Wilderness Escape 2014

A couple months ago, I met this really neat lady named Jenny. She's a mom of one of the kids that played football with Justice (and the Dad coached). We also crossed paths at my new gym. She likes some of the same classes that I do except she kicks my butt at all of them. LOL I think we'll be good friends. She has a darling little family. They are all such good people.

Anywho-

I was looking over the school announcements a few weeks ago and they had this little paragraph about a Wilderness Escape for the kids over the long weekend. (Schools out this Thursday and Friday for Teacher Conferences) It was a 2 day camp during school hours those days for kids K thru 6th. If you were interested it said to call Jenny Genger. (My new friend) I gave her a call to see what it was all about. It's a condensed version of Vacation Bible School put on by her Church as a service to the community for a kids to have a place to go with school out. She was soooo excited about it {seriously- her attitude is contagious} that I decided to have my kids sign up. I also called several friends to have them come as well. Turns out that we pretty much filled all their leftover spots. Win-win situation! 

The kids were a little bummed to not be able to sleep in on their days off but they ended up having a fabulous time. They divided all the kids into tribes. They got to meet Moses. See him part the Red Sea. They met Malachi. He taught them to not complain about trials we go through. They did crafts. They visited the bakery. They got to hang out with friends. They learned and sang songs. They danced. And they learned about trusting God. 

What an amazing way to spend their time off. Thanks Jenny & the Grace Community Fellowship family. My kids loved it!

Nine Riders, One Dog and a Cat

We stopped by the Smiths after school today to check out their new pets. Amy took them all for a 4 Wheeler ride around the property. They were so happy!

Captain America Drawing

Liberty is doing a project for Spanish Class. It's to introduce someone in Spanish and share a picture of that person (I think you could print it off or draw it).
To say that Liberty is obsessed with the Marvel World as of late- would be an understatement. ;) So, it was no surprise that she picked Captain America. LOL She decided to draw a picture of him.

OH. MY. HEAVENS! 

Is this girl an artist or what????!!!! 

Amazing!!! 

She's going to give it to her Dad when she gets it back from class.

Hunky Birthday Boy

Being a Holiday, it gave way for a perfect day to spend with my Hunky Birthday Boy.

Our morning began with dropping off the kids at school and going to work out together. Brett tried out my Body Attack class. He was so happy to work out with me! (Unlike him, I'm not a workout fanatic. LOL Any chance to see me actually work out makes him happy!) 

Next, we worked on the yard a bit [moving dirt and rocks] and then headed up to Great Falls for a lunch date! It's about an hour drive so it was nice to just be able to visit and spend time together. We even got to check out the big horn sheep on the mountain pass. Brett is a sucker for wildlife along the highway!

We ate an AWESOME lunch at Cafe Rio. Oh my delicioso!

What a hot lunch date!!!!

We made it back in time to get the kiddos from school. We hung out at home, worked on the yard, had a surprise visitor for a bit (Thanks for swinging by Walt), made & opened presents, and ate a yummy dinner. [Sorry I forgot the potatoes. I'm a slacker!]

We decided to light the entire 43 candles. It was a  bit of a fire hazard!! Not to mention- it left us with a vast amount of stubby candles. LOL But it made for a pretty cool photo op. Happy Birthday Hunky Boyfriend! XOXO

WWW Scones

We had some awesome people over tonight for Scones. It wasn't intentional but it was a WWW night. We invited the Winwards, Weishaars, and Welchs. What amazing people we have met here in Helena! It was a bit like a 5th Ward reunion. LOL So much fun!

Dangerous Fife Fun

We finally were blessed to have the pleasure of the Fife family in our home. (They are super busy!) We ate dinner together, scarfed down way too many cookies and shared in a dangerous game of Spoons. Only a few injuries occurred. :) We love these guys!!! 

P.S. The older boys came too but had enough "Social Fun" after dinner and took off.

Kassi's Baptism

We had the privilege of attending Kassi's baptism this weekend. We are super proud of her decicion to follow Jesus. You're awesome, Kassi! So glad we could join you.

P.S. I also had the opportunity to make her baptism announcement. Liberty, Kassi and I went out and took pictures last week. She's so photogenic. Love them!

Kid's Fall Fest

We heard about a community event called a Kid's Fall Fest going on today at Pioneer Park. We decided to check it out. It was a tiny bit lame but we got food and did something out of the house. Plus we got to see a few of our friends up there- (Gengers, Andersons and Listeruds) So... success!!! Happy Fall!

Muffins with Moms

I got to join the kids this morning for breakfast at school. Luv these kiddos!

Jazz Band

Liberty has had the opportunity to join her old EVMS friends and participate in the after school Jazz Band Program. (Mondays and Thursdays) She is having a fabulous time! It's tricky to get her there on time and she's not sure they will let her join in the performance but she loves Mr. Pipinich and playing with a "real" band. LOL Plus her friends are so excited to see her. She's in heaven!

Ann usually leaves too early for me to grab a picture

Walk to School Day

Today was International Walk to School Day. We drove down to the Fifes house and walked with them  (and some of their dance friends). Amy and Brooklyn joined us as well. It was a chilly morning but so fun to be with friends. The younger kids got bags of goodies and the older kids got a "golden ticket" for 5 extra credit points in any class. Fun times!

BYU vs. Utah State 2014

This is the second year that Brett got "the boys" (Dad & all his brother-in-laws) together to the go see the BYU vs. Utah State Football Game. This year Brett took the three younger kids to Utah for the weekend. After dropping the girls to Cheri, quite the crew was able to join Justice & Brett for the game. Brett & Justice love hanging out with all these amazing men. The game was a little less amazing for the BYU fans. "BYU quarterback Taysom Hill suffered a fractured left leg in the second quarter of the No. 18 Cougars' 35-20 loss to Utah State." Brett said Justice was pretty devastated with the loss. Bummer for the loss! But it is a super fun tradition.

Photos graciously taken by Grandpa!
You're awesome!!

The girls were able to spend time with the Davis Family (whom they adore more than their own family!;) 

Shauna & Hulio took a large group of the kids to a session of Conference on Saturday afternoon. It was Victoria's first time. Super special.

Glory & Brett got to visit with Grandpa Randy for a bit at lunch. 

And Brett got to take flowers to Aunt Tauni from us after her surgery. 

Tons to pack into one weekend but Brett is pretty amazing and fit it all in.

Unfortunately, I forgot to pack them the camera so there's no photographical evidence that the girls were ever there. [Sad face from me] But they all had a fabulous time!!! Pretty sure none wanted to come back.

[Mom & Liberty stayed home and got a few things organized, hung out with some friends, stayed up way late watching movies and listened to Conference together]

Glory Rides a Bike

Glory has been begging to learn to ride a bike without training wheels. Moving last Summer, being in the apartment with all our stuff in storage and then being where there are no paved roads- has made it so we have pushed it off. Brett finally got her out to try it tonight. She picked it up way quickly! She is so happy!!!!

Small Fry Football 2014

Justice has spent the last couple months practicing/playing football five days a week. It's been an awesome & extremely hard experience. He had an amazing team and coaches. They worked hard and learned so much this year! He loves football and now he knows how much work it is to be really good at it. We are way proud of him! Way to go, Justice!!!
Here's some of his practices:

And some shots at his games:

Go Helena Motors!!!

On August 29th- the team got free tickets to the Helena High Football Game. They all got to go down on the field during halftime. Fun times!

Guymon & Smith Scones

Scone night!!!!!
Tonight we had the great privilege of spending time with the Guymon and Smith Families. Amazingly fun people! (They must be related! LOL) We adore them all!

P.S. We've spent the last three days with Brooklyn so I asked her if she was just going to move in with us? She giggled and and told me "No!" (like I had a third eye!) LOL What a cute girl! Liberty was in heaven with Katelynn. It was a good night!

Payne Party Night

Victoria's Sunday school teacher, Sister Douglas went through the Temple for the 1st time this weekend. Brian home teaches her so they got invited to go with her. They asked us if we'd watch the kids overnight for them so they could make a date out of it.
...Of course!!!

Bring on the Payne Party Night!!!!

After school, they came over. Brooklyn Smith wanted to come too. :)

It rained a bit and we got to take a picture with this awesome rainbow!!

After a movie, we made home-made Calzones & ate on the Deck even though it was chilly and a bit rainy.

The night went well and we hung out the whole next day. Brian & Allie had a great time as well and got home safely. What fun kids! Group Hug!!!!