Leaves are falling all around....

Oh the joys of being a child, and the fun a massive pile of leaves bring. Monday night we decided that we needed to get our yard cleaned up before the storm hit. So for family night we raked our little hearts out. In the end, the work was well worth it. The kids had a blast playing in the pile we made. Being the brave little souls they are, they climbed the tree and did belly flops into the pile. It was that big!! That made me a little nervous but I wasn't about to still their thunder. Here are a few pics I captured during all the fun.

With a pile this big, who could resist a leaf fight!! What a fun time we had together! A memory we will always have....the HUGE pile of leaves that provided so much entertainment, and brought our family together in work and play.

Another deer hunt...come and gone!

My favorite time of the year(NOT)...when my husband and boys pack up and head to the mountain in search for the next unsuspecting deer. Every year I secretly pray that they don't bring anything home, but that they have a good, safe, trip. This year was no exception. They did have a good time...and even came home empty handed! WOOHOO!

Can't you just see the excitement on his face? He is in his element!!

Jake, just being Jake!

Austi Posti...I have no words for this!

Mike and Kevin Kuhle

J and Austin actually fell asleep for a few. Leave it to J to find a place to lay down and take a load off!

Poor Jake can't escape the studies They came home a day early because of the snow. This shows just a skiff of it, but not wanting to take the chance and have to dig out in the morning they just decided to be safe and pack up early. It was a nice surprise for me. I'm glad it's done with for one more year!

Happy Birthday Michael

Wow where has time gone? My kids are growing so fast. Sometimes I wish time would just stand still. This year Michael is 11! When I think of the many events yet to come in his life, I get a little overwhelmed. In just one year he will be receiving the Priesthood and passing the sacrament. This was such a hard thing for me to accept when Austin turned 12, and now to know that Michael is not far behind...I just can't believe it. The saying (or something like it) "A mother holds her childs hand for a time, but their hearts forever" is so true. They grow so quick!

He is still such a kid at heart. I love the pure innocence of children, and Michael is no exception. He has such a pure heart. He loves everyone, and has such tender feelings. When it comes right down to it, he would do anything for anyone. (sometimes it may take a little coaxing, but he will do it!)

I love you "Monkey"...I hope you have a Happy Birthday!

A new chapter...

Oh my...where to start. This new chapter in Austins life has been a really hard milestone in MY life. He is growing waaay to quick. I look back at some of his baby pictures and find myself longing for this sweet, loveable, little guy. Now he's a teenager and full of A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E!!

We went to back to school night and as we approached the school he tells me that he is getting so nervous. "It looks so huge!" he says. Of course I reassured him that he would be just fine. We had to jump through a few hoops to get his schedule, but once we did, we went through the school, found his locker and all his classes. After we went through it once I told him it was his turn to take me through. With a few nervous butterflies he led me to his locker and opened it...then to his first class...and his second. "Wow mom. This is going to be easier than I thought!" Being relieved inside, I just encouraged him on. When we successfully made through the night he was once again nervously excited for school the next day.

All day I waited anxously for him to come home so I could hear all about his first day. When he got home he played way casual...like it was no big deal. I asked him how he did finding all his classes, and this is his story...When he got to school and went to his locker there was some other kid in it. "Hey dude, that's my locker." "No it's not, it's mine." replied the other kid. After going back and forth like that a few times the other kid says, "Look, here is my locker number." He showed Austin his schedule which had the same locker number as Austins. Not wanting to put his stuff in a locker with a complete stranger, he just kept his stuff in his backpack and proceeded to class. It was English, and the teacher called his name. When Austin went to the front to get his book from her, he was greeted with the same kid that had his locker. The teacher had only one Austin Allen on her role, but there before her stood two Austin Allens! What are the chances? So she sent them both down to the office to get it all figured out. It ended up being that they gave us the wrong Austin Allen schedule. My Austin is actually on the records as Austin R. Allen. So they gave him his new schedule, and locker info. and sent him on his way! Talk about overwhelming the poor kid. So here he was left to find all his classes on his own. All the walking we did just the day before was for absolutely nothing!! He said he found everything just fine. It all ended up being worth it in the end because he likes the location of his locker better and he actually has a few classes with some friends. He told me that he was glad that he had a new locker because there was a really cute girl with a locker next to his. Oh my...he definately IS growing up toooo fast!!

What an eventful day!! He is really excited about Jr. High. I just hope he keeps up the positive attitude when he has tons of homework and doesnt want to do it all.

Hold onto your britches...we've got a teenager!

I still am in total shock that Austin is 13. Where has the time gone? I so vividly remember the day I had him. What a happy memory. When I was pregnant with Austin, I was in such a dark place in my life. Heavenly Father knew EXACTLY what I needed to bring me back. Austin entered my life at just the right time. I hate to even think about where I might be without him. The Lord really does know our needs and truley does bless us accordingly.

Austin IS "Something special to me". He is such a good example to everyone around him...including me. Sometimes he amazes me with the things he already knows. He has such a strong testimony and is so close to the spirit. I have had several oppertunities to have long talks with him...sometimes about nothing at all...but he never seizes to amaze me with his sweet, strong spirit. I can really see why the Lord saved him for these last days. He most definately is a "great and noble one". What I have ever done to be blessed with such a wonderful boy, I will never know. I am just thankful that my Heavenly Father loved me enough to send me this sweet young man. He has such a tender heart and would do anything for anyone.

Happy birthday Austin...I love you!

I promise to do my best to try to stay patient through these awkward teenage years. We're in it together! :)

Steel Days 5K

Last year we went to watch Jake run this race and Austin decided then that he wanted to do it too. He was so excited to run this year.

The kids got up early to come and cheer them on. ( I dont think they realized that it would be very little watching, and a lot of waiting!) They found their own entertainment while they patiently waited, and waited, and waited!

Jake placed 4th in his age group, and Austin placed 7th in his. He did a pretty dang good job. His time was 29.27. Not to shabby for a first run. I am so proud of him. He says he wants to do it again next year, and even Preston wants to run! I dont know where they find the energy to do it, but I am soooo glad they do!!

Good run bud! Keep up the good work.

You'd think they just got done running! I guess getting up at 6am wasn't all the fun they thought it would be.

GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN!

I have had sooo much fun playing with these pictures on fotoflexer. I think it is so cool what you can do to a picture. I never would have thought that this could be so much fun. I know, I know...simple pleasures for simple minds! Oh well, I thought I would share them anyway. If nothing else...the kids are so freakin cute...I just love em to pieces!!