Fall

So sorry blog. I have ignored you. Not on purpose. Honest.
I've been feeling like garbage since late August which means ZERO pictures taken, which means ZERO posts to blog about. That doesn't mean nothing has been going on. It's actually been very busy. So now catching up.

Drew
Loves Disneyland, is usually the only one who wants to go all the time, even though our passes run out SOON! Has shown interest in using the potty. Grandma even bought him some Cars underwear, which he's tried on a couple times. Could possibly be potty training right now, except Mommy's not up to it. Makes messes everywhere, is a pro on our newest Samsung tablet (aka "The Kid's Ipad"), and loves riding scooters.

For Halloween, Drew dressed up as a monkey. At first he wasn't a fan of his costume, but after the Trunk or Treat and chowing down candy, he didn't want to take it off. He still talks about his beloved costume and getting candy. Such a funny guy.

Leah
Leah is off to a stellar start in first grade. She has a great teacher this year (Mrs. Falciano) and has blossomed in her 1/2 combo class. Mommy gets to help out every week in the class and it's been a lot of fun. After he first parent/teacher conference, the only thing she needed to work on was her handwriting. Like the pleaser she is, she worked at it for a short time and improved drastically. Really, it was about taking her time and not rushing through her work. She has also discovered a great love for math and using IXL on the computer.

After her bff moved away, Leah has been busy making new friends. Anytime there is a little girl playing on the playground, she has no problem jumping right in and playing along. She enjoys reading and writing and doing crafts. This fall she didn't have any specific activity to call her own, but she is looking forward to trying gymnastics in January. She is constantly doing handstands, sitting upside down and trying to perfect her cartwheels. Still our little girly girl with a big heart and fun personality.

Dillan

Definitely the busiest of us all this season, Dillan participated in soccer AND flag football. He wanted to try football with his friend Cody. Cody's dad was the coach and we couldn't have asked for a better experience. Dillan instantly loved the game. He got really into football and watching college football with Daddy. His confidence started to pick up when he scored his first touchdown and caught a long pass, earning him the game ball. He told me he was always nervous when the play heavily relied on him carrying or catching the ball. He just needs to believe in himself more! It was his first experience and I know he learned a lot and had a good time. Soccer is definitely his thing. We tried a new league this year, much more challenging for him with more players, a bigger field, referees, offsides, big goals and goalies. He had a very nice coach and enjoyed himself. He misses his old team and his coach. He didn't develop this season as much as I would have liked, which was disappointing. He held back and let the older boys take over. Not really his style. I told him we would work on his kick and he would be unstoppable in the spring. At least, that's our goal. He can go back to Coach Edgar and we'll see if he regains his soccer confidence.

 

Dillan is doing well in 3rd grade. I think it was a big wake-up call for him, especially after a slow 2nd grade year. It is much more intense, but he has an excellent teacher (Mrs. Hoadley). Dillan clings to his competitive nature even in the classroom and is constantly trying to outdo his classmates. He has developed a great love for writing and wrote a few small books, all about various Mario video games.

Dillan has also been loving cub scouts. He loves to go to his den meetings, even though he only goes to church with Cody. He has been making new friends and having lots of fun new experiences. The highlight of the season was when we took him to a BYU football game. It was snowing and cold, but he loved it and we got to see 3 touchdowns happen right in front of where we were sitting.

Daddy
Daddy got a promotion at work (YAY!). He no longer goes to big stores, instead he visits individual dealers. It is more driving covering a greater area (thankfully he got a new car!), but also means weekends off and better finances to take care of our family. He works so hard and never complains.

Mommy
Mommy's the lifeline behind everyone else. It's not always easy and exhausting most of the time. Yes, I am pregnant, due in April. But that's just the icing on the cake. The day that I suspected I might be pregnant was the day I received my new calling from the Bishop. Primary President. Chris was traveling for the next month, it was the hottest most humid it has ever been, and I was in an all-out war with ants in my house!
This pregnancy has been a great test of hope and faith. I haven't told many people, because I'm not sure what the outcome will be. So far everything is perfect. I was horribly sick most of the time, but that has gotten better. It has been one year today since Chelsea was born, and it's been a crazy year.  I know that I have grown a lot, but I am amazed at the amount of growing I still experience. Painful growth too.
But we hang in there!
Thank goodness I have a great group of crazies to keep me sane!