New addition to our family....

After 2 months of looking for a car, we finally found one: A 2002 Subaru Forester.  Spencer's other car broke down in Alabama the day before he came back and we had to leave it there. He has been diligently searching out cars trying to find a dependable, affordable car for us. We've found 3 before this and each time right as he was heading down to buy it, someone else beat us there. Needless to say, Spencer's been a little stressed about finding a car. Our family has been wonderful in letting us borrow cars for the past weeks. But it's nice to have our own again!

Crafts

I love to make crafts and this weekend I was able to do one with Danielle. We made fall pumpkins using 2x4 wood. Usually, I have Spencer cut out the pieces I need and then I just paint or whatever. But this time I wanted to do it myself. So after a little tutorial from Spencer, I took over on the saw.

 I had a lot of fun cutting the pieces I needed. Luckily, they were all just straight cuts, no angles or anything fancy!
Every time I get stuff out to do a craft, the kids want to participate as well. So I let them paint some scrap pieces.

And here is my finished project: a cute fall decoration that was super cheap!

Soccer

Both Ayden and Ellie are playing soccer this fall. Ayden is really enjoying playing but with Ellie it's hit and miss. 

Ayden out in mid field

Ellie getting ready to start the game

Ayden's been playing mid field this year and is doing well in that position. He isn't the most aggressive player so he feels comfortable in this position. He does well stopping the ball and getting it back up field to the forwards. 
Ellie needs a little more encouragement to get into her games. Each game she whines that she doesn't want to play, but once she's out there kicking the ball and even making goals, she gets so excited. Spencer is one of her coaches so that helps having him there to remind her to play!
Tate is a great cheerleader for both of them. But he does get kinda bored at the games. 

He usually has something football related to do: playing his "football guys" or playing his own game of football.

Both kids have their games on Saturday mornings so from 9am to about 1pm, we are at soccer games. It's been fun watching them and seeing their excitement at their progress.

50th Anniversary

The beginning of this month we traveled to Wyoming to celebrate my grandparent's 50th wedding anniversary. All of my siblings were able to attend, it's been a long while since we were all together.
My mom and aunt put together a small reception for my grandma and grandpa Blohm. They don't like being the center of attention so it was a little hard for them to have an entire function solely for them. I am so glad we could all help them celebrate 50 years of marriage.
It was a great opportunity to get family photos so of course, we got a lot!

my mom's family: her parents and sister Julie

 Almost all their grand kids were able to attend; we were only missing my cousin Tyler. It's been many many years since we were all together.

the grandkids

the great-grand kids

 In this picture, we are missing 1 great-grand child because he didn't want to be in the photo, but we added 2 of my grandma's great-nieces (in the purple shirts).
It was so fun to have everyone together. The kids played at the park with cousins until they were worn out.
My kids haven't seen these cousins in almost 2 years so they had a blast playing.

the only 3 girls

just hanging out