We went to an airshow at Williams Gateway for Cory's birthday. The kids had a blast! The helicopter Kade is on is actually the same kind Cory built when he worked at MD. Riley's in a Cobra.

SNOW!!

Riley was thrilled with this picture. They had a lot of fun up in the snow. I don't think they even complained about it being cold...

Updates

Okay...it's been a super long time and I need to post tons of pictures. But, since that task is currently a bit overwhelming for me, I'll start with this.

Just before Thanksgiving Kade and Riley got a huge surprise...their dad showed up! He wanted to surprise them so we enlisted a few friends--thanks!--and I picked him up from the airport by myself in his new truck. (Totally in love with the truck...says I did good!) The kids were astonished! Riley sat at the table with him and giggled each time he looked at her. Kade tried to be more cool about it.

After Thanksgiving, we surpised his family down in Thatcher. They were all excited to have him home as well. While we were in Thatcher we drove up the mountain so the kids could play in some snow. Both Kade and Riley miss the snow a lot, so this was huge for them.

Since then, I've had to work a lot, but now that school is out for Winter Break I'll have more time to spend rectifying all the neglected chores around our home. Cory's been a huge help lately--even getting the kids early for me recently. We are all just so excited he's home for the holidays this year.

Costumes

The other night we went to our Ward's Trunk or Treat party so the kids got to dress up in their costumes for the first time. Do you think they enjoyed it?

Kade posed himself for me...

as did Riley. (No, I don't know what the deal with the hand is.)

We all enjoyed the party. The kids had a great time collecting candy.

Pumpkins

Tonight we finally carved pumpkins. I have not been brave enough to allow my children too many responsibilities thus far in carving...but decided they have now reached the point where they should be entirely responsible for the whole process for their own pumpkin...this is interesting.

Kade picked the weirdest shaped pumpkin I have ever seen. And, to our surprise, it had some mutant skin so thick I couldn't even jab my sharp knife through it. So, we took it outside and performed a lobotomy.

See how deep? We thought we might lose his arm to that pumpkin for a moment...

Riley absolutely loved digging in after the seeds. This year Kade was the reluctant one. By the time we finished up the surgery she was almost finished emptying out her pumpkin.

We got a little creative with Kade's carving technique. After what it took to get the lid off... We decided it would be fun to drill holes and poke twinkly lights through. (Of course I have no idea where all my lights are so we'll have to buy some tomorrow.)

Riley's carving went really well. She carved all this by herself! All I did was cut the lid.

Riley's glowing pumpkin. They both did a fabulous job and we had so much fun. While they were removing seeds I was cooking them. For dessert we had homemade pumpkin seeds which the kids just loved.

I officially deem tonight a success.

Boots

The other day Devin noticed that he and Kade had the same boots, so he lined them up to show his mom. It was just too cute.

Fall Break

During Conference the kids were particulary quiet. This is what I found when I went to check on them. Kade somehow helped the other two into the tree using the trampoline ladder.

After nearly a week at Grandma's house, the kids were bored at home with Mom...so we ventured out some. Here they are enjoying the rock at Discovery Park--no, not the one in Safford, there's one here by that name.

Thursday we enjoyed nearby Schnepf Farms with some cousins.
They all enjoyed the petting zoo.
The boys really liked these rally racers.
And, the sign says it all.

Happy Birthday, Riley!

Here is my wonderful girl in the height of her glory...Riley was lucky enough to cheer at our local HS football game on her birthday. She also got lots of presents, including a table Kade made for her. Cupcakes were even taken to school for her whole class.

We are so happy to have this special princessy girl in our home.
Riley got to open just a few things before school. That way she got to wear new clothes. :)

And yes, the crown was worn to school as well.
As you can see, she made quite a haul. Kade actually arranged her presents on his table so we could see everything.

Riley did a great job cheering. She loved every second of it.

Attention: Tooth Fairy

Riley has lost another tooth--at last. I had so hoped for her to lose both front teeth around the same time, but alas, it was not to be. She's still a cutie.

My Builders

Finally the weather has cooled off enough--to the low 100s--that my children enjoy playing outside again. Yesterday they found some packaging and made houses and boats, and finally, a city. They are so creative.

Lightroom...WOW!

I got this new photo editing software...let me tell you how AWESOME it is!! I just sat down a few minutes ago and decided to see what it could do. Here is my before and after pictures...they speak for themselves.

Yeah, I know...I'm still in it...not quite that good yet. :) Just think what I could do if I stayed up all night messing with it...oops, just remembered the laundry I started a while back. So much for more computer time.

Midnight Sun

For those of you who know about this...oh my gosh... I have been eagerly awaiting Edward's side of the saga for quite a while now. But, with this latest travesty, Stephenie has put it on hold indefinately. Apparently one of her drafts got leaked on the internet illegally and she is so distraught by the misdeed that she had no choice. If you'd like to read her whole explanation, and or are too curious to resist, visit her website: http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/midnightsun.html

She explains it way better than I did, but she also reminds avid readers that she'd rather you not read the 264 - ish pages that leaked as they are messy and unfinished. I'm not sure how long I'll be able to stay away...

My Saturday Morning

I got to sleep in!!! I look forward to Saturday mornings all week long. My early morning wake up always comes just a little too soon. Quickly I realize that although I managed to sleep in, and it was nice, I am still tired and would like to roll over and go back to sleepy land. Unfortunately, I am also somehow, wide awake. I grudgingly rise hoping my lovely children who were up late the night before are still snoozing and will be pleasant...as I sneak quietly past their rooms to get my drink of water, I realize they are both awake, lying silently in wait for any evidence of my rising. Shortly, they each make an appearance and our day begins.

Someone thought that our truck would fit in the garage. I really thought it was too tall. Someone insisted it wasn't. So, I determined that if it could be done, I would do it. I started my work with the garage. I cleaned, swept, rearranged, threw out, and finally widened what I deemed to be enough space to successfully open the doors and not tag anything. It got hotter, I got more tired, but trudged on all the same, always intent on my goal. At last, time to see if all my hard work would prove useful...

I pulled the truck in...it FIT! I didn't hit the top of the cab like I had feared. I kept creeping forward slower than a snail, certain I would somehow harm the truck. (I stopped and got out no less than three times to see if it was going okay.) Finally...my front tires nudged the step at the front...I parked and looked again...

(See the line on the cement where the door shuts?)

So close, I was heart-broken...

In the end...the truck will have to live outside and learn to like it. There went my morning.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Mark and Kira's little girl arrived 26 Aug around 1430. Karilynn Marie weighed in at 6 lbs 8 oz and is 19 inches long. No word yet on any hair. All are doing well.

Congratulations!

Isn't he so cute?

I downloaded some pictures of our new truck for Cory, and found this jewel hiding on the camera. There was a play in his class last spring...

Well...we finally did it!

I know I told everyone that I wanted a blue one...but that turned out to be a mess of its own. We got a great deal on this one and it is one of only 5 LE models that were available in the entire state... This is what Cory wanted, we just hope he likes it. Think it'll fit in my garage?

How Riley Sleeps

Can you find Riley?

This is how I found her the other night when I went to check on her.... :)

School!

My big 3rd and 2nd graders are ready for another year of school! They are getting so big!

Dirt

Ah, the joys of summer outdoors...

The Cabin

This weekend we were able to travel up to some beautiful country and join our good friends who we consider family in celebrating Pioneer Day. Here the kids are waiting for the parade to get started and enjoying themselves. Later, Kade got to go fishing for the first time. He has really taken a liking to this calming pass time.
Kade had a wonderful time running and playing outside in the cool mountain air. There were so many kids there with such great imaginations, they were never without an exciting activity.

Riley and Calvin are really good friends and were joined by Briley most of the time. Together they ambitiously opened a "Flower Shop" that offered some cutting edge cosmetics including lip gloss and nail polish. All of us special moms got to be patrons during their grand opening...it was so sweet.

July 4th

Happy 4th!

Lost Tooth

Riley is now minus a prominent front tooth. She was warned that if it didn't come out before her dentist appointment Friday, the dentist would help her out. It didn't come out on its own, so it was encouraged by the dentist. Riley did really well...says it didn't even hurt. However, she is sad because the tooth didn't come home with her. She has been instructed to write a note to the tooth fairy explaining the circumstances...since the tooth fairy is has a noble spirit, she will understand. :)

Little Chicken

After an unfortunate event this afternoon, we somehow managed to come home with an injured baby chick. We are attempting to nurse it back to health--or at least give it a few days to heal without being pecked into oblivion. Our guest currently resides in a laundry basket in our dining room. Hope it gets well soon...

The stuffed animal on the right is Kade's attempt at keeping it company. He didn't want it to be lonely here.