EMMA!

Remember earlier when I said we were going to be hosting Ebere from Nigeria?  Well unfortunately she has been unable to secure a visa to come to the U.S.  We are praying that she will be able to make it to Miles City to play basketball by next year.  The coaches approached us about hosting another student named Emma.  At first we thought it meant we wouldn't be able to host Ebere if she arrives, but we were told we could host both athletes.  We said we would be happy to host Emma, and I am so glad we did!  It has been great getting to know her, and we are really enjoying being a host family.  It is difficult to travel to away games, but we try to make all of her home games.  The girls absolutely love her, and each time she comes over to the house they are beyond excited.  We are looking forward to spending more time with her over the rest of this year and next year as well. 

Halloween 2015

Bailey went as a cowgirl.

The annual Highland Park Halloween Parade.

Bailey's class of creatures.

Josie was Elsa, of course.

I adore this picture!

Dancing at the Sleep Inn carnival.

Trying hard for a cake at the cake walk.

Action shot!

The Houlds came over for game day, pumpkin carving, and trick-or-treating.

"No way am I sticking my hand in there."

Ooooey, goooey pumpkin guts!

The Muscha kiddos!

A Little Bit of Fall

Our fall is flying by!  Here are a few highlights. 

Autumn Sloan turned 4!  She wanted each person to have their own candle to blow out.

Autumn also wanted a coffee party.  Yep, coffee.  So on a Sunday evening our kids got cupcakes and real coffee.  Thanks a lot Rachel!

Miles City businesses decorate hay bales each fall.  The girls love it!

Our friends gave us a guitar!  Now we just need to learn to play.  Bailey has a great time with it.

Overnight in Billings

Josie and Miles headed to Harvey for a week, and Bailey and I had a fun week together at home.  Grandma Lynn asked us to meet her in Billings for an overnight visit too.  As usual we packed in all kinds of activities. 

Bailey was very excited for her first trip to the Reef!

The BIG slides!

Mom even got up the courage for the big slides.

Of course Grandma took Bailey to Geyser Park!

We stayed at our favorite place, and Bailey got her wish to have a room with a bear hanging outside.

Grandma and Bailey!

We finished our visit with lunch at Chuck E. Cheese's.

Little Entrepreneurs

On a sunny fall day, Bailey and her friend Clea asked if they could set up a stand on our corner selling balloon animals.  I was skeptical about anyone stopping to purchase a balloon animal by two 8-year-old girls who don't really know how to make balloon animals.  Boy was I wrong!  Each time I looked out the window to check on them they had customers.  They ended up making over $20 and finally ran out of balloons.  Smart little girls.

Fall Soccer 2015

Another soccer season came and went.  Bailey moved up a league, which meant a bigger field and actual goalies.  It was a learning process, but she had a fun year.  I was terrible about taking pictures, and the few I took aren't very good.  Oh well, here they are.

I warned you that the pictures weren't great.  Sorry. 

Silly, Silly Josephine

Grandma Sue sent the girls "magic" wash clothes.  They were little squares the size of a graham cracker half, but when you put them in water they opened up like magic.  Josie was thrilled!  But then bummed when I couldn't make it back into the tiny square.  I think her face is so adorable in this picture.  Who am I kidding, it is ALWAYS adorable. 

Josephine has no attention span, like most 3 year olds.  While Miles reads she usually climbs around and does anything except listen.