Seriously... Since September....

...we've been busy! I have no clue why January is considered the New Year... once you've got kids in school... the New Year starts in September! With September came the start of many things, including: Preschool, Sunday School, and Soccer... along with a long anticipated new work schedule for me, a new bible study and the addition of ballet.  So, once again I find myself returning my blog in need of a Fall recap.  Since September this is what the Riggs Family has been up to.

We wrapped up a winning season of micro soccer.  Caitlyn scored her first goal at the last game {Come to think of it...I think Ashley and I still owe her a pony}.  Not only did she have a lot of fun playing for the Vikings, Ashley had a great time coaching and I had a great time cheering and really bonded with the other parents.  We've all actually just turned in a team registration to start basketball this winter... keeping our same awesome coach and players!

 Caitlyn and Ashton with Gram and Pappy after one of the games.

Ashley and I got to escape together alone to the good old city of Dubuque, Iowa.  We actually did not have high expectations of the city and I took along a few books to read anticipating that Ashley would be super busy with his conference.  Instead, we were pleasantly surprised when we were able to spend a lot of much needed time together, wine tasting, dining out, going to a comedy show, and walking along the Mighty Mississippi River. Thanks to my fantastic husband, I was even able to spend an entire morning relaxing and rejuvenating at the spa there.  Needless to say, we enjoyed our time together which re energized our marriage and our parenting spirit.

When we returned to Washington the Halloween Holiday seemed to be in full swing.   We spent one night carving pumpkins, and many other days and nights going to the pumpkin patch for field trips, attending Halloween carnivals at church, Halloween parties at preschool and at our friend's house... and of course there was Trick-or-Treating with our favorite Trick-or-Treating Crew... The 'Newettas'.

I only got one picture of Ashley and I with Ben Roethlisberger and Troy Polamalu at the 'adult' Halloween party, which was fun as always... The Johnson's out did themselves.

We attended the wedding reception of our dear friends, Mr and Mrs Adam and Megan Briscoe.  They recently got 'Maui'd' and came back to WA for a beautiful reception.  Megan was such a gorgeous bride... and if I don't say so myself... my kiddos cleaned up pretty well too.

I just had to put this pic up cause it's a really good one of my two favorite guys!

 ...Let's see... what else... 

...OH... 

we celebrated the surprise birth of our Bestie's Babe, Rylan Johnson

He made his debut into this world 8 weeks early, but since then with much love and lots of prayers, he has grown and excelled and might even be coming home to them tomorrow!  
Congratulations on your growing family!
♥

Speaking of birthdays...
we also celebrated a few others.
One being that of my other Bestie's daughter, Avery.

Really I just had to post this picture.  

Take a minute and look at the excitement on all the kids faces!

All the kiddos really did have a great time... as did the adults.  

 While the above mentioned little babe (Rylan) was in the NICU, I had the privilege to watch his big brother, Gavin for one day.  I had a blast... and even gave all three boys mow-hawks.
These three little guys are gonna be trouble...
aren't they the cutest!?! 

 And last but not least... we just finished up celebrating mine and Ashley's birthdays.  This picture is courtesy of Caitlyn setting the self timer on the morning of my birthday, after cinnamon rolls and before showers.  Some days {these seem to be my favorite days}... this is how the Riggs roll!