Happy 8th Birthday Austin!

 I can't believe Austin is 8!  After dinner and dessert, we took Austin to his favorite lights display with some friends.

Austin loves doughnuts and sugar cookies, so I make him doughnut shaped sugar cookies for his classroom treat.

 His cake. This is my preference as well.

 Despite his face, he really did like this puppy massager.

 He loves his weighted blanket and our friends brought him some pretzels, his favorite!

 He loves the sensory seat too, thanks to grandmas and grandpas!

 Doug and I bought him a helium tank to fill balloons.  He loves balloons but pops them easily.  We can keep giving him new ones this way.

Happy Birthday, buddy!  We hope you had a fun birthday.

Thanksgiving Break 2014

 As an attempt to give the boys an experience in the true meaning of Christmas, we agreed to make and sell Christmas cookies in order to buy gifts for children in need.  We priced out what we wanted to buy, set a goal, and advertised.  We received such a huge response, we had to cut off our orders!  If there were only more hours in a day...  The boys helped with the cookie making, but Mom did a lot of this step.

 We earned more than our goal and will be able to buy extra gifts for kids, so grateful for everyone's support and kindness in donating and supporting the boys.

 The rest of Thanksgiving was spent playing with friends and relaxing.  Well, at least someone got to relax!

 "Mom, is this what our dead turkey will look like on Thanksgiving?"

 Puppy forts in the living room.

 Thanksgiving was at a friend's home.  I brought pies, rolls, and bacon wrapped green beans.

 Doug was busy all week tearing out our deck.  Still working on it but hopefully just another week!

 Thanksgiving kitchen helper.

 While making all the Christmas cookies, I had my bin of cake decorating tips out.  My boys really wanted to try out all of the frosting tips, so we made a cake and let them go to town.  They had a great time and got to eat cake, which is a nice bonus.

Deck progress.

Halloween 2014

We had quite the haul this year and went trick or treating with some good friends.  Scott was War Machine from Iron Man 3.

Ruby was a mermaid.

Tyler was a ninja.  Austin was a soccer player.  We bought him a Transformer costume, but he refused to put it on.  Shirt and shorts costumes for him from now on.  Also, he would not hold still for any pictures.

 Carving pumpkins the night before.

 Austin was not interested, so he got to watch a movie.

 Goofy Tyler.

 Scott did most of it himself and did a great job.

An attempt.  Happy Halloween!

House for Sale

The only two before photos I have of our house.

After.

We have done A LOT of work to this house over the last 5 years.  We have loved living here, but are trying to move into something a little bit bigger.  We found a house in our ward and school district that we love, but we have to sell this beauty first.  In the middle of showings and offers right now...crossing our fingers!

First Day of School

 5th grade

 1st grade

So excited for school...but not as excited as Mom!  The highlight of Ruby's day is seeing these boys coming through the front door after school.  The entertainment has arrived.

Austin started the week before, can't seem to find his picture.  I'll add it once it turns up.

Calpine Lookout

 Doug took the boys camping at a fire lookout station in late July.  You bring the food and bedding and sit back to enjoy the views.  The boys had a great time.

Ruby and I stayed home and helped set up for a friend's wedding.  The boys want to go again next year.

Horse Riding Lessons

While visiting in Boise, my parents treated the boys to a horse riding lesson.  The boys loved it, including Austin, when we could get him away from the trampoline located on the property.  The horses' names were Rocket and Smoke 'Em.  The instructor was wonderful, if anyone in Boise wants a recommendation, we can tell you where to go.  Photos taken with my mom's phone.