Boo Hoo, No More WaMu

Well, it has happened. WaMu is officially JP Morgen Chase. Shawn has worked for two industries that have been hit hard by the economic downturn. It really isn't his fault that both DaimlerChrysler and WaMu tanked while he was working for them, we just like to tease him about it.

It was a very sad ending to the little company that could. People were working around the clock to save the company and they really felt they could but the government was too worried about covering all the FDIC insured accounts if they failed. They begged the government to give them another week or two to implement their plan but in the end, they undermined what WaMu was trying to do and then took them over--selling them to JP Morgen for free. Merry Christmas!

So, we find out December 1st what the status is of Shawn's job, so stay tuned! Anyone have an idea of another company that we can bring down?

Michigan!

After Toronto, I was able to drive back to Rochester Hills, MI. It still felt like I was coming home! I was able to see some dear friends and visit some old favorites! I took Ethan to a cider mill, Kruse& Muer and Rochester park where we played with the Jamison girls...Irina & Karina JamisonMorgen Rain
We had a Girls Night Out at Cheri's house (boy, do we know how to party!) and I stopped by to see our old house. I just couldn't resist taking a picture of our crazy neighbor's house. It was September 22nd and they already had out their Halloween decorations!!!!!
Oh, the memories! Chicken suits, sliding off the roof in a dingy (glad they didn't forget their life jackets), fireworks for the whole month of July....I really miss those guys!

It was a wonderful to visit! I'm glad I was able to take Ethan back, even though I know he won't remember. We had so many good times and made so many terrific friends, I'll always have a special place in my heart for Michigan!

I Love To See the Temple

On September 20th I had the privilege of escorting a dear friend through the Toronto temple. Julie and I grew up together, getting into lots of trouble together as well! She is a strong woman who has truly been through the refiner's fire and it was an honor to see who she has become. The time I spent with her will always be one of my most treasured memories! Thank you Julie!It is an amazing process to see how the light of the gospel can bring peace into someone's life. That doesn't mean that life is easy, I think in someways it's even harder. But there can be peace where there would be despair, and that is very comforting.

Who's your goalie?

Well, fall is in the air....

School has begun...

and it's time for soccer!!!!!

This has got to be one of my favorite times of the year! And it is so fun to have my daughter playing soccer at Marymoor Park, where I grew up playing soccer.

Let the games begin!

Rise and Shout

The cougars are out!

And we went to see them play when they came up to UW (University of Washington). It was a great game with many exciting moments, coming down to the last 3 minutes. There were a lot of BYU fans present, which made it fun (the UW fans didn't like it so much). And Shawn was a little conflicted since he attended both schools but in the end BYU came out victorious, 28-27!

It was so loud and exciting that it wore Ethan out...
Fun times! Go Cougs!

1st Day of School

Kailey started 2nd grade at Rachel Carson Elementary, a brand new school. This is her 4th elementary school in 3 years and she has been a good sport about it! Brayden started his first year of preschool going 2 days at Little Gems. He wasn't so excited about it...
Jada is going to Sammamish Hills Lutheran Preschool. We decided to do a third year of preschool, rather than enroll her in Kindergarten, to give her a little extra time to master some concepts. She was just excited to wear her new dress!
So. we have three different schools, three different start/pick-up times and one tired mom!

Lake Chelan

Over Labor Day weekend we went with my family to Lake Chelan for a week. The weather was great and we enjoyed lots of fun activities, here are just a few pics from our time out there! Poor uncle Talmage had a broken arm and was unable to wakeboard, swim, or golf...

Just monkeying around
Put Put goes a lot faster when you just put the ball in the hole, who knew?

Uncle Mckay, showing some humble pie;>
We really had fun playing in the water and playing games late into the night. It was such a nice ending to the summer! I miss the sun already!