I initially got on my blog to post w a few little pictures and updates on whats been going on with us lately-but in doing so, I realised that while I have done posts specifically dedicated to different holidays, trips and bdays, I haven't done any just 'normal life' whats going on with us type posts. So in the end, this one is going to have a lot more pictures and stuff that I want recorded for the future, before I forget it. So here goes!

-Every year, Boise has a hot air balloon festival called 'The Spirit of Boise'. It starts at the crack of dawn for a few days, with tethered rides, food trucks, a chance to see all the different balloons and how they are operated and more. It is extremely popular however, and in the end, we were lucky to be able to make it on the grounds w a million other ppl to watch them do a light show. It was beautiful and fun, and a special little night in the middle of all the crazy that is life w three kids in medical school-add a quick stop for ice cream after that and it was a pretty perfect little night. 

-Our Ms. Addy completed another first for us, when she lost her first and second baby teeth! It had been a 2 week ordeal seeing them wiggling, but still too stiff to come out-but when we noticed her adult ones underneath were starting push their way through in another direction, we took her into the dentist where they helped move the process along. She was thrilled when the tooth fairy left her a little treat the next morning, and we have been loving her toothy little grin ever since. I think people sometimes forget that despite the fact that we have a few kids, when it comes to Addy, she is still our first and so everything she does is new territory for us and we love learning and experiencing this life through her! 

-We have of course been indulging our favourite family hobby of food, both in eating out here and there, but especially cooking at home from new cookbooks, cuisines, or fun things we dream up. A highlight has been being able to cook with super fresh produce from our friend Giddy's garden, and to try and see how we can incorporate all these goodies into each new dish we try to make. It has been a blast, and we love food as much as ever! 

[lemon huckleberry pancakes]

[Daddy made us taro boba and it fulfilled all our cravings-he is the bestest!]

[TKO from Thomas Keller's Bouchon cookbook, which were to DIE for]

[Cocoa Nib Scones, and Lemon Lavender Scones]

[Huckleberry Galette]

[Mung bean noodle salad]

[Dragonfruit smoothie bowl w chia seeds and fruit, courtesy of Lester]

[Crispy chicken thighs over braised fennel and onions]

[Pecan Sandies, also a Keller recipe]

[Ratatoille inspired pasta]

-Lester and I celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary! Sometimes it seems crazy that its been that long, other times it feels like its hard to remember a time in life before we were each others. Life isn't always easy, but it is always an adventure with him and we both feel so glad to have each other to share it with. Here is to a million more forced pictures and movie nights and hair ties! 

-We've been getting together with some of our favourite friends as much as possible in the last few weeks, enjoying the end of summer, and this awesome fall weather. Its nice to have finally found some people we all seem to fit w so well!

-Addy's wish of the last two years finally came true when we officially started her on violin lessons. I love seeing her focus and thrive on it, and find another way to not just excel, but also vent her emotions. So far so good!

-We've of course had the usual errands, and festivals, like the Soul food ones that came through recently [I see you, gumbo..] and some ice cream treats. 

-And last but DEFINITELY not least, I officially have two littles in school and I both love it and hate it so much haha. But this school and environment has been such better fit for them-I love how diverse it is in more ways then one, and seeing my kids out there thriving and connecting w their peers and the concepts they are grasping. Both of them have friends from church in their classes, and have come home beaming most days. I think we needed that and I am so grateful for it. Bear boy and I are loving the one on one time as well, and I'm enjoying seeing his happy personality continue and seeing the boundaries he challenges and new things he tries.

[On picture day, Addy picked out this outfit my parents had brought her from Hawaii bc she said she wanted to 'represent her heritage', and could we braid her hair the night before and take it out so it looked 'like a Hawaiian girl'. This is the most genuine smile I've seen her give outside of being w us, and it does my heart so good!]

[My amazing adorable Huckleberry Isla brought me down this outfit, w knee high boots and black jeans as well and said 'I kind of want to go for a spy vibe for picture day. Do you this looks like a spy girl? And do you have any spy accessories I can bring, like a tiny camera, or a magnifying glass? If not, I'll just bring this tiny notebook.' Be still. My. HEART! She is one of my favorite ppl.]

So that is life for us right now, and we are just trucking along. Life is good!