Weekend Fun

We had a fun weekend with some great people.  Friday evening we had dessert with some of my high school buddies, it was fun to see them, even though I didn’t take any pictures.  Saturday we went to our good friends, Josh and Penny’s.  It was a great evening.  The kids had a great time playing together and the adults had fun playing games (it really was fun playing games, Penny) and chatting.  Thanks for your hospitality!!

Sunday we went to what is our 3rd (I think) annual pumpkin carving with our neighbors.  Thanks to Dan and Wendy for hosting!

You can’t have it

I feel like a big lesson I have been working on/learning this past year has been to not let the little things in life take away my joy.  As I’ve thought about this as I’ve read different books, or heard different speakers, or observed different people in my life, I am just struck by how joy can be a choice at times.  You can be having a truly awful day and turn around and make sure that everybody else that crosses your path has a truly awful day as well.  I’ve just been thinking about how ugly that really is.  So, I’ve been praying a lot that God would help me keep my joy and it may sound stupid, but sometimes I say outloud, “Satan, you can’t have it.”  The past week or so has been a little rough with some sickness and health scares with our kiddos, but I have really tried to be mindful that my circumstances don’t affect my mood.  I have not been able to stay “grouch-free” the whole time, but I have come a long way.  Just focusing on the upside, focusing on how much is going right, and praying for grace has really helped me in a situation that previously I would have allowed to make me (and everyone around me) quite crabby.  So, I encourage you today, whether your day is going well or not so well, don’t let Satan have your joy.  

Here are a few pictures from our week.

This boy loves mashed potatoes.

Lincoln was so tired one night that he fell asleep at the table.

We had a little incident with our garbage disposal and Creighton felt he needed to help Daddy with the repair.

Rader’s

On a whim, Bethany and I decided to run another 5K on Saturday.  When we crossed the finish line (after we could breathe again) we were both pumped to realize that we met our time goals we made in the spring, and we also met our goal for this race, which was simply not to quit.  I just have to give a shout-out to Bethany who not only didn’t quit, she ran without music and had to listen to me gasp for air the whole time.  Way to go, girl, I’m proud of you!  This is a horrible picture of me, but hey, we had to record the moment. =)

Kate and Kiana have really hit it off lately.  They are quite the pair.  Kiana went with us to Rader’s today.  It was our second annual trip to Rader’s on Columbus day.  Mike again graciously agreed to take the morning off of work to go with us and a big thanks to my mom for watching Creighton so we could have some special time with the older kids! 

         

This was my favorite picture of the day.  =)  Mike and Ki jumping.

Grams requested an updated picture of Creighton.  I tried, but he was not super cooperative.

This is just to prove to all you people out there who insist the Creighton is never bad – I beg to differ…

Grandma Lydia

Don’t have much to share today, but wanted to include this picture of Mike’s sweet grandma. =)  We had the opportunity to spend some time with her this past weekend. 

Dance Party

Creighton loves music.  If the song has even the slightest hint of a beat he is all about turning it up and dancing.  He often climbs up on the couch and pushes buttons on the stereo until he figures out how to make a song play.  The kids had this little dance party on the couch.....These kids are crazy, but we have so much fun with them. :)  So, for your viewing pleasure, I am trying to post a video of their most recent dance fest. :)

Rassi Campout

We had the annual Rassi Family Campout this past weekend.   It was a lot of fun as usual.  Greg even arranged to have a giant bounce house/obstacle course that the kids did all day Saturday and never got tired of it.  I have to admit, it was pretty fun.  Thanks, Greg!  I didn’t take many pictures, except of the bounce house, so pardon the repetition.  Thanks Dad and Mom for hosting the campout again!  We look forward to it!

          

Happy Birthday, Michael!

One evening last week, William and Norah joined us for supper.  The kids had fun eating outside.

Creighton is a hand-full right now.  He climbs and climbs (and falls) and climbs and destroys everything in sight.  I think I’m too old for this!  Last week he climbed up on an end table and fell off on his head.  We tried to get a picture of his busted lip and fat lip, but he won’t sit still long enough for such nonsense.  Pardon the supper mess still on his face.

 

Friday evening, we had a deck campfire and roasted marshmallows with our good buddies, Justin and Melissa and kiddos.  Our kids now want to have a fire every night.  =)

   

I found this Buzz Lightyear outfit at a garage sale.  Linc wasted no time in wearing it around the house.

Creighton likes to mimic the older kids. Kate often colors this way, so anytime Creigh picks up a crayon or marker, he lays down to use it.  Complete with his feet up and everything.

 

Last, but not least, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my hubby today!!  Hope you have a great day!!