Fall: football and pumpkin patch!

I have no idea what kind of bird this is, blue jay maybe? He was very friendly though. He pretty much tried to hop right into the car. He's awfully pretty, possibly not the smartest though!

Carter (and Coach Kyle) had another great year of football. I think they only lost one regular season game and one in the Jamboree. They had a very nice group of kids that really encouraged each other and wanted everyone to get a score. Carter, Colby, and Ethan are the coaches' kids. They are good boys.

Close up of the boys. Carter and Colby are especially close. They pretty much spend the night at each other's houses every weekend. I don't mind. Colby is a good kid.

Terri had a hankering for pastys a few weekends ago. Teague has become pretty good at helping me with the dough.

Meanwhile, Carterman took a trip to Watford City with Papa. He always has the best time with his Aunts, Uncle, and cousins!

Callie came in to visit for the weekend. We did some shopping at the mall. Teague tried on a cool hat at Hallmark. I think he could make it work, but he disagreed.

They did get two really cute stuffed animals at Hallmark. Teague got "Eaglor" and Ave picked "Horns." We made them pose in front of the beautifully orange ash tree.

Party time! Mountain Dew Code Red and Wine!

We were worried that the pumpkin patch at the Grant Kohrs Ranch in Deer Lodge might be rainy and cold this year, but we went for it. I'm glad we did! We had a good time. Here are the monkeys running to find pumpkins.

Ave found a lovely one with a nice stem.

Two happy kids with a lot of hay and a little sunshine!

With their best buddy Callie!

Waiting patiently for a tractor ride. I'm not sure what kind of poses Teague had going on that day!

The little maze is still pretty fun, but my kids get annoyed by all the pushing and shoving and jumping over bales. It drives Kyle and I crazy too. I want to slap a few of the parents who just laugh at their obnoxious children.

A quiet moment.

Time to make some apple cider. It is so delicious. I'm not a big apple juice fan, but that fresh cider is so good!

Another tractor ride!

My little booger and me.

The steers there are pretty impressive.

Fam portrait minus our Watford City visitor.

A little cheers before downing our cider. Yum!

Teague was about done at this point. His little legs get tired pretty fast.

He had time to make an old-fashioned toy though. Ave got pretty good at twirling hers. They were basically the original fidget spinner!

I love this picture! The sky looks so cool. Callie and her buddies were looking at the horse. FYI, anyone with extra money, Callie really wants a horse! Thanks for coming to visit Callie. We always have a blast with you!

A typical morning with Teague - half asleep, barely eating, and making a mess. He's not a morning person.

Emerson School Pride Day! Girls in purple, boys in yellow. I really love seeing my kiddos everyday.

Fall/school/etc...finally!

The kids came with me when we did volleyball pictures up at the mine yard. We got to go into the buildings this year - very cool. Ave showed off her muscles while picking up an old super-heavy wrench!

How cool is all this stuff?

My 3 beautiful kiddos! Ave wore a dress that Callie got her this summer. I swear Callie is the only one who can buy summer dresses for her (that she'll wear!)

A random pic of Mom and I. We have a knack for wearing the same shirts all the time!

Kyle and Callie graciously accompanied me to watch one of my absolute favorite bands, Kings of Leon, in concert. It was at the Gorge - a couple hours past Spokane. The venue was amazing. The concert was amazing. The company was amazing. I loved everything about it!

This was our first view of the stage. Amazing! It was a perfect weather night too.

You know how I love selfies...but sometimes you have to get one. Thanks guys! I'm excited for Kelsie and Joe to see them in a couple weeks!

On our way back to Missoula we snapped this cool picture for the kids. I can't imagine what a terribly difficult time the firefighters had in Montana this summer.

First day of school. The older two are way past the "dressing up" stage. Teague wore a nice plaid shirt though. I can't believe I have a 5th, 3rd, and 1st grader already!

Kyle and Leena joined me for the movie! IT has always been one of my favorite books in the entire world, and I was quite pleased with the movie. Stephen King knows how to write kids. I loved IT.

We came back from the movie to find these monkeys actually helping out! They did a nice job cleaning Grandma's car.

Teague got down into those wheel wells!

They really are pretty great kids.

My harvest at the end of the year. They were some tiny carrots, but plentiful and tasty! The purple potatoes were so good too. We made some good hash with these fixings! I love my little garden.

Teague somehow stuck his ice cream cone in Ave's hair. I don't know how he does it.

Uncle Kevin, Grandma, and Grandpa Barsness swung by Butte for a couple days. We had a really nice visit. Kevin is always fun with the kids. He was giving them different missions to do in the pool. They stayed at the Copper King, and the kids love to swim there!

Ave's favorite part of school is being around Korin all the time again! Korin's Mom sent me this photo from Korin's birthday party. Looks like they were having fun!

Happy 37th Birthday Kyle! He ages like a fine wine...I don't drink wine, but I heard it gets better with age!

Teague had some beautiful blue frosting teeth after his slice of cake. Looking good!

Ave has been awfully cuddly with her Dad lately...it's almost like she's trying to annoy him! Ha Ha!

My friend Savannah took this picture at one of the Butte High games. I love it!

These two don't mind watching Carter play football in the morning...because there are donuts to be had! Carter's team (coached by Kyle), has been doing great. 5-1. They are a nice group of kids too. No trash talk, no bullying, just good kids.

Teague loves when we get the Halloween decorations out. His buddy Skeli always makes him smile! Grandma Burgman got him this last year. He's upgraded from the green and orange plastic guys.

Carter man still snuggles with me, especially if he wants something! I'll take it though.

Ave and Daddy yet again! This is her idea of a back massage. He liked it though!

Teague is not a morning kid. Ha Ha Ha! This was last Friday. At least he's always good at school!

Avers had such a good time doing her map of the USA that she asked for a world map. This one is a bit more intricate. Should take us a while!

We saw some Halloween craft projects in one of Mom's magazines. We decided to try it. Her butternut squash ghost turned out absolutely adorable!

I did the three on the left. She did the three on the right. We had a good time. They turned out pretty cute!

Lastly, Teague made a new book the other day (with the help of his editor, Avery.) It's called The Bermuda Triangle. It contains his theories - 1. King Arthur dropped Excalibur in the water, which created a magnetic beam that ruins navigation. 2. There is a mosasaurus that still lives there. It's tail makes huge waves that sink ships. He has the best imagination. He knew Papa would love his book because Papa loves a good mystery.