New Physician Family Retreat

We got to take part in a family retreat weekend for Tyler's new employer, and get to know some of the new employees from the last year.  We went up to Sun Mountain Lodge about 2 hours north of us.  It was spared amongst all the wildfires that surrounded it this summer.  It was a damp fall weekend, but it didn't stop us from getting out and enjoying the area!

Makenzie was ecstatic to find out that we could go horseback riding!  It was a fun activity with the older kids.

Jordan is all saddled up and ready to go on his horse named "Flag."

Makenzie was on a horse named "War Bonnet"

It was a beautiful foggy morning with the golden leaves!

The younger two had fun discovering the lodge.

The outdoor hot tub was a big hit!

 It was a beautiful view!

We can't but continue to express how happy we are to be here in Wenatchee and to have Tyler join a great clinic.  

Dog-sitting

We took the opportunity to dog-sit for some church members for a weekend.  

They have 2 dogs that could not be more opposite in looks!  There was plenty of love and attention that was given here!  Both dogs were very loving back, as well!

Ellionna took out "blankets", aka the kitchen towels, to keep them warm while they took a nap.  Ellionna then proceeded to be a puppy as well as she laid in the small dog's bed.

They joined in family prayer

and a little bit of Halloween festivities.  

We hope to find a dog to join our family permanently.... The promise was made to get one once we moved.

Conference weekend

We have gotten to know a great family in our ward.  We have plenty in common and a natural friendship has formed quickly.  I'm sure we will be forever friends with Byron and Monique Lott and their four kids.  Monique is from the area and her family has a vacation home by a lake.  We decided to take a little getaway for General Conference  weekend.  

Although it's October and the water was by far not the warmest, the kids were not deterred and played constantly in it!  

They challenged each other to jump off the dock.  It was like the polar bear plunge!  They all gave in to sibling pressure and did it!  

Gavin is taking a running start.  I missed his entry though!

 Makenzie thinking long and hard about it!

And then she did it!

You didn't have to wait for Jordan!

I tried long boarding for the first time!  It was a lot of fun.... because I didn't fall in.  Tyler tried after me though, and failed.  He got mighty wet.  I wish I had pictures of that, but I don't!

Plenty of things to do...

I think we did 10 loads of laundry while we were there.  The kids would be cold and change into dry clothes, but before you know it, they would be back down by the water and ever so slowing be drenching wet again!

There was a little napping going on... but of course not while watching conference. :)

We went on a boat ride.  The lake is so clear and beautiful. 

Here's Monique with her little guy, Deacon.   He is such a mellow, happy dude!

We may start making this a new conference tradition!

September Happenings

We are learning that birds are attracted to our front window.  (I have a little girl attracted to the camera, too!)  We have had a few birds that have flown right into it.  Some are lucky....

...and some are not.

 I accompanied Makenzie to a field trip she had at the Leavenworth Salmon Festival at the fish hatchery.  They have been learning all about salmon in science.  You can find them in abundance in this part of the country.

 
Makenzie with some of her classmates.

 We also enjoyed a day discovering the area with some ward members.  They are outdoor enthusiasts, so they know a lot of the great places to hike around here.  We went to some water falls, only to find that they were running a lot lower than usual.  It was still a very beautiful area.

We then found the salmon spawning in the river... It was perfect with all that Makenzie had already learned in school.   I've learned a lot, too!  It's interesting stuff that you should look up if you don't know about the life cycle of a salmon.

House pictures

Here's a few pics of our new home!  I haven't done much with decorating yet, because there is so much more space!  I have plans, but gotta have money to do it.  Slowly it will happen! :)

Grand entry!

Guest Bedroom on the main floor- on the right of the main entry. 

The living room on the left of the main entry.  We will eventually add more furniture. 

This is the dining room that is connected to the living room.  

It it going to be more of our office for now. Gotta get some bookshelves.

Main bath

Kitchen

Family room next to the kitchen

Laundry room 

Boys room

With their large walk in closets

Kids bath (with the tub behind the door)

I don't have pics of the girl's room, because Ellionna was taking a nap at the time, and it was horribly messy!  The girls are the worst at keeping a clean room.

Our one big purchase so far is a new bedroom set with a king bed!  We have never slept any better!

The master bedroom is HUGE!

So is the Bathroom!

This is a few of the backyard from our deck, off of the Master Bath.

The left side of our backyard.  We have plans to take out the area with bushes and plants (Top right of the picture) and make it into a stone fire pit and seating area.

We love our house, the neighborhood, and community.