Rylee's Fashion

Ok now a post about Rylee. She is in an interesting phase. The best way to sum it up is that she is 3. And has very specific opinions. Complying with these opinions (or rather demands) is sometimes the surest way to a happy Rylee. One way I have come to let her assert her independence is completely letting her pick what she wants to wear in the morning. We have been through some battles and seriously, it is just not worth the argument. This has taken some time for me to let go and let her be in charge. This usually also includes her hair. And yes, this means we also go in public wearing her creations. I just assume everyone knows that she dressed herself. I figure there are enough things that I have to control that this is one I can let go on. (This is true for all days except Sunday. I very strongly and sometimes enforce certain things on Sunday dress). Now our mornings are so much smoother. She loves her outfits and I love a happy Rylee.

As you can see pink and purple usually win over other colors. And just so you are not deceived, bathing suits and dancing costumes are frequently under her other clothing. She knows she has to be warm now she she just wears them underneath. At least layering is pretty in right?

Wrestling Tournament

We attended our first official sports activity. Cade has started wresting this season and he had his first (and only so far) tournament a couple weeks ago. He was excited but really had no idea what it really meant. At the time of the tournament he had only had a couple weeks of practice. Most of what helped him was all the 'wrestling around' he does with Cole and Cole's subtle teaching in those moments. I also did not know what to expect. Cade's birthday is 5 days before the age break so he qualifies for an older group of wrestlers. Meaning he will be wrestling kids who have likely been wrestling longer. I was not thrilled with that news.

His first match was really good. He won! He (or I ) am not sure how since we have no idea how the scoring works. But he worked hard and seemed to enjoy it. 

The second match was so hard to watch!! I cried. Like literally I was watching and had tears. The opponent had been wrestling for a whole year longer. He was working really hard to pin Cade. Cade was doing everything possible to stay off his back. He starting crying in the middle because it was so hard. That is when I lost it. But he stuck with it and never got pinned. The other coach noted how hard he worked. 

In the end all the kids in his age group got a medal. We told Cade he got his for hard work. He was so proud of his medal. He wore it around the house for the next 2 days. Everybody he saw and talked to learned that got a wrestling medal. 

I am still learning and getting used to the sport. Not sure how I feel about it yet. It will be interesting to see how Cade reacts with upcoming wrestling matches. 

Halloween

Although Halloween is not my favorite holiday, having kids sure makes it fun. They just love it. Cade decided to repeat his costume from last year as a road. It was cheap, easy and warm plus we are in a new place so I was all for it. He helped make it and loved wearing it to school today.

Rylee wanted to be a princess and we chose Cinderella. Her dress was really fun to make. Whenever she wore it she was in character. She loved it.

Last week we went to a Halloween costume party so Cole and I dressed up as well. We thought it was fitting for Cole to go as a prince since Rylee was a princess. She loved having a prince around. I was Dorthy. Also fitting since we just came (and are missing) Kansas. 

The kids are ready to go! This morning there were flurries of snow, then the sun came out for a while, and by the time evening hit there were light showers and it was pretty cold. Rylee is sporting snow boots with her dress which I hoping she would go for to keep her warmer. You can see them in the picture where she is holding her dress up as she walks because isn't that what princesses do when they wear long dresses?

It was really to nice be living in a neighborhood where we could just walk out the front door and start trick or treating. We went with a family that has a son in Cade's class. He was excited and kept running ahead. We had to keep reminding him to slow down and wait for Rylee. The rain and cold seemed to have no effect on him. Rylee on the other hand was cold and struggled a bit. She left early and went back home to pass out candy with daddy. All in all-a great Halloween!

Idaho so far...

We have been here about 3 months and I have blogged nothing! I have been a bit...out of commission...so now I am catching up. Here is a little rundown so far. (Some were taken on my phone so super bad quality)

Cole's first day on the new job.  (He knows a request for the picture is coming so he even asked for it this time! :)
Cole loves his job. Absolutely loves it. He can't think of a better job for him. He would love to be offered a permanent position here. 

 First drive in theater experience. The kids thought life couldn't get any better. A new movie (Planes), in jammies, in the car, with candy.

Cade thinks this must be a rainbow state. We have seen about 4 or 5 since being here. 

Cade and Rylee on the Merry-Go-Round
Before school started there was a big carnival like activity at one of the parks to celebrate school starting. I think the whole town was there. There was lots to do and the Merry-Go-Round was a highlight. With so many fun new things do to the first few days we were there, the kids warmed up to Idaho pretty quickly! 

And, of course, Cade's first day of kindergarten!! It has been a fabulous experience. He was really excited and a little nervous the first day. But he went in great and has looked forward to going ever since. He takes whatever is teacher says very seriously and is very responsible with his school stuff. Rylee enjoys have 'girl time'.

Ahh the green crocks. He loves them. Wears them everyday. I guess if he is happy then I am happy.

Right as they were going inside, a boy from his primary class grabbed his hand :)

So that is a little of our experience so far. Things still seem new and weird to me. Doesn't feel like home yet. But we have lots of good things going for us and we are grateful!

Last bits of Kansas

There were some fun things we did before we left that I did not get a chance to post. So here are a bunch of random last memories from Kansas.

We had tons and tons of rain. The kids loved playing in it while I packed.

Rylee dressed herself...

 We did several family outings at Anneburg Park. Cade and Cole would ride bikes while I pushed Rylee in a stroller. Then we would play at the park for a while. The kids really enjoyed this.

This was the Sunday that Cole got released. The institute was a very significant building. So many wonderful memories there and a big part of our Kansas experience. 

Cole and I made the last institite class we could attend a date night. We got a babysitter, went together and then got dessert. We loved going to institute classes!

We went on a walk/bike ride on a new trail with some of our best friends, the Hardy's. Lots of fun times with these kids.

The branch had a going away dinner for us. It was very kind and good closure for us.

Saying goodbye to so many good friends! (and many that are not pictured!)

 Ahh so many good Kansas memories!!! And so many people that made a difference for us! If you ever get the chance to go to Kansas, I highly recommend it! :)

The Move

We are officially Idahoans! Although the move was stressful, busy and exhausting we made it. We had lots of wonderful people helping us which made all the difference. The first day of driving we made it to Rock Springs, WY.

Our truck. Our friends here in Rexburg (who used to live in Kansas and helped us get the job) bought a car in KS and we brought it with us. 

Wyoming proved to be faithful to its stereotype. 

Cade spent several hours riding in the truck with Grandpa. He loved that. The kids held up really well. The next day of driving was harder for everyone because we were pretty sick of it. But we got into the mountains which was beautiful. Cade really liked looking out the window at them.

We then finally pulled up to our house we are renting. So many perks to having a house. A yard, garage, more space, being in a neighborhood-all things we have yet to experience. The best thing about this house is the location. Cole is only 3 blocks from his office on campus and our backyard literally backs up to Cade's elementary school. Cole's mom and brother as well as Ciera and Adam all met us art our house to help unload. Plus we had lots of help from the EQ here. We got the truck unloaded in less than an hour! So a big thanks to all the help we got. Here's to tons and tons of unpacking!