Chili Cook-off

Our ward had a Chili 'n Cornbread cook-off party so we donned our Western Wear and hitched up our wagon and took the trail to the church.

My handsome cowboy

My cute cowgirl

Our little wrangler

Here is my bragging moment: I won the chili cookoff! It had been a super busy day (2 soccer games plus a baptism) and Jim was out of town, but I made my pot of chili and we went anyway. All my effort suddenly seemed worth it once I received my winning certificate! It seems a little silly now that I think about it, but it really was validating and made me feel really good! 
The Sister Missionaries thought we looked cute in our Western get-up, so we posed a few pictures with them. 

Leaves!

In our front yard we have one little that give us lots of leaf-y fun.

Bridger and Kacy found that if they shake the branches a bit they can get the last few leaves for their pile.

Ready and throw!

Leaf angels!

Can you find Kacy?

Can you find Bridger?

B and K are actually really good at raking now.

Bridger's soccer

Bridger also just finished his fall Soccer season. When his practices began the days were sunny and it was light until late. However bu the end of the season, the ground was wet from rain and practices started ending earlier because it was so dark.

Bridger had a great time playing soccer. We were fortunate to have another year where we played on a team with friends.

He definitely improved over the weeks, and I was very proud for his effort. He loved playing with friends.

Bridger has had the same soccer coach for the past few years. I am so glad Bridger has been able to play and have a fun time.

Soccer for Kacy!

Kacy just wrapped up her soccer season at the YMCA. I helped coach her team of 3 and 4 year olds.

I would say Kacy mostly enjoyed trying out soccer, but I think she may want to just stick to dance in the future.

Some weeks she was really nervous to play and some weeks she would go out running and giggling as she kicked the ball.

I think the happiest she was all season was getting a trophy and a cupcake at the end of all the games.

I was proud of her for trying something new and was happy to be her coach.

As the coach, we had a very timid team. The first game we had trouble enough getting kids on the court. At one point in ine game I had all four kids on the court holding onto one of my fingers as I ran around after the ball with them. However, we discovered that if we (the coaches) handed out a sticker for every time they touched or kicked the ball the kids were more interested in playing. By the last game they actually played on their own (without having to hold hands) and seemed to be having a good time. Success!

Let's go fly a kite!

We have had some blustery days this autumn. One day we finally took out the kite. The kids were so excited and were pretty good at flying our dragon kite.

Fun Run

Bridger's school had a fun run!

He did a great job raising money and running laps

Kacy and Aron and I went to cheer him on!

He finished 13 laps, which was about 2 miles!

Great Job Bridger!

Seattle

When Jim got home from China he needed to go straight to Seattle for a work trip. So, to maximize our hours with him we drove up to Seattle to welcome him off the plane from Beijing so we could spend the day together.

After spending a week in big cities in China, Jim was most excited to breath fresh air and be away from crowds, so we took a ferry to the San Juan Islands.

We took a short hike down to the water

Then played on a private little beach.

The kids loved playing in the sand and throwing rocks.

It was a beautiful drive and we were glad to welcome Jim home!

These kids are getting REALLY good at road trips!