Date Night with TWO

Grandma Moni has a tradition that she comes over and takes the older two to the movies and we go to dinner with just the little girls. They went to go see Little Foot.
We went to Red Lobster or maybe a mini zoo....

The hostess got out the lobster for the girls to hold and had it take crayons from them. They were not scared at all.

Primary Program 2018

Every October our church has a Primary Program during our Sacrament service. 

They sing songs and also each get to go up to the podium and say a part that they have chosen themselves. It is not necessary to memorize but I always encourage and practice with our children to do so. 

This was Coraline's first time doing her speaking part. 

"I Can Choose the Right by Helping my Mom Cook Dinner" 

Nephi's Part

"Because the Priesthood was Restored, my dad gave me a Father's blessing when I was getting ready to start CC and it helped me a lot."

CC is our homeschooling program and Levi gives us all (including myself) blessings to start off our school year. 

Clairana's Part

"I followed Jesus Christ by being baptized and confirmed. I am trying to keep my baptismal covenants so when I repent I feel happy."

Soccer Season 2018

The crazy soccer season has come to an END! 

It was fun to have three on different teams but this pregnant mama is glad we can rest on Saturday mornings now. 

The weather went from completely hot to freezing cold....

We had lots of visitors on our last game day which was lots of fun! 

Nephi's Team

Coraline's Team - So adorable! Hopefully we never forget how she had to hold the coach's hand to help him run almost every game. We will see how she feels about soccer next year.....

Clairana's Team - PS this may be the only year Levi does not coach her.... I am just guessing.....

Kelly & Reni (Levi's dad and stepmother) showed up for the last game and Kelly played a little soccer with Cabella too! 

Conner Prairie - Family Day

We have had lots of appointments and craziness in our house lately with the upcoming baby I wanted to do something before we stayed home for a few months and settled in for winter. 

We have had lots of ideas but summer was fading fast so Levi took the day off work and we headed to Conner Prairie with the kids. 

It was such a nice day and we got to ride on the hot air balloon which went up 400 feet and was WAY higher and neater than we thought it would be! 

Corn Maze

Show on the Civil War battle in Indiana - Battle of Corydon

Soldiers!

Over 400 pieces ready to be finished - they only light the kiln twice a year.

This is Clairana's favorite part - the pottery lady 

Levi hanging out with these two while the rest of us were in the bathroom. 

They were getting ready for an orchestra to play so we had to go check out the large set-up.

Farm Life

Pumpkin Patch!

We planted pumpkins last year - mostly by accident and we thought for sure we would have lots of large pumpkins....instead we have LOTS of little 'fancy' pumpkins. 

It has been so fun to give them to people as gifts. 

Plus, I didn't realize how expensive these little pumpkins are at the store!

We decorate Mamaw & Papaw's porch as a secret surprise and we gave one to each of our CC friends after our family presentation. 

We met friends to help pick up hay before the storm came.
 

Smith Party - Fight Night

Our good friends always throw parties when a boxing or UFC fight is happening. 

Its super fun for our whole family because we get to stay up till the wee hours of the morning and each yummy food in our pajamas at their house. 

They have three boys and have two nephews (who they have very often due to their brother in law passing away unexpectedly) so the fun is crazy with all the littles. 

It always ends with lots of carrying little people to the car around 2 am. 

I remember having memories of my parents playing cards with family or friends till the wee hours of the morning while we got to play.

Not the best pictures but around midnight we started them a show.  

Soccer Life

 Team pictures this year were a bit crazy and the only one I could snag a photo of was Nephi's team. 

Games were cancelled for two weeks in a row due to the rain and then it ended up only about half of each team showed up for pictures so we didn't buy any. 

Coraline 

Levi holding Coraline's hand - some say she was helping him run and others ....he was helping her....

Goalie

Jaxsen & Coraline - they have really grown closer this year.

Purdue Vet Clinic

Last week, Purdue University had a free clinic for elementary school age kids to meet their veterinarians and sit in on a lecture in one of their lecture halls. 

We ended up taking the whole crew which was entertaining for everyone. 

I must say Nephi was a lot more interested than I thought he would be. 

Clairana was of course in love and was asking the vets all sorts of questions. I didn't get many pictures of her because she was so busy exploring. 

Maybe we lite a fire....

I hope to take advantage of all the clinics they have on our local campus to give them a sense of different careers. 

They have a new clinic almost every month. Hopefully, we can make it a priority to go. 

Coraline was so proud she bandaged up the horse's leg. 

Listening to the heartbeat

Putting a harness on properly. 

We even went home with school supplies with animals on them! 

Homeschooling

Homeschooling is my favorite. We do Classical Conversations with several other families once a week at a local church building. Every week a different family gets to present about their family. 

This was our week! Levi was able to come join us. They sent me this photo afterwards and I just love it.

Each week the kids do presentations and this is Maggie's presentation - she is in a martial arts class and of course used Nephi to show her moves!
He was so starstruck that I had to tell him it was time to 'tap out' so Maggie would let him go. 

Writing lesson last week - letters to MiMi (Levi's mom) in Washington. I love how homeschooling gives us the time to be able to practice and warm someone else's heart as well. 

 Some of the little CC goers - nursery/preschool

CC official classes start at 4 but after creating a schedule and structure for our preschool, I decided to keep Coraline in this class as well - plus she loves it. 

Ages range from about 18 mths - 4.

Plus it helps her and Bella's relationship grow stronger by being without me and together.