December update

We had a fun time at our church's Holly Jolly Christmas party.

 

Not sure why Christian had my coat on, but he looked like an eskimo:

 

 

It has been unusually cold for winter in Seattle.  Highs in the 20s/low 30s.  Lots of frost but no snow.  I have been enjoying the clear skies and fresh air!  The kids got out a bunch of balls to play with on the trampoline.  They are not afraid of getting out in the cold to play.

 

I ran the Jingle Bell 5K with my friend Jessica.  It was beautiful scenery but COLD!

 

Ezra and Christian were so excited about decorating the Christmas tree they started dancing with each other:

Road Trip!

We had a fun one night getaway with my friend Amy and her 3 kids.  We took our (6) kids to Salem.  One of Amy's kids qualified for a regional championship for XC.  It was fun how it all worked out.  These are friends we met in Ann Arbor, MI, when we both attended a church together at Univ. of Mich.  We both ended up in the Seattle area within a year of each other.  We still get to see each other every so often.  We had them over for dinner a week ago and Amy was saying that she wasn't excited about taking her kids to Salem alone (her husband had a work conflict and couldn't go).  So I said that I wished I could go with her and as we talked more about it, we decided - why couldn't the kids and I go.  So we did!  We had a fun spur of the moment adventure.  Lots of quality time with friends we love. 

Trick or treat 2013

We had a fun night with Army Man Austin, Robin Hood, and Pirate Ezra. Austin wore a hat that my brother sent out that was one of his official army hats when he was in the Army.  Made me proud!   It only rained a little  :)  We did a little trick or treating in our neighborhood and a little with some friends who have sidewalks and streetlights.  Much safer!

Sounders

Took the whole family to the last home game this past Sunday.  62,000 fans!  Ezra was in awe of the whole thing.  He has never been to a big game like that.  He startled when the fireworks went off.  It was really fun to get to experience the whole thing through his eyes.  Sounders played pretty well, but I do hate that soccer games are allowed to end in a tie!

Pumpkin pictures

Obviously I'm not good with creative titles.  We had fun this year trying something new...a corn maze.  I wasn't so sure about letting the boys get us lost in it, but we did eventually find our way out and for part of it they practiced their map reading skills.

Two happy and one grumpy about getting picture taken...

 

 

 

What are you talking about????

We were playing apples to apples the other night and the green card said "dirty".  One of my children submitted a card that said "dancing".  Tim and I had quite a laugh about that.  Couldn't explain it to the kids.  When questioned about their card, the child said "I didn't like that card, so I wanted to get rid of it."  Whew! Sigh of relief...

October highlights...

After a rainy Soccer Saturday morning, we spent the afternoon watching movies and making caramel apples. 

 

Austin asked if I would help him make his own cake.  He loves this chocolate cake recipe.  It has lots of add-ins.  I have to admit its my favorite cake too.  He pretty much did everything himself.

 

This child wanted to make his own backyard pool.  It was around 45 degrees out, mind you.  After he got in he said "um...mom...how do you turn the hose to hot?"

 

Austin saved up his Christmas and birthday money.  He had been wanting a brand new ipod.  We bought him a used one off craigs list last Christmas but it only lasted 5 months or so.  He got this one on a pretty good Columbus Day sale.  Its a 5th generation.  Pretty neat.  Much nicer than anything his parents have!  We are proud of him for saving his money for something and having the persistence to wait until he had enough to get what he really wanted!

 

Today was a super nice weather day.  Ezra did not have school so we had lunch outside.  Stayed home all day.  It was so relaxing and therapeutic.  Yesterday was just a plain old bad day.  You will have to check out my facebook page if you want details.  I sat in the sun for a good 20 minutes not moving.  Felt so good to bask...

 

My backyard rose bushes usually bloom well in the fall and this fall they did not disappoint...

Our new little lady

The newest member of the Brinkley household...

She came to us from a lady I have worked with some in my substitute teaching.  Since we already have one bearded dragon, we are thinking about trying to put them in the same cage, but not right away.  She came with the name "Chubs" which is pretty funny since our first dragon is "Fat Boy".  She's really not chubby though so we are on the hunt for a different name.  The boys were thrilled to have a new lizard to love. 

Puyallup Fair

We got to go to the fair yesterday.  It was busier than we expected to find on a rainy Monday afternoon but we had a great time.  The kids rode a few rides and jumped on the trampolines.  We also saw some animals and a 3D exhibit that was pretty cool.  Ezra did mutton bustin' which is always a highlight for us.  I tried to put the video below.  Hope it works.  We went with Tim's parents and had a great time sharing the experience with them.  Grammy and Pa even rode some rides!

 

 

Soccer

We are into the craziness of soccer season.  The craziness is partly evidenced by the fact that I only have pictures of one of my children playing so far!  I am coaching Ezra's team again and I think its safe to say that they are all doing very well and enjoying themselves!

Planting time

I have been looking for someone who might want some of my hosta plants.  They seem to double in size every year and I don't have any more room in my yard for them!  Tim's parents happened to mention that their church was looking to spruce up their property a little, so we spent an afternoon bringing some of our plants there and transplanting.  So nice to have a need we both had match up so well. 

 

An added bonus for the kids was the slide at the park across the street.  Lots of fun but a little scary for the mama!