Ashton turns 4

 

All I can say is...

Where does the time go!

 

 

We had a pirate theme party.

I have to say it was the most mellow birthday party I have ever thrown:)

 

We only invited a few kids. They all worked so hard on decorating  their spy glasses and swords.  Kev and I almost couldn't pull them away for the treasure hunt. 

It was a perfect party for Ashton!

 

 

Christmas 2012

I love Christmas time!

 

We celebrated with old traditions, trying new things, and had one big Christmas surprise!

 

Ginger Bread Houses...

We love making and of course eating these every year!

 

 

Trying something new...

Izzy and I stringing popcorn. She is the only one I could talk into doing this with me;)

We had fun and the tree looked great, but not going to do it again.  I had 2 of my kids think they could eat the stringed popcorn off the tree.  (Cole and Ashton)

It's too hard of work to string that stuff, to have someone come along and sneak a snack:) 

 

 

Big Surprise!

My mom and dad came down to spend Christmas eve and Christmas with us!

 

We were beyond excited and so very glad they came:)

 

Thanksgiving 2012

Thanksgiving was up at my parents ranch in Enterprise.

The kids just love it up there! 

We are all able to just relax, cozy up to the fire, and spend time together!

Oh yes... and ride the horses!

 

 

We took the scenic route home to Arizona and stopped to take a look at the old Navajo Bridge.

 

It was a great place to stop and enjoy the beautiful surroundings and see the Colorado River!

 

I just love the Colorado!

Halloween 2012

 

We love to carve pumpkins!

These pumpkins were just any old pumpkins though, these came from Grandpa J's garden just for this purpose!  The kids loved it and made some great jack-0-lanterns!

 

 

 

 



All dressed up and ready to go get CANDY!

 

Cole just had to be Gandalf  from Lord of the Rings this year.  He and his friend had been reading the Hobbit at the time, which helped give them the idea that Cole would be Gandalf and his best friend would be Frodo Baggins.  It was a perfect match and a huge hit!

Cole got to go out trick-or-treating with just he and his friend. Cole said everyone thought they had the best costumes of the night!

Ethan's Birthday...8 is Great!

 

Ethan turned 8 back in September!

I am thankful everyday that I was blessed with this wonderful boy.  He has the sweetest spirit and brings me such joy!

 

His request for his cake this year got me all excited! 

 He wanted the American flag! 

 

I don't know if it was all the election stuff Kev and I were watching on TV at the time.  That he wears red, white, and blue to school everyday. Or that in school he recites the anthem and the preamble every morning.  But he had the patriotic bug:)

 

He wanted the flag on his cake.  I had a different idea, I hid it inside so he thought I forgot about the flag idea...I like to tease this kid:) 

He was so surprised when he got his slice.

His baptism...

 



 

Thankful to all those who were able to come and support Ethan on his special day!

 



First Day of School 2012

Three kids started school this week!

Where did the summer go?

I felt like a mom out of practice....Its not like I haven't made a ton of lunches, but for some reason Monday morning came and I looked at their boxes and wondered what to put in them. 

Crazy right?

I think I was preoccupied with the fact that Izzy was actually going to Kindergarten this year!!!

All the days before Monday I kept thinking, she's too small and I'm not ready to let go of her.

She came down the stairs all dressed, so excited and so ready for her new adventure.

She grew up on me that morning and me heart broke a little, but I was amazed all at the same time.  She also had no problem saying good bye to Mom and Dad!  She hopped on the bus super excited to finally have her turn after years of watching her big brothers.  When we met her at the school to walk her to the class door, she told us..."I want to walk with Ethan, not you guys".

She's my sweet little girl, I've missed her.  At least she's only gone half the day!

Cole

5th grade

Mrs. Anderson

 Ethan

2nd grade

Ms. Tiffany

Isabel

Kindergarten

Mrs. Day

Cole and his best friend Brady...what a pair!

Camping at Lake Mary

We went camping by Flagstaff last weekend.  We spent two nights up by Lake Mary, and got away from this crazy Arizona heat.

It was a blast! 

We had so much fun together.  It was great to get away for some much needed R&R and together time.  All electronics were left at home - Loved that!! It was full of good old fashioned card playing, hiking, camp fire poking, and most important....talking!

Almost had the whole place to ourselves the first night.  This camp site was so clean, even the whole in the ground toilets smelled good.  The hosts were great at keeping everything clean!



Cole and Kev on dish duty.



First time bringing our hammock camping...we'll never leave it at home again!

It got tons of use!



 Trying to get everyone to smile at the red flashing light for a family picture is not easy!

Fun times!