Hey everyone! Just a couple of pics to update you on the happenings at the Stanley household. :)

The kids went to a costume party at the gym where Kenzie takes tumbling class last Friday. They had a lot of fun and were pretty wore out when we picked them up. Bob and I went out to dinner, which was nice. 

Kenzie lost her first tooth! Her and her friend spent what seemed like an hour in the bathroom working on pulling it out. She finally pulled it out all by herself. She almost had a run-in with the tooth fairy the next morning because the tooth fairy forgot to deliver the money at night. Oops! :) 

We're back!

We are back and starting to get caught up from being away. We arrived home about 4pm Wednesday and the kids and I got up and went to school Thursday and Friday. Then, Friday evening we headed out to a "Family Boot Camp" with our church. Several families went and we camped out in the woods, even slept in a tent! Saturday it poured down rain all day long. We were so soaked and muddy. We went on a 3 1/2 mile hike in the rain and even ate MREs! We got home Sat. night around 8:30. Sunday I finished up report cards, which were due by Monday morning. Then, Monday night was open house at school. Needless to say it's been hard to catch up on things around here. Next week is busy too with parent-teacher conferences. Hopefully by November things will start to slow down! :) I'm already counting down to the next holiday (Veteran's Day). 

Anyway, the trip was fantastic! It was really hard to come back and I am so glad that it will be our last time saying good-bye. The next time we fly home we are staying!! 

We kept forgetting to take the camera with us during the trip so I have hardly any pics. (If any of you have pics you can send me I would love it!) 

Most of you who read my blog were there, but for my friends who weren't here are a few pics. Enjoy! 

My little flower girl! :)

I think she got a little bit bored during the ceremony. (No offense Andy and Michelle) There were skittles in her basket and as you can see she was having a little snack. 

Aren't they a beautiful couple?!

This is so random, but in the Portland airport they had these water-saving flush handles. I was intrigued for two reasons. First of all, its great that they are so environmentally friendly. But even more than that, I was surprised at the instructions. I didn't realize that the terms #1 and #2 were so universal. I thought the "number system" was mainly used when speaking to young children, but apparently I have been unaware of the widespread use of these terms. Anyway, I guess that's enough of that conversation. :) 

Aloha! I finally decided to get my pics from the camera and decided to post a few. We are really getting excited for our trip and trying to get all of our last minute things done this weekend. 

I met my substitute and she is great! I have no worries after talking to her. She's been teaching 14 years and is certainly capable of handling my class. 

I might start packing tomorrow. We don't have many "fall/cool weather" outfits, so it shouldn't take long. :) 

Anyway, here are some pics from the past few weeks.  

Bob and Kenzie skating at the "Ice Palace" 

Mason, Kenzie, and one of their friends found this bird who couldn't fly. I have a pic of all three kids but I don't like to post pics of other kids without talking to their parents first. But anyway, the bird stayed in our old rabbit cage for about a day and then somehow escaped. I think one of the other neighbor kids took it out. 

Mackenzie's birthday was Wednesday. Our school has gone to a healthy snack policy so we took these cones with popcorn, baby goldfish, and cheerios. 

Kenzie opened her presents Wed. morning because we have swimming lessons in the evening and we usually get home later than normal. 

This is Frency, the dog Kenzie got from Grandma and Grandpa. Frency arrived just in time to go to school on Friday for letter "F" show and tell. :) 

Also, last night we took the kids and one of Mackenzie's friends to see Beverly Hills Chihuahua. (I had to google that word to spell it just now!) The movie was actually pretty cute. Then, Kenzie's friend spent the night. They stayed up until about 11:00 and were awake by 6:00 this morning.   It's going to be early to bed tonight! :)