Happy Halloween!

Today is Halloween! We had such a busy day! Samantha's last soccer game of the season was at 9:30, then we went and got flowers and cute little trinkets for Wendy's grave, went to the grave- also cleaned off David's and Jewells grave. Then came back home, got ready for a Halloween party at the Super Jump. We were really late, but we made it for a little while! Then, grabbed some groceries and came home for just long enough to let everyone use the restroom, Get Daddy, and off to go to a little get together at Kentlake Highlands and then FINALLY- Trick or Treating!! Man! What a day! We didn't get home until after 9pm! Samantha stayed at a friends house overnight and Jacob and Josh came home with us. They didn't get in bed until after 10. Jacob wanted to sleep in our room on the floor because Samantha wasn't home and he was afraid. So- he is on our floor in our room. Crazy kid! But, we all had a fun day, the weather was PERFECT, and everyone got along! Really a great day! However, so glad it's over! Im tired! Joshua was a little monkey..Jacob was spiderman...Samantha was this pumpkin spice girl (which she wanted to be because she wanted to wear these orange fake eyelashes and nails. When we tried to put them on, the eyelashes weren't sticking and the glue got in her eyes- at which point she was no longer interested in those... when we put the fingernails on, they wouldn't stick. I finally got them on, but they soon fell off and she just pulled the rest off and told me it just wasn't going to work.- I HATE- yes, a strong word, but HATE those cheapo fake fingernails!) ... I was Medussa, and Donny... Well, he kept telling me to tell everyone he was the Invisible Man! (Because he's usually MIA).. kind of funny! But, he DID go trick or treating with us tonight! That was fun! He doesn't get to do that every year! I hope the kids had fun hanging with their dad! I Hope you all had a wonderful Halloween too! Pictures to come... I really mean it this time!

2 Teeth! and more!

Well- In all that has been going on lately.... I forgot to mention that Joshua has 2 teeth already! I didn't even know they were coming in! They just appeared out of nowhere! They are so cute! and now- he BITES! OUCH! But, he is still soooo cute! At his doctor appointment two weeks ago- he was 17lbs 11.5 oz., 27 inches. He is growing sooo fast! Crazy!

Samantha on the other hand has been losing teeth! She just lost another one last week and got $2 from the toothfairy.... She is so excited to lose more! Crazy girl!

Jacob and Samantha have both started soccer! They play in the Maple Valley league. They have a Pee Wee league for Jacob. It is so fun to watch them play! Samantha had her first games on Saturday (Jamboree). She won her first one (2-1) and lost her second (1-2). But, all the girls on the team did so well! I can see some great games in our future! I will take some pictures of them playing as soon as I buy a new camera. I broke mine a couple weeks ago..... :< Very SAD!

We got to go to the cabin for a few days last week. It was so nice. LOVE going there! Gets me away from all the fuss in life...... SOOO did not want to come back. We got the jet skis out one last time.... and then put them away for the winter. That is always a sad day!

I have decided that I am going to train to hike Mt Rainier next summer with a friend of mine. I think my sister Ronda is going to do it too. I have no idea what that all entails.. but I am ready for an adventure.. and it sounds like it will prove to be a great one! I am really looking forward to it!

I think that is all the updates for now, so I will sign off. Still no school yet... teachers on strike. Hope a contract gets signed soon so that life will be NORMAL...... Kids are supposed to be in school in September.... not home aggravating their parents! LOL! Bye for now!

The death of my oldest brother, Dave

I don't know how many of you already know... but my oldest brother died this last week- Monday August 24th. He had been diagnosed with stage 4 kidney cancer a little over a month ago. I was able to see him a few weeks ago and I could tell he was in so much pain. I am glad that he doesn't have that pain anymore. I am also glad that I had a chance to tell him that I love him and how much I appreciated him as my big brother. I hope he knows how much we will all miss him. Im a little jealous that he gets to be the first one to see my little sister again, although, Im not ready to go yet. I think of his kids and how terrible it is to have to lose your father. I know that losing one of my parents would be very difficult for me to go through, and I am so much older than them. It just doesn't seem fair to have to lose an Aunt that you were so close to, and then to have to lose your father all in 18mos. If that doesn't challenge a testimony, I don't know what would! I am so glad that I have the gospel in my life. I am so glad that I know the plan of salvation and that it is TRUE! How much more difficult this would all be if I didn't have that knowledge! I pray for my family. I pray that we can all stay strong and faithful and know that our Father in Heaven will not leave us alone. He loves us! I know that he will help us all get through this pain... I love you family! I love you so much! Remember that!

David Robert Carroll August 8, 1966 - August 24, 2009

Rest in Peace, David- We love you!

This song is for you Dave! (Silent Lucidity- Queensryche)

Family May Birthday BBQ

So- We have a birthday BBQ every month for all the birthdays in the family for that given month. And this is the MAY Birthday BBQ. We had a really big turn out this month- Alan and Christy made it from Idaho, Jerry, Victoria and Rebekah were there, and then of course now that Kathy, Brandyn and Brittney are back - it makes for a huge feast! We had so much fun! I think there are more pictures somewhere- but I can't find them. It was a little chilly that day and the mosquitos were out having their little feast too!!! If anyone else has any pictures they want on here, just send them to me- KK??? (That's for you Britt!)

So much for catching up!

I had every intention to get caught up the last time.... so much for that! So- Going back- AGAIN! May Birthdays! Samantha and Donny.... Donny doesn't like a bunch of hoopla so, we took him out to Red Robin- the kids wanted him to get sung to! It was funny! Donny said no at first, but then finally gave in to his very begging children! So- here is Donny at Red Robin Samantha had a Hannah Montana Birthday party. We just did a little party here at the house. She had lots of her friends come- they jumped on the trampoline, played on the swingset, had a pinata, ate cake (I made her a guitar Chocolate Rice Krispee cake- it's what she wanted!) , and opened presents. It was a very nice party! Here are some pictures of her and her friends!

Catching up!

Oh my!!! Life HAS been a little crazy! I can't believe it has been so long since I have posted! Well- this is what I have been up to in a nut shell- driving kids to school, nursing baby, showering, nursing baby, picking kids up from school, nursing baby, cleaning house (or something), picking more kids up from school, nursing baby, fixing dinner, eating dinner, cleaning up dinner, nursing baby, pajamas on, get kids in bed, go to bed..... yep that's about it! When I am not doing that, I have been working for my mom at her school 3 days a week. So- I really need to catch you all up on things. Let's go back to Easter! Yes, Easter! I have cute pictures! We went to Milams for Easter dinner. They did an easter egg hunt inside because it was raining! That's Seattle in spring for you! Then we did a few at home too- when the sun decided to come out! Here are some pictures!

Happy Easter Craft

My kids and I decided to make something for the Grandmas for Easter. They were wood blocks that we first painted, then put scrapbook paper and letters on and then wrapped them to give away. Jacob and Samantha had a lot of fun helping paint them and put them together. They are always so interested in helping out- wether cooking, crafting, cleaning .... whatever the task may be. I am so thankful for my kids. Here are some pictures of our craft ....