Grandma Grandpa Granna and Spooky Ooky Halloween

Happy Halloween!

Ty: Jaguar

Rissy: Princess

Livvy: Ladybug

Josh/Kara: 70's Couple

Visitors from AZ: Grandma, Grandpa, and GRANNA!

We enjoyed Ty's kindergarten Halloween Parade, when he finally spotted our special visitors he couldn't stop smiling, my mom said that smile was worth the trip. :)

Josh got off work in time to see a little parade action then we headed up to the San Diego Temple for a session. My parents and Granna had never been inside before the time together was priceless and beautiful.

The Doctor Josh works with recommended Jake's at Del Mar for my mom's Birthday Dinner. The restaurant had full glass windows facing the ocean. We arrived as the sun was setting it was gorgeous, the tables were arranged in tiers so every person had a breathtaking view. The birthday cake was outrageously delicious as was the dinner. Thanks for treating us Mom and Dad. It was perfect.
I remember my Dad reading Nursery Rhymes to me when I was little. I would fall asleep to the sound of "Jack and Jill. . . " Listening to him read to my kids put me in a "happy place" I love you Dad.
My Dad is the master Grandpa of enjoying his grandkids and having a good time. He is buried under all those pillows and spent endless time wrestling; the kids laughed and giggled and SCREAMED! I hope I am that cool when I have grandkids.
A few special smiles and squeals. Livvy thought she needed to be right in the middle.

Marissa loves to wrestle. But right now she is into stinky feet. As soon as our company arrived she asked grandma and grandpa and granna if they wanted to "smell my stinky feet?" "I'll smell yours and then you can smell mine." She said with a grin. EWWWWW Rissy!

Josh and Livvy blue eyed buddies!

We went and checked out Cabrillo National Monument and toured the lighthouse out on Point Loma. As you can see from the picture Granna got some alternative transportation because she kept feeling like she was going to blackout. Which is not like her. She is usually full blast fun and no quit. She had a Doctor's exam after returning home and she now has a pacemaker :) We are so thankful she is OK we love her so much! Luckily we will be able to visit her over the holidays.

We got a great family picture on Point Loma. Ty is wearing his skeleton shirt that he has been saving in his closet just for Halloween. Cool Ty! Marissa and Olivia liked being held by their grandma and great grandma. We love having family come visit us.

Here is our little Livvy LadyBug. The ward Halloween / Trunk or Treat was great. Josh is on the ward activities commitee so he was in charge of grilling hot dogs. I participated by submitting a picture of me from Halloweens long past. Each table had a few pictures of mystery ward members in Halloween attire there were awards for who got all the people right and who guessed the number of pumpkins in the glass jar. We had carnival games for the kids and a trunk or treat. It was really a fun activity.

Ty asked,"Grandpa are there hair doctors?" Every time I cut Ty's hair he says, "not as short and Grandpa's mom." For some reason he just can't figure out Grandpa's hair problem so he found him a solution. What do you think?

Our Happy Halloween Family.

FUN FUN FUN

It was great playing Ticket to ride just like old times. Oh how I miss playing games. My Dad won which doesn't happen very often :) Josh tied with my Mom which makes for a definite rematch over Christmas it was a close game. Granna I am so happy you came we miss being your neighbor and working and playing together.

My mom got all the kids snow hats with gloves (Brenda Helped) They loved the gifts. They wear them all the time and it's not even cold yet. These will be perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Granna also spoiled each kid with a shirt and individual bag of gummy treats. They loved every minute and everything! Thanks for the special visit, I know it made us feel very loved and richly blessed. See you all soon.

First day of Kindergarten

It is official Ty has started school!

His Teacher has a calm and friendly demeanor and I think she will be a good fit for his personality.

Notice the throw up . . . . Ty is like his Dad. . . . they get nervous and food just doesn't stay where it should. Ty scarfed down his blueberry oatmeal and then instantly turned and told me his tummy didn't feel good (code for I'm gonna PUKE!) so instantly all breakfast was back up.

The picture would be worse but most of it went back in his bowl thank goodness!

After a good throwup he was ready to run down the block to school I was literally running to catch up with him. He was so excited and nervous and worried if he would make any new friends. It was all shy smiles and excitement. He is a mighty Mustang.

Nice Lightning McQueen Backpack

The school is only about a 3 minute walk from our house.

Here are all the cute backpacks lined up on their hooks.

He has 24 kids in his class.

Ty went right in and found a book to read he has never really had separation anxiety so I said, "See ya after school" and we walked home. No I didn't cry. . . that's sissy stuff. But I did smile the whole way home thinking of what I could get done while he was at school.

I'm writing this post after the second week of school and we have already had a lesson on honesty. Ty told his teacher he didn't have a lunch so he could get a chocolate milk at the cafeteria. Then he showed me some things (in his pocket) he found in his class room on the floor behind the toy box. 2 broken crayons, 3 colorful fuzzys, and 2 odd plastic pieces.

I was thinking GREAT lying AND stealing. I had to explain when you find stuff you give it to your teacher and if you want a chocolate milk you ask; and your teacher will explain you need 2 quarters from your mom. WE Don't just TAKE STUFF we want.

He had to return the "stolen goods" and say sorry and apologize for lying to his teacher. He was squirmy and uncomfortable but he did it and now he is an "honest boy again" and Feels Good Inside.

ZooWee MaMa

Camping labor day

WE LOVE CAMPING!!!

But it can get a little CRAAAAZY!

We went camping for labor day with our friends the Spencers and the Stanleys. It was a good time. We had a delicious dinner and an awesome breakfast (Upon discovering that the eggs had been forgotten Salem traveled MILES to secure some farm fresh eggs. It was worth it for some tasty breakfast burritos.)
These kids have spent 85% of the summer together whether is be playing at the park, swimming at the pool, checking out the Library or trucking it through the S.D. Zoo. They are all great friends and camping together was just another great adventure.
The kids and Codee the Spencer's Dog are in this picture. My kids will not get near Codee they get hysterical so Brigg did a good job keeping her under control.
There are some smiles of little boys looking for adventure and a little mischief. Stick sword fights were popular along with finding pieces of old rusted camp stakes and a random hammer head.
S'mores my all time favorite camping treat. Everybody was sticky and dusty by night fall.
Camp fire songs and stories I tried to teach the kids the song "Flea. .. Flea Fly. .. . Flea Fly Mosquito" They liked it. It surprised me that everybody slept well.
Once we pulled into camp and set up everything Rissy decided she was going to sleep in her bed all day and all night. We had to coax her out of the tent. I guess she was in her comfy spot.
Here is the tent set up. The arrangements worked pretty good. It was nice to have the pack n play. This camp site was very dusty we came home covered in a light powdery cloud of dirt. Great fun with everyone. We are hoping to camp in Yosemite next summer. Before then Josh and I need to find a few more camping essentials.

Smiles of a Little Girl

Livvy is almost 1 year old!

Where did time go? She is a sweet little joy to be around so I thought I would post a few of her many faces and smiles.

I Love to put head bands on her but they only last a second. Rissy likes it when they are TWINS in their whale shirts. Ty will even let her play with his cars.

I'm not sure what is going on here. . . Rissy looks suspicious.

Sometimes it's gonna be a bright sunshiny day!

Sleepy and tired you are still so cute Livvy Lou.

Those blue eyes are too much! I love this GIRL! I have loved every minute of this first year. I feel that Livvy is my happy little angel she was sent to us to add sparkle and giggles to our day.

Family Sandwich

Family Sandwich In the Red Rocks

We recently went to Sedona on Vacation. Josh and I haven't been there since our days at NAU in Flagstaff. The Red rocks are still gorgeous and Oak Creek Canyon made me think of the Pixar movie CARS. When Sally and Lightning have their romantic Drive. I love the twisty turns during every season of the year, there were new pink and white spring blossoms on the trees and ivy was climbing tree trunks and rocky ledges.

Below is a picture of our "Family Sandwich" there are 2 pieces of rock bread,1 piece of Ty ham, 1 piece of Joshua cheese, 1 Kara tomato, 1 Marissa pickle and A little Livvy Olive, all sliding out the side. (This was Ty's idea and he gave us all our fix'n names)

Here are the girls enjoying the cool shade. Rissy was a trooper, she hiked up the hill to the Indian ruins almost as fast as Ty.

We never found the spiritual Vortex but we still enjoyed the hieroglyphics.

Livvy and her charming little smile. She is my porcelain Doll.

We found a cool Park and Had an Easter Egg hunt. Rissy is now a Daddy's girl. We had plenty of people around that we love. The kids just love to play with their cousins and I love it just as much if not a little more! Family is the best! Granna and Grandad Adams came along for the trip it was special to be with them.

Rissy had the biggest smile on her face she has finally decided she loves slides. Especially when Samara is around they giggle and giggle up and down, up and down, up and down. I can only imagine how much fun they are going to have as they grow up. I love that our families take time to get together and make memories. Thanks to Mom and Dad who make it happen.

Mara and Rissy

Samara- - - Kate- - - Marissa

Mountain Biking

I have a new love! Wow this could get addicting, I have never really tried mountain biking before but I have to say I truly enjoyed it, by nature I'm a cautious person but as I was going down these trails with jumps and rocks I found myself thinking why haven't I done this before. When I snow ski I frequently think "I'm gonna die, I'm GONNA DIE!" and the tension after the day is apparent in my stiff joints. Not so in this sport I had a great work out and even tried some small jumps (nothing impressive but fun) My Dad was a great teacher, and as I watched Josh, Chet, Shelly and Josh tear up the trail I got a little more comfortable. Trenton was the toughest he only had one gear and never quit even when he and I walked up a few hills. Yes. . . I'm not a master at the gear changes. We will soon be moving to Sacramento and I hear there are tons of cool trails. I think a few Bikes may find their way into our home.

Below is a picture with Shelly my Dad and Josh and I. Chet took the picture. It was a cool ledge along the trail. Where are the kids you may ask well my Mom, Amber and Britt watched all three and took them to Jerome a touristy old mining town. We caught up with them later. It was a relaxing vacation with many sweet moments. Thanks everyone who made it GREAT! I can't wait until the next Get Together.

Snowflake

Green Beans Anyone

We love to visit Grandma and Grandpa Boone in Snowflake. The high chair Livvy is chilling in was the same one in fact that Josh sat in as a baby. I bet he was once covered in green beans as well, Liv has Josh's eyes, Lucky girl.

Aunt Gweny always takes time to come play with us. Laney our new little cousin is a pretty little girl we are so happy for Gwen and Dustin.

Mouse Trap PLEASE GRANDMA!!!!

Can you tell what Ty LOVES to play with Grandma? She has a special knack that makes the game work every time with lots of smiles!

Four Mile Knoll

(the Knoll four miles out side of city limits)

We hiked to the top and enjoyed the beautiful view of Josh's homeland. The Sandstone Rock formations are quite amazing. I have a special place in my heart for Northern Arizona's unique beauty. Caleb and Ashlynn, Michelle, Grandma and Grandpa all made the climb. Grandpa carried Rissy on his shoulders. It was a cold brisk wind.

Notice Josh's nice facial hair.

Another wide open view.

The Tire Roll

This may be an activity many of you have tried if you are from the white Mountains where random tires are discarded in the brush near lonely cedar trees.

Step 1: Locate tire

Step 2: Roll tire to top of knoll/hill/cliff

Step 3: Tell everyone to watch

Step 4: Push

This is tried and true great entertainment and exercise if you want to roll it back up for another shot.

I spy a tire - - -OK - - - Let's Roll it!

Experienced Tire Rollers Carry a Pair of Gloves in the Truck Just in Case.

Wild Adventures

We finally made it to the San Diego Wild Animal Park!

We arrived on a rainy Saturday morning in March and had the place to ourselves. Marissa didn't care for the rain too much so we created an umbrella suite just for her. She managed to cope with the conditions gracefully(she can be a little dramatic.) Livvy checked everything out and ate everything I put on her tray. Ty couldn't get enough of the trails and bridges. He wanted to run everywhere. Josh appreciated the persistent rain that kept us nice and cool and I liked all the different waterfalls and plants. Honestly I like it a little warmer.

We stopped for a kid picture next to the Lion. I kept telling Riss to stand in the middle next to Liv and she kept giving me this "I'm squished stance." It's a golden moment when I can catch all three kids looking in the same direction at the same time, and a miracle if they are smiling.

Here is the mighty Lion who was right next to us and decided to relieve himself on the window. (No, I didn't take a picture. . . . gross! Somethings you only see at the zoo.)

Being that Ty's favorite color is yellow, he sucked in a bucket of air when when he spotted a gigantic YELLOW hot air balloon. It really was impressive.

Livvy was our happiest rain traveler, who wouldn't like soggy cheerios? She kicked her feet the entire trip.

This bridge smelled like Show Low in the summer after a big rain. Notice the lovely pine-tree poles lining the sides. That must have taken a long time to build. Rissy and I had a picture moment.

The large green fields in the background had wild animals from Africa. Since you can't see any animals, now you know that we didn't see any there either. But on the look out where we took this picture there are California Condors. They were amazing and enjoyed the gusts of wind blowing through their Habitat, I didn't take any pictures because they are NOT handsome birds, now I wish I had.

The cutest thing there was the baby elephant. I don't think I have ever seen one before, it pulled at my heart strings. I've always had a tender spot in my heart for Dumbo and cry every time I see his mother holding him through the bars of the train.

Here is the Lucky Rhino horn that we stopped to touch on our way out. It was life size and such a tame Rhino, I like that kind of animal. The other day Ty asked if he could call Granna Adams she is 84 and they had a 15 minute discussion about the zoo and snakes and spiders, Granna said she didn't like snakes and Ty said, "Granna at the zoo you don't have to worry cuz there's glass to keep the snakes in and you can look at them all you want and they can't get you." I thought it was sweet that he was trying to calm her fears.

Rissy's favorite animal to see at the zoo is the Zebra. Ty's are the Polar Bears, Giraffes and the Yellow Python. I like the Hippopotamus and honey bees and otters. I'm not sure what Josh would choose for a favorite animal. Maybe the Gorillas they are characters.

We love to go to the San Diego Zoo and ride the skyride too. I am a big fan of the Zoo, it's a workout and an adventure every time.

Chocolate Falls aka Grand Falls

Yes These Beautiful Falls are in Arizona! They can be tricky to find but are worth the drive. I have been to them 4 different times over the last 10 years and every time I can't help but want a cold glass of CHOCOLATE MILK. They run in the spring when the snow is melting. The wetter the spring = prettier falls. This was my parents and grandparents first time there. We had a great time. Ty found a cool stick and hit rocks over the edge. He liked that part.

I am continually surprised by the amazing diversity of landscape in AZ my home state.

(Grand Falls is near Leupp, between Flagstaff and Winslow)