Remembering December

I've added my new favorite family photo to my blog heading. ahh, Jeremiah... what can I say- he wanted the bagel.

I tried on several occasions this year to captured the true personalities and undeniable cuteness of my children, all at once, in a family photo. Unfortunately, they are against me in this quest. I've included a few of these less than perfect photos in my December summary posting.
It was a great month, most of which was spent traveling to Washington for a family reunion on my side. I'll post those photos next :)

Ward Christmas party, complete with a fantastic Santa.

Our good friends, the Mitchems came up from Phoenix to ride the "Polar Express" all the way from Williams, AZ to the North Pole! The kids had a great slumber party that night. Sadly, the slumbering ended around 4am with a domino effect of waking after Bennett got up to use the bathroom.

Seeing Jerome the next day.

Santa came aboard at the 'North Pole' to hand each child a huge and very loud jingle bell. We have three in our home now. I'm proud to say I can still hear them ring (I'm a believer!).

The hundred-year-old train was beautiful inside with lights and reversable seats and springy bench cushions.

At the temple lights in Mesa after doing a session with Rob's parents.

I can't believe the season is gone already. I love Christmas time!

An Update!

It has been brought to my attention that it's no longer fall and I should update my blog. Nevertheless, here are a couple photos from a family reunion with Rob's family at Thanksgiving. We all got together for Joel's baptism which was performed at Rob's parents' beautiful home in Yuma. Joel's family lives in Washington near my parents but they came down for this special occation. Rob's sister, Kate and her family also came down from Provo. It was fun to have everyone together and let cousins get to know each other again. Below are Emily (Kate's) , Audrey, Tamika (Brent's), and Bennett.

Bennett with cousins Brighton and Bret (Kate's)

Jeremiah with cousins Joel and Maia (Brent's) playing in our backyard

Brent's four kids

Bennett and Grandma Sandy

Fall Happiness

I love fall, especially here in Cottonwood. This is the first fall-feeling October we've had in four years. Bring on the chilly mornings!

You know how teachers always wanted you to show your work - not just the finished product? Well here's the end result of picking out, cutting, gutting and carving - with the evidence of all our hard work to get these beautiful jack-o-lanterns.

Bennett's photo of his scary pumpkin.

Sometimes it's fun to go to the Grand Opening of a store, or even the re-grand opening of a Walgreen's over in the next town - especially when they've got hot dogs and cotton candy, a clown that makes balloon animals and face painting. Hey, it's something to do. Audrey says it's the best party we've ever been to.

We need an apple orchard for these kids. I'm buying 8-10 pounds of apples a week these days. I know, there are worse things they could beg for.

Let's get campy!

We camped this last weekend on Mingus mountain. It's the top of the mountain (7000 ft)between us and Prescott, just past my favorite Jerome. Our site was about 50 yards from this beautiful lookout. Aparently I didn't get in any of the pictures - best since I got an hour or two of sleep. Despite a restless night, we had a fantastic (albeit short) hike with the kids the next day. It was great to spend the day all together as a family.

Happy Birthday Jeremiah!

Jeremiah turned two on Friday. I think I've only posted 5 times since his last birthday... just trying to leave some room for improvement. My wonderful Mom has been here for two weeks. I know my Dad is grateful to have her back but I will miss her company - and help. She was able to celebrate the start of a new year for Jeremiah with presents, cupcakes and a trip to Flagstaff where we ate at the tacky but tasty Bigfoot BBQ joint in old town Flag. I hope you can see the satisfaction on Jeremiah's face.



A new swing for Jeremiah from G&G Swan.

Rob's parents went in on this very fun jumpoline which has mostly been used for anything but jumping - a fort, hampster wheel, tilt-a-whirl, you name it. Rob does exceed the weight limit but promised not to jump.

Those are basketball cupcakes to add to our sports-themed party. I also just made a reusable party decor set complete with chair cover and fabric streamers made of lots of little circles sewn together. Hard to explain and I didn't get any shots of the streamers, but trust me, they're cute.

Can't imagine my life without this boy. He's affectionate, smart and has a darling sense of humor that accompanies his boisterous laugh. He's crazy about his big sister and watches every move his big brother makes, immitating absolutely everything. So glad you're part of our family Jeremiah!

Jeremiah was delighted with our three day storm of thunder & lightning. Grandma taught him to say "KABOOM!" each time the thunder rumbled.

A New Adventure

A month ago, as I vacationed in Washington with the kids and Rob was in Montana to train a new guy, we came to an abrupt and drastic decision to take a position in northern Arizona with APX. Rob had been driving up here 2 or 3 times a week to cover new accounts and between service calls here & in the Phoenix area plus managing his technicians, there just weren't enough hours to get it all done. Since we had never intended to live in Phoenix, but had been there more than 3 years (4 sunshiny summers) we felt this was our ticket to a new place! APX hired someone else in Phoenix and we came to Cottonwood, population 11,243. It all happened very quickly since they wanted him up here immediately and the kids were to start school the week after our return from Washington - the photos of which I will post soon! We moved Saturday, August 14 and went back for another load of odds and ends the next day in our van. Audrey & Bennett started school (a week late) that Monday.

Audrey is in 2nd and Bennett, yes, in Kindergarten! He ate breakfast with his backpack his 1st day of school... so exciting! Audrey always adjusts with ease to a new school year. She’s made new friends and does her homework with very little prodding this year. So far, so good - aside from Bennett's meltdown this morning regarding how very long his 2.5 hours of school are and how dumb it is to earn reward points to get to be the teacher's "helper" - oh, and how he hates his socks, every morning. I know, I know, it’s a lot for him to take in all at once.

The kids found lots of fun places to hide and play during the move.

Bennett and Jeremiah are sharing a room in our new, not so big home... I think it's bringing them closer!

The backyard, complete with playhouse and soon-to-be rebuilt swingset.

Cottonwood is gorgeous. It’s high desert with lots of hills and puffy white clouds. Still warm, but not like Phoenix. We’re 20 minutes from the Red Rocks of Sedona and 20 minutes, the other way from my new favorite town, Jerome. You’ve never seen anything like it – a town built into the side of a mountain, no kidding. Rob took us up there for the 1st time on Monday. Just 10 minutes beyond Jerome is the peak of the mountain (7021 feet) where we had a picnic dinner and played Frisbee and catch. I was in heaven!

My heart lept when I saw our little mailbox. Isn't it quaint? I'm excited to be living in a small town. If you turn to the right while standing here, you see the elementary school, a quick 2 minute walk.

Great room... and my model child holding The Friend.

My man is so strong. Yeah, that's a real push up.