October - (also called Marching Band Season)

October weekends were filled with marching band competitions and Halloween festivities. And the weeks were filled with work and sewing projects.

After Halloween 2014, we suggested to Brek that his costume for 2014 be one of the old marching band uniforms at the school. He HAPPILY agreed, since this kid loves anything band. Really, all I did was cut up one of the purple suit jackets that goes underneath (you can only see the sleeves) and make it smaller. I say "really" because in the whole look of the uniform, it isn't that big of a deal, but REALLY, I had never altered any article of clothing before and my sewing skills are already limited to straight lines, so this was a HUGE ordeal. There was one suit jacket that was completely sacrificed and didn't pull through the operation. 

I thought Brek looked awesome. Brek thought he looked awesome too. As did every single other person that saw this cuteness:

Again, sorry for the sideways look. I'm working with some new computer programs and haven't figured this part out yet.

My other sewing projects were also using the old marching band uniforms to make other items for a band raffle basket. I was super proud of this drawstring backpack that I made from the old capes. I'm planning on making one for each of us, and have been approached by several members in the community that have shown some interest. I also was able to make a pillow too. (Lucky for me, Joe's sister Janelle who has some amazing sewing talent made one for us a few years ago when we first moved here, so I was able to copy her pattern.)

This is the whole raffle basket: We put it all in an old drum and just turned it upside-down. We got a nice plant and put it inside one of the old hats. Students contributed drum sticks, earphones, an iTunes gift card, a band shirt, and school colored treats. You can see the edge of the pillow in the back, and the backpack is hidden in there too. It was the best raffle basket at the event, and we were all pretty proud of it.

Marching band season went really well for us this year. We marched 50 kids which was awesome. (Last year we were at about half of that.) Joe arranged the song "Hooked on a Feeling" and it was fun. We had to do some re-scheduling of the competitions we wanted to do vs weekends when the kids weren't already committed to volleyball/cross-country/football events. But it all turned out. Brek got to come to both of our parades this year and he wore his costume/uniform (pictured above.) He walked with me on the side of the band and did a great job. And of course, he received lots of "oohs" and "ahs."

Once marching band was done, we focused in on Halloween. We had a church Halloween party that was a lot of fun. We had dinner and games.

Brek with his friend Parker

Brek with his friend Addy 

We also carved pumpkins as a family for the first time. Brek got to help pick out the designs for carving, and of course he got to help gut the pumpkins too. He thought it was pretty slimy, but he was still all smiles:

Here's the result of our carvings. Joe did the cat in the moon, and I did the silly face.

Here's Brek posing with the pumpkins. Kinda hard to see a a brown boy in the dark.

The biggest highlight of October was the birth of our new nephew, Bennett David Aaron Belt. Brek LOVES the idea of having a new cousin, and I'm so excited for my sister to have a sweet little prince to add to her 3 princesses.

One night we were having a cobbler for dessert and Joe asked Brek if he wanted it "a la mode." Joe thought that Brek would either turn it down because he didn't know what it was, or would actually ask what it was and discover that he was getting ice cream. Instead, Brek asked Joe if he was having it "a la mode." Then he followed his question up with, "I just like to copy you."

Actual Halloween night: He used this old toy drum (which used to be Joe's younger brother Dan's) to hold his candy.

He stands up here on the couch so he can look at himself in our big mirror.

It was a fun month. It was also nice for November to come so we could have some down time at home. Brek's pretty sure he'll dress up as a marching band kid again in a couple years. And another post to come where we had Joe's sister Janelle take some more professional pictures of Brek in his costume. For those that read this blog and haven't seen them already, be prepared for awesome!

May

In May we had a Flat Stanley from my friend Betsy's school in northern California. We took him to the aquarium. 

I know the turtle is blurry, but I still think it's a pretty cool picture, and it captures Brek too. 

Here's a good picture of one of the sharks. 

And I love this picture of the otter. They are so fun to watch!

Joe and I took a really fast trip to Wyoming for a job interview. Thankfully Brek was able to stay with Grandma Jensen and I got off of work for it. He didn't end up getting the job, but better things always come. :) We almost lost Flat Stanley in this next picture because of the wind, but Joe wanted to capture this gorge.

 Brek really loved Flat Stanley.

 
Got my Mother's Day pictures. (I sure gained a lot of weight. oy!) But I love my son no matter what I look like and even on the really hard days, I'm still so thankful to be his mother.

This one is my favorite.

At the beginning of the month we were able to go and cheer my cousin Tammy on as she ran a marathon in Provo.

First time we saw her, a little over 1/2 way done.

Someone gave Brek a balloon while we waited for runners to come in. 

 

Here comes Tammy!

All done! And so exhausted!

Just a cute picture of the boy. Can't have too many of those.

At the end of May, we were able to go out to Nebraska to visit Joe's sister and her family for Memorial Day weekend. One of Joe's brothers and his family was also visiting at the same time. Brek loved his cousin time. On Memorial Day we took a drive up to Mount Rushmore. Cousin Mara was being so sweet with Brek. Brek loved the flags, and it was pretty windy and they were going crazy. He was quite fascinated. But then when we came through the flags and saw the mountain, Brek pointed and started laughing. He thought the faces on the mountain were hilarious. We all got a kick out of that!

Pointing to the faces on the mountain.

With cousin Mara

Took a cousin shot as we were entering. Missing 2 that were already hiding from the wind.
L-R: James, Jessica, Rachel, Brek, Sara, Mara, Jensen, and Jonathon

We stopped for ice cream on our way out, and I couldn't help myself with this shot.

We had a wonderful visit, loved being with family, and Joe was able to interview for a job out there in Nebraska, so we got to see the town and get a feel for life in Nebraska. Joe ended up getting the job, and we are super excited about the new adventures ahead of us! Go Huskers!

Happy Day

We are getting a baby! We have a little boy joining our family on July 26th. We are really excited! (Still waiting for shock to creep in.)

Due to legal purposes, we are not supposed to use his real name until after the adoption is finalized, which should happen in January or February.

Just wanted to share the news. Thanks for all the love and support and prayers that we have received.