Halloween Excitement in the Air!

The kids are so excited for Halloween, as usual. We decided to buy the costumes early this year while they still have a choice and they are not all picked over. I took Ava while the boys were in school and she picked Snow White. Snow White has been her favorite princess ever since she could form an oppinion on the subject. You can see how beautiful she thinks she is (and I quite agree). When Jake and Brad got home, they couldn't stand it until they got to go pick out theirs so off we went again. Jake said, even before we got there, that he wanted to be a Werewolf this year. Brad wasn't sure and wanted to see what was available. So here they are. Jake the Werewolf and Brad the Ninja. We also discovered that our dog, Lacy, does NOT like the Werewolf mask. I had her outside and when we came in Brad popped out with the mask on and Lacy freaked! I had to tell him to take it off quick and show her it was just him. A little too realistic I guess:)

Seriously?!!

It is so embarrassing to post these pictures of myself but let's be truthful-I am overweight and out of shape. My friend, Natalie Holley, asked if I would play soccer for an indoor league in Utah County. I of course said yes not thinking of how things probably wouldn't be the same as high school. And surprise, they aren't! Most of the girls are right out of high school or early twenties. Even my friend is 6 or 7 years younger than me. But I must say after playing two games that it's starting to come back. I know if I lost some weight I could play even better and who knows maybe give those youngsters a run for their money. This really has inspired me to try harder to lose weight and get in shape!!

Football hits the Ralph Home

Ethan has been wanting to play football for several years now but I have been resisting. At the neighborhood party Dennis and I were talking to the dad of one of Ethan's friends who told us that his son's team sure could use a few bigger boys. Dennis asked if it would be too late for Ethan to join them and the man didn't think it would so . . .here he is in uniform. He's had a couple of practices and loves it but says he needs to be more aggressive (he's worried he might hurt someone). We're still waiting to see if the league will let him play in the games since he joined the team after they already played three games. It will be good experience for next year at least and he is really enjoying it. He even said he is not going to eat sweets while playing sports (he has a friend at school who does this). Anyway, I just hope he stays safe and healthy!

Ethan is 14 years old!

My little "sunshine" is not so little anymore! Ethan Daniel turned 14 on the 19th. He still brings us just as much light and joy as he always did as a little boy. He has a tender heart and wants to be a friend to everyone. It has been amazing to see him grow in his testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He is so excited to receive his Patriarchal Blessing now that he is old enough and is looking forward to being a hometeacher and a part of the Teachers' Quorum.
On the 19th we went to church in the morning and then had a special dinner for Ethan in the evening with Grandma and Grandpa Ralph. Ethan wanted a roast with baby carrots and mashed potatoes for supper. We then played "Rook" for quite a while. Dennis thought it would be great to go golfing with Ethan so for his birthday he got left-handed clubs for golf and a fishing pole (he loves to fish). It was a pretty low-key birthday but I think he thoroughly enjoyed it.

Potty-training for the Last Time!

My little Angel, my little Wolf, is on the road to true independence! Yesterday was the first day and it didn't go so well. She had 4 accidents but I think it was because she had to leave the house and go with me and the brothers to piano lessons. And then she went to play with friends in the backyard and was too busy to come in. But today has been wonderful! We even went to Grandma and Grandpa Merrill's house and she hasn't had even one accident! She took her little Dora toilet seat with her and when she's at home she doesn't even need me to help her. I can't believe we are almost through with diapers. Yay!

Grandpa's little "Tess"

Well, here she is-Grandpa's little puppy. I think they have settled on the name, Tess for her. She is the cutest little thing and seems to be very intelligent. She will definitely keep him busy as she needs to go outside quite often and is very active. I'm glad he will have her to raise and train and pal around with while he takes care of his gardens. She is a retriever mix. Isn't she beautiful?!

Jake's Baptism Day

Jake had a wonderful baptism! He was baptized along with 10 other children from our Stake. We had lots of family and a few friends and it was just a beautiful day. Jake was shy about standing in front of everyone when the Stake Primary President introduced him but he was really so excited about this day!