Breaking Tradition

 Big B's parents are serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Thatcher, Arizona. They are working in the institute with all the college students. So we broke tradition to visit them and see what they do in Thatcher. There is a temple there and you could even see it from their front door! 

 It was closed for Thanksgiving so we could only see it from behind the gates. It amazes me how temples are being built all over even in such small towns as Thatcher.

 My best friend from high school ended up in Thatcher to play basketball for college so I took some picture for her. I still can't believe she ended up there for two years!

 There is a mountain close by and we went up it for a picnic and there was snow. We had a snowball fight and did some small hikes.

 Handsome fellows enjoying the outdoors.

 These crazies love being outside! Sometimes I think we should be living somewhere like Thatcher or Panaca. 

E getting some grandpa time. They do share the same middle name.

We also spend a lot of time playing at the institute, took a walk around town, and helped grandma put on a yummy Thanksgiving dinner. It was great time!

Palm Springs

 For Thanksgiving this year we broke tradition and missed out on Panaca to visit Big B's parents on their mission in Arizona. On our way there we spent one night in Palm Springs and did a really fun hike to this waterfall. The kids had so much fun climbing rocks and hiking that they said it was even more fun then Disneyland. (They haven't been to Dland in so long I think they forgot how fun it is.)

 Getting to the waterfall wasn't enough so then we had to figure out how to get on the big island rock even closer to the waterfall.

 Cutest little tag alongs I've ever seen. They actually kept up really well and did everything the bigger kids did.

 They all made it!

There were so many pretty picture to take. We had a great time!

Day Out With Dad

 It's not often we go out around town with Big B. Our Saturdays are usually filled with sports and just getting things done. Our house is on the market and we had an open house so we need to stay away for a few hours. We started with lunch at the metal slides. 

 Out of all the nice slides and parks we have by our house the kids prefer these old slides by the discovery museum.

 We hit the discovery museum after the slides. Another favorite place.

Just a random cute picture of E:)

Lakers Game

 One of Big B's subcontractors took us out to dinner and a Lakers game. It was so much fun! I have never been to a Lakers game and we had some really close seats.

I thought we got a picture of the two of us but I guess I deleted it:( It was fun to see the players interact on the bench. If I ever go back it'll be hard to beat this night.

Starting a Business

 Combat Cleaning is up and running! My friend and I have started a cleaning business that cleans up construction sites before they get turned over to the owners. So far no employees so it's up to us to get the job done. The hope is to do less cleaning and more managing but it'll take awhile.

Luckily I have a great friend, business partner, that makes it fun. This job was actually a blast and we laughed a ton together.

Fall Fun

 Playing with her cousin at grandma's house. My kids will be sad the day my parents yard actually becomes more then just dirt. They love exploring, creating, and getting dirty.

 Thanksgiving prep! Thankful tree and a little indian.

 A learned how to make a picture of wheat in the top of a pie from my mom who learned from her grandma. Traditions!

Entertaining each other during B's football game.

Sea World Field Trip

 Sea World offers the best deal for preschool field trips. We get in for so cheap and it's the best day! Last year I took the whole family but this year just D, E and I went with others from D's class.

 D and her best bud from school with a penguin of course.

 Shark encounter! Love seeing them so close.

Touching the rays. I wish I could have got a picture of her on the big water ride they have. She loved it!

Even though it was a short visit (we had to get home by the time the big kids got out of school) it was lots of fun.

Halloween

 Carving pumpkins for FHE. Grandma and grandpa came over to help.

 We got a little more creative this year and used power tools to carve and drill holes.

 Trunk or treat at the church was a big hit as always.

 A made bird wings with her friends.

 They were so cute at trunk or treat together!

 Traditions! Home made root beer to go with halloween dinner. What would halloween be without dry ice.

 Pirate baby!

 My brothers and their families come to us for halloween since we do have the very best neighborhood to trick or treat in and these little girls are so cute together.

 E's first taste of candy. I think it's safe to say he loved it.

A and B with their creations. I never got a good picture of C or D. C was a football zombie and D was tinker bell. Another successful Halloween!!

Trouble With A Capital E

 E is getting so big! All of a sudden he is loads of trouble and my house is no where near baby proof!

 He has found the stairs,

 and is so proud when he climbs them and stands on the banister. He was cracking himself up.

 He likes to help unload the dishwasher.

 The kids still race to be the first one to get him from his naps. One day I told C to get him and I didn't   see or hear him for awhile and this is what I found. C just wanted to play with him without having to share.

The sad thing is the day will come all to quick when he really will be driving.

Chargers Game

 At the last minute Big B decided to get tickets to the Chargers game. It was a Monday night game so he couldn't resist. B was really excited to go. He is so into football!

 C really likes football too but he's a little more stubborn about it. Like going to this game, we had to convince him to go but he had so much fun once he got there. His flag football team is the Chargers so he got to wear his jersey.

Rainy Day!!

 We had a much needed rainy day! The beginning of the day wasn't so rainy and I was just hoping it would start to down pour so football practice would get cancelled. Well, it started to pour and practice was cancelled!! You see I had been in a very bad mood for several days. Feeling very tired, overwhelmed, and felt like the kids were not listening or helping like the should, etc., etc, etc. So I really needed this rainy day to recharge. We all changed into our pj's, did homework, cooked, baked, listen to music and played together. Something that never happens because we are always  running twenty directions at once.

 A was still going to go to swim because swim only gets cancelled if there is thunder or lightning. I almost kept her home because things were going so nice but because I wasn't taking that day I was sending her until I heard the thunder. Yay...she was staying home! She was already in her suit when it started to down pour so she ran in the rain.

The other kids ended up joining her and getting soaked in their pj's. B had his boat from the rain gutter regatta for scouts so they did a little boat race in the gutters. It was such a fun afternoon/night. Something I needed very badly! 

Preschool Fun

 This year there are only 4 kids in our co-op group. At first I was a little worried because I'm teaching for one of the moms that had to go back to work so that has me teaching every other week but this little group is so fun and easy. One week we learned about outer space so we walked to the planet park and looked at all the planets and ate lunch.

 Sunbeams!

 Just this week we went to a petting zoo.

 E liked to pet the animals too.

 The goats were a little aggressive but most of the kids still had fun with them.

 Got to see tons of pumpkins and decorate some too.

I really think their favorite part was planning in the corn. I love playing with the kids and getting to do so many fun learning things with them!!