The Obsession!!!!

Susanna has a Dora obsession and it needed to be documented! She ALWAYS wants to watch Dora or play Dora on the computer. She has her Dora mermaid dolly to drag around with her. While childhood phases are great to remember, I think that we will all be happy to see this one fade away.

Aunt Kathy

Aunt Kathy came to visit in November. It was a whirlwind visit, essentially Wednesday through Saturday, to cram full of as much fun as possible. We shopped and shopped and talked and played and ate. We went out to Mesa and saw The Price of Freedom, it was fabulous as always. The best part of the visit for me was watching my kids get to know and love my darling aunt, as I do. She was so great at spending time with each of them and making them feel special. We all were sad to see her go and look forward to seeing her again.

Sadly, these were the only two pictures I snapped of her visit. She got to go to the school with us to honor Nate as Student of the Month! Hooray for Nate!

I love you Aunt Kathy!

Thanksgiving with the Algers

It was a great family gathering at Grandma and Grandpa Alger's home. It was wonderful weather and the yard and orchards were beautiful and felt like home. I have fond memories of the years that we lived next door and were able to enjoy the 2 acres of country heaven they have created in the middle of the city. We missed the Huebsch clan, but it was fun to visit with the rest of the family and see all the cousins running around playing. Thanks to Leilani for snapping the big family picture.

Ooooo..... Scary!

Brace Yourself!!!


I don't know what to say, other than our kids wanted to be scary this year. And WOW are they scary! More than I thought they would be... but they had a great time being in character at the Smith's party.

Laney's vampire face
Doesn't she have "killer" eyes?

I'm not sure which of Drew's faces are scarier, the vampire face or his big Joker grin.

Sara was so in character I had to beg for her to smile for one picture.
This is so opposite of her normal sweet, happy self.

The ninja, Tim

Daniel is the sweetest Darth Vader. I just want to kiss his cheeks!

Josh is some caped guy with lots of weapons.

Nate is a cowboy/pioneer with swords.

I couldn't believe Zanna. She was so into being scary too, just like her big sisters.

This was at the Smith's house. It was awesome.
The kids had a wonderful time with the treats, dancing, activities and the decor.
Our vampires won the contest for scariest costume.

Limbo... Sara and Tim love to show off their flexibility.

Tim and Sara were dancing with all their soul.
Tim was swing his nun-chucks as he got his groove on.

Mmmm...

The kids were all having fun posing with this skeleton man. It was hilarious!

Sara kissing her vampire boy friend goodbye.

Daniel came up with this scene. He was having a great time.

Sam got dressed up the next night for a YW/YM Halloween party.

I really put almost no effort into Halloween costumes this year. Thankfully, Jessi loaned the girls the dresses and Sam the cloak. The other kids put them selves together with stuff from the costume box and my mom's shed. I was glad for the simplicity with all the craziness we've had getting settled in our new home.

Laney Girl

Sam has been going crazy with my camera lately. He has been grabbing one of us and shooting lots of crazy random shots and a few posed. Here are some of the highlights of the Laney shoot.

She is such a cutie and so much fun! Love that girl!

Fire it up!

Our new house came with a beautiful built in fire pit and seating around it. We decided to fire it up on Monday night for Family Home Evening with Dandi and Aaron and their gang. Dandi brought the appetizers, apples and dip and chips and chili cream cheese dip. YUM! Then we roasted some dogs and had marshmallows for dessert. It was a lot of fun and the kids all behaved very well. I am excited to do it again. I think we have many more years of bonding around a fire ahead of us.

Nellie and Sara, cheeky-cheeky

Rich the fire master and his minions

What is it about boys and fire? They LOVE it!

The girls sitting back and enjoying the evening

Oooo... pretty fire!

Yum!

Sam and Josh bonding over the dogs... or is that Sam poking Josh in the face with his food?

More happy faces enjoying the fun

Even Jonah was taking charge of the toasting.

Laney and her sticky face or is it a "Got Milk?" ad?

Zanna and her giant marshmallow

Tim diggin' in

Tyson toasting or maybe scorching his dessert

What a great night!