First Day of School

 First day of 1st, 3rd, and 5th grade. The kids all got the teachers they were hoping for so they were all super excited for school to finally start.  

 They were up and ready more than early enough (and really have been every day so far) so we got in lots of pictures.  They all really wanted one with Finn.  I think it was the saddest day of the year for him.  He laid by the door all day waiting for them to come home.  He's gotten a little more used to it since then, but he mostly lays downstairs watching out the window for them, and he is always right there when they come home.

 Pretty sure his eyes are closed.  He picked this outfit out as his first day of school outfit weeks before school started and wouldn't budge on the long pants even though it was hot that day. 

 He required almost an entirely new wardrobe for school since he outgrew every pair of pants he owns, all of his shoes (he's in a 10.5 in mens now) and most of his t-shirts.

 Love her posing.  She wanted to wear shorts, but she apparently had a growth spurt the last few weeks of summer, and several of her pairs no longer fit, so she went with a skirt.  This girl loves wearing skirts.  We did have a parenting fail moment when we realized we still haven't taught her to tie shoes.  She normally wears boots or slip ons, but with PE this year we are going to have to wear tennis shoes and learn to tie them.

 This kid has come so far. I think every year previous he has been a bit nervous for school to start and been very shy.  This year he just took off with his crowd of buddies and has done great.  He loves his teacher, has been speaking up in class, and is adjusting to the new year without a problem. 

 Cute brothers.  I will be sad when they aren't at school together next year.  I know they never see each other, but I think they like knowing their buddy is there if they need them.

It was a great first day and we had three happy kids at pick-up.  We've got high hopes it is going to be a fantastic year for these three!

Evan is 11!

 To finish out our year of the friend party, we had a bowling party for Evan.  He got to invite 5 friends - only because that was how many fit in my car.

 We had to do some last minute change of plans after the bowling alley we were supposed to go to informed me I probably wouldn't get a lane, but it all worked out.

  They all seemed to have fun bowling, despite the fact that none of them were fantastic bowlers.  We used bumpers, and for one frame every kid had to use the ramp to keep things interesting.

 After bowling we came back to our place for gifts, cake, and ice cream.  Probably the easiest party we did this year and I think Evan had a blast.

 

 Brandon drew on the table cloth to make it looking like a bowling lane, and I frosted the cupcakes like little bowling balls.

 Then a few days later we had Evan's family party.  This time Brandon had to do a cake with two pins to look like an 11.  

 He is getting old and now thinks clothes are a great gift.

 He requested the hat too.

I am still a little in shock at how old he is.  He only has one year of elementary school left, and is now old enough to babysit his siblings.  I'm not ready.  He is growing into a pretty great young man though.  He loves playing with his friends still, being goofy, reading anything he can get his hands on about greek mythology, playing soccer, and being with family.  Primary (at church) does a little survey for their birthdays and he said the thing he was most proud of about himself was his family.  I'm sure the day is coming where he will quit liking us so much for a while, but for now we are still his favorite and I love it.  Happy 11th Birthday Evan!

Devan and Meeja

 We were lucky to get to go to our nephew Devan and his wife Meeja's sealing in August.  The kids have really started to enjoy getting to see different temples, and they were so excited to go inside the Portland temple and get to see the atrium.  

 Love the awkward posing.

 Devan and Meeja both looked fabulous and it was so good to see them.

 Kyle and Nathan. Of all the Stucki cousins, this is the one people think Kyle looks the most like.  

All of the cousins in attendance.  I'm so glad my kids have such great cousin examples to look up to.  Derek, Alec, and Nick were super sweet and took our kids to play while we were inside for the sealing.  There was a ton of smoke that day because of a change in wind from the eastern Oregon/Washington fires, which made things memorable.  So glad we were able to go.

Grace turns 6!

I'm still a little bit in denial, but our baby girl turned 6!

 She has been really into Monster High for about a year and requested a Monster High birthday. Lucky for Brandon, this seemed to be a pretty easy cake to decorate.

 We did her family party a few days before her actual birthday.  We didn't do much, just cake, ice cream, presents, and let the kids run wild.  She loved it.

 She got legos, Monster High stuff, some money, kinetic sand, and lip gloss - everything she wanted and more.

 I love her big smile.  She was so happy it was finally her birthday.

 Finn lazing around after the party.  I've been trying to take more pictures of him/with him since he is a major part of life around here.

 As soon as everyone went home it was time to start lego construction.  She was determined to make them all herself, and Kyle was very sweet to just help her along while she got to do it.

 On her actual birthday we let her have her first ever friend party.  She was counting down the days.

 Michael may have pulled off the favorite present with these "big eye dolls."  She has been wanting some of these from the store forever, so when his mom asked for suggestions I mentioned it.  He even managed to pick out the pink cheetah one that was her favorite.

 She was thrilled with all of her gifts which is always nice.

 I love her facial expressions.  Kyle was my party photographer, and he took some pretty fun pictures.

 

 We played charades before presents, then after presents each kid got to frost their own cupcake.  They all enjoyed piling frosting and sprinkles on, then very few ate them.  Oh well, whatever kept them entertained:)

 They giggled and chatted for a while eating, then we went back to charades and dancing til it was time for parents to come back.

 This is her best buddy Adie. 

  That night, after the party, she got to go out on her Grandma and Grandpa date.  The kids love this tradition.  She was very excited to go to dinner at Olive Garden, which apparently she didn't remember having done before.  She thought the breadsticks were so delicious she brought some home for all of us to try which I thought was adorable.  This outfit is what she picked out on her date, shoes and all.  She came home and told us all about picking it out, finding the right sizes, etc.  

We are so glad we have this spunky girl in our family.  She is giving us a run for our money, but she is so sweet, thoughtful, and kind.  She is always there to check on somebody when they don't feel well, she loves to snuggle with her puppy, love playing with her friends, playing in the dirt, and just having fun.  Happy Birthday Gracie!