Happy Birthday to the best Daddy in the world!

My dad's birthday is actually tomorrow but who knows if I will have time to blog tomorrow, so here it is today! We(the Elwell's and the Gailey's) went over for dessert last night and to give my dad his present.(slippers and a Dick's gift card!) My parents are going hunting for the next week and a half so we had to catch them before they go. The best present for my dad would be to catch(or kill) a deer or elk. Not sure which he is going for this time. I have said this every year for the last 30 but I'm thinking this may be his year. I hope so anyway! No one deserves it more than my dad. He would give you the shirt off his back. He is the most generous, loving, caring dad in the world. I love him and I am so grateful for him in my life. He has helped me too many times to count! Thanks Dad! Happy Birthday!!!!!!

Dad eating his pumpkin pie!

Cierra being a fruit cake!

my other fruitcake!

My beautiful mom with Connor and Kaylee:)

That's gross, Connor!

The Pumpkin Patch

Today we went to Spooner Farms to get our pumpkins. We usually go weeks before Halloween but it didn't happen this year. Every year we seem busier and busier. It has been raining for a few days and finally today it was bright and sunny and it wasn't even cold. So once the kids got off the bus we headed down to the pumpkin patch. Kaylee has late start so she gets out a little later on Wednesdays and she really didn't want to go anyways(kind of makes me sad) so we didn't wait for her. I have to realize she is getting older and this kind of stuff isn't fun to her anymore.
We took Isaac with us and they all had fun. We stopped for ice cream on the way home. Now we just have to find time to carve them before Sunday. I think Saturday night is our only free night after we get home from the trunk or treat.

Fun Friends!

Last week we went to Mekong Thai(a restaurant in Graham that some friends of ours own that is so good!-if you haven't been there, you have to try it!) We celebrated some friend's birthday. It was Jen's birthday on October 1st and then Tasha and Jenn Nerland had birthdays later in the month. I love a reason to celebrate and so we did!:)


Jen and I-

the whole gang!

Leavenworth Weekend!

On October 1st I went away for the weekend with some friends. It was our annual Leavenworth Octoberfest half marathon weekend. This is the 4th year that I have done this race and I love it. It is so beautiful and fun there. This year we actually got some awesome weather. It was almost 80 on Saturday!

The race itself was good. I got my personal best for this course but didn't get the time I was shooting for. I have an amazing friend, Anna who chose to run with me and try and help me get the time I wanted.(She could run it ALOT faster than me so this was a major sacrifice) She was a great motivator and kept me going. At times when I wanted to quit, she took my hand and pulled me up the hill. She talked the whole way to keep my mind off the fact that I was dying. I will never forget that day, as it was a day I realized how blessed I am. To have such wonderful friends and a healthy body that allows me to do these kind of things. I am in the best shape I have ever been in and it is because of awesome running partners that keep me going everyday! And let me tell you, that is hard to do when it is pitch black outside and freezing cold and my alarm goes off for my morning run. It sucks but it is so worth it when I am done!


The first day we got there we headed into town for a yummy dinner and our favorite Italian restaurant, Visconti's to carb load and it was oh so good!

Mary was celebrating her birthday so we all sang to her!:)

From left to right:me, Soila, Anna, and Tasha doing our pre-run stretches!

Right before the race started. I'm still smiling!

Showing how buff we really are!

mile 4ish after we conquered the 2 mile uphill that I love to hate!

Afterwards. We all survived! The first year my time was 2:31:36, the second year was 2:29:27, the third year was 2:15:32 and this year it was 2:09:07. I really want under 2 hours and someday I will get it but not on this course. It is way too hilly. My best time is 2:06 and that was in Snoqualime. I hope to do that one again next year and PR.

My motivation and inspiration!

Some of my crazy friends do ice baths after long runs to help their muscles. I personally think it is the stupidest thing I have ever heard of.(lol) I rather take a hot shower but I decided to do the river because it wasn't quite as cold as an ice bath it was pretty darn close! We got into a little splashing fight started by Tasha! It was so cold, I couldn't feel parts of my body!

After the splashing fun we actually had a really awesome moment where we all shared our thoughts and we cried and it felt so good. A very spirtual moment!

We finally cleaned up and headed into town for a big burger. We totally deserved it and I was starving!

A horsey ride through down town Leavenworth. So fun!

Not sure why we did this picture but these people were obviously drunk and they were kind of funny and they wanted to take a picture, so we did!

Great weekend all around!

The "Mole"

Socks and Ditto have been circling these moles holes that appeared last night for atleast an hour. I feel sorry for that mole when he pops his ugly face out. It will be no match for our "hunters" we have.
In the last 6 months, I have seen about 30 snakes, 30 mice, 3 birds, 1 rat and one little cute bunny appear on our porch or in our garage. 1 mouse and the rat actually made it under our kitchen table. It wouldn't be so bad but usually the snakes are not dead. They may be playing dead and then when the cats leave them alone, I have a snake roaming in my garage.

Some may say, it's time to get rid of these cats that keep bringing me all these animals. I have thought the same thing but all 4 of my kids adore these cats and it would break their heart if I did.

The good news is the bunny survived. After chasing Socks all over the neighborhood with this poor bunny hanging out of her mouth my neighbor, Anna was finally able to get the bunny and release it a ways away with only a few minor injuries.

Moles are ugly and they ruin your lawn so this is the one time I hope they catch this gross thing, but I am praying they don't bring it anywhere near the inside of our house!:)

The End!

South Hill Sounders

Connor has been playing soccer for awhile but I finally remembered to bring my camera a few weeks ago. Of course, it was pouring but we don't really expect anything else for "soccer season". Connor has really enjoyed playing this year with his cousin, Austin and his friend Tyler. Too bad the season hasn't been going too well. They haven't got a win yet but they did have one tie and and they are working hard to get that win! Luckily that doesn't matter to Connor. He just loves to play and wants to score a goal.

He isn't suppose to use his head to hit the ball because of the concussion he suffered a few weeks ago. He said he wasn't trying to, but the ball just came at his head. This boy is going to give me a panic attack. I love him though. He makes me smile.

Connor lost a tooth last night and has decided there is no tooth fairy. He woke up this morning to 2 bucks. He said, "Thanks Mom!"

Stahl Volleyball

Kaylee stated playing volleyball for Stahl when school started. They had 10 practices and then had a jamboree with a few other schools. It is fun to watch her improve. She has only played one other time so she is still getting the basics down but she is doing awesome. There are about 50 7th graders playing so it will be interesting next year when she actually has to try out for the 8th grade team and there are only 12 spots.

I love this girl and she has proven to me that she can step up and do what she needs to do everyday. She wakes up at 5:30 to get ready for school all on her own and goes to school and then goes directly to Volleyball. She gets home a little before 5 and does her homework which is always alot and then eats dinner and then she starts all over again. In between she manages to do chores, go to church activities, hang out with her friends, spend time with her family, babysit and so on and so on. I know it is only going to get busier for her and I am proud of what she is accomplishing.(and so far her grades are great!:))