Halloween 2018

We had everyone dress up this year (to some degree) for either the ward party, friends party, trick or treating or BOTH!

We found this Rapunzel dress at Auntie Lisa's house (that Grandma made for Alaina a few years ago) and it was so beautiful and fit Summer perfectly.  And when Summer said she would wear it for Halloween (she usually hates wearing dresses and prefers animal or firefighter costumes), I snatched the opportunity to dress her up like a princess.  She even let Jordan put some makeup on her. 

This is the gang (minus Tyson who had a tennis match--which his school took first place in and Tyson won the final match to put his school on top--too bad I missed it because I was running a booth at the ward party) all ready for the ward Trunk or Treat!

  Jordan had a Halloween costume party with friends.  She wore the sundress I bought for my Arizona trip back in 1999.

Kya and her friends dressed up like Hula girls for their party.  They were adorable.

Tyson and Summer all dressed up for trick or treating.  Summer informed me the day before Halloween that she couldn't wear the same costume that she wore to the party for trick or treating, so I searched for a Cheetah costume last minute.  We did the best we could....she was actually thrilled with the leopard print unitard:)

So for some reason, Summer was more afraid of trick or treating this year.  She refused to knock on any door and would only go to houses that had left the candy in a bowl on the porch.  Very frustrating for Mom and Dad...and a lot less fun too.

Tyson went trick or treating with some friends from church.  He came home with SO MUCH candy, it made up for Summer's small haul (which was actually the perfect amount for her)

3 Teenagers in the House

Tyson is now THIRTEEN!!  

He's taller than his sisters.

He loves Fortnight...and all video games

He solves the rubics cube (all sorts of types and sizes)

He is working toward his Eagle Scout

He currently has straight As in 8th grade

He is friendly, fun, and a good friend

He is growing up...but still gets teased by his sisters endlessly

We sure do love Tyson and all that he brings to our family.

 

I arranged to pick up Dylan (who moved to Portland 3 years ago but Tyson still considers him one of his best friends) to surprise Tyson for his birthday.  After I pulled him out of school and told him we were going on a two-hour drive, he kind of figured it out.  But the boys had such a good time hanging out for the whole weekend.

Bishop Emonts

Big shocker for the Emonts family this September.  

Mike was called to be the Bishop of our ward!

 (Bro Richins (Stake 2nd Counselor), Royce Riddle (1st Counselor), Mike, Scott Pope (2nd Counselor), President Williams (Stake President))

She's Growing Up Too

Two BIG things happening for Summer this fall:

1.  Gymnastics

So far she LOVES it.  It is just adorable to watch her follow the teacher around, asking her questions and trying to figure out how to do everything.

2.  Preschool

(this was when she got to see the classroom for the first time and meet her teacher)

Today was her very first day and she came home so happy!  Hopefully, she continues to love it.  As we were driving to preschool, Summer discovered I wasn't actually staying with her....I honestly thought she knew.  I could see her holding back tears when she realized it.  But I was so relieved when she walked in with no problems and a big smile on her face.  Such a sweet little girl.

I left feeling a little sad.  I am excited for her to have fun and learn and play with friends, but I will miss my baby.

(First Day)

Mrs. O 

Back to School 2018

Grade 8--Leota Middle School

Grade 10--North Creek HS

Grade 12--North Creek HS

Her last first day of school!!

Since this is Jordan's senior year, they had "senior sunrise" on the first day of school 

(hence the blankets)

Here she is on her first day of Kindergarten...how fast it all goes...

Surprise!!

We decided to drive up to Canada to surprise Grandma for her birthday this year.  We were just up there a couple weeks before but since the girls hadn't been up, and we actually didn't have anything we needed to do, we decided to go for it!

First, we stopped by Tina's new house and got a great reaction!!  She had NO IDEA and almost started crying.  It was great.  It was so fun to see her new house, it is beautiful.

We headed over to Lisa's for Mom's party.  We parked around the corner so Grandma wouldn't see our car.  Mom and Dad were pretty excited to see us...and surprised!!  Mike was supposed to come too but when we got home from church to change, we couldn't find his passport so we had to leave without him.  Turns out it was in his backpack at work--too bad.

It was so nice to have all the cousins together.  Everyone gets along so well and they have so much fun together.  Amanda and Jordan even made plans to apply to BYUH together:)

Evergreen State Fair 2018

Mike actually got to come to the fair with us this year!!  We had to go in the evening again because of volleyball practice, but I am pretty sure we were still there long enough.

A few disappointing things this year: 

1.  The baby pigs hadn't been born yet:( 

2.  We missed the lumberjack show

3.  Mike wouldn't let me buy a blow-up dolphin for Summer

But...

Mike was really excited to find the exact kind of pigeons his family used to raise when he was growing up!

 Summer was so happy to get to go on some rides this year!

I got to try my first ever elephant ear--pretty delicious.

The kids went on a ton of rides as usual...when they were on this one (Freak Out), Summer and I just stood underneath and watched--yikes!

ED SHEERAN

I bought the girls Ed Sheeran tickets for Christmas last year, and as soon as I did, I regretting not buying one for myself.  Ed Sheeran is probably my favorite singer...so when one of my friends suggested getting a group together to sit in the nose-bleeds for just $40 each I jumped on board.  I am so glad I did--it was an amazing show!!!

The girls were A LOT closer!!!

One Week in Canada

Our week-long trip to Canada this year was just me, Summer and Tyson...because the girls had youth conference.

Tyson had an Epic 8-hour fishing trip with Grandpa and Ben and Luke.  

They brought home 4 giant sockeye salmon.  

Tyson got to go on a second fishing trip with just him and grandpa...they didn't last as long but still brought back some beautiful fish!!

 And Summer did a lot of playing with her cousins and petting Peeta!

Philip Philips

This was my first ever Zoo concert experience, and it was awesome.  The only complaint I have is they should have given us zoo admittance along with the purchase of our tickets--that would have made it even more fun!!  

Lawn chairs, picnic dinner, outdoor air, performers walking through the crowds AND being able to walk right up to the stage--AMAZING!!

Gavin DeGraw walked right into the crowd and sang an entire song standing THIS close!

I just HAD to go up close when Philip Philips came on!!!

Glad to have a husband who goes to things like this with me...even though I know it's not his favorite thing to do:)

Rexburg, ID {Post 6--Sand Dunes}

Because our first sand dunes outing at Elgin lake was such a disappointment, I was determined to go back (playing at the sand dunes had been one of my favorite memories from Rick's).  So when we were talking to the owners of the house we were staying at and she talked about how beautiful the sand dunes were at sunset, I knew we had to go.  Luckily, the family was willing to humor me:)  I am so glad we did because it was such a fun and unique experience...and we got some amazing pictures.

It was the perfect way to end our family vacation!