Thank you President Monson

"The world can at times be a frightening place in which to live. The moral fabric of society seems to be unraveling at an alarming speed. None—whether young or old or in-between—is exempt from exposure to those things which have the potential to drag us down and destroy us. Our youth, our precious youth, in particular, face temptations we can scarcely comprehend. The adversary and his hosts seem to be working nonstop to cause our downfall.

We are waging a war with sin, my brothers and sisters, but we need not despair. It is a war we can and will win. Our Father in Heaven has given us the tools we need in order to do so. He is at the helm. We have nothing to fear. He is the God of light. He is the God of hope. I testify that He loves us—each one." - President Monson

First snow in Washington

Something magical about waking up to snow and my 8yr old singing "Glo-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-ria" as he plays "Angels we have heard on high" on the piano...maybe because they both are rare occurrences.

Boo...

said Halloween week as we all got a yucky stomach bug.  Blah!

Wild Kratts was our inspiration.

Jax- Black Jaguar Creature Power Suit
Tal- Rhino Creature Power Suit
Colt- Bat Creature Power Suit
Doug- Gourmon
Amber- Aviva, the creator of the Power Suits
Zlee- wish she could have been a turtle to be the Tortuga, but a Monkey hat had to do instead.

Here we are at the Ward Trunk or Treat.

Thriller by C&T

Fall Time!

Pumpkins, apples, and smiles!  We love the fall here!

 Oh, and the raspberries have begun.  She just blew them all day.  I love watching her learn knew things and delight in them.

 And I love watching her with Doug.  He just absolutely ADORES her!

General Conference Weekend Fall 2014

What we learned from General Conference this weekend:
1. Douglass McArthur- "preparing our children to serve by giving them responsibility and prayerfully seeking inspiration how to do that"
2. Amber- "the importance of personal revelation (seeking what God would want me to do), God speaks through His prophets & apostles, to use my creative talents in my mothering, and to be more like Christ"
3. Jax- "to read the scriptures"
4. Tal- "to listen to the Holy Ghost"
5. Colt- "to be more obedient"
6. Ezralee- LOVEs Elder Eyring...squealed in delight watching him!

What did you learn? ‪#‎LDSconf‬

That's what I posted in Facebook yesterday.  So in between sessions yesterday, we went for a walk because it was a beautiful sunny day (in the 70's).  I gave each of the boys their little clipboard and had them write a question they could ask their friends in the neighborhood.  

Jax chose: What did you learn from conference?

Talon: If you were to meet the prophet, what would you say?

Colton:  Do you follow the prophet?

There are several members in our neighborhood with young children, so they knocked on many of their friends doors and asked.  For as many answers as they wrote down, was how many toppings they could put on their ice cream sunday when we returned home.  Jax and Tal tied with 26 and Colt had 20.  It was fun way to get some exercise and reinforce what they were learning in conference.  

New School Year

Then we quickly rushed back to meet the teacher night and for the boys to get a good nights rest before school started the next day.  Glad I took these photos of the boys a few days before as the morning of a new school year sure is hectic.

I wrote on Facebook-

New school year- we discussed words that describe each kid...some that didn't make the photo are genius, sneaky, and wild.  Douglass McArthurwe have some great boys!

And yes, I know I spelled energetic wrong, but I was lucky to just put it together that morning that I wasn't about to change it. =)

We implemented a new routine, accompanied with a chart because some reason my kids need a visual reminder...they must be my children.

Ellensburg & Whidby Island over Labor Day weekend

Britta and I had so much fun talking about being moms and we did stay up past midnight discussing photography...so fun to have someone to share with.  LOVE HER!

Jason talked up some job opportunities/ideas...who knows, maybe these two will worked together one day...or maybe Britta and I are just dreaming.

So much fun to watch their 3 boys play with our 3 boys...gotta love boys!!!

 Boys sleeping on an air mattress with Dad...so cute!

After we visited our friends in Ellensburg, we decided to head over to visit Doug's parents who are serving a Military Relations mission on Whidby Island.  It was wonderful to see them and explore their beautiful island.

All the kids sleeping in the rain as we headed over to Seattle, WA.

 Quick stop to see the Seattle Temple.

 It was a Sunday, so the gates were locked...but the kids were traveling in pj's anyway, so this was a quick stop to nurse the baby, take a picture, and quickly get on the road again so we could make it to Grandma and Grandpa's church.

 A drive by photo, from the car.

 Here's the PACIFIC OCEAN!!!

 An old Army fort we explored and tried to see what sea life animals were out in the ocean.  No whales, but the head of a seal.

 Took the ferry over to Port Townsend and looked at the wood boats.  Doug wants to make one.

 Colt enjoyed rides on Grandpa and wearing his hat.  Lots of sail boats.

Tal enjoyed taking some pictures of Grandma and me.

 The windy ferry ride back...luckily it was a beautiful sunshiny day, so we enjoyed it!

 Tal took some more pictures back at the Oak Harbor Beach.  Jax and Colt were brave enough to play in the cold ocean water.

FAMILY PHOTOS 2014

Our dear friends the Ellis' (from Dental School), invited us to visit them at their parent's house in Ellensburg over Labor Day weekend.  I asked Britta if she would take some family photos for us.  She agreed and this is what amazingness came from it!