Christmas is Coming!

We saw the lights, had a pre-school program, and two family parties. We love this time of year!

Festival of the Trees

We had the pleasure of attending the Festival of the Trees today. We saw a lot of cool things but by far my favorite (and the reason we went) was the tree dedicated in memory of my Uncle Dale.

As many of you know he used to entertain as Santa all season long and he loved everything Santa. I miss him dearly and this time of year I think of him even more.

I'm glad the Johnson girls (and helpers) did the tree, it's a beautiful tribute to a beautiful man.

Thanksgiving

We took no photos for Thanksgiving but I still wanted to write about my favorite holiday. It was a great day filled with wonderful smells and delicious treats. We watched some football and a movie in HD (guess what Corb bought me for my birthday?!?!)

It was our turn to go to the Fox dinner this year and it was fantastic! I am grateful to have married into a family that I love and that loves me. My children receive the greatest benefit, as they are loved beyond measure by so many people.

We also were able to have pie with Corbin's grandparents and swing by my Aunt Lisa's open house and visit with family members we don't see often enough.

It was a lovely day all around. The best part was that when I got home, the dishes were done and there was still a half a pan of West Virginia dressing in the fridge- yum!

The big game.

Here we are celebrating...now for those of you that have known me for a long time-I've been a "recovered Cougar fan" now for 13 or 14 years. (thanks James) GO UTES!

Trip to the Centerville Fire Station

Spencer needed this for scouts, the last thing so he could earn his Wolf.

The fire fighters were so cute and patient, they let the kids crawl all over everything. We had a super time!

Halloween Part 5

The crew headed out- we were the first on the street!

And yes, Ruby is wearing a different costume.
She had to wear the mouse to town because I couldn't find the wings.

When I got home there they were!

Is this our last year for Jack to dress up?

This is Penelope and one of four boys she is considering for marriage. Not to worry, she told me that she would wait until she's 34!

The kids ate candy until Monday when it got loaded up and donated to the Food Bank.

Halloween Part 4

Trick-or-treating at Nana's work. Please do not mention to her that her photo has been blogged!


Yes, we left with bags at capacity and they hadn't even knocked on one door!

It was really fun to see everyone and their cute kids and Linda (coworker of Nana's) had a prize for cutest costume and Penelope won! She was completely embarrassed...I was grateful, I half expected her to parade around or run a victory lap!


Cousin Eli arrived to late for the contest and I guess was not too happy about it!!

Are you tired? I was!

Halloween Part 3

Trick-or-treating at Daddy's work.

Lots of funny guy's and gals with loads of candy!

Shown are our two favorite costumes...


Bags are over half full already.
This holiday is totally sponsered by some dental association, I know it!

Halloween Part 2

Visited Grandma T. We love her!

Ate gross looking, but delicious tasting cookie finger made by Aunt Colleen.

Halloween Part 1

Catching up is hard to do, but I'm going to do my best.

This is Halloween morning, no school, good weather, and pumpkin carving. We had a great time. We turned on Nana's stereo that she has in the garage and cranked the oldies. I'm not sure what station, it's Papa's!


Penelope wanted nothing to do with the slimey pumpkin so she colored some decorations from pre-school.

Ruby watched from the sidelines, desperate to get her hands ( and mouth, no doubt) on those orange things!

Chuck Your Grandma

We were fortunate enough to dine at Chuck Your Grandma (as my children call it) for Jack's birthday dinner. By fortunate I mean it's nice to eat at a place where everybody eats what they want, dessert is included (or the only thing some people eat), the low key atmosphere lends itself to noisy children and when they have to pull out the vacuum after you leave, you don't feel too bad.

The photos that follow are just a sample of just how much fun we are at the dinner table...oh, that's Ruby's first chicken leg. She stole it right off of Penelope's plate. I've never seen a person love a piece of food quite so much. We had to pry it out of her hand when it was time to go!

Happy 11th Birthday Jack!!!

Soccer Kids

Our Mom went to Mexico and all we got were these AWESOME soccer uniforms!

Danni and Ruby's Big Adventure

We set out on the breezy morning of October 10th to travel to see the Thompson family now living in Mexico. Flying to Tucson and driving the rest of the way was the economic solution. It was actually great to spend a few hours in the car with Chris and Lucia, catching up. Oh, and by the way, Roman Octavio is a doll! (Ruby loved him too.)

Hermosillo is a cool place, and I am in NO WAY referring to the temperature. It averaged 100 degrees most days we were there. The locals were grateful it had started to cool down!

We were thrilled to spend time with Kennedy and CJ, although they are very busy. There lives are very disciplined and organized during the week and they are doing great! Their Spanish is so good and they are doing well in school. They impressed me every day with their fearlessness and hard work. I'm so proud of them.

My bother is working at the Consulate and works very hard. Lucia is the cutest new mom in the world with the cutest baby ever.

We shopped, went site seeing, saw the Naranjeros (Hermosillo's pro baseball team) play, we visited family, hung out at the country club, visited both of the kids schools and ate amazing food. I was pampered and spoiled and it has been a little difficult to return to normal life!

All in all, it was a great success and I can't wait to go back.

Rock Band Continued

This is our life now. As soon as the kids are ready for bed, we spend some quality time ROCKING!

Of course the children fight over the drums, is drumming a genetic trait?

I think the singing is the most fun (easiest) and Jack told me that I was "the best singer in the world" because I passed Tom Sawyer on expert.
(Don't tell him that I've heard that song a thousand times!)