Halloween 2009

We love Halloween. The Candy, the costumes, the parties, the pumpkins. Fun!! We stayed home and had a few friends and family over. We sat out in the driveway and passed out candy because there are so many trick or treaters. More than 450! I spend a fortune on candy.
This year Dodd, Brooke and I were pirates, Jake was is skeleton from last year, Kelsey was a horse and Micah was the cutest Frankenstein. Can't wait for next year.

Jake's Birthday

Jake turned 6 on 09-09-09. The Saturday before we had a party at the pool that we are members of. We had it in the evening, and lucky for us we had a big heat wave that week and it was pretty nice weather. Jake wanted a Tom and Jerry birthday cake.... my kids' favorite cartoon. This cake was really fun to do and is completely edible. Tom and Jerry are made out of rice crispy treats and fondant. I couldn't find a Tom and Jerry pinata, so we went with Sponge Bob... another favorite cartoon. Then I realized half the kids at the party are probably not allowed to watch Sponge Bob- (it really isn't that bad!! I find him funny and less crude than my husband). We did smash Sponge Bob to pieces, so that sent the right message.
Jake is a great little boy. He loves swimming and video games. He is quiet and a character. We think he is the best! Happy Birthday Jake.

Jake and his cake

A Wii game. How did you know!?


The kids

Micah and Grandpa

First day of school pictures (a few weeks late)

Brooke is in second grade now! She loves school and her teacher.
Jake started Kindergarten. He was already reading and was very ready to go. He was pretty worried about having to go everyday, but he is really enjoying it now.

August flew by!!

Summer is over and the kids are back in school. Here are the things that filled our month of August.

Kelsey turned 3!!! We had a small family party with lots of Dora of course.

Kelsey and cousin Milana with Diego and Dora.

We had lots of fun at the County Fair. Brooke and Jake both got two 1st place ribbons.
Brooke entered a ceramic fish, and a pillowcase she made.
Jake entered a painting of a fish and a candle holder made with beans.
I entered a couple of my mom's projects for her. She got first place on Micah's blessing outfit, and a first place and Nominated For Best of Show on Kelsey's blessing dress. I entered a quilt and got Honorable Mention. It was the only thing we entered that didn't get a first place!! I am a loser in a family of winners! Oh well.
We spent a lot of time at the beach and the kids learned to boogie board. We love the beach.
Mommy throwing the baby up in the air.

Daddy throwing the baby!!!
The kids spent a lot of time with Grandma Lorrie. The bike for 6 was tons of fun!
Brooke is awesome on her roller blades and has been wanting to try ice skating. I took her and Jesse, and to no surprise she is also good at ice skating. She even started classes last week.

Dodd took me out to a hot date at the shooting range. It was my first time and I hated it. I was scared just holding it.

Jake started Jujitsu. This is him taking down his instructor.

Jake lost his first tooth!!! He was so excited.
The kids loved this fountain downtown full of bubbles. That must have taken a lot of soap!!!

11 years and counting

For our anniversary I had planned a surprise outing for Dodd. First we went horseback riding which was really fun. Beautiful trails and an awesome view of the ocean. Then we were supposed to go on a dinner cruise but it got canceled and we didn't know it until we arrived. Bummer! So we found a nice restaurant by the beach and pretended we were on the boat. It was a great day to celebrate a great 11 years.

Santa Barbara Zoo

Last week we went to the Santa Barbara Zoo with my mom. It was a beautiful day and the kids had a good time.

Brooke holding our huge baby.

Chilling in an egg

Micah sucking on the fence while checking out the animals.

Pioneer Day

Grandma Lorrie's church had a big celebration for Pioneer Day. They had animals to pet, pony rides and lots of food.

Group hug. Kelsey, Milana, and Brooke.

Micah and Brooke riding.

Jake and cousin Curtis looking too cool.

My little pioneer girl Kelsey.

BFF cousins

Kansas Vacation

Here is our recap of our two weeks at my sister's house. It went by so fast. We had so much fun on the 4th of July weekend. All 4 sisters, our families and mom and dad were there. Mike and Emily created a Wipeout Zone for the kids. It had a 50 foot slip-n-slide, whacking noodles, sack jumping, shaving foam run, mini pool, watermelon helmets, and water balloons. It was great! The rest of the time was filled with family bingo game, a talent night, water parks, movies, bowling, geocaching, loosing teeth, visiting a farm, making suckers and lots of other treats, projects, visiting a marble factory, a birthday party for Justin, an airplane museum, batting cages, shopping, fun restaurants, lots of video games, and playing with cousins. Thank you Teresa and family for all the fun!!


Micah's first airplane ride!


4th of July!!

Brooke lost a tooth on the 4th, and Jesse did too!

Emily and I sorting the fireworks!

Micah demonstrating our "family talent"

Setting up the Wipeout Zone!

Dodd and Jake sporting the watermelon helmets
Teresa and I finished 2 quilts, and Brooke made 3 pillowcases.

Making suckers

Micah's favorite treat! Lets just say he ate a healthy amount of cheese balls while there.

Kelsey bowling

Tyler flying!!

The kids

Feeding baby goats bottles! My favorite!

Kelsey riding a pony

Jake riding a pony

At a lake geocaching!