A Month's Worth of Catch Up! Enjoy...

Alright, alright! It's been OVER a month now - I know! I'm only one person, people. I'm trying here. Just love me and be happy NOW, cause I've uploaded LOTS of pictures to highlight the last month of our lives.

First is this lovely photo of my two oldest on October 17th. What? You don't like their fashion-forward duds? Actually, it was Friday of Spirit Week - this day, in particular, was CRAZY red and white day. Paul asked me if I had seen my children before they left the house that morning. He was a bit concerned until he dropped them off at the high school and saw how OTHERS were dressed. Let's just say, my kids were MILD! They had been planning these outfits for weeks also - go figure!?!?! Snohomish High has a cool tradition during Homecoming week (on CRAZY red and white day) - they do what is called the Serpentine through town. It's a parade consisting of first, Football team, other sports teams, Homecoming Court, Band, ROTC and such, then each class follows in order - dressed in all their CRAZY red and white glory! I went down to watch from the sidelines and take pictures for future embarassing opportunities (Its my job you know!) It was quite a cool site: Hannah, Michelle and Brianna (the one on the right with the camera) on the march. Kenzie and her friend, Jennifer came by with the Freshmen bringing up the rear of the procession. If you look in the right lens of Jennifer's lip glasses, you'll see yours truly - ME - with camera in hand!Our family went to the Homecoming game that evening. It was actually Paul and my first time to attend a SHS football game - I know we're pretty pathetic! Can't believe we didnt' do it sooner - it was quite fun! Brianna and Kenzie ran off with their friends, Carly found her 6th grade buddies to pal around with and Aaron hung out in the "old people" section of the bleachers to actually WATCH the game with us. And hey! - we won! That makes Homecoming even BETTER!

These next few pictures are of another annual tradition in the Snohomish School District known at the GREAT PUMPKIN RACE! All who want, from all elementary schools, run against others in their grade at the SHS track. All of our kids participated. Brianna and Kenzie quit after 4th grade, they wimped out when they realized the 5th and 6th graders ran a WHOLE mile!

Aaron ran with the 3rd graders (his age level) even though he's in 4th grade - I thought it was only fair. He's serious about this too. He's been training, running around the house for a long time. (Really, his sisters pay him to run so many laps - it keeps him out of their hair for a while and wears the kid out!) All his training is paying off though. In first grade he came in 13th place, last year, 2nd grade he was 9th place and this year he made it all the way to 4th place! WOO HOO!!!Here he is on the stand with his 4th place ribbon. He really wants to be in the top 3, cause then you get a pumpkin signed by the whole SHS cross country team. Very prestigious as you can imagine! Maybe next year - he was thrilled to be on the stand nonetheless.

Then it was Carly's turn. She had a goal for herself, to run the pumpkin race all 6 years of elementary school and she did it! While she didn't get anywhere near 1st place, she met her goal, which is more than her two chicken older sisters can say, now isn't it?
On to Halloween Day. First, Aaron's class has a MARSHMALLOW LAUNCHER competition. It was a project for each of them to come up with a marshmallow launcher. Aaron's in the middle of the class sitting at his desk in his picture with the launching going on on the left:

Aaron shooting his off - marshmallow in flight! His went at least 3 meters like it was supposed to. Some of these launchers were quite elaborate - but Aaron AND Paul decided to be minimalists - all criterion were met though. Simplicity rules ALL things worthwhile doesn't it?

Later in the afternoon - All four showing off their carved pumpkins before we head to the Meltons for our Halloween festivities:

And who should meet us once we got to the Meltons, but Princess "Libby" Leah. How cute is this?!?!?! Matt joined us for the first bit of trick or treating with Carly and Aaron. He's always got some creative costume. Last year he was Nacho Libre, two years ago, he was The Incredible Hulk and this year he is corporate CEO with a sign that says, "Help! Executive Seeking another Golden Parachute. Will work for $20,000,000!" Some laughed, some said, "Huh?" and others just chuckled nervously like they knew they should get it, but didn't want to look stupid. Which are you?

Megan (Dorothy), Eva (the Scarecrow), Kenzie (The Tin "Wo"man) and Jesse (the Cowardly Lion) - VERY CREATIVE girls! They got many complements from the trick or treatees out there - and extra candy I hear for being so tricky!

It was TEEN GRAND CENTRAL this year at the Meltons. Brianna's in the middle, sitting, with the gray sweatshirt. The adults just sat back and watched the chaos ensue, Matt was in the mix of kids though - just can't stay out of it. This is a scene from the game "Candy Turnover" loosely resembling the old favorite of Fruitbasket Turnover.

Carly and Aaron examining their loot. Gotta get organized before you can trade properly! These next couple photos are from Aaron's last soccer game of the season. "YIPPEE" - cry his parents! He really found an enthusiasm for playing goalie this year. This was his second time to play for a game. He was a bit nervous, they were playing against the toughest team on their roster this year. Last time they played them, the other team creamed them pretty good. Blew them out of the water actually. They'd been working hard the rest of the season, and didn't get beat by nearly as much this time! We're calling that GREAT improvement!! OK, so he missed this goal, but it's a pretty cool shot nonetheless!:

I'll leave you now with a taste of Fall in the Great Northwest. This was a day last week that had been extra blustery, bringing much of the turned leaves to the ground. I love fall around here actually. The beauty sometimes takes my breathe away:
There - I hope I've satisfied a bit of your Leavens Family curiosity for a bit. Don't be surprised if it takes another month for an update - but oh aren't the updates worth it when they do arrive?!?!?!?! Over and out...