Jonas receiving his blue belt!

November 6th!

I had such a great birthday this year. My family is so amazing and I love to spend time with them (including nieces, nephews, in-laws). This year we decided to have an adult dinner. We did this two years ago and went to the Roof to eat a wonderful dinner. This year Kelsie actually decided it would be nice to go to the Cheesecake Factory. Which I was in complete agreement with. We ended up taking Hannah and Jonas with us, which Kels thought was unfair since she had to wait to be an adult. We just always needed her to stay home with the little kids, so this was a bit of a beef with her, but I am glad they came and I had the best meal. Our little neighbor sat with Es and Mare and they didn't even know we were gone. Sara was there with us to celebrate her birthday also. We had a little dinner and cake on Sunday and here is one of my gifts.
Sara has had this quilt top for a few years and has said in the past that she wanted to make it for mine and Josh's bed, since it was a king size. I unwrapped the gift and it was in a sewing machine box. I think I started to hyperventilate, because I am not the biggest sewer in this family. I just stared at her for a minute, and she got the hint and said, no, no, it is just wrapped in that box. I opened the box and it was the biggest surprise ever. I was so excited to see this beautiful quilt.

I love it! It has the best colors, it has the best quilting Thank you Sara and Jenifer. I can't wait to get it on my bed. The next gift I opened was from my mom and it is the nicest sheets in the world. I am going to have the best nights sleep from now on, if I can get Es and Mare out for a night.
On another note, we had parent teacher conference this past week. This is Maren and Ms. Jardine (both Jonas and Hannah had this teacher in 1st grade). I love my kids school and their teachers. Maren is a doing great in the first grade. Her teacher loves her and all the kids treat her as if she is a child that is younger than them, because she is so small. They all pat her on her head and hug her and want her for their friend.

This is Jonas and Ms. Brog. Let's just say, he loves this teacher. She is young, beautiful, smart, funny, and single. This will be the teacher his wife will have to live up too! I absolutely adore her. Hannah had her in fourth grade also. Jonas is doing fantastic. He is top of his grade, but needs a little work on his handwriting. I'll take it!!

Halloween and other things!

Maren was a cat for the second year in a row! I think this costume will fit her next year too!
Esme was a witch!

Jones was a very handsome, blonde Harry Potter.

I will mention that the oldest kids were all sick. Thank goodness it wasn't a very cold night. Jonas' friend came trick-or-treating with us, he was Malfoy!

This is a neighbor of ours that always makes Halloween very fun.

Hannah just masqueraded this year.

Worn Out!

We invited the Hoffer's over for some cookies and some pumpkin decorating. Josh and Erik had a great time with the drill!

Josh and Hannah's pumpkins!

Jonas and Maren's are on the side opposite cloud. Erik's is in the very back. I didn't get a pic of the back of Maren's, Sara helped her carve her name in the back.

These were the tastiest cookies! All of the kids had a hand in making them, hopefully no one that we made deliveries to will get sick!

This is our trip to the emergency room after Jonas took a fall at the Pinewood Derby. Actually, it was the night before at the weigh-in. The dad's were all busy weighing the cars and all the boys were wrestling. Jonas told me that they were playing a game where you win when you take someone to the ground. Well, let's just say he didn't win!

We new something was wrong because he couldn't move at all!

The break is right where you see the bone bend. He was in a sling for about two weeks. No karate, no piano, no bike, scooter, or skateboard. Let's just say he has gotten really good at the wii! All the people at the Pinewood Derby said he deserved to win this year. Video Footage lager.

Jonas received his blue belt this past month.

It was pretty exciting. He had to spar this time around. Video footage to follow.

Esme and cloud watching some toones!