Fall into birthday FUN, festivies and family adventures!

October can be summed up into....Projects, Prayers, Play dates, Pumpkins and Parties!!! I'm tired just thinking about October, but there was so much progress on so many things, it's hard not to be excited about the path we are on.  God has continued to answer many prayers for our family and we are so grateful!  So here's the happenings from the month that was!!!

The front yard was on pause...so the back yard project was/is in full swing!

Saturdays....Cheer for Millie and the troops while Rich managed projects at home!

Moments like this melt my mama heart.

Meanwhile, back at the white house...Rich was home digging out the footings for the covered patio.

Stop Light selfies...a fun thing we do is the "stop light prayer of the morning"...if we happen to get stopped on our way to school...looks like this Tuesday we got stopped!!!  How do I know it's a Tuesday...well, I'm showered at drop off.  It only happens once a week :/

The almost 3 year old got her 1st big girl haircut!!!  All smiles for an afternoon of pampering!

In tonight's episode of what we do when Millie is at cheer practice...this looks like dinner at Beardslee!

And then one of your besties turns 40...and you celebrate lunch at the Cottage because life, kids, and life!!!

Fridays are meant for play dates with friends...I love when Friday nights are filled with friends and laughs!

 A special Saturday where just mommy went to watch Millie's game!!! Brrrr, it was officially fall and COLD!!!!

Continuing the fun with dinner at the Bells!!! These kids have been together since birth and it's so fun to see their friendships continue to grow...and even include LJ in the fun.

Sometimes you read something that just hits....so I share it from a book I'm reading!!!!

And then it was time for the HCA FUN RUN!!! Each kiddo raised over $500 and had lots of fun!  Millie's was delayed, but I know it was a blast!  LJ told me she "won the fun run"!!!

Griffin's class was FULL of energy!

And here come the footings....

Ahhhhh, this was an especially hard night where I had to leave these 3 behind and stand up and fight like there is no tomorrow.  So proud of my firing squad who supports me through all the challenges thrown at me.

The one where Millie's class went online for a few days...

Last regular game of the season...

And then it was the last days as a 2 year old and some party prep!!!

How is this little lady already 3...I blinked and she is a full on GIRL...not a baby, not a toddler...but a real girl.  Full of sparkle and sass!

Packing it all it...even made a quick trip out to the pumpkin patch!!! So fun to have all the years at Craven! This year felt a little "off"...but it's one to remember from a year that was a little more than "off"!

And then SHE was 3!!!!

Doesn't every 3 year old get a flashy purple car from her gg, auntie, grammy & papa?!?!  She lite up when she popped into thsi!

And they are OFF!

Special birthday celebrations for LJ!!!

And we can't forget this birthday boy...a throw back from life as a puppy and now he is 12!!!

Ok, one more celebration...and this time at SCHOOL!!!  Hello THREE, we sure celebrated in style.

Back from cheer and we got BOO'd from our friends....so fun to come home to some special treats!

This is 95!!! My sweet grandma turned 95 this month and we got to celebrate her in style <3

4 day weekend, check!

Trip to the lake, double check!

Trips to the LAKE....full of naps and full of CRAZY!!!

This view is something that NEVER gets old...it is the reward for the car ride, the moment we get to unplug, the chance to take a deep breath!!!  Ahh, Lake Roosevelt you have our heart!  It was extra special this trip over because we are now owners...and not just dreamers anymore! 

Welcome to the future home of Chinook Estates.  It might only look like a piece of dirt with a few trees scattered about, but this is our future Lake House.  Our dreams are coming to reality and I'm so excited for the days we get to welcome friends and family over to our little slice of heaven on earth!

Of course, we had to take the 1st Family picture on the property!  We stumbled around for names, but Rich very cheekily called it Chinook Estates (barrrrlettttta) and we laughed.  Perfect!!!  This is our little cabin.

The fruit tree...we are going to do everything we can to keep these on the land!  Swimming pool, check!  The kids couldn't wait to check it out and are counting the seconds until they can swim next summer!

Griffin has been asking for a CHILI dog FOREVER....Chili Dog 0, Griffin 1!!!! He conquered it like a BOSS!

Lazy mornings....

Lots of time spent mapping, plotting, planning...and dreaming!!

Planting our feet on this special spot.

Time at the lake is always s'More fun!!!

This will be our SUNRISE....every time at the lake <3!

A quick trip to the beach before heading home...

Leighton even got to test out her new purple fishing rod.

Back home and ready to kick out PUMPKINS with our PUMPKINS!

More projects...I can't even explain, but this truck saved the day.

Late night snack aka delay tactic to staying up later!

Ending the month with a fun fieldtrip with K-2 classes at Craven farms!!! So fun to have field trips back after Covid cancelled them last year!

The 2nd graders!

And then it was time to celebrate NINE!!!!

Griffin chose to have his besties over for pizza, cake and games!  The laughs and fun was contagious!

Ahhhh, if I could bottle up these friendships so that they are always near, I would jump!  So thankful for his little crew!!!

Saturday...Football playoffs! The Cougars won so we play again...bring on November football!

Trunk or Treat time at Heritage! Our unicorn, Link and Blippi had a blast!

The cousins met up for some fun.

And then it was his BIRTHDAY...multiple days of celebrating is how we do it in this family!

Of course, fun at Grammy & Papa's before the night ended with trick or treating!!

A jam packed weekend...I mean month!!!!

That's a wrap October...we had sooo much fun! We worked our tails off, celebrated every day and realized that we packed a little TOO much fun into the month, BUT.....that's how we roll!