September was hot and crazy and busy and fast and wonderful!
It started off with Eve finally having HER first day of school the Tuesday after Labor Day. She asked a lot when her first day would be after the boys started and was so excited it was finally here!
It was so cute that she got some socks on while she was waiting for me to get ready because she hears me tell the boys every day to get their shoes and socks on before they go. I love her to pieces!
She insisted on the pink pony purse and I couldn't resist!
I love every single face and pose she makes! She is amazing.
I am also so glad I agreed to do this preschool co-op with friends from the ward again. I initially said no because I get weird about committing my time to stuff, but last spring I realized I needed time to myself and that I needed to commit to a few things to make sure Eve gets the interaction and time with others her age that she needs and craves. I have already taught one time and it was a piece of cake with cute kids and fun for me and her. It's also way easier than when I did it with the boys because I always had a baby with them. Not worrying about another little has been really nice! Yay for cute little kids and house school!
TEXAS vs. SAN JOSE STATE
We finally checked this big To Do off of our bucket list...we went to a Longhorns football game! Brian was looking at tickets and found nose bleeds for $18 each! That is unheard of so we talked to Todd and Kelsie and they got 4 tickets for their family and we headed to Austin on a warm, sunny Saturday afternoon.
Our seats were pretty high up there, but Texas knows how to do things right and we soaked it all in!
Christian is just so adorable and does his own thing and is in his own world most of the time and he just sat there and observed it all-
Eve did her own thing also and cheered and danced and threw up the Hook 'Em sign whenever she could!
We saw Matthew McConaughey a few times on the McConaughCam! He graduated from UT and attends the games and it was fun to see him wave and be nice to all the fans!
It was a toasty day and the nose bleeds definitely weren't keeping us cool. Kelsie and I spent a lot of time in the shade under the bleachers with the little ones, but definitely got our fill of the Longhorns experience.
Dad found these towels soaked with cold water with the boys and the kids took turns wearing and waving them around.
These boys are on their way to becoming big football fans and we couldn't be happier about it!
What a fun football experience to have with our favorite Texans!
Security wouldn't let us take the elevators and June and Christian got pretty tired walking down the switchbacks from the top of the stadium and they got these awesome shoulder rides from their parents-
Our kids were pretty beat after a long day in the sun and us making them walk down the switchbacks themselves and the zonked out in the car as soon as we started driving-
We sure love our baby Longhorns!
We stopped at Mighty Fine on our way home for some dinner before heading to our place for dessert and to watch the BYU vs. Utah game. Brian has a friend in the PhD program, Ryan Hess, that graduated from Utah so he and his girlfriend came to watch it with all of us and we had a blast cheering for the Utes! I fell asleep halfway through the 3rd quarter (because 9:15pm start time), but I was proud of the Utesand their win nonetheless!
Hurricane Harvey Clean Up
The day after Eve's birthday Brian and I were able to help our stake in its assignment to help with clean up in Houston after Hurricane Harvey. Our stake was assigned for three weekends in a row and we went the second Sunday we were on assignment.
It was devastating to see street after street after street lined exactly like this one. People's entire lives on their front lawns.
We were assigned to help a beautiful couple originally from Venezuela who were going to move into their new home the weekend of the hurricane. Their house didn't have their belongings, but it sat with 3-4 feet of water for a couple days doing some major structural damage to their brick home.
I spent all day inside doing some fine tune cleaning getting debris and stuff out of the cracks so that it could be assessed better on what their best option will be. Brian was outside with Ryan Ballestero all day pulling out the fence that was soaked and ruined.
It was a very humbling experience. I am so grateful that we were safe during the storm and also that we could go and help those who lost so much. I continue to think about and pray for them often because there is a long road ahead of all the people affected by this horrible storm.
Pecan Street Festival
Brian heard good things about the street festival in Austin, so we headed down on a Saturday to get in some much needed fun family time.
We walked the street with all the vendors and food and the kids were getting bored, so we gave in and spent the money to get some tickets for the 2-second rides. But totally worth it because they loved it!
At first Wes didn't want to do the rock wall because he was nervous about the height, but once Thad was doing it, he joined right in. It surprises me when he has reservations because he is pretty fearless most of the time!
Thad ALMOST made it to the top to right the bell. He did awesome!
Eve spent her tickets on the bounce house and did not regret it!
We got some yummy kettle corn and SWAG before leaving and passed a fun performer on our way out that we stopped and watched for a bit.
I can't remember his name, but that guy on the stage is a Christian college student that was rapping about being confident and happy and it was great. Wes was super ready to leave, but we had to say that we enjoyed some live music while we were there!
Other Random Moments
Brian was mowing the law and Eve wanted to watch him and he saw her and they both loved it!
Daddy-daughter love is pretty awesome.
Wes became a little photographer one Sunday afternoon while Brian and I were helping Thad with Scout/Faith in God stuff. I had to document because he thinks he super funny-
I wonder where he gets that from...?
Brian snapped this super handsome picture of Thad before heading into church one morning. I love that boy!
Brothers bonding over video games and Longhorns jerseys-
One night when I was a Yound Women's or book club, Miss Eve was not too fond of dinner and her and Brian had quite the little stand off-
This girl is pretty stubborn and sat there for over an hour. I'm actually not sure how it turned out, but either way it was very un-enjoyable for Brian.
Eve grabbed a pepper one day at the store when I wasn't looking and started eating like an apple so she thinks every time we go to Wal Mart that she needs one. I don't push back too much because it's a whole lot better than a candy bar!
Brian helped in Eve's nursery class one Sunday and got this awesome picture of the adorable chaos that nursery is!
Eve loves nursery with Brother Bingham and Brother Duke!
Wes has become such a strong little reader and I love when I catch him sharing his new skill-
Eve is a little artist and will paint or draw all day!
I love coming to check on this girl every night, especially when I find her like this-
We went and visited Liz one day and her cute grandson was there for Eve to play with and we had an awesome time catching up!
We miss having the Pattersons across the street!
It had been WAY TOO LONG since I saw Hilary McFarland (over a year) so we spent a whole day catching up and we found out that Cal and Eve play REALLY well together!
Two little blonde peas in a pod!
And last, but certainly not least, is Thad with his wagon he made at school while learning about the Oregon Trail. I didn't really want him to bring it home, but told him he could keep it for a few days, we would take a picture and throw it away. He agreed and we had fun with it for a few days before giving it the boot-
He named his company Savage Turtles and it made me laugh! Savage is a trendy word among kids right now (I have no idea why) so I just have to laugh at his funny ideas! I love that 8 year old!!
We also found the old Oregon Trail game online and Brian had fun playing it with the boys for a little while. So nostalgic for Brian and me!
