The end of Summer included, sports camps and the start of soccer season for Gunner and Tess. Gunner turned out to be a good little goalie and his team, the Stingrays, were the league champs.
No thanks to his somewhat aggressive tackling that got him a yellow card.
Tess also played. She didn't love the sport but loved the snacks at the end of each game and even managed to get a foot on the ball a few times.
We went camping with friends. And here are the bulk of the kids all together at once!
This was our last trip to Chelan with the Craguns since they will be moving so we tried to really live it up. This meant using some one's special blanket for the secret tree house.
And all kind of fun for the boys, young and old.
I was lured into a gentle boat ride with the older boys. Ultimately this proved to be folly since we got tipped into the lake. Don't worry I quickly dried out. Ahhhh, Sun. So hard to come by in Kent.
Both Joe and my family had reunions; his was in Eden Utah. And had a definite Pirate theme.
We both thought seriously about moving to Eden after the reunion. It is so beautiful and sunny.
In both reunions Fun with Cousins was the key and we found our selves wishing we lived closer to them.
While in Utah we decided to take the kids to where it all began, BYU. It was over 95 in the shade and fiercely windy and we still had a terrific time.
After we visited the Marriott Center, where Joe snared me with his muscular hoop shooting so many years ago, we visited the cafeteria. This was high on Gunner's list since he loves the portion sizes and choice that buffet style dining offers. We now speak of the Cannon Center in hushed and reverent tones at our house.
The smith reunion was in Eugene, and included, tractor rides, family pics and even a clandestine dinner for just the adults!.
In September, school began and while the older kids grumbled, Tess was thrilled to actually pack a lunch and ride the bus. 
Her kindergarten is all day which is a first for us. Betsy and I really miss her and I think she is gone too long for a five year old but there are advantages as well. I get a lot more done and she is learning more and faster than her siblings did in Kindergarten. 
Scottie might not admit it but she enjoyed getting back with her friends as well.
Shortly after School began I realized that I did no in fact have a week long flu! I was pregnant. It was unexpected and the timing was bad so I wasn't real enthusiastic. Learned my lesson there. After 13 miserably morning sick weeks and after finally becoming attached to the tiny, cute figure in all the ultrasounds images the Dr. discovered the baby's heart had stopped beating and I had to schedule a D and C. It was a very sad time for the whole family. But we had the help of good friends and each other and have managed to live though it. By the way, just because the procedure only takes a day doesn't mean recovery is proportional. Learned that the hard way.
Her kindergarten is all day which is a first for us. Betsy and I really miss her and I think she is gone too long for a five year old but there are advantages as well. I get a lot more done and she is learning more and faster than her siblings did in Kindergarten. 
Scottie might not admit it but she enjoyed getting back with her friends as well.
Shortly after School began I realized that I did no in fact have a week long flu! I was pregnant. It was unexpected and the timing was bad so I wasn't real enthusiastic. Learned my lesson there. After 13 miserably morning sick weeks and after finally becoming attached to the tiny, cute figure in all the ultrasounds images the Dr. discovered the baby's heart had stopped beating and I had to schedule a D and C. It was a very sad time for the whole family. But we had the help of good friends and each other and have managed to live though it. By the way, just because the procedure only takes a day doesn't mean recovery is proportional. Learned that the hard way.At the exact same time all of this was going on I was performing in our Stake's production of the Music Man. Earlier that summer I had gotten a wild idea, heartily encouraged/ pressured by Joe to try out. I got the part of the Mayor's wife, Eulalie Mckecknie Shinn. It was so fun! I had seven "pick-a-little-" ladies on stage with me most of the time and we became good friends as well as being able to work with one of my best friend's husband as the Mayor. 
Turns out the mayor's wife literally wears many hats. 
It was actually a wonderful distraction form the sadness of the miscarriage. I even had family come from Eugene to watch which made it that much better. This was all in the weeks leading up to Halloween and in case you didn't think that holiday was scary enough with a play and miscarriage, I'll tell you more. The day before the fateful Ultrasound where we learned the bad news about baby #5, Joe inherited a law practice from a terminally ill man In our Stake. It is a wonderful opportunity and blessing which we are grateful for but it has been very overwhelming for him and he is trying his best to manage. I don't think he has slept in a week and none of us are any help to him. He has really helped us though, taking care of me after surgery, and going to all the fall practices, games and other school functions as a single dad because I was constantly barfing or running to play rehearsal.
That said, Halloween was still fun. We celebrated various events earlier in the month because the big day fell on a Sunday.
For instance this little graveyard and candy station at Wild Waves Fright Fest.
And though Rapunzel seems sad and Pocahontas seems to be shivving Hermione a good time was had by all at the ward Halloween party. The fall is gone and we look forward to easier times in the winter. That probably won't happen but I have certainly learned a lot from the challenges. Mostly how great family and friends are!
Turns out the mayor's wife literally wears many hats. 
It was actually a wonderful distraction form the sadness of the miscarriage. I even had family come from Eugene to watch which made it that much better. This was all in the weeks leading up to Halloween and in case you didn't think that holiday was scary enough with a play and miscarriage, I'll tell you more. The day before the fateful Ultrasound where we learned the bad news about baby #5, Joe inherited a law practice from a terminally ill man In our Stake. It is a wonderful opportunity and blessing which we are grateful for but it has been very overwhelming for him and he is trying his best to manage. I don't think he has slept in a week and none of us are any help to him. He has really helped us though, taking care of me after surgery, and going to all the fall practices, games and other school functions as a single dad because I was constantly barfing or running to play rehearsal.That said, Halloween was still fun. We celebrated various events earlier in the month because the big day fell on a Sunday.
For instance this little graveyard and candy station at Wild Waves Fright Fest.
And though Rapunzel seems sad and Pocahontas seems to be shivving Hermione a good time was had by all at the ward Halloween party. The fall is gone and we look forward to easier times in the winter. That probably won't happen but I have certainly learned a lot from the challenges. Mostly how great family and friends are! 
It wasn't all Tuna though, the kids got Joe a snow cone machine and consequently enjoyed it's spoils.
