Fast Into Fall

October came and went as quickly as the leaves turned color and fell from the trees.  School, at first a flurry of nervousness and scheduled activity soon became a routine.  With routine came the continued business of cross-country, football, school work, activity days, scouts and music lessons.

I wish I had taken some time to take pictures of all the trees this year.  Their colors were spectacular (due to a week long cold spell).  But it seems like now days taking the time to think about doing something is like blinking my eyes and missing it.  Everything seems to pass so quickly.  I think this was the first fall season I actually enjoyed.  After living here in the northwest for 12 years I have finally accepted that fall will be cold and the days will be much shorter.  Once I embraced that fact the season seamed to become more magical and I could see why for many of my friends it is their favorite season.  (Mine is still and will always be summer!!!)

Chad

Chad has become a runner!  He enjoyed his cross-country practices and loved and excelled at his meets.  As a parent is was a joy to see him be good at something, to see some fire in his eyes, and to see him create a new identity for himself.  I hope he continues down this path - he is already good and has the potential to be even greater.  As soon as cross-country ended - he started up with wrestling!

He finally feels like a middle school-er.  He is now used to his classes, teachers, lockers, time schedule, homework, and locker rooms.  He has finally grown about 3 inches (from his last doctor's measurements from last July - he only grew one inch the year before).  He is certainly a new found teenager - trying to be so grown up one minute - and then playing like a kid the next.

For their school fundraiser Chase Middle School did a FUN RUN.  Both of Chad's grandparents (and parents of course) donated to the cause.  Chad ran 12 laps during their hour of running (The school record was 13 laps).  He is supposed to be getting a cool hoodie from his monetary support. (He hasn't received it yet.)

Chad has been taking private bass lessons from Stephen Swanson, a member of the Spokane Symphony.  He also has orchestra every day for 50 minutes at school.  It has been amazing to see the progress he is making this year with his instrument.  (And if he actually practiced everyday like he was supposed to - he would be even better!)

Chad wasn't sure about trick-or-treating this year.  He originally planned on going to the Ferris football game on Halloween  night.  Then, the Stake had a youth activity for the young men and young women the night before Halloween.  They wanted the youth to dress up and then go out to collect food for the local food bank.  Since Chad hadn't thought of dressing up I had nothing prepared for him - so we did what we could.  He had a neon shirt from "spirit" days at Chase and we had a colorful clown wig - compliments of Grandpa Hansen.  So in a jiff he became a clown.  Then on Halloween night he decided to go trick-or-treating, instead of going to the football game with dad, because a friend invited him to go trick-or-treating with him (and that friend later ditched Chad after the ward trunk-or-treat).  This time Chad transformed into a zombie clown.  I think he had fun - he certainly got enough candy!

Chad is doing a great job of attending to his priesthood duties.  He is the Deacon's Quorum President (and was the only deacon for a few months).  In September two boys turned 12 and joined him in the Quorum and with passing the sacrament.  Then, one of the boys moved - so we have just two Deacon's at the moment.  I'm proud of Chad having to gather enough priesthood holders to pass the sacrament every week.  I also hear good compliments about him delivering announcements in Priesthood.  He is also loving scouts and has been busy with several merit badges this month.

Halle

Halle is a reluctant runner.  She is really good at it - but hasn't really found a passion for it (like gymnastics).  She easily qualified for All City at her first cross-country meet.  She competed very well during the All City meet.  This year the weather was beautiful - sunny and not too cold.  (Last year was rainy and freezing!).  With being a 6th grader she was the last group to run.  She didn't do as well this year in the standings - but she did her best and ran a personal best of 7:00 minutes!!!!  There were a lot of fast and amazing runners this year!

Halle has also found her stride at school (not nervous any more).  She is finding 6th grade a little harder - with lots of homework and tests.  She has a great teacher and really excels at everything she tries at.  For reading - she reads at least three books at a time (one is just too boring for her).  She still loves, loves, loves to draw and comes up with the best dress designs and fabric patterns.

Halle is all done with her Faith in God program.  The only thing left is for her to turn 12 and move onto Young Womens.  As much as I would love to keep her as my little girl - she is just so mature and ready to grow up.

Her best friend at school this year is Maya.  I'm glad she has found someone with the same standards to hang out with.

We went to the Adams Fall Festival.  Either I've been to too many, or I and my kids have just outgrown them - but it was pretty lame.  Not much to do - not many kids to do things with.  Halle did have Maya and one other friend - but showing off her costume and eathing popcorn and pizza were the highlights of the evening.  And of course - as always - Halle decorated a cake for the festival.  She had a round, white cake and then added a black spider web to it and then decorated it with plastic bats, spiders and candies.  It didn't quite work out the way she wanted - and then I ruined it when I tried to cover it in plastic wrap (it smashed into the design).  But I thought it was well done - but she didn't even want to put her name on it.  I don't have pictures because I totally forgot (what a lame mom!).

Speaking of Halle's costume . . . .  Halle and been totally into owls this last year!  So after thinking and thinking she finally decided she wanted to be an owl for Halloween.  I told her if she designed the costume I would try to make it.  Well - it worked out.  She designed and I sewed - it was pretty fun.

Sean

After a rough start - I think Sean has finally discovered how to be a 4th grader.  He works hard on his homework and works even harder in trying to get out of of doing 30 minutes of reading everyday!  If it is math - he is all over it.  If it is reading - forget it.  To help him out we have been reading the Candy Shop Wars II together.

Sean had a great football team and coach this year.  He really learned how to get into the game, read the game, and be a good blocker.  At the end of the season the team decided to opt into the "Candy Bowl,"  an end of season tournament.  Sean was all excited at first - it meant another game of football and candy right?!  What is meant was three games in a row on a very cold and foggy Saturday - with no candy.  He was not happy at first (in fact he cried and had a fit).  Then when he was playing he decided it was fun.  His team played tough the first two games - but just couldn't win.  On the third and final game it was a nail bitter.  It came down to the last play - and his team won by 2 points!!!!  Everyone was so happy to end on a win  (I think wearing the mustaches helped too).  Sean received a medal and cupcake and was finally a happy boy at the end of the day.

Sean has been really into a video game called "Mine Craft."  So, for Halloween he wanted to be one of the Mine Craft characters called an Ender Lord.  I would have loved to have been able to just buy a costume and call it good - but no.  There are no Mine Craft costumes to be found.  So yet again - I got to make something.  Luckily it mostly involved making a "head."  Sean was so impressed with my creation (mommy points!!!!!) but very unimpressed with how the costume actually worked.  It was a little uncomfortable - so he didn't like wearing it.  In fact - he quit trick-or-treating before anyone else because he was done wearing the costume (mommy fail !!!!), but that meant less candy for him (which is a good thing because he is quite the candy monster).

 He did enjoy wearing his costume to the Fall Festival.  He got a picture of himself and his friend, Kaden.  Getting pictures was the only thing he used his tickets on.  He and his friends just spend the whole time running around.  (Note to self - do not buy any Fall Festival tickets next year - total waste of money!)  Sean created a cake for the Festival too.  He made a "Creeper" cake (another character from Mine Craft).  Basically a scary green face with black squares for its eyes, nose, and mouth.

Usually I always enroll Sean in basketball.  The season started earlier this year and I missed the deadline.  Then he said he really, really didn't want to do basketball.  So I decided there was no point in paying (and paying more because of missing the deadline) for something he didn't want to do.  But, Sean needs to stay active and I needed something for him to do.  After some creative thinking I came up with gymnastics.  It kills two birds with one stone!  Keeps him active and I could enroll him at the same time as Halle (one less night during the week to have to be somewhere).  I wasn't quite sure how he would take it - but he sounded excited when I told him my plan.  He has a great coach - and he has been really liking it and working hard.  Yeah for a win, win situation.

Chris

Chris got to coach cross-country this year!  He hasn't had the opportunity for 12 years!  He loved getting back into cross-country.  It did make it a little harder for me though - with fall sports going on we usually have to divide and conquer with the kids.  This year I had to do it all myself.  Chris was gone on Wednesday nights with meets and pretty much every other Saturday.  It all worked out though!  I just wish the kids and I could have gone to a meet - but Wednesdays were just too busy.

Me

Crazy schedule.  With football practices on Monday and Wednesdays and cross-country meets for Chad on Tuesdays and Thursdays my days were always full - especially with trying to fit piano lessons in!  I've been blessed with lots of students this year (pays for Halle's gymnastics and Chad's bass lessons) - so I can't grumble.  I just find it frustrating to be a mom and work too.  I need the money - but I also want to be there for my kids - that is the most important thing to me!

We had our primary program.  It was so nice when it was done and it all went smoothly.  The practices were long and brutal! I'm not sure if I'll be around for next year.  I've been first councilor in primary for almost two years now.  I love working with the kids - so I hope it doesn't change.  It will be strange though, having only one of my children in primary next year!

Chad's Cross-Country

  Audubon Park (10-1-13)

Chad helps lead the warm ups.

Chad trying to keep his lead.  He conquered the hilly course like a hero!

Ready for a fast finish!

A proud Grandma and Bompa with their Chad.

Chad took 12th place with a time of 6:15.

Shaw Middle School (10-3-13)

The race begins - watch for blue!

Chad is the first blue shirt!

Go Chase Cargers!

Chad coming up on his first lap.

Go get them Chad!

Chad took 21st place with a time of 6:14.  Not too shabby.

Chase Middle School (10-8-13)

It was a very rainy day!  Only a couple of picture because I was video taping.

I don't know why this picture posted sideways!  Chad is pleased with his race - and one very wet boy!  He took  8th place with a time of 6:10.

 Garry Middle School (10-10-13)

Chad keeping in second place.  (Blaine Johnson in first, Adrian in 3rd.)

Coming to the tight corner of the 1st lap.

Running hard and ready for the hills again.

 

It's a pack of blue.  Chargers are dominating the race!

Adrian, Chad, and Kellan rounding the corner for the second time.

Chad fightining it out for second place.

Adrian just beats Chad out and Chad gets 3rd place with a time of 6:12.  The Chase Chargers took the top 5 spots!!!!!

 

 

 

 

Showing off his 3rd place card with friend Jason Stone (from Glover Middle School).

Comstock Park (10-15-13)

Coming around one of the many trees (coach fuller behind the tree).

Running hard (as usual).

 

Coming up to the finish line.

The race is done!  10th place and a time of 6:28 (a little more than a mile course).

10th place proud.

We all cheered him on (except Sean who was at the playground).

All City Meet - Shaw Middle School (10-17-13)

Getting ready for the race.

And the race begins.  Go Chad!

Chad gets to the front pack.

 

Getting cheered on by the 8th grade boys.

 

Strong and relaxed.

 

Starting the 2nd lap.

  

Coming in to the finish.

Almost there.

16th place (just out of ribbons) with a time of 5:57!  PR!!!

 

 

 

Chad with his uncle Jeff.

Chad and mom!

The cool club.

Okay - we'll let dad in too.

The Caviness men.  Cross-country legends.

 

The result board.

 School Pictures

Again - I don't know why this picture is sideways.  We spent an hour curling Halle's hair for picture day!

Chad - 7th grade.

Halle - 6th grade.

Chris - still in high school.

Sean - 4th grade.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sean's Football

 10-12-13

Sean ready for his block.

Instruction time.

Run Sean!

 10-19-13 (last season game)

Sean on the line.

Ready to go!

Let's get this game going already!

 Candy Bowl (10-26-13)

Coach Starr giving out medals.

Sean receiving his medal.

Sean checking is award out.

Sean being  a goof!

Last Cowboy huddle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elementary Cross-Country

Regional Meet - Mullan Road (10-14-13)

Halle and Sean ready for another cross-country race!

Sean - waiting at the starting line.

Sean running along (got to love the huge shirt he is wearing).

  

Coming to the finish.

 

Grandma in the background cheering Sean on.

Across the finish line he goes!  One minute faster than last race!

  

Here comes Halle to the finish line (they started her race before Sean's was done).

Move out of the way slow boy!

 

Ready to finish.

Running is so easy for Halle - she can do it with her eyes shut.

Finished at last.

 All City Meet - Halle (10-24-13)

 

Waiting in the staging area.

The lone representative from Adams.  Halle is ready to start.

   

Here comes Halle!

 

Go Halle girl!

Halle is a fast one!

So fast - it is hard to take a focused picture.

  

Halle with her coach, Mrs. Bush.

Halle and family (support crew).

Showing off the other side of her new shirt.

Halloween Time

Owl (Halle) and the Ender Lord (Sean) ready for the Adams' Fall Festival.

Scary Ender Lord - don't mess!

Beautiful Halle-Owl.

 

Ward trunk-or-treat.  Owl, Ender Lord, and Zombie Clown.

Happy Halloween.