Beach Trip with Hancock’s

11/7—Months ago Chad (Darrin’s bro) arranged to get a beach house the next time Darrin’s parents were in town.  All 3 brothers and their families came as well as Libby and James from UT.  It was so nice and relaxing, and we really lucked out with the weather on the Oregon Coast in November. 

We were the first ones to the house on Friday night.  Our kids found this old school game of Hangman (the same one I played as a kid) to pass the time while they waited for their cousins to come. 

Side story:  I noticed the band-aid on Luke’s head and forgot to mention his exciting walk home from school the day before (11/6).  He was walking home with his brothers and before they left the school grounds he was jumping on some metal covers that lead to underground.  Well apparently they were wet and slippery and he fell and hit his head on the raised concrete that surrounds them.  He got a deep little cut on his head and was bleeding a lot.  The crossing guard saw him bleeding profusely and walked the boys back in the school.  The school secretary called and let me know I should probably come pick them up.  Just about the same time 2 friends called and texted letting me know something had happened to Luke.  He was obviously very watched out for.  I hurried to the school not really knowing what to expect.  The cut was small, but it probably could have used a stitch or some glue, but I opted not to worry about it.  Hopefully the scar isn’t too bad!  It was quite the exciting day.  Luke said he’s never going to walk on those metal covers again.  lol. 

Anyway-back to the beach house.  The cousins and grandma and grandpa finally showed up and we went to get some pizza for dinner.  The pizza was just okay, but we were starving so it tasted good anyway. 

11/8—The next day we woke up to blue skies!  The kids were itching to get to the beach and play so off we went…in their swimming suits.  in November.  in Oregon.  The high was about 60, but they insisted on it! 

The kids played in the water and sand for a good couple hours.  We had to drag them home for lunch. 

Luke found this long piece of sea weed and loved playing with it. 

Later it was used as a jump rope for Andrew.  Love his long hair flying around as he jumped.

After lunch Ella worked on a puzzle with Grandma and Grandpa. 

The kids got in the hot tub. 

We watched the sunset from the balcony. 

Ella loved playing with and watching Reagan's every move.  She’s fascinated by babies!  It was cute to watch her. 

The girls did a craft;  we made a Thanksgiving banner. 

And the boys played in a late night Clash of Clans war.  lol.  #nerds

11/9—We went to Stake Conference in Lincoln City. 

After church we relaxed and played.  The cousins love to play monopoly together.  Tanya and Libby made a super yummy ham and baked potato dinner.  It smelled like Christmas!

11/10—Upon doing some after church exploring, we found this park down by the lake.  The kids insisted we go there Monday morning on the way home.  It was definitely a different park than you normally see these days, but it took me back to my childhood.  10 imaginary points if you know what Windjammer Way is.  lol. 

Love these goofy kiddos!!

After we made it home, we ate a quick lunch and then met the cousins at the movies to see Big Hero 6.  It was a cute movie.  And just for the record, Ella isn’t quite old enough for movies.  She ate one cup of popcorn, talked Julie into getting her pink ice cream, and wandered the halls of the theater for the last 20 minutes.  Oh-well.  It could have been worse. 

At dinner time we had the family over for tacos and pie. 

And Ella got more play time with Reagan. 

11/11—Grandma and Grandpa left to head back home. 

We were sad to see them go!!  We had such a nice visit and are glad they made the trek out here!

xoxoxoxoxo

miscellaneous stuff

10/30—We did our civic duty.

11/2—Ella loves it when her daddy puts her to bed.  They read about 10 books, sing songs, etc… No wonder she doesn’t want me to do it.  I’m not even close to that fun.  I caught these great pictures of them reading one of her favorite books. 

11/4—Got my crafty on and turned one of these curtains…

into this.  I totally didn’t expect it to turn out so I was quite proud of myself when it actually did!!  Go me!

11/4—Ella and her bunny slippers.  Too cute!!

11/7—Our neighborhood “breakfast group” had a little brunch for Laurie to celebrate her b-day.  Amy made yummy food and the cake was delish. ha! 

11/13—We were supposed to get 3ish inches of snow, so they cancelled school.  Yeah.  It never snowed.  Yay for a free day!  I made the kids help me clean the garage.  It was awesome.

Stay tuned for details on our beach trip!

xoxoxoxo

The end and start of soccer

11/1—Josh and Andrew both had their last soccer games.  The weather was great soccer weather.  We really lucked out this season with the rain.  We only had one day of rainy games. 

Josh’s team played Forest Grove and had a hard loss.  Andrew’s team won. 

After Andrew’s game, they had their end of the season party at a near by park.  Every brought food to share.  It was a feast!!

Andrew and his soccer buddies: Nolan and Jake.

Go Jedi Knights!  This team was a great group of boys-most of who didn’t have a lot of experience with soccer.  The beginning of the season was rough and they lost several games in a row.  But half way through the season, something clicked, and they transformed into a winning team. 

Andrew and Jake showing off their medals.

 

11/11—Josh had his soccer party at Del Taco.  Their team name was We Eat Tacos or WET for short, so a taco establishment was only appropriate. 

Many of these boys have been on Darrin’s team year after year.  It’s been fun to get to know them so well.

Great season Josh!  He turned into a great little player this season and gained quite the reputation.  I would hear parents from the other team yelling, “Watch out for the kid in the yellow socks!”  His speed, skills, and determination make him a great player!

And just when we thought we’d get a break from soccer, Andrew started playing a season of indoor soccer at the same place his dad plays.  The indoor soccer games are such high paced games that it’s even more intense watching those than normal outdoor ones!   Andrew scored 1 of his team’s 2 goals that night. 

And so it begins again…

Halloween 2014

10/30—Carving pumpkins!  Our kids LOVE to do this.  Ella even got in on the fun this year.  She was pretty hesitant to touch the pumpkin goo at first, but once she watched the boys for awhile she dug in. 

So proud of his pumpkin!

10/31—Katie and Ella on Halloween morning.  We were on our way to the neighbors for breakfast and coffee…or hot chocolate if you’re me. lol.  I had so much fun hanging out with Lucy, Laurie, Jaimey and Amy.  Love my neighbors!

We came home to make more sugar cookies.  I had already made a double batch the day before, but love the dough so much that half of it was already gone.  oops.

Halloween dinner: Apple lips and mummy dogs. 

The weather was beautiful most of the day until about an hour before trick or treating.  Then it started POURING rain!  Luckily it didn’t last all night. 

Costumes: Creepy masked man, a red man, a ninja, and Hello Kitty.

Photo bombing at it’s finest. 

Ella loved trick or treating!  She caught on very quick and her brothers were good to help and wait for her.  There was one house in the neighborhood that was decorated super scary.  She cried for 10 minutes about how she didn’t want to go to the scary house.  It was kinda funny.  We came back home and passed out candy while Darrin took the boys out some more.

It was a great low key Halloween! 

BOO!