September 2016

September was the month of lots of firsts and getting used to a new routine in Fort Collins. When we first heard about the job in Fort Collins we assumed the closest Temple would be in Denver. Then I talked to one of my best friends (who is from Colorado) and she informed me that there is a brand new temple in Fort Collins. I was completely thrilled when I heard the news. Then I didn't realize we would move to Fort Collins right in the middle of the open house. The house we were renting was only three blocks from the temple. We had the opportunity to watch hundreds of people to go the open house everyday. It was pretty amazing to see how many would come. We had the opportunity to go to the temple over Labor Day weekend. My dad was in town to help us with our van that was having starting trouble. We were so grateful he could come and help us! While he was here we snuck in a visit to the open house. It was the first opportunity to take our kids to the temple. The boys loved it and Savannah was a bit grumpy about not being able to run wherever she wanted so her and Dave missed some it. Our new home is now about 1/2 mile from the temple, which is still so close! We are so grateful to have this temple almost in our back yard. We have a new goal to make it to the temple twice a month, once together, and and once alone. The temple has so much peace and truth to offer us. I am so grateful its close because heaven knows I need all the help of heaven I can get!

For the first time we had a backyard, a neighborhood, and kids to play with. We had some great backyard neighbors, JR and Wesley that the boys would play with almost everyday as long as the weather was nice and the sun was up. It was so great to see them be so happy outside and playing. Dave turned to me after a few weeks of living here and said, "I don't think I have ever seen our kids so happy." Its so true. They have all been just so happy here. They love going outside, its great to go on walks and have safe sidewalks. I have been able to walk to Trevor's school sometimes and its been amazing. These small things of having a yard and a safe neighborhood has really blessed our lives and made us all happier. Such small things, but such good things.

 Logan spilled his chocolate smoothie one morning on accident, but then played in it as if it were finger painting. He loved it and it kept him entertained for a good thirty minutes. Sometimes life at home is messy, but whatever keeps them happy!

 Savannah has really LOVED to cook! It makes me nervous to have her close to a hot stove or oven, but she is very cautious and listens intently for what she's suppose to do. She is always willing to help with breakfast and dinner. I love this picture and all the excitement that shows through her, right down to her fingertips!

 Logan started preschool this year at Redeemer Lutheran Church. We love the program so far and Logan has made lots of good friends. It has been great to watch him learn and grow this year through having the preschool experience.

 I try really hard to do Savannah's hair everyday, but it almost always ends up in the same side pony or she rips it out. Here is some proof of trying something different. I think it lasted about two hours.

We are building our first home! We purchased a spec home (the builder had already picked all the options) from Meritage Homes. We liked everything the builder had already picked out and absolutely loved the floor plan. We went under contract when the house was at frame in August. It has been a fun process to watch our house be built and completed! We feel completely blessed with how it has all worked out. We were able to find a short term rental just down the road all while our house was being finished.

 We went to the Bacon Elementary Fun Run! Logan, Savannah, and I waited outside patiently for Trevor to come outside to run. We loved watching Trevor run around and around again. Trevor loved all the running and he completed 30 laps! It was impressive!

 Oh he's so cute in this picture! I love my big and fast runner!

Savannah loves to get her picture taken and has caught on quickly to say cheese when the camera is pulled out.

 She loves avocados and guacomole. She can make quite the mess, but loves it nonetheless!

 Trevor has really taken off in reading this year. He loves to read and sometimes its hard to pull him away from his books. He is great at reading to Logan and Savannah. That is probably my favorite thing to find them doing together, snuggled up reading a book.

At the end of the month I took the the kids to the dollar store to pick out 20 halloween things to decorate. It was so fun to see their excitement and watching them decide which 20 things were their favorite. They started out with much more than 20 things, so they had to make some tough decisions about what they liked more. One of their favorite items were the skeleton face goblets and pitcher. We picked up a little cesears pizza on the way home and got busy decorating. We turned on Halloween music, ate pizza, and busily got things hung and decorated for Halloween. It was such a fun night! We even had the neighbor kids stay to help for a bit and they loved it too. This was definitely one of my favorite times being at home with the kids and I hope to do this for every holiday, go to the dollar store and let them pick how they want to decorate.   

 We had the chance to go on a field trip with Logan's class. Trevor was out of school that day so he came along too. We went to a cute little place near CSU campus called, the Gardens at Spring Creek. It has a great walking path with things about the weather and months of the year paved on the sidewalk. There is a great water table, a waterfall, a play house, and a sand box. It was a beautiful day to be outside and we all had a great time!

 On a Saturday we took the kids to a park downtown called City Park. It was two giant playgrounds and lots of green grass to run around in. We brought a picnic along and hung out for the afternoon. It was really fun to just enjoy our kids and do what they wanted to do.

 Thrift store shopping with Savannah is always fun. She finds great things for herself, like this chair that's just her size!

 We went to a family fun night at Bacon elementary. We waited in line for over an hour for Trevor and Logan to get their faces painted. It was worth it to see these tiger faces!