October 2013

Jason turned 35 in October. Old man! We went to Fort McDowell for all-you-can-eat crab with some friends. He loves it. It didn't seem that great to me this time, but it was better than Famous Dave's, his other favorite restaurant. :) Plus, Jason was pretty excited about it and that's what matters.

Bubbles in undies. Why not?

I have a hard time getting rid of Clara's stuff. I love her handwriting, her phonetic spelling and how much she just loves paper and stationary in general (just like I did/do). Anyway, I took pictures of a bunch of her stuff so I could get rid of it. Here are some of my favorites: one day she forgot her glasses, I stuck this first note in with her glasses when I dropped it off at the front desk... she came home with a note back. The day she got her glasses, she drew this picture and wrote "I like my glasis". One day she made an invitation to a Halloween party... "you or {are} welcome to a hallowing praty" on the outside "Oct. 1 in my room 600 to 700" on the inside. The last one she brought me while I was on a conference call for work: Mom I love you. Can we have a fase {fancy} diner." She's a gem.

Jason's actual birthday fell on the same day as conference this year. It was a great weekend. Lamar cut Jason's hair and went to Priesthood with Jason on Saturday. On Sunday, Lamar hung out with us all day. He brought his dog Leia, so the girls loved that. Then for Jason's birthday dinner, I made ribs (first time I've ever done that and they were SO delicious), we had soda and Lamar made cupcakes. Oh look, there's a picture of Jason with his crab again. It was a really good day.

::craziest hair ::morning walk ::garden planted ::park ::with Margo ::pie eating contest at Jason's company get together ::finally threw away the paper tulips Jason made me for Valentine's Day 2012 ::girls came into our room one Sunday morning with these poles pretending they were Captain Moroni ::Clara just being cute ::Clara pouting and falling asleep in the cushions ::celebrating Lilly's 15th birthday ::garden growing

When our friends the Welches and Fillmores found out we were having a reception in our backyard, they came to help clean up. Benjamin left to get a "dolly" to help move bricks and returns with this thing. Now that's my kind of dolly. After they helped, the yard looked so much better. We have such awesome people in our life.

Our family was able to participate in the City of Mesa Day of Service. We helped clean up some yards and paint a few mobile homes. The girls wanted to paint and while I thought that'd be a bad idea, the leader suggested they help paint (maybe to get them away from his yardwork, ha ha). Anyway, the girls loved it and we had a great time serving as a family.

That same day was the reception for Jason's cousin Becca and her new husband Kyle. We cleaned up the yard, but didn't really have to do anything else for it. I told Jason it was the perfect time to experiment with a reception in our backyard because Becca is so laid back and easy going. Plus, we didn't really have to do any of the work. :) Everything went really well. I'm always amazed how much room my backyard has once we get tables and chairs back there. They set up 10 tables with 8 chairs each and there was plenty of room for more. It was a fun, and I think successful, night. 

This little girl has so much personality packed into her. I feel like she just gets a little more awesome every day.

::Hazel fell off her scooter and scraped her nose on the stucco wall ::I grated a huge chunk out of my thumb deep enough to scar ::we got "spooked" and took homemade caramel and apples to the people we were spooking ::tiny little sprouts in the garden ::Hazel's poor scab on her nose ::Hazel is completely obsessed with shoes. ::tiny painter ::a few months ago I noticed our shower drywall looked odd. sure enough, there was a leak. I instantly assumed we'd need to get a whole new shower, but luckily the leak wasn't in the pipe, but where the shower head attached to the pipe and we were able to have it fixed quickly and for fairly cheap. ::sometimes Hazel wakes up at night and comes into our room. I love to watch her after I've let her fall back asleep in our bed. ::walk with Margo ::ribbons in pigtails ::pretty sunrise

::I can not remember why we curled Clara's hair, but we did and I was proud of myself because it's hard enough just to get to school on time. ::elephant park while Clara was at music ::growing garden ::silly girl loves to be wrapped in her blanket ::same park ::Becca let my girls have a plastic candle from the reception and they loved having it in their room until it ran out of batteries. ::what started as a snack of apples and caramel ended in Hazel spooning caramel into her mouth. can't say I blame her. ::Clara and Hazel got a dried reed from the reception. a few days later it exploded somehow and made the biggest mess. I was glad I found it when I did. Despite the mess, it was fascinating.

Pumpkin Patch, Fall Festival & Halloween 2013

We have about 6 Halloween decorations and my girls can't wait to get them out. This year I let them put these pumpkins in their room and as long as they went to sleep, they were allowed to keep them on. So began our Fall/Halloween celebrations.

We went to Vertuccio Farms again for our annual pumpkin patch experience. Kathryn and her girls, my mom and Lilly and Angela and Margo were there as well. It seems like every year they add a few more activities and it gets a little more fun. We did some of the corn maze this year, but it was too late and we had too many little kids to do all of it. Maybe next year I'll plan better so we can get it all done. Also, there was the most beautiful sunset while we were there. Beautiful sunset on a cool October evening with a farm in the horizon? It was pretty awesome.

For Halloween this year, Clara wanted to be a white ninja. She's been talking about it since last Halloween and as much as I want her to dress up as something cutesie and sparkly, it was more important that I let her choose her costume. I bought a white karate belt and was trying to figure out what she wanted to be when Kathryn told me I could buy a red ninja costume off her that she'd found earlier in the year. It was red, but as soon as Clara saw it, she was on board. I got one for Hazel too and up until the night before Halloween, that was the plan. Then Hazel and I went to Goodwill while Clara was at gym and found this cute little cowboy(girl) costume and that changed Hazel's mind for good.

However, I didn't want Clara to wear her ninja costume to the Fall Festival at Clara's school, so I had the girls get dress up we already have for that night. Clara went as a pirate (and I was super proud of the skull I painted on her cheek) and Hazel as Snow White. I hate paying $30 to go to the Fall Festival and then paying for tickets, but I try to keep telling myself that it's helping the school out. It was almost worth it this year because the girls got a pony ride and there was a pretty cool petting zoo. We spent most of our time there and then left to go out to eat.

We carved pumpkins. Clara did her's almost entirely herself and helped Hazel quite a bit. She's such a good helper. 

Halloween finally came and I dressed the girls up, let them go trick-or-treating to our neighbors and then we went to my mom's and met Angela and Margo there. I love this picture of these three kids looking so happy. 

These two make me smile. My little cowgirl and her sidekick red ninja. For Clara's boots, I put some of my black trouser socks over her shoes. It was one of my better ideas and I was pleased with how it polished off her costume (see the above left picture before I put them on). 

 

Not that this comes as a surprise to anyone that knows Clara, but when she was dressed in her costume, she took her role very seriously. It's so easy for her to slip from reality into her imagination and I love it.

After my mom's we went to our neighborhood party. That's always so much fun. None of my pictures turned out, but trust me that there were lots of bouncy houses, good chili and salsa, homemade ice cream, popcorn and fun friends. After that, we went back to my mom's. My mom found some red rimmed glasses and dressed up as Clara for Halloween. :) We went trick-or-treating a little with Kathryn's girls and Lilly. My mom's neighbor had a pretty involved spook house/ally thing that the kids loved. It was a little too gory for me. I like to keep Halloween upbeat and fun, not too gory and spooky.

Every year it seems like time drags until Halloween is here. And then you blink and the year is over. This year was no different, which is part of the reason I'm still 4 months behind on my blogging. BUT, I'm gaining traction and hope to be caught up in no time.

Driving Home From Utah

Instead of driving all the way home from Utah Sunday night and getting home at 4am, we decided to stay the night in Jacob Lake. They have these cute cabins that are pretty inexpensive. The cabins are super old and the three of us shared a Queen bed, but it was perfect. We needed nothing more. We'll definitely be back.

We slept well, had breakfast, explored a little (enjoyed a light dusting of snow) and then hit the road. I decided instead of trying to make it home in a certain number of hours, we were going to stop whenever and wherever we wanted and explore. 

Our first destination was the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. I have never been there and probably wouldn't drive all that way just for that, so I decided we needed to take advantage of being so close. We drove past a lot of burnt forest (left), which was sad. But then we got closer and I couldn't get over how blue the sky was (right). Beautiful.

Once we made it, we thought we were looking at the Grand Canyon (bottom) but it was some other canyon. We eventually made it to the Grand Canyon (top). We happened to go during the government shutdown and didn't have to pay. They said to pay at the parking lot but I never saw anywhere to pay and I decided not to take my tired kids and go searching the area to find the place I was supposed to pay. 

I was surprised at how many spots seemed pretty dangerous for kids. I'm glad my kids are older, especially since I was the only adult there. But it was really beautiful to see fall colors mixed with pine trees and the beautiful canyon in the background.

It was a pretty long drive back. Once we got off the windy rode down, but before we completely finished our descent from the top of the Kaibab Plataea, we stopped at an Indian trading post. The view was beautiful, but we didn't buy anything. 

We stopped at the Cliff Dwellers, which is basically the bottom of the Kaibab Plateau. I don't believe it's authentic, but it was still fun to see the humongous rocks that are just hanging out randomly around the area. Hazel was actually asleep during this stop, so I let her sleep in the car while I walked around with Clara.

Next, we stopped at, and walked across, Navajo Bridge. It was awesome. However, bridges always make me a little nervous. Just the thought of being suspended in the air gives me a bit of anxiety. But it was cool and the scenery was pretty great. Another good stop.

We stopped at three of the Indian trading posts on the side of the road. Clara was looking for the perfect treasure. Our last trading post was in Cameron and Clara found her arrowhead necklace. I am trying to let her get things she likes even though I want her to get something else. :) Hazel got this darling little turquoise ring. It is so cute and tiny!

Our last exploratory stop was on the reservation on those giant grey hills that are on the side of the road. I have always wanted to stop, but never have. It was so bizarre and seeing them close up only made it more mysterious. I just couldn't figure out an explanation of where these things came from or why they are there.

We did stop in Flagstaff for gas and dinner as our final stop. We took 10+ hours to make a 5 hour drive. Oddly, however, it seemed like a quick trip and I never felt like it was taking forever to get home. We enjoyed some cool sites and weren't worried about sticking to a schedule or getting home in a certain amount of time. I hope we do it again. 

October Break 2013

For October Break, I felt like I needed to go to Utah. Jason couldn't really take off work so I went alone with the girls. Bye, bye, desert. I think it's beautiful. But so are other things.

My mom and Lilly went as well as Angela and Margo. So I told Angela I was going to Utah the 19th and 20th instead of the 9th and 10th. She quickly booked her plane ticket... for the 19th and 20th and then later realized in talking to my mom, while I was present, that it was not the same weekend the rest of us were planning on going. $200 mistake that I'm still feeling guilty for. Clara had school Wednesday, so we left after school. We stopped in Jacob Lake for dinner. I had never gone that way, but because the road to Page is still closed and the detour isn't opened at night, it seemed like a good option. Plus, a friend recommended it. While waiting for dinner, we ran into Mrs. Jackson, Clara's preschool teacher and visited with her for a bit. The food was delicious, even if I did have to eat mine while driving and dodging deer on the Kaibab Plateau. After dinner, I let the kids watch a movie on the portable DVD player a lady I work with let me borrow. The kids thought it was awesome. Oh technology, you're so wonderful. Can you imaging how thrilled my kids would be to have a DVD player in the car permanently? Maybe never. :)

I had gotten little sleep the night before trying to get work done, so I called Jason and he talked to me for the last hour plus of my drive to help me stay awake. That first morning was a bit somber, as we learned Steven was having some serious struggles. However, I felt like we were all supposed to be there with Rachel. Once we got past a few things, Rachel's kids took my kids outside to play, Angela and I took all the kids to a pizza buffet for lunch and then we hung out with Rachel's goats. I can't say it enough: Clara needs a goat.

Party on Rachel's bed.

My girls shared a bed (kind of... Hazel mostly slept in mine) and Clara read her bedtime stories. I love it.

On Friday we went to Park City. It was beautiful and made me want to be in Utah every year for Fall. We rode the slide, the coaster and the zipline. I was kind of terrified to do the zipline, but I quickly learned that it wasn't so much a free-fall feeling, but a nice, smooth coasting feeling and I was glad I braved it. My girls loved the slide and coaster (Hazel wasn't tall enough for the coaster) and I loved hearing their joyful squeals.

When we got to the cars to leave, it was discovered that Rachel's keys were locked in her car. I can't say she locked them in because her car randomly automatically locks, which is strange and lame. We sent most the kids home with my mom in my car and Clara, Lucas, Rachel and I got a hot chocolate and waited for the tow truck. From the time I called until they arrived and unlocked our car, it was about 35 minutes. AAA is awesome.

That night we took a ride in Don's new toy, an RZR or something of the sort. Angela bundled up for our ride.

I thought I was going to die and realized even more than I am not a thrill seeker. I don't love the rush of energy and with every donut Don spun, I thought the thing would roll and we'd all be in the hospital. My kids are going to have to adopt some thrill-seeker guardian if they are into that sort of thing when they are older, because I won't be much help.

We also spent some time with Daniel that night. Not sure why our legs in the picture on the left look like midget legs... but the more I look at it, the funnier it looks.

On Saturday, the older kids went to the dunes with Don so we went to the park and out to lunch.

Then we headed up America Fork Canyon (I think... I hope it wasn't Provo Canyon...) and ended at Tibble Fork Reservoir. The scenery was breathtaking, yet again.

Sometimes I end up taking more pictures of Hazel and I realized it's because Clara is bigger now and runs off with cousins more often. Hazel still needs me to supervise most of the time so she is my prime subject. Here she is baking cookies with Rachel, posing for me and trying to get the goat to chase her. She constantly said, "Here goaty-goat" every time we saw the goats (yes, we went back to visit them on Saturday).

That night, Rachel, Angela, my mom and I went out to eat. It was a reminder that life is full of sorrows, but also joys. The food was some of the best we'd ever tasted and it was fun to enjoy it with people I love so much.

Sunday morning I went to Jen's for a quick visit. Because of my short visit in Utah, I didn't feel like I had much family time as it was. I decided next time I need to stay in Utah for at least a week.

I went back to Rachel's and went to Sacrament Meeting with her. I tried to sneakily take a picture of these two cute kids in the chapel and my flash was on. Whoops. I think both of them look a lot like their dads, yet they still look so much alike. Must be their spirits that create the resemblance. :)

We stopped by the Mt. Timpanogas temple for a few pictures because it looked so beautiful. I'm sure these bare little AZ legs were pretty chilly and I'm sure I bribed these kids to let me take a picture.

We went back to Rachel's, changed, packed up, said our goodbyes and left. We only went half-way, but our journey home needs a post of its own. It was that fun. I'm so glad we went to Utah and am already looking forward to our next trip back.