Beginning of October

We were only able to pick saw palmetto berries for one weekend this year. We were so busy and the prices were so low, it wasn't worth the effort. A friend from church let us pick berries on his hunting property and it was packed full of berries! We had so much fun getting them, that it was still worth going even for just one weekend.

Looking at tracks while scoping out the berries:

So many bushes were full of berries like this!! It got to where we were so tired from getting so many and there were still so many more to pick. We've never picked in an area that was so full of berries, so we are excited to go back next year!

Rett's class celebrated Johnny Appleseed Day:

A massive blanket fort took over the living room:

The boys have started getting school lunch on Fridays since Friday is pizza day. This particular Friday they had personal pan pizzas and they seemed huge to me!

Made me giggle:

James gave a presentation in cub scouts on two famous Americans that we researched over the summer:

Rett finished soccer!! We were all glad for the season to be over, Rett included. He said the medal was worth it though.

Jack Hartman, a children's musician, visited the school and did a performance for K-3rd grade. They loved it!!

These two. So stinkin' cute!

Later that day Rett had show and tell and he brought the baby tortoises to show everyone.

James and Anthony geared up and ready to go hunting:

Since Anthony and James were off hunting all morning, I took Rett to the park. He always tells me he isn't going to get wet and then he changes his mind and goes to the splash pad with regular clothes on.

Anthony discovered that he eats for free at the hospital cafeteria, including their frozen yogurt bar. He sent me a picture of his dessert so that I could be jealous of him.

Anthony's view from his office:

A 2nd grade teacher at the boys' school left unexpectedly and the principal asked me if I wanted to be a 2nd grade teacher and replace him (!). I told her I was happy to help out temporarily but what I really would like to do (if I'm going to be a teacher) is special education. She said good, you can start in January! So it's been a stressful month, helping the substitute in the 2nd grade, while studying for the special education exam and doing all the other parts of my job/home life. I took over grading papers for the 2nd grade class and spent a lot of late nights laughing at these kids' responses. This girl has my heart though. People put me in a bad mood too!

Rett at his classmate's birthday party. They were supposed to have it at the park but they had to change to their house at the last minute because of the weather. Those kids thought it was the best thing ever to play with each other's toys. They really are easy to please!

End of September

Rett had his friend birthday party at the new bouncy house place down the street from us. It was so simple! We just showed up with food and balloons and the kids ran around having the time of their lives.

Present time!

The morning of Rett's actual birthday I let him open his gift from our primary presidency (they send it in the mail).

Rett really wanted me to "put up the noodles", so Anthony made sure to put the streamers up the night before his birthday.


He wore his birthday crown all day at school! Every once in awhile he would take it off because it was "too sweaty".

Birthday kids get to a free trip to the treasure box! Rett chose a Pokemon card of course.

Rett wanted donuts as his birthday treat for his class. It was hard to wait all day in order to eat them right before recess, but anything else would have been too mean to his teacher :)

Another boy in his class has the same birthday, so they got to be birthday buddies!

After school we had a few more presents for Rett to open. First was a treasureX for both boys (which is so messy I had them work on it outside).

Making a wish on defrosted "Anthony's last day at work" cake. Winning!!!

Some friends had to rehome their adorable 4 month old kittens, so of course we said we would take them in. We are loving having them (except when they pee where they aren't supposed to!!!)

Checking out the turkeys and the chickens walking by:

They are so curious!! They also love to eat people food, which is so different from our other cat. They come right up to your food and see if it is good.

They also love to come and sit on your chest. Or face.

Anthony has taken up hunting and shot his very first deer! This was just in the pasture behind our house, so Anthony texted me to come help him carry it back to the house. The boys wanted to say a prayer first to thank Heavenly Father for the deer's life that we could have food.

James has discovered that he loves more vegetables than he used to (hallelujah!). I cooked some brussel sprouts for him to try and he took a bite and said, "It tastes like paradise!"

My boy showing off his neat coloring and how improved his handwriting is getting:

The school had their annual aviation day! I happened to be substituting for Rett's class in the morning so I got to be with them for all the festivities. They loved watching the helicopters land and the planes fly over, but waiting in line in the sun for over an hour to take pictures with the different aviators did not go well. They were begging me to go back inside and half of them were crying or starting fights. Craziness!

This was James's class, they were in a different part of the field.

Aviation day also happened to be cub scout recruiting day where cub scouts could wear their uniforms to school. This is James and Owen who are both in the same cub scout den and they are both in the same class this year! James loooooved wearing his uniform, he went out of his way to help all his teachers all day. When they would tell him thank you, he would respond "It's a cub scout's honor!" Love this boy, he thought of that all by himself!

Me and the kindergartners. Ready. to. be. done.

Anthony turned 41! We celebrated with a sushi dinner and presents the boys and I picked out at the store right after school: a new camo shirt for hunting and some candy.

James and Rett are really into pokemon right now. They love to bring their cards to school and trade them in the morning before class starts or during aftercare while they are waiting for me to pick them up. I get to hear so much about what each one does and how one is more powerful than the other... :)