we decided to try a new tradition... a deep-fried turkey! It turned out well... and was an overall nice day spent together! The chill is now in the air, and we were freezing, but still managed to pull the tractor out for a ride! The boys are never too cold for that!

Jim also dug a hole for the boy's basketball hoop... that will be going up soon! We definitely miss Grandma & Grandpa in AK, but we have so much to be thankful for!!

To Granny's House we'll go...

Our time at Granny's house was nice, too. It was nice to be close enough to be able to drive- something I know I'll never take for granted after living so isolated in Alaska. In spite of dealing with Pa's death, it was nice for the cousins to play together and to catch up with everyone.

Evansville, IN & Girard, IL

The first stop on our quick trip last weekend was to Evansville, Indiana... Uncle Jassen (Jim's brother), Aunt Dawn & Kota Michael's house! The little guys had a blast playing with Kota's toys... it was cool Uncle Jassen's XBox for the big boys. Of course, Dawn ran for our favorite food while we're there... Chick-fil-a! Yummy!

The next morning, we loaded up and headed to Grandma & Grandpa's house (Jim's Grandma & Grandpa)! It was so nice to catch up with them and Grandma Shellene. Grandma & Grandpa hadn't ever seen Caden. We enjoyed a nice meal and visiting!

pinch me

I can't believe my life! I have a wonderful husband, great kids... and I'm planting bulbs in November! It just seems too good to be true. Until now, I've never really liked fall... Maybe because growing up in AK, the chill in the air hits sometime in August and doesn't leave until June. The heat down here feels like heaven to me!

I'm finally doing something I've planned to do my whole life... planting bulbs that I can enjoy year after year! I'm not quite sure how my colors will turn out... I had them all neatly layed out until my little assistant rearranged them! Oh well... it's all good... fun times with the little guys! I did get a little carried away when I bought them... now, it's taking a LOT longer to get them in than I planned... we've put in probably 200 tulips and have about 100 to go!

I hope at least one makes it!

still driving...

Unexpectedly, Jim's Pa passed away last week, so we took a little road trip this last weekend to spend time with family in Illinois. It was a quick trip over the weekend, but we feel so fortunate we now live close enough to make trips like this. The little guys did pretty well considering all of the time in the truck and a new bed in a new house every night. Justin and Ty had a nice time, too. It was really nice to catch up with everyone even considering the circumstances.

Caden loved climbing on all of Pa's heavy equipment! He thinks he's driving... with one hand on the steering wheel and the other on the shift.

our carpet is in!

We've been in our new house three months today! We're tired... so tired! We finally have our flooring installed... the carpet was finished this morning. We still have the details to finish up... the bathroom, trim, wood ledges, shelving, doors, stain, stain, stain... Enough projects for a year of busy weekends but, it's liveable! The big boys are moving downstairs as I type! I'm ready to finish getting organized, but I may wait a day or two- I can't get myself to move right now!

trick or treat

It was great trick or treating in sandals this year! It was chilly, but not Alaska cold that we're used to! Our generous neighbors loaded the boys with candy. One great neighbor even gave the boys each a little goody bag. Coleman and Caden's had little matchbox firetrucks in them... Doesn't take long to know what our boys LOVE! Justin threw his mask on for a minute. Coleman and Caden were cute little dragons... Caden hated his costume. We're still trying to figure out what Ty was...