Happy Holidays to You!

This year was exciting and nerve-wracking all at the same time as Chad opened the doors of Bright Smiles, Brilliant Dental Care in February. We are so excited for him! His office looks amazing and he has wonderful staff. It still seems so weird to us to not be students anymore. That was such a long road that we thought would never end and we keep finding ourselves pinching each other just to make sure that we aren’t dreaming.

We have really enjoyed living in a small town. It definitely is a complete opposite of what we were used to in New Jersey. We love having a back yard, a neighborhood that the kids can play in all day without Naomi constantly worrying or checking up on them, and most of all a garage! No more street cleaning tickets or cleaning snow off the car! The weather has been wonderful. Summer was hot and dry and winter was mild. Perfect!

In April, Naomi headed up to Canada with the kids for her Grandma Belle Smith’s funeral. The funeral was beautiful and it was great to be with family and be able to celebrate her grandma's life. There is just so much comfort in replaying a loved one's life and remembering all the wonderful things they did and said that touched yours. We will miss you Grandma Belle!

In June, Ethan and Edyn both had birthdays. Ethan turned 8 and Edyn turned 6. It was a special birthday for Ethan as our family headed up to Canada where Ethan was baptized in a small river at the Wolff cabin. What an experience that was. Even though it was cold that day he was quite the trooper when he waded out into the freezing water. We are so proud of him and very thankful for all our family and their support for him on such a neat day. It was definately a day that will be remembered fondly.

This time of year is always my favorite as we spend a lot of time reflecting on family, friends and most of all, our Savior. What a blessing to know that He lives and loves us. We only hope that we can be better at following in His footsteps in the year to come. We love you all and are so blessed to have you be a part of our lives in one way or another. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

* * * SNOW DAY * * *

My morning started out lovely with an automated phone call at 5:45am letting me know that school had been canceled for the day due to a lovely snow storm. I wasn't too happy about the early phone call but I knew my kids would be. Up they were at 7:30 in the morning and ready and raring to go play in the snow. Honestly, it was still dark outside! I had to laugh as I'm pretty sure I was the same way when I was that age. Ethan has seriously been outside all day. He left the house at 9am and has been playing with the neighbors building snowmen and forts and shoveling driveways. Ate a quick lunch and then right back out to play and here it is 6pm and he's still going strong out there. I think he's going to be pretty sad that it's off to school tomorrow. Here's some photos of us playing and working in the snow today.

Oh Tooth Fairy! Where are you?!

Edyn lost her 1st tooth yesterday! Well, really it's her second but this one is her first tooth that came out on it's own. Her actual first was extracted so it really doesn't count. I hope that makes sense?

This tooth had been loose for about a week now and yesterday when she came home from school she came running in the door with excitement telling me that the tooth fairy was going to be coming to our house that night. Off to bed she went that night with tooth secured snugly under her pillow, and believe me it was pretty snug under there! When she woke up to find $3 under pillow she was pretty upset because she didn't get $5. What?! If I remember correctly, I think I only got a dollar. I'm pretty sure inflation hasn't gone up that much. Anyway, I realized why she was so upset was because a toy she has been wanting is $5 from Hobby Lobby and she quickly figured it out that she didn't have enough to get it. After explaining to her that mommy had a coupon, yes-I actually said coupon, and after using it the toy would only cost $3. We now have a happy Edyn again. Ugghhhh, when I was that little, was my life as much consumed with toys as Edyn's is?!

Halloween for the Wolffs

I can't believe Halloween has come and gone! October just flew by! I didn't ever think I'd say this but I'm kind of glad it's over. It's all this past week's fault! Really, after 2 Halloween parties, carving pumpkins, making Halloween treats with the cub scouts, 2 different school harvest parties, a trip to the corn maze, a birthday party, trunk or treating, and finally the finale of trick-or-treating; all within the last week sure makes one tired! Actually, tired just isn't a strong enough word. How about exhausted?! Yup, that word is so much better. But did we have fun?! Absolutely! So here are some pictures for you to enjoy of all our different costume changes through out the week.

Family Photo Shoot

I can't even remember the last time we had family photos done. I think it was when Edyn was one. Here she is 6 years old and we finally decided it was time! When we were in Utah at my sister's, Shaneen, we talked them into taking our photos and we would take theirs. Not a bad exchange I would say.

Here's a few that we came up with. I really need to take a photoshop class or something as my photo-shopping skills are NOT that good. But they did turn out better than the original photo . . . well, at least I think so. I'm so happy that I won't be stressed at Christmas time trying to search for a family photo for our Christmas cards that usually doesn't even exist!

A Visit to Utah

It seems like the last few trips we've taken to Utah have been pretty short trips. The day we drive there, the day we spend there, and the day we drive back. That doesn't leave too much time to do very much. This last trip we went because it was my temple square mission reunion, held every 5 years, and the last one I had been to was right after I had gotten home from the mission and don't even think I'm going to tell you when that was! We thought since we were going to that we might as well stick around and try and get into the conference center for General Conference. That was a huge fail but we still were able to go to the old Tabernacle and sit on the front row and be able to watch conference on the big screen. Even though we weren't in the big conference center it was still special and we really enjoyed it. We might even make it an annual occurrence.

Church stuff aside, we were able to spend some time with Shaneen and Bryn and the kids. We headed over to Gardner Village to check out all the Halloween decorations and all the cute shops. Oh, how I would love to have a little shop over there. So here is some pictures of our little adventure with the witches!

School Pictures - A Success!

Let's admit it, school pictures are usually not the greatest when it comes to taking a nice photo of our kids. One year Ethan came home with his school photos only to find food was stuck in his teeth for his lovely smile. Another year, Ethan's teacher had buttoned up his shirt but had skipped a button so his shirt was bunched up. Edyn, well, she was a bawling mess in hers - blood shot eyes and a tear streaked face. I don't know why it is so hard for my kids to take a good school picture but it just is.

This year brings good news! I think the bad school photo plague has been broken! I couldn't have been happier with my kids photos this year (well, except for Edyn looks a little freaky in the eyes, but I'm not going to push it). Let's just hope that this trend doesn't stop short any time soon.

A Handy Hubby

A couple of weeks ago I got a phone call from Chad asking if he could pick out his birthday present early. After telling me he found an amazing deal on a saw (as if I would even know if it was a deal or not!) I hummed and hawed and then told him to go ahead and purchase it while secretly I was jumping up and down because I didn't have to figure out what to get the old boy for his birthday! Oh, how I love these kind of gifts.

Well, the birthday gift came home and didn't sit still for long. Chad immediately set up shop in one of the garages and already started on building a coffin that would hold Ethan for our Halloween cemetery set up in the front yard. I don't know how he does it but this man of mine just happened to figure out the dimensions and measurements by just staring at a blank piece of paper, happened to get right to work, and just happened to make the most amazing Halloween coffin ever! Here it is a week later and he mentions to me he's got the itch to build something else. Well, my dear, let me just go and grab my list! Have I mentioned how much I love my Handy Hubby! Go ahead, tell me you aren't drooling over this coffin!

Ethan's Flag Football Season

I'm sad to report that Ethan's last flag football game was last Thursday night. Going into it I wasn't too sure how Ethan would like it as he really hadn't ever played anything like it before and I wasn't too sure how fast he would catch on to the rules, etc. Well, as it turned out, I really had nothing to worry about. He absolutely loved it! Last night he scored a touchdown and was so cute doing it. He was well ahead of everyone and yards before his touchdown you could see his HUGE grin start creeping from ear to ear. It was like he was thinking "I'm going to make a touchdown, nobody can touch me, I'm the man!" Now if that isn't adorable I don't know what is.

The video Chad captured of Ethan playing was a few games ago and Ethan was playing really good and pretty aggressive that the opposing team had put a couple of boys on him to try and stop him and get him all flustered. I thought it was pretty funny how chippy these little boys were starting to get with each other. I'm actually pretty excited for this sport to become a part of this family. Really, who doesn't want to be a football mom?!

I Just Don't Understand

So here goes my little RANT for the day . . . We signed Ethan up for a flag football league that our little town decided to start up this year. He has absolutely loved it. In fact, the majority of the community seems to have enjoyed it as they have had quite a great response in those wanting to participate. Because our little town does not have a football field or sports arena, practices and games have been held in a small subdivision that has a large and well kept grass area that has been perfect for these young boys.

Two nights a week for one hour we all cheer on our boys as they learn a great sport and get some exercise. This lasted about a month before we were informed that the location was changing due to complaints from the Home Owner's Association for the subdivision. REALLY?! What do you have to complain about? Yes, the sides of the road are full during football but only two nights a week for ONE hour! Oh, and since when do you need to park on the side of the road . . . you have a garage or two! Too loud? It's hardly any louder than the kids next door playing in their backyard! For a community that cries that there is nothing for their youth to do in our small town to keep them out of trouble, why do you feel the need to cry and complain when something has been provided?! Seriously, I just DON'T understand.

HALLOWEEN is almost here!

HALLOWEEN is almost here! One of my favorite times of the year! I don't know what it is about this time of year but I can only describe it as one of those moments when you stop and take a big breath in and then let it all out while a smile creeps along your face. You know one of those moments when you are completely satisfied?! It might be the cooler air (which we haven't experienced yet and I'm totally okay with), the changing of the leaves, soups returning to our evening meals, pumpkin patches, corn mazes, Halloween goodies spread throughout the stores, decorating sugar cookies, and the long awaited Halloween party that we throw every year (one of my very favorite events in the Wolff household)! I really can't pick just one but I get all tingly when it comes to thinking about fall.

I've been wanting to decorate for Halloween since the beginning of September. Waaaaaaay to early in my husband's book and he probably is right. So I've been really trying to reign myself in and wait. Oh dear has the waiting been really long and unbearable. Well, not really, but it's like being a little kid at Christmas who is beside themself with giddiness the night before Christmas morning. Sooooo, do I or don't I pull out my Halloween decorations today?! It may be some sort of crazy but I've been battling with this dilemma for a few weeks now. Oh, and another dilemma, what to transform myself into this year for Halloween! Funny thing is, I'll probably resort right back to the few costumes I've seemed to rotate through for the past few years. Not a big deal in my books. However, the big deal is that I'll actually dress up! I was never one who dressed up as a teen or as a young adult. Never wanted to embarrass myself, too shy or was it that I was just too cool to do that kind of nonsense. I have no clue. But now...you can't hold me back! Weird how your perception changes and I'm glad it has as I can now fully experience the season with my children as it should be experienced. So here's to seeing if I can wait one more week before I head into the garage and start hauling in my Halloween decorations!

THE DIRTY DASH

This has got to be one of the funnest races I've done yet! Who wouldn't think that running a 10K through obstacles on a long ski hill, that went on for eternity I might add, and finishing off with a dip in the mud wouldn't be a fun time?! Well, to be honest, I did have my doubts. On our car ride up to Bogus Basin I was all nerves! I seriously had a pit in my stomach the size of a basketball.

At 10:10 our wave took off! We ran until we hit our first obstacle, the gigantic hay bails. Jumping up and scooting our bare legs over them was a piece of cake! OUCH! Then came more running until we hit the tunnels. Not bad, but not pleasant either. At least I got to stay on my feet for that one. Next up was a massive hill. Well, at the time it definately felt massive to me. It just went on and on and on and on and on, well, you get the point. Oh, and why not throw in a million tires to jump through while we are running up a hill! That sounds great! I hope you can hear my sarcasm right about now. LOL. Actually it wasn't too bad. At the end of the tires we got to take a small pit stop to drink some water and then off to run up more hill. Next came the walls to climb up and over. I really wished I was taller! It backed us up quite a bit since only a couple of people could go at a time but it was fun watching others conquer and others struggle.

Off for more running and next was the beer/rootbeer chug. Ummmmmm, we passed on that. I can't even imagine anything worse to drink, let alone chug, than soda while you are in the middle of running. Just the thought of it made my stomach clench up. So on we went with more running until we hit the slip n' slide! Loved it! I think more so because I knew that not too much further and we would be at the finish line. But wait, that meant the lovely mud pit! Hmmmmm, was I ready for that yet?! We got to the tip of the mud pit and all I thought was "well, this is why we are here!" and realizing that turning back was not an option, I dipped one foot in and then all of a sudden I'm completely immersed! Now how did that happen?! Thanks to awesome friends a roll in the mud couldn't have been any funner! I seriously laughed so hard I thought I was going to die! Definately going to do this next year! Hope you enjoy the photos! Thanks DIRTY DASH! Don't forget to click on the photos for a better view!