Happy Birthday Monicorn

We love you!

when weekends are good

Rob and I spent the weekend in Silverdale (a ferry boat ride away from Seattle) with his family.

We started out Saturday babysitting this guy:

James is Rob's nephew. I spent more time with him than I have in other visits with the family, it was fun for me (he likes me!).

I also got to see TaVaun on this trip. TaVaun and I have been friends since middle school when I would ask to leave my classroom so I could talk to her. I knew TaVaun would be sitting out in the hall from getting in trouble in her class. She's come a long way. Here she is with her brand new baby, Neveah. Kendra, this picture is for you.

Look how tiny!

Rob and I had a busy Saturday. We had two soccer games to cheer at. I don't have a picture of his nephew, at his game, but here is Analise. They both won their games!

Analise knows the best part about playing competitive sports:

The spectators:

I like attending games (soccer, baseball, softball so far) with Rob, he really gets into them. He doesn't get crazy, annoying, or angry - just a good dose of intense. This picture is on the blog because I really like it. So handsome.

another spectator:

Genevieve is a demanding spectator - she'll come if she gets to sit in a reclining stroller, with blankets to keep her warm, while eating her sack lunch. She's my kind of girl.

We did other things too. Nothing super exciting, but all pretty perfect.

October's Visiting Teaching

Here's Laura, I visit teach her with Angie. I wish I had a picture of Angie, she's the best visiting teaching partner and she plays Guitar Hero at the expert level!

880 to University District

We don't have classes today because of Veteran's Day. My main goal today was to wake up when it was already light outside. Why? Because here is my usual weekday morning:

(I usually catch the 6:17 - this is where you feel sorry for me)

Did I reach my goal? Yes I did. I set my alarm for 7, but it was still dark when my alarm went off, so I went back to bed.

miss leah

Leah is wearing her new dress, a t-shirt dress, so cute, especially the striped tights, which I bought like 4 years ago, I love striped tights!
Leah recently learned how to say daddy & mommy (instead of dada & moma). And she loves to say "I love____". She first started saying "I love books", and now she says "I love lights" "I love grandpa", and most exciting, "I love daddy"...which made Mark very excited.

becoming a fish

Monica came over to do Leah's makeup and help her get ready for Halloween. Leah was so good getting makeup on, she held really still and got really into it. She looked beautiful. She loved being a fish and loved Halloween. But unfortunately she now knows what candy is...and loves it!

sister in law

jacob scored big. our lovely sister in law with the rather large and in charge leah.

Maybe it's not high to you, but it's high to me.

When my dad asked if I would be willing to climb this ladder to cut down a branch, I thought, "duh, blog material." I'm usually not this brave (hey, it was tall and I was up there a long time and it made funny creaking noises like it was going to fall).

(Yes, I brought the camera up the ladder and then I tossed it down for my dad to get a picture of me)

This was my first time cutting a tree. Please don't tell Al Gore.

I wonder if Joseph reads our blog...

Joseph, if this embarrasses you, it shouldn't. You're an excellent dancer.

Happy Hour

We are dog sitting Moose for the weekend. Moose is a Scoodle--a mix between a Scottish Terrier (Scotty) and a Poodle. Boo thinks he is a fun new toy.

little fishy on halloween