Fall Family Festival….

Our new friends, the Winward's told us about the Fall Festival that they have every year in Helena, it was such a blast!  For twenty bucks you can get your whole family in!  They have face painting, wagon rides, carnival games, and an awesome lunch!  The weather was perfect, a little chilly in the morning, but warmed right up!  Carlee had sun being there with Natalie and Hallie, their new BFF's.  I think the best part of it all was the giant pumpkin patch.  They allow every one in your family to pick a pumpkin for free!  All of this fall fun is making me excited for Halloween!

Getting' gym-ie with it….

The girls started gymnastics today.  I love that they are always so excited to try new things.  Carlee and Tessa both looked so cute in their leo's and their red cheeks from being so sweaty!

 

Tessa's first day of pre-school…..

I think that I was more nervous for Tessa than she was for her to start pre-school. She was such a star though and looked super cute. Tessa was so excited to go and meet new friends and to spend more time with her new teacher Mrs. Jill.  You know things went good when you pick up your child and they are happy and asking when they get to go back.

   

A Fish came to visit....and he brought his whole family....

It was so awesome that Mike, Erin, Emery, Amelia, and Fisher came up to visit!!! It was so great to have time with Mike and Erin, just talking, playing games, and spending time together! The girls had so much time playing and being BFF's and Porter was grateful to have little Fisher here. The morning after they arrived we got up and got everyone ready to try and catch the trolly tour of Helena. While we waited for the trolly we went inside the Montana Historical Museum which is super cool, they have lots of things for the kids to play with too. We all loaded up when it was time to start the tour, the kids had a hard time deciding where to sit...they all just want to sit with each other all the time. Anyway, we had gone about five minutes on the trolly when it broke down!! It was so funny, but luckily Mike was there and helped to fix it just enough to get us back to the museum where we just got on a different train. We all felt pretty cool knowing the guy who could get the train moving again. The trolly ride was fun, I love being reminded of how much cool history is in Helena and it's just nice to be outside enjoying the weather looking around. The kids were great on the ride waving at all the people we passed and the loved seeing a bride and groom outside of the capital building, oh, but Marin and Fisher just couldn't hang the whole time, they both fell asleep, it was so cute!!  After lunch we of course had to go to the Carousel for some ice cream.

One of the funniest things happened while Mike and Erin were here and a new tradition began... Erin and I went to the grocery store to get some food for dinner and when we came home we found Andy and Mike pulling all the kids behind the John Deer tractor on sleds!! The kids were all screaming with joy and laughing so hard. At first I was a little scared for the kids but after watching for 5 seconds I realized they were having the best time and totally safe. I was also so grateful for Andy and Mike and what great dad's they are.

We had such a wonderful time with the Coil family and I am so grateful for their efforts in coming up to Montana to visit and be with us, it just means so much. Love you Mike Coil Fam!

 

1st day of school 2012....

Porter and Carlee were super excited for their first day of school.  I was so proud of them being that we are in a new place, I think if it were me I would be scared!  But not them, they are ready for the new environment and new friends!  We were ready nice and early with new school clothes, shoes, and backpacks from Costco.  Porter is going into 3rd grade and his teacher is Mrs. Dickey and Carlee is going into 1st grade and her teacher is Mrs. Horne.  They both seemed to have a had a great first day.  And of course to carry on our tradition, we went for ice cream after school at the carousel. It is so crazy to think that summer is coming to an end, but I am so excited for P and C to be moving on at a new school and new grades!

Marin's 2nd Birthday and a cousin weekend....

It is so crazy to think that Marin has turned 2!!! This was a super special year for her because her Grandpa Matthew who she shares her birthday with was able to come and visit and celebrate this special day with her. Marin is all about Elmo so we decided to do Elmo cupcakes for her cake. They turned out a little funny looking, but she knew who it was, and that is all that mattered.

We spent most of the day hanging out and making her cupcakes and getting ready for her cousins and Grandpa to come visit, Marin loved making her cupcakes, she always talks about it. We had a great party when everyone arrived. Aubrey was so great to come up with her kids and Matthew. We sang Happy Birthday to Marin and then we had something fun planned for Grandpa Matthew....we were prepared with 60 candles for his cupcake!! It was a little dangerous and extremely hot, but super cool looking. Marin and Grandpa both opened presents and we had some Elmo cupcakes. Marin was so happy and excited for her birthday, I know she felt special.

There are so many times when I tell Marin how much I love her and I think about how surprised I was to find out we were going to be having her. I am so grateful for the gift of her from Heavenly Father, she has truly made our family complete....our little peanut. Love you the most Marin!!! We also had a super fun weekend with the Tyler cousins. The kids just had so much fun playing outside and of course we went to the lake!!

 

Summer= Lawn mowers and hot dogs....

It is official, Andy is the proud owner of a John Deer lawn tractor. I think this was a life long secret dream of his that has finally come true. It was so cute to see him pick out his model and actually bring it home, it was the same excitement level as being a kids on Christmas morning. I am so happy for Andy that he could get this awesome green machine!! When we finally brought it home the kids all wanted a ride. So we grilled up some hot dogs, had some issues with the ketchup, and gathered around to watch and enjoy Dad hard at work (if that's what to call it.....)