Ball Thanksgiving

It was a day full of great food and great company. We had a lot of fun being together and playing. There were even a few that ventured out on Black Friday! Not me though. By the time Sunday came I was ready for a big nap, but instead I caught a quick cat nap after church before making some dinner. I love holidays that bring everybody together. It is memories I loved as a kid-playing with cousins and hearing the aunts and uncles sitting around visiting with a cold Pepsi. My kids are now sharing in those same memories. I love it!!

Family pics

All the grandkids but the three oldest.

There are 4 - 4yr. olds and 1-3yr. old in this picture. It was a fun day full of superhero activities! This was all happening while my mom and I held to our tradition of making pies the day before Thanksgiving for our Pie Night. I think we ended up with 14 pies in all. The kids had a great time playing together. My brother and his family came for the week which made it even sweeter for the cousin get together.

New Pictures

Lovin the golf

As proven before, we are a family that enjoys going to the golf course and playing together. I came upon a site that sells golf stuff for girls and I have never been so giddy!! I know Chloe may not care for the sport, but just in case she does, she'll be stylin'. Check out the cutie golf shorts!! I LOVE IT!www.lilgolfgirl.com/

Apple picking

Baby pics

Sunday

Transformer chess with Dillon

Lots of this to keep us healthy!

A breakfast favorite...warm pancakes.

We skipped out on our church meetings this morning because Braxton was battling a second day of a sore thoart. Poor kid - I think I have harped so much on the severity of our family getting the swine flu with Chloe that he keeps asking me if he has it and is going to die. We plan on going to the Dr. tomorrow and getting it checked out to reassure him. I think it is strep throat. Yeah for us! Anyway, we started our Sunday out with a little Star Wars monopoly (the game that never ends), followed by a Transformer chess match, then to our yummy breakfast. In the mean time I started dinner in the oven, washed EVERYBODY'S bedding and attempted to make peach pie. This was my first attempt without mom around and lets just say it didn't win any awards for looks. It sure was good on icecream though. Alas, I fell into bed last night exhausted and ready for some much needed rest.

What a view!

This was the view coming into Jackson Hole. I can tell I'm getting older because this takes my breath away and only an hour away!!

Pics

Square icecream...YUM!

Cabin choice #1. Wouldn't it be so fun? That's what we found ourselves saying over and over.

Cabin choice #2.

Yep, I think this would suit us just fine. Don't you? :) Everybody welcome!!

Holy crap is all I have to say.

LOTOJA Race

We woke up Saturday morning and were ready for our adventure. My brother was riding in the Logan to Jackson race and we were going to go see him cross the finish line! We packed a lunch, which was great because it not only saved us huge, but it was nice to eat something healthier than take out. We started with our traditional stop at the square ice cream store in Swan Valley, then on to Victor. There we shopped for our cabin that boarders a golf course.:) As you can see in the pictures we just couldn't decide on which cabin. This area was supposed to be a private course with beautifully built cabins/homes but has since gone into bankruptcy and is now open to the public. Most of the homes are empty or foreclosed. It really is quite sad when you see the surroundings that someone could enjoy. I haven't gone to Jackson Hole for years and this was such a gorgeous drive. (do I sound old or what!) We got to the race and watched the riders start coming in. One guy walked his bike over the finish line...now that is dedication. Another rode in holding his seat up in one hand...ouch! I overheard one say he rode for the last 10 mi. with a flat back tire! All in all it was aw inspiring to watch these people finish a 206 mile race! It was great to see Michael accomplish such a feat. I was so proud to be there and cheer him on. He has this drive that I would love to have. Maybe I do, but am too chicken to commit.
(I've tried to post pictures and it won't let me. Stay tuned for the next post...)

Sad parental moment

After the first few days of school, Dillon was sitting on the couch and said to me,

"Mom, I wish I had a twin."

(me)"Really? Why do you want one?" while I was preparing dinner.

(D.) "Yeah, because the big boys are twins- his brothers-and Caden and Cole are twins -his cousins."

I wasn't sure how to respond or how serious this question was until I looked over at him and he had tears welling up in his eyes. I had to think quickly and came up with this response.

"Dillon, guess who can be your twin? Daddy!" My little D. was so excited that this would work out to have Dad for his twin. The next few days have been so precious watching Dillon (who is already connected to Steve at the hip) calling for his twin to play with him. God blessed Dillon with a happy soul and it kills me to see him anything but happy. He usually gets left out of the bigger boys' activities. He tries so hard to be an equal but those four years between them serve as a real disadvantage sometimes. I'm sure this is only a taste of what's to come.

School Days

Dillon with his twin cousins at the first day of preschool. They are like three peas in a pod. I love that they get to be together.

Dillon insisted he have his picture taken for the first day of school in the traditional spot by the front door and he wanted it done with Chloe...how sweet.

Dillon was so excited to pick the big boys up from the bus stop!

Brandon and Braxton waiting for the bell to ring. Braxton looked like a misplaced 5th grader in the line. One of the students even asked his aged because he didn't believe Brax was 8. We measured and he is 5'3! I wonder when it will slow down.

First day of school 2009. Two third graders and one preschooler. Here we go for another year!

Family Trip Part 2

My sweet "snuggle bug" is growing up and I'm having a little bit of a hard time with that.

My three little (or not so little) apes.

The train ride at the zoo.

Dillon rode this ride over and over. I'm not sure if it was the airplane going up and down that he loved or the fact there was a gun. I swear no matter how much you try to keep them from some things for toys they always gravitate to them.

The closest I will get to being photographed at a swim park before my mommy makeover from the plastic surgeon! :)

Dillon was turning blue from the cold temperature of the water.

Family Trip

We decided that we would take a little family trip before the school year routine started. Since Steve's sister Carolyn moved back to SLC it was too good of an offer to pass up to stay at her house. We also had Steve's mom offer to be our nanny with Chloe so that we could focus our attention on the boys and be a little more free. It was so fun to spend that time with them. They have been kind of cooped up this summer with a new baby and needed an adventure. We left it up to them to choose what the activities would be so Lagoon and Hogle Zoo it was. It was a great few days to spend together as a family.

OH MY SPIDER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

About two months ago I noticed a beauty hanging in Dillon's bedroom window. Because of how he has his web I thought he was on the inside. Luckily no. I immediately called the spider people to come and spray. He went away and then tonight Dillon said he wanted the big spider to go away. When I went into his room I was floored by how big our little friend had gotten. Steve luckily had just returned from a great round of golf and I showed him what his fatherly duty was for the evening...KILL THE SPIDER!!! I wanted him dead! The funniest is Steve's face in the background. We had to spray off the juices before Dillon would go back into his bedroom. Even writing this I have had to cover the picture with a sticky note and have paused several times to scratch where the heeby jeebies are crawling on ME!!!! You really need to click on the picture to see the actual HAIR ON HIS LEGS...HOLY YUK! I think I'm going to go take a shower.

Camera Fun!

I have a friend that is helping me with my camera and all its gadgets. These were just some of the pictures I did while playing around.