Field trip to the Arboretum

Conor's 1st grade class

Mrs. McQuilken, Conor, Riley and Rachel

Since Conor is a diabetic, I will be the designated chaperone for all of his field trips-forever. This is actually a good thing. It is great fun to see him with his little friends and to get to interact with all of them. This trip we went out to the arboretum and collected leaves and nuts and pine cones and tramped around to learn about all the different kind of trees.

Grandma and Grandpa came to visit!

Apple time at GreenBluff

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA!

Grandma and Grandpa Nielsen came to visit on "their way" to Indiana. Last time I checked Spokane was not on the way to Indiana from Utah, but if their map says it is, I'll take them. They got here just in time to have some soup with hard beans (long story) and then to spend a few days shopping for some early Christmas gifts, and the best part was celebrating Grandma's Birthday. We were so happy to spend her special day with her . I can't remember the last time I was with her on her birthday, so it was a treat for all of us. We decorated the house with balloons and streamers and then we went up to Greenbluff and enjoyed the beautiful fall weather. We got a whole bunch of delicious Washington apples and we wandered through the pumpkin patch. The kids had fun playing in the dried pea box as well as chasing a a few chickens and goats. We went out to dinner then came home to open presents and blow out candles. Fun times.

Girls Weekend at Red

Me, Tanya and Hilary (After 4 hrs of riding.)
We were so cold and tired at this point, I can't believe we
were smiling. Oh wait- All for the love of Mountain biking!

After a serious endo, done by yours truely! We look warm but,
looks can be deceiving. It was probably 25 degrees in this picture.

Tanya and Me

Hilary and Tanya - enjoying the beauty of British Columbia in October

A big bear track we came across. We were riding in bear country.
We each had a bear bell on our bikes to warn the bears
we were coming.

This weekend has been a long time in the making. We finally picked a weekend we could all get away and we had a fabulous time. It was a little cold, but that helped us burn 3000 calories in one ride and then contributed to our guilt free dining. 2 whole days with out kids or commitments and of course the riding was heaven. Sign me up for this tradition.

Miracles of Miracles

I actually canned peaches and pears this year! Some of you may have to reread that as you are in shock. I am in shock. Now that I am over the shock I am so pleased with the end result. A big shout out to Kacey who endured this with me. I could never have done it with out her. I always said I would never can anything....famous last words. I hope to do it again next year.

Skate Night

Conor and Josie's 1st time on skates

It was PTO skate night on Monday for Midway elementary and we decided to take advantage and see how the kids did with wheels on their feet. Conor struggled for a few minutes, but after a few times around he looked like a pro. Josie was a good sport, but was happy to get them off after a few spills. Who knew roller skating could be so much fun?

Yearly photo shoot

CONOR

JOSIE

TOGETHER

This is a late post, but I wanted to post these cute pictures that my friend took of the kids for their yearly photo shoot. Josie is 2 and Conor is 6. Who knew that trying to get these two little ones to smile would be so exhausting???

Kitchen Complete!!!!!

As some of you know, we have been slowly...might I add slowly, oh and one more slowly, working on a small kitchen remodel. Well, maybe it was a medium kitchen remodel. After all we did have to smash down a wall and move it over 18 inches and we extended the floor 3 feet. We got beautiful Silestone counter tops, a fabulous under-mount sink, a small computer nook and a few extra cabinets. I have saved the best for last...I finally got my beloved island. Needless to say we have been living in bit of a mess since April, but it has been so worth it! We had a friend who helped us with most of the work, but anything we could do, we did. The tile back splash was officially completed on Monday and so here are the final results. I posted before and after pictures. ENJOY!

BEFORE

AFTER

AFTER

BEFORE
(there was a big ugly railing and pillar here breaking up the space, but I was
so eager to get rid of it I forgot to snap a picture.)

AFTER

IN BETWEEN