Weekly Happenings - 11/7 - 11/13

1.  This week was a big one in our country - one of the most historic elections took place on Tuesday. But in our world, another very important election took place at Garrison's school.  In order to learn about the election and the voting process, Garrison's class had an election and Garrison was one of the candidates!  On Monday he had to give a speech as to why he thought he would be the best president and what he would implement should he be elected.  He ran against his friend, Madison.  Garrison chose to run on the platform of wanting to help others and ensuring everyone liked their lunches. :)  He was pretty quiet during his speech but we were proud he decided to run!  Unfortunately, he was not elected but gracefully shook his opponents hand to congratulate her and told his teacher, "life isn't always fair."  Such profound words from a young man!

2.  On Saturday, I took the kids to meet Grammy & Grandpa after Peyton's dance class as Chad & I had tickets to see Raiders of the Lost Ark.  It was amazing - we watched the movie while the symphony performed the score live!  We had amazing seats and it was a great show!!  Chad even treated me to dinner at Lidia's ahead of the show, one of my favorites!!

3.  Peyton & Garrison had a great time at Grammy & Grandpa's with a trip to the aquatic center and going to the high school to see the musical they were performing!  Apparently they even snuck in a work out and a huge bubble bath on Saturday evening.  On Sunday they went to church before making chocolate bowls for dessert at lunch time and playing a bit.  They had a great visit and came back very chatty with lots of stories to tell!!

Weekly Happenings - 10/31 - 11/6

1.  Monday was a BIG day - HALLOWEEN!  Peyton was up first with the costume parade at school and her party!  I was able to see the parade and drop-off snacks for the party before heading to Garrison's school for his trick or treating!  Earlier in the day Garrison also got to perform Ghostbusters at a nursing home where they also got to trick or treat!  That's a lot of activity before pick-up time!  Next-up was Mummy Dogs for dinner and then we met-up with a lot of our neighborhood friends for group trick or treating!  Chad even picked-up star wars costumes for the two of us to join in the fun this year!  We had an awesome time trick or treating, the kids scored big time in the candy department and everyone was so tired that we all slept well on Monday night!

2.  Here is Garrison with one of his girlfriends, Hadley.  Apparently they were practicing their wedding dance!  He is quite the ladies man these days!!

3.  On Saturday we went to Morgan, Lucas & Austin's birthday party - it was fun to celebrate with the boys turning 4, 3 and 1!  Garrison had fun with the piñata and Peyton loved trying to carry Austin around (who is half her weight!) and playing in the gym.  After the party we went back to Grandma & Grandpa's for a visit and the kids even got to stay for the night!  They had a great time playing pool and having a pizza party for dinner!  They went to church on Sunday and got to visit with Nana & Papa before having lunch and heading back home!

4.  While the kids were away, the parents played a bit!  Chad & I took advantage of the kids being at the grandparents and went to see Dr. Strange and out for sushi for a late night (for us!) dinner.  It was great to have a bit of time away from the busyness of life.  

5.  On Sunday morning, Chad got started on his outdoor project of replacing a section of our fence that faces the street.  He did a great job getting the fence built.  Of course, when the kids got home they had to help and supervise the remaining part of the build...

6.  And since our outdoor project for this year is nearing completion, we took advantage of the beautiful weather on Sunday evening by having a fire in the fire pit with yummy s'mores!  Can't wait to use our fire pit more often and enjoy our new rock walls!

Weekly Happenings - 10/24 - 10/30

1.  Peyton's school program was Halloween themed this year and she was excited to wear her Mermaid costume for the show!  The paraded in, sang several songs, including a light show and recited a poem.  The 2nd graders put on an amazing show and she was excited to have her family there to see her performance!!

2.  Thursday & Friday were no school days so Friday was my turn to keep Peyton and her friends Isabella & Olivia!  We had a busy and fun day!!  We started with some games at home and then took off to Scheels!  We were their first customers so got a free ride on the ferris wheel!  Next up we treated ourselves to Starbucks before going upstairs to bowl.  After Scheels the girls went with me to vote early - so thankful for the opportunity to vote and being able to do so early was even better!  After a quick trip home we went to Ted's for lunch since the girls were so patient while we voted.  We wrapped-up our day with some quiet time and then playtime outside.  I think everyone was tired but we had a great day!!

3.  On Friday evening, the kids & I went to Grammy & Grandpa's for the weekend!  We had dinner on Friday night and then Peyton asked to see my clarinet from middle & high school.  It was fun to play a bit for the kids and let them try their hand at playing it, too!  The kids stayed the rest of the weekend and had a blast doing lots of art projects, going to church and going to the aquatic center while I went to visit some of my college friends at the lake!

4.  It was time for our annual trip to the lake with my girlfriends from college!  We were a few people short this year but the 4 of us that were able to make it had a great time!  We had lunch at Lil' Rizzos followed by a trip to Spa Shiki, dinner at our favorite Mexican restaurant, ice cream from Andy's and relaxing time at the condo!  It was a short 24 hour visit but it was so fun to see everyone and get away for a bit!!

5.  On Sunday afternoon, Peyton's Brownie troop participated in a trunk or treat.  They decorated their trunk with a Star Wars movie theme and had such a great time going around to all of the trunks and handing out candy!  Lucky for Garrison & Ethan, the girls let a few of the little brothers join in on the fun!!  Peyton also ran into her BFF Victoria who is in another troop that was at the event!

Weekly Happenings - 10/17 - 10/23

1.  Peyton's 2nd grade pics are in and they turned out pretty well!  No idea why 1/2 her curls fell out but this picture shows how much she is growing up!  So proud of our girl!!

2.  Peyton is taking Ballet this year and we were at class a bit early this week so I snagged two pictures of her in her ballet uniform getting ready for class.  She looks so grown up with her bun!  So far she is loving ballet!

3.  On Wednesday, Peyton had to have a sealant put on one of her teeth so we got to enjoy some girl time at Starbucks before her appointment.  This girl loves her Starbucks and I love the fact that we got to sit and just talk for 45 minutes before her appointment - win-win!!

4.  Friday brought Light the Night at Garrison's daycare and it was awesome as always!!  The kids had a great evening playing with their friends all while exploring light during the darkness!  The jellyfish hallway was a big hit!  At the end of the night, Garrison's friend Devyn stopped him for a picture - apparently she tells her parents that Garrison is her guy!  Ha!!

5.  Saturday brought Garrison's last soccer match and it was a beautiful day for it!  The first picture is where Garrison scored his goal for this match - go Garrison!!  He has a great cheering section for his last match with Mom, Dad, Peyton, Grammy & Grandpa and Grandma & Grandpa all on the sideline!  After the game we went home for a quick chili lunch before we were off to the next activity!

6.  Next up was Peyton's first performance as a Miller Marley TiniTainer!  The performance was at Deanna Rose and she had an amazingly large crowd and all of her family there to cheer for her!  So proud of our dancer putting herself out there, something a year or two ago she wouldn't have been able to do!  She danced to Day-O and sang Ding Dong the Wicked Witch is Dead and Halloween Candy!

7.  But wait, our Saturday was not yet over!!  Garrison had a birthday party for his friend Ava at Emerald City.  Here he is the human wrecking ball - his favorite!!

8.  Earlier in the week, Garrison made a boat out of scraps in his classroom so on Sunday we tried it out in the sink - guess what, it floated!!  An engineer in the making maybe??