Fall Colors and Patient Children

The fall colors around town have been very vibrant this last week and we have been showered with sunshine instead of rain. I dragged the kids to a few bightly colored trees and tried to take some good pictures. They were very good sports. They actually ended up having some fun.

The Fort is DONE!!

With shingles on the roof, (we have had some beautiful fall days in Monroe this month!)

Paint on the floor, (See I helped a little.)

Steps to get in,

Rocks laid underneath and the firepit wood stacked neatly,

IT IS DONE!!!

Now we can start another project.

Check out this blog for our friend, LaRee Keenan

LaRee is a friend of ours that we have know since we moved to Washington. Reading the blog will explain her condition. She is very sick and facing months of rehabilitation. We would really appreciate it if you could keep LaRee and her family in your prayers. http://www.lareekeenan.blogspot.com/

The Fort (Started Sept 20)

Happiness is helping your dad build a really cool fort!

Trent has been promised a FORT in the backyard for quite some time. So when I was on a girl's weekend in September, Todd started work on the promised play place. The structure was started and has been worked on every spare minute here and there to try and make progress. Todd even took a day off work and got the roof framed and shingles on before it got too dark (and we ran out of shingles.) Now it just needs a railing around the sides and a ladder to climb in. Todd has tons of work conflicts and the rain has started, so completion of the project is unsure. But it is still making one 8 year old boy very happy and is drawing the attention of all the neighborhood kids. I will post a picture when it is all done. Hopefully soon. As you all know, projects like this take longer than you think, and cost more than you plan. But it is worth it!

Spencer is playing football!

Coach with his arm around Spencer telling him where he will play on the next down. "OK Boys, this is what you are going to do....." (Spencer is not the shortest, but I think he has the skinniest legs. Number 99 on the end.)

Spencer decided that he wanted to play a little football this year. He has never played anything but backyard football before he joined the 8th grade team. He struggled a bit in the beginning trying to catch up with all of the other players who have been playing for years. But in the long run he is enjoying the exercise, training, games and general activity of the football team. I am very proud of him for trying something new and sticking to it. He is especially proud of his tight, strong muscley thighs.

McAnally Barbeque Sept. 13

Sean andBrooklyn Janette and Lorraine (my favorite picture!)
Casey and Skylar
Leighton
Calvin

Nicole and Skylar Uncle Bill
The whole gang cooking.
Trent wearing his hot dog on his face.
The cool boys.

In September we went to a barbeque with some of Todd's family that live kinda close. We met at Bill and Janette's house in Tacoma and drove to Calvin and Lorraine's house in Gig Harbor for dinner. Kari and Dave were there from Bremerton with Leighton and new baby Audrey. Sean and Casey were also in town from Reno. It was so fun to catch up with everyone. Our family really enjoyed the afternoon. We had yummy hot dog and smores cooked over the new firepit. Can't beat that for an awesome Saturday. Thanks for the hosting Calvin and Lorraine. Let's do it again, soon.

BYU Football Game Sept 6

Several Months ago Todd bought tickets to the UW vs BYU Football Game. I am so glad he did. Friday night we went to hear the BYU Football Fireside in Kent. We were impressed. The Football players sang, played piano, and spoke. Then Holly and Bronco Mendenhall spoke. The message was clear. The gospel of Jesus Christ is true. Allowing the Savior to be at the center of your life will bring you true happiness.

We made the whole weekend a getaway. We stayed at a hotel in Kent, ordered pizza and chinese food, swam and watched movies. The next morning we got up and headed to the stadium. We thought we gave ourselves more than enough time, but the traffic and parking were UGH! 2 1/2 hours later we were all enjoying a little tailgate party, then we headed to our seats. I managed to embarass Nicole with my cheering for the team, but by the 2nd quarter she was finally into it. We had a great time! And what a game. THEY WON!!!! Yeah. The setting was gorgeous, the weather was perfect, and we all had a great time!