Fall fun!!

Soccer started!  I coached the girls again this year, but my friend who helped me last year moved away.  It was a very different kind of season, but we all managed!   We are an all girls team now, which was fun and glittery too.

Brayden is on the same team as last  year, with an awesome coach.  We have been thrilled to watch him learn and grow into a strong player.

Our team: The Cheetah Girls.  I  much preferred The Pups, but we had to go with the majority. :(

The girls also started gymnastics, which they LOVE.  They are both doing really well, it's fun to watch them.

We also attended the Spokane Fair.  Brayden and Ellie decided to use their allotted money to zip line.  Dani had NO interest in it.

The best part of soccer:  SNACKS!

Brayden safely at the bottom.

Ellie flying through the sky.

Brayden used his own money to play some games, and he ended up winning!  Good for him, but it defeated my purpose of trying to teach him that he is essentially throwing his money away.  (That cheap bear was soon ripped and thrown away).  Oh well, he had fun.

Ellie climbing the rope, she got higher than everyone in her class, including the older boys.  This is why she is our monkey girl. 

Dani used her allotted money for ride tickets, but discovered it's not as much fun by yourself, so she shared with Ellie.  Kind of a shocker, but a good thing!  :)

*Sorry the pics are all out of order, I don't have the patience to go back and fix all of them, I don't know why they uploaded this way.*

Back to School

New back to school hair cuts!  We took advantage of JC Penney's free hair cut offer.  I think the girls's hair turned out adorable!

Back to school night with Dad, Brayden and Grandma Phillips.  The girls are starting Kindergarten!  (Sniffle, sniffle).  I am pretty sure I was waiting for this time since the girls were born, but holy smokes, I was so not ready.  I held it together that night, and put on my happy, excited Mom face.

Ellie at her desk.

Dani at her desk, yes, right next to Ellie.  I was on the fence so long about whether to put them in the same class or not.  I finally decided to, only because in our district they go to the "Kindergarten Center," then transition to the elementary school in first grade.  I thought being together may be easier for all of the transitioning from pre-school.  I did NOT expect them to sit right next to each other.  (The teacher has all the kids alphabetical).  I spoke to their teacher about my concerns, but he thinks they are doing just fine with it.

Me with my big girls, what happened?

Next up, Brayden's 2nd grade classroom!  I was thrilled to see his desk right next to my friend's daughter, Sammie.  Isn't she adorable?  They have been next to each other all year and have had some friendly competitions going on with their school work.  I LOVE it!

First day of school: Dani

Brayden

Ellie

Yes, more pics. aren't they thrilled?   At the bus stop, the bus was of course the best part of the day!

We read "The Night Before Kindergarten,"  (it uploaded out of order)

Mr. McCaslin wrangling all of the tiny children.  This is right when I lost it.  I had my sunglasses on, but tears were streaming, I  had the ugly cry like no other. I had to scurry away to my car before I started convulsing.  The horrible part was, I had to go home and work.  Sadly, my client had only been to therapy one time, so when I opened the door, the poor dad didn't know what to do.  He just asked, "Do we need to go?  Are you all right?"  I explained the situation and he understood, but I was still convulsing, seriously.

Patiently waiting to go inside.
I sent the girls to school in their new school clothes and Ellie got off the bus in an entirely different outfit.  I totally panicked, but she said she had a bloody nose and she got to go see the doctor (the nurse) and get new clothes! It was very exciting for her!

Goo's 8th Birthday!

These pictures make me sad.  Brayden's 8th birthday was 4 months ago (that's how far behind I am), and he is already grown up so much more.

 I love that Brayden's birthday is at the end of the Summer, it's always a good time for a party!  We use the bounce houses and invite almost everyone we know.  The kids have a good time and I run around frantically trying to make sure everyone is being safe. :)

Brayden and his Batman cake.

Most of the gang.

Cake time!

Cole, Ryan and Kaiden. 

Instead of presents we had the kids bring school supplies to donate to our school.  I suggested it to Brayden and he loved the idea!  (Some of the kids thought I was a mean mom, but Brayden really wanted to do it, I promise).  The day before school started he got to take the supplies to his school.  He was very proud to be able to help others.  I so love his giving heart and his sweet little personality, he truly puts others first.  I am so proud to be his Mom.

Next up, family party!  Brayden and the cousins, good times!

Weekend getaway, Nashville!

A perfect way to end Summer, a girls weekend away.  Even better, a getaway to see one of my lifelong friends and college friends!  Kenzie is getting married!  A bachelorette party lake trip was in order.  Sign me up!  I  made  a quick trip to Nashville to celebrate Kenzie with all of her other bridesmaids and close Nashville friends.  It was just what this Mama needed.  How bizarre is it to be yourself again, with no one needing, wanting, tugging, talking and asking a million questions?  Of course I missed my babies and my husband, but wow did I appreciate a 12 hour travel day, I read a book, chatted with some grown ups and sat in peace and quiet.  It had been a while!

I was so thrilled to see Kenz and our friend Kim, from college.  I landed close to midnight, they came and picked me up and being the reasonable mom that I am, I figured we would hit the hay.  Fortunately, they had other thoughts.  I got to meet Mike, Kenzie's fiance, and the four of us stayed up and chatted until the wee hours of the morning.  I was a little miffed that Mike assumed he could propose to Kenzie without having met me, but I soon got over it.  They are a perfect match! (I guess Kent did the same thing, although Kenz met him a few days after we were engaged.  I could have still called it off, if Kenz hadn't approved).

Way to start off the weekend right.  At 7 am the next morning, Jackie landed and poor Kenz had to get her after a few short hours of sleep.   No worries, we rebounded like champs and we were on our way to Kenzie's dress fitting.  Her dress was gorgeous and I was so happy I got to be there for a little bit of the wedding stuff. 

Next up:  The lake cabin and 10 girls ready to have fun!  The best part was, Hale, Kenzie's maid of honor, had to tell the owners that it was a book club retreat.  Apparently 10 women and a bachelorette  party isn't appropriate.

                                               Kim, Jackie, Kenzie, Hale and me

                                            The Nashville peeps and the Northwesterners.

What a fabulous weekend hanging by the pool, relaxing and catching up with Kenz and her friends!  I was so glad to be a part of it!

Camping Phillips Style

We bought the sweet tent at Costco over the Summer.  I really wanted to go camping, but it didn't seem to work out.  I told Kent I was going to take the tent back because we were never going to use it.  Finally, he busted it open and we camped in the backyard.  That is as close to "real" camping as we got.  The kids were thrilled and it actually worked out well for me.  When it got bright at 5 am, I snuck inside and slept in my nice, cozy bed.

 We don't have a fire pit, but we do have a gas BBQ!  S'mores all around!

Time is flying.....

Holy smokes, I have not uploaded pictures for 4 months!  I am very overwhelmed with all that I have to catch  up on!  Bare with me, it is going to be a massive picture upload for the next few days, Phillips family overload!

 

In August, we used a Groupon for a boat rental!  I think  it was one of the best Groupons I have ever purchased.  We all had a BLAST!  A hot Summer day on Lake Coeur d' Alene, it doesn't get much better than that!

 

                                                   All pumped up and ready to dive in!

                                                                   Brayden on the tube first.

 Ellie was bouncing like a little rubber ball, she wanted to go faster and faster and not stop!  (It amazes me, how much we are alike)!

Dani was the last one on, and was perfectly content to cruise along.  (I think the fish may have been passing us under the water).  :) 

I even got to tube, and it was just as fun as I remembered.  Kent thought he would entertain the kids and spin the boat around and around and watch me fly off.  I haven't screamed and laughed that much in a long, long time. 

                                                            Captain Kent, yes he had fun too.

Ahh, I am missing those Summer days....right now it's time to enjoy the 20 degrees and snow.