Football Season

Ryan and Brandon played PAL Flag Football again this year and they were assigned to "The Bears."  Ryan was able to play in a variety of positions, but mostly played quarterback.  He's improved since last year and continues to work on his throwing.  Brandon loves to play defense and his main goal. . .INTERCEPT THE BALL!!  He's definitely got his "ball hawk" eyes on in every game.  Brandon is great on offense as well and it's pretty fun to see the quarterback/receiver brother combination score some touchdowns :)

The Bears only lost one regular season game, but lost the first game in tournament play.  It was a great season and of course, they can't wait until next year.

Brandon

 Brandon going for a pass

 Ryan looking for a receiver

The hand-off

Brooklyn's favorite part of the game. . .Playing with Marli and eating her sucker

Arizona Trip

Ryan and Brandon had a few days off of school in October and so Nate and I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to go and visit Uncle Mike, Aunt Carlene, Eli, and our new baby niece, Aubrey.  Josh, Johanna, and Luke decided to head down to Phoenix at the same time which meant all the cousins were able to have play time together.

We were able to do some pretty fun things while we were down soaking up the sun.  We spent Thursday at the Phoenix Zoo.  The little kids really enjoyed seeing all the animals.  Ryan and Brandon had fun too, but they are definitely NOT as big into animals as Brooklyn is.

On Friday, we went to Josh and Johanna's hotel and spent the day at the waterpark.  The weather was perfect and the kids had a ball swimming.  On Friday evening, all the boys headed off to watch a high school football game.  Mike was a referee at the game and Ryan and Brandon got to be Ball Boys.  They had a BLAST!!  Jo, Carlene, and myself hung out with the little ones at Mike and Carlene's house. 

All the kids really got along well together.  There was minimal arguing over toys which is amazing for 1 and 2 year olds. 

It was so much fun to go and hang out with family!  We definitely wish we lived closer to each other.

 Waiting for "pizzi"

 

Wow!!  Look at this crew!!

 

 "Dad, this way. . . "

 

 Good lookin' family

 

 Brooklyn and Luke ready for wagon time.

 

 Ryan and Brandon loved this African Oryx

 

 Watching the baboons

 

 My three monkeys. . .

 

Lukey trying to pull Eli

 

Eli's favorite. . . jumping off the wall with Uncle Nate.

 

 

 The Lazy River

 

 Brandon and Brooklyn (and Eli)

 

 Lukey and Auntie Jo soaking up some rays.

 

 Ryan

 

 Brandon

 

 Daddy and Brookie

 

 

 

 

 



ND Visit

Brooklyn and I made a trip to North Dakota in September to see the family.  We wanted to spend some time with Grandma Velda and Grandpa Daboldt and also see the cousins.

We spent Thursday and Friday in Jamestown and I must say that Brooklyn handled traveling and a different schedule much better than I anticipated.  It was so much fun to see Grandma and Grandpa and show them how much my little girl had grown.  I know that the boys would have really enjoyed the trip too, but school had already started so hopefully we can do another trip home again soon.

 Tea Party

 Brookie on the airplane

 

 Our visit with Grandma Dorothy

 

 The girls waiting for Grandma's birthday cake to finish baking.

 

 Coloring with Auntie Angie

 

My uncle is too funny!!

A New School Year. . . .

Our big school news this year is that Ryan and Brandon are going to be in separate classrooms.  They seem to be excited to try this new arrangement; if all else fails, we'll re-evaluate for next year.

Brandon's teacher this year is Mrs. Milesnick and Ryan's teacher is Mr. Runyan.  Both are looking forward to a new adventure.

I can't believe that my boys are actually 3rd graders!!

 First Day of School (Ryan, left   Brandon, right)

 

Brandon and Mrs. Milesnick

 

Ryan and Mr. Runyan

 

 

 

 

 

 



Brooklyn Turns 2. . . .

Our sweet little Brookie turned 2 in August.  Every day Nate and I wonder what we ever did before our little "princess" came along.....  She is definitely a huge blessing to our family.


What is Brooklyn up to at 2?

• She is FINALLY starting to talk more.  She has at least 30-40 words in her vocabulary now and it is increasing daily.
• Brooklyn loves to play outside and jump on the trampoline.
• Brookie has the most infectious smile. . .it lights up the whole room.
• She loves her sleep.  Brooklyn sleeps 12 hours at night and takes a 2 1/2 to 3 hour nap in the afternoon.
• She is very independent.  We tend to hear a lot of screams when her brothers are trying to interfere in her space.
• She has discovered the T.V.  Right now she enjoys Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.
• Probably because of the amount of time she spends with me, "Momma" is her favorite person.
• We can FINALLY put her hair up into one small pony-tail on top of her head.
• Eating still isn't high on Brooklyn's priority list. . . but cheese is still one of her favorite foods.
• Brooklyn loves to sit down and read books.

We celebrated Brooklyn's birthday several times during August.  We had cake, ice cream, and presents with my parents when they were out in August and then we had another birthday party for Brooklyn with Nate's family at the end of August.  She really enjoyed opening her presents, but I think her favorite part was being sung to and getting to blow out the candles on her cake.

 Party #2

 

 

 Brooklyn's new "Mo-Mo"

 

Grandma Mona and Grandpa Kevin Visit.

Grandma Mona and Papa Kevin came to visit in August.  Since the Ryan and Brandon started football so early this year, we weren't able to go to the cabin, but we had a great time in Boise. 

We had a busy four days. . . we went hiking, ate ice cream, rode bike, spent the day at the fair, and

 Camelsback Park

 

 

Brandon got 1st in the Tractor Pull 

It's so hard to say "Good-bye"