Halloween Happenings!

For Halloween, we had a witch, a gorilla and Spiderman come visit (although Spiderman has been here all month and continues to visit daily - along with Peter Parker).

We went to our Ward's Trunk-or-Treat on Tuesday night and survived the chaos. It is nice to get in there and "get'r done." This picture is of the kids raiding their bags after making it through the parking lot. It was funny to see Cannon. Although he is only 1 1/2, he understood what was happening. He had a serious grip on that little pumpkin bucket. Try to take it away and you got a raging mad gorilla. Thursday night we covered the table with newspaper and did the dirty work. The kids did really well and enjoyed the carving part, not so much the yucky guts. The kids are all at a fun age for this and their excitement just makes me remember the good ol' days. Halloween night was beautiful with such nice weather. As we were trick or treating, there was an older boy (maybe 15) that was dressed as Spiderman too. Asher thought that we had to follow him all night. "No Mom, Spiderman went this way!" It was cute to see him so excited. By the end of the night, Cannon could finally say something that sounded like "trick or treat" instead of just holding up his bucket, which is how we began the evening. It is so great to live with such wonderful kids and to see them enjoy life's experiences. They are growing up way too fast
and I am going to miss these times.

Family Trip to Cali - Disneyland and the Beach!

(I have been a little behind on my blogs so I decided that today was catch-up day.)

Disneyland

There's no better place to see kids truly be kids. We flew out Friday morning and drove straight to Disneyland. The kids (Wil and I included) were very excited. We headed straight for the Materhorn. We figured if they could survive that (happily), then they could survive anything Disneyland had to offer. It was a success.

We also found the new Buzz Lightyear ride and could not get enough of it. You get to shoot at bad guys and Wil loved keeping score. Yes, he kicked my butt every time. Then we tracked down Buzz himself. They were also able to see Mickey, Goofy, Minnie and 3 Princesses. We watched the parade and walked all over the "happiest place on earth." It really brought back memories for me as a child. Wil laughed when I told him I wanted to cry while watching the parade. I hope the kids keep these sweet memories too. After we were all worn out, they each got to pick one souvenir. Asher picked a light up Buzz and Courtlyn picked a baby Minnie. Then we packed up in the car and this is what happened.....

Off to the Beach!

The first time we went to the beach, we were planning on strolling along the beach and enjoying the sounds. Well, Asher got a bit too close and we should have known. Cannon loved swimming in the sand and chasing the birds. We rented a "family bike" and cruised up and down the beach. I love being by the ocean and the sense of relaxation. There is just a different lifestyle there. The next time we went to the beach we were prepared with swimsuits and sand toys. There is nothing cuter than a baby on the beach.

We all had a great time spending time together, without the phone, computers or other daily things that take us away from each other. The kids did really well with little or no naps and I wish I could find that little piece of heaven in each day. Life gets too busy and cluttered up with foggy stuff. I am grateful for those times that the fog settles and the sun warms you and you can just enjoy living life. There is nothing better than a family, except one that is eternal. I need to remember to thank my Heavenly Father, everyday, for the blessings He has given to me. Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured! (Pres. Hinkley) My life has alot to enjoy, I only need to stop long enough to do it. Hopefully these memories will remind us how important this is to do every year. Life goes by way too fast. Thanks Wil, for working so hard and providing so well. Thanks Courtlyn for helping to keep us straight. Asher, thanks for making us smile. And Cannon, thanks for your spark. I love you and am grateful you are in my life.

Ward Campout

I was so excited for the ward campout. We were not able to go camping all summer long, so I was eager. Wil kept trying to convince me of coming home after the campfire or at least getting a room at a nearby casino but, I refused. We all had a great time. Our bishop brought up his zip line again and the kids had alot of fun riding it. We got a few cute pictures. I love letting the kids get dirty (and I mean dirty) and not caring. Then 10 pm came and we decided to go to bed. Yeah. That room at the nearby casino was sounding pretty darn nice. I admitted to Wil that we probably should have gone home or gotten a room. Once again Wil, you were right!! Anyway, I am hoping as the kids get older, it will get easier. Thanks for humoring me Wil!

Preschool, WeSchool, Not so Free School!!!!!

Preschool time has finally come. Courtlyn said "This is way too long a summer break to not go to preschool!" She loves school, and Miss Kellie. As for Asher, he is starting his first year and is SO excited. We went for the open house and when he pointed to his name he said "Asher J." I explained to him that he was the only Asher in his preschool (unlike nursery with an Asher J and and Asher A). As he thought about this, his eyes got wide and he smiled really big. It is nice to see him with his own thing. Being the middle child, I want to make sure he doesn't get shuffled. Of course for the first day, he had to wear his favorite yellow basketball outfit (the one he digs out of the dirty clothes basket, everyday). After his first day, he got the whole family singing, "Sunday Monday, Tuesday Wednesday, Thursday Friday, Saturday...." I guess if I start to sing in fun phrases, he may listen to me too! I love preschool time with the kids having focused time to soak up exciting new things. They both love to go and I will have to remind them of that years down the road.

Our Not So Little Courtlyn......

Look at that concentration!!



Well, Courtlyn decided she really wanted to ride her bike without training wheels. We took the training wheels off her old bike and started working with her last night. After about 1 hour, she was cruising all around the street, making turns, stopping (with control) and saying over and over: "This is the most fun I have ever had in my whole life," "This is amazing!" "I love this more than Playdoh (since she played with it that day) and crafts!!" "Get the video camera!" We planned on working with her for the next week or so until she got the feel for it, but, SHE is amazing. We are so proud of her. She really kept trying and with only a few very light knee scuffs, she has learned to ride a bike. Wil was such a proud daddy that he could hardly wait to tell his co-workers when they asked, so what did you do last night? Having kids is such a blessing!

These are just a few pictures that I thought were so cute. She has found that when you put headphones on.....It's is peaceful and quiet. I even found her dozing off on the couch. I guess that bike riding wore her out. She is growing up too fast. She may be only 4 1/2, but she is already showing premature signs of teenagehood. We love having her in our family. She keeps us all on track.

To Utah and Home Again.....

Well, we went to go visit my parents in Cedar City, Utah. Two of my older brothers and my younger brother (and families) came to visit as well. It was great having the cousins together and just to enjoy some family time. Wil came down to meet us after about 1 week. We spent some good "down time" at the cabin. I love camping and being up on the mountain, away from the normal life. The kids loved the extra freedom and especially the 4-wheeler rides. Court and Ash have both learned how to drive them (I still think they are a bit young, but Wil enjoyed spoiling them.) I always enjoy getting together with family. Although we all are a bit spread out, I am glad we get chances like that to re-connect. My parents are always so generous and don't seem to mind having their home and cabin taken over by dogs and 10 grandchildren (12, almost 13 when we can all make it.) We appreciate all the sacrifices each family makes and I just want to tell them all Thank you!! (Matt, Wendy, Sadie and Brody.... we will count on you next time!!) We love you all!!

Cannon loved doing his own thing, usually getting dirty.....And I loved not caring about it!

My sweet kids, trying to hold still long enough (with a "happy face") for me to get a picture. Nope, not quite long enough. We'll keep working on that!

Daddy taking the kids on a ride. A little rain wouldn't stop these speedsters! Just like their dad.

......And the cousins crew. It was hard pulling them away from the frog hunting, but they were all so great. Thanks for the fun times!!! (Becca, Madi, Court, Cristian, Jesse; then Morgan, Cannon, Maren, Ash and Spence). Miss you.