Wind tossed and sun kissed

If only I could look this adorable on a windy day. I could just eat her up when she wears those 

Kelsey's teacher was so cute about taking pictures of their class. She often with emails pictures of activities that they did throughout the week or the day. I thought this one was cute of the whole little kindergarten class trying on the kindness poster. Miss Ferreira was a phenomenal teacher. We will really miss her

Andrea emailed me this picture she found on her computer. It was probably 2011 but we aren't certain. We are certain however, that we look much younger and a little more well rested without or the plus ones

New family picture

Jen butler took this picture so I took a picture of the her picture because it's just too darn cute.

Rainy Day Miracle

About 3 weeks ago we had a terribly rainy week. It was the week before Halloween and it just rained all day every day for like 4 days straight. We did an okay job keeping our spirits high, but when Saturday rolled around and it was still raining we were just spent. We had already run our errands and done things in the morning and it was about 2 pm. I could feel myself start to get super annoyed and testy with life but especially the girls. They just needed to get out and I needed to remember that they are wonderful people even if they are going crazy at times. I was starting to boil and the rain came harder and harder and I was just about to lose it, when I had the calmest thought to send the girls outside. It was the sweetest and most precious tender mercy in the whole world. It was like a huge light bulb of DUH!! The girls LOVE to play in the rain and use their umbrellas and splash in puddles. They dont need to be inside?! So we bundled them up, gave them their umbrellas, and didn't see them for about 45 minutes.
It was amazing the change that I started to feel because I acted on a prompting. Instead of being upset and running around cleaning or something, I found myself watching them and laughing with them and their happiness. They splashed and kicked water, and jumped in mud, and sang and danced and played and played and played. They were so so happy.
Yes it was a little messy getting them back in and yes they were freezing and went straight to the tub and hot cocoa, and yes their pants are now stained, but what was going to be an awful day turned into one of peace and a great lesson for me. I am so grateful that the Spirit guides us even in the smallest details in our lives. I know the Lord cares about everything we do, big and small.

Halloween

Halloween was so fun this year, but not gonna lie, this was the first  year that I was just DONE!! As a kid Halloween was like the greatest night of the year, but now as an adult, as soon as the night was over we just crashed! We were TIRED!!!

We tried to do little things all month long like eating on pumpkin plates, crafts and decorating, and eating lots of Halloween treats, but the most fun was obviously the weekend before Halloween and the day itself.

The Saturday before Halloween we had the ward party which was complete with a carnival, taco salad, a parade, and a cake walk. Kelsey was a super kitty and Madison was a kitty but then changed her mind and wanted to wear a dress up and then changed her mind and morphed into what you see. Whateves.  Ethan was a newsie and I wore Brooklyn's shirt that she made for herself the year before. Thank you Brooklynn!!!

Kelsey loved her costume. You can't see the tail in the back, but I even got crazy and bought a 5 dollar tail. I know. I'm such a wild one when it comes to costumes.

The weather all weekend and then into Halloween was absolutely perfect. It was so sunny and so fall like. I almost cried with happiness everyday. They said it was the first year since 2006 that there hasn't been rain on Halloween. PUT YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR!!!!

Unfortunately we had to miss the Amazon party, but I got to help at the kindergarten party and it really was just a blast. I love that I get to be involved in school things now.

After the school party we came home to kind of wind down and then gear up for trick or treating. Well, Madison sort of lost it in this window and since I got tired I too lost it and everyone was yelling and tired and hungry and then crying and it was a joke getting out the door. I feel terrible because I just can't let them have fun in their own way. I always say I want them to be independent but then when they are, I try to control them back into my way of thinking. I hate that I do that. It drives me crazy and I know they can't love it either.
Eventually Madison and I calmed down and we apologized and everyone was ready to go. It was FREEZING because there were no clouds, but it was so clear and fun.
Madison probably tried on 6 costumes, but Ethan helped her settle on Minnie ears and painting her face. They had coats on so it really didn't matter anyway. Plus I thought she looked adorable. Kelsey stuck with the adorable kitty that she was.

I guess Madison didn't remember trick or treating because it took a house or two, but once she got it down there was no stopping her. Kelsey on the other hand started to get super sick during trick or treating. At first we thought it was just over stimulation because of all that had happened that day, but when she asked to go home after 30 minutes we started to wonder if something was actually wrong. We made her power through for like an hour and then felt terrible because when we got home she was on fire and could barely talk. We felt terrible. She was so sick!

We went to the Dayelys real fast, but realized that that was a bad idea. We all were so tried and poor Kelsey was trying to make the most of what she could with the health that she had. We got home and got everyone in bed as fast as we could. It was a fun and sunny Halloween, but hopefully next year I let the kids have fun in their own way, and no one gets sick.

October

To sum up October outside of Halloween:
~It was beautiful weather and we hardly ever saw rain (answered prayers!!)
~Kelsey got pink eye, and a terrible cold that gave her a fever and a cough that wouldn't end
~Madison got pink eye, an ear infection that made everything sinus related gross, and a fever like cold
~Madison fell asleep everywhere but her bed
~ Ethan got a new phone

Trip to the Seattle Arboretum one Friday afternoon. Someone gave Madison fish pellets  and she fed the fish each individual pellet until they were all gone. There were about 100 pellets! It took forever, but it was the sort of thing where we just sat on the bridge for like 25 minutes and enjoyed the sun.

 She's in the rug!!! She did this for about 20 nights in a row. It was hilarious and we still don't know why

 For the first time since she was about 9 months old, Madison fell asleep in church. It was the most peaceful sacrament and sunday school I have ever had.

 Our favorite time of day might be after we drop Kelsey off at the bus stop because we can casually take our time getting home. Getting out the door can be stressful, but going home is so much more relaxed and leaves way more time for puddle jumping

 Look at them!! When did this happen. It makes me so sad, but they are beautiful inside and out. I really wouldn't change the time we are in now even though I miss my babies so much

 Because I have the best friends in the whole world: a package of grahams and frosting to get me through the final weeks!!

 She is actually sporting an ear infection but her mother is incapable of noticing the signs. In my defense, this particular day we spent painting nails, drawing with chalk, riding scooters, and playing dress up all outside with this happy face so I don't think I'm totally to blame. She is just too happy these days for her own good!! I didn't even know she needed so much help!

 After bus shenanigans!

 But here is where the ear infection started to kick in on the third day of "acting weird." Look at her poor little face. I felt horrible

 Just a beautiful fall day that everyone told us last year existed but we thought was just a fairy tale

 Stranger Things at the Salmon's

 Because stick on tattoos 30 seconds before church starts is that cool!!

 Her smile can light up an room

Ethan got a new phone

Ethan recently got a new phone and the camera has been blowing our minds. While Kelsey was at Gideon's birthday party, the rest of us went on a walk and played around with the camera. The shadowing and lighting is not professional, but for a phone, these turned out pretty great. We also had a lot of fun with the slo-mo feature.

 37 weeks