Vacation time...

The last week in September we took a family vacation to Tucson, Arizona to visit John's family. We had a wonderful time.


Arizona University


"Welcome to Arizona" cake!

Grandaddy and his "helpers" trying to fix a problem with the sink.


Avery cuddling up to Grandaddy.


Liam spent most of his waking hours playing in the dirt and loving every minute of it!


Liam and Claudia with their stuffed pals.


Avery and Grandaddy.



John and I in Scottsdale at a beautiful resort we stayed at for a mini getaway without the kids.


Mesa Temple


Enjoying the wonderful view at "The Desert Museum" which is an outdoor trail/zoo. We had so much fun exploring along the trail and seeing the animals.



Claudia and Liam digging for dinosaur bones.



Thank you for a great visit!!

Happy 5th Birthday Claudia!!

Claudia was so excited for her birthday to get here...she talked about it almost everyday! She wanted me to make her a castle cake and to have a princess theme party with princesses and knights. She decided that she wanted to be a "princess animal" and wear a dress and have ears and wiskers to complete her look. So she got her wish and had the birthday party she has been dreaming of and had a wonderful time. Her little buddy Caleb also wanted the same party theme and since we were having the party's on the same day, Nancy (Caleb's mommy) and I decided to join forces and combine the party. We had a great time planning and hosting the royal celebration together.

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Zoo

Last week John took a few days off from work and the kids had so much fun spending time with him. One day the weather was beautiful and we decided to surprise the kids and go to the Zoo. We had a great time seeing the animals and riding the little train.

Mother/Daughter campout

The second weekend in September Claudia and I ventured out on our first camping trip together with some friends. We had a wonderful time together. Claudia loved it and said she wanted to go next year too! So our new tradition begins...


Claudia trying to catch a tadpole.


Exploring the river.


Swimming in the river was Claudia's favorite part of the trip. She loved it and had so much fun in the beautiful clear water.


Mommy and Claudia.


Hallie, Caylee and Claudia having fun playing in the tents before bed time.


Claudia and I in our tent before lights out around 11:30 pm. Claudia was up bright and early...5:30 am the next morning playing with her flashlight and ready to start the day...


Claudia and buddies posing in a giant tree.


Claudia smiling for the camera.


Our one last walk turned into the last swim. The girls were having so much fun and they got totally soaked in the river.

Saturday date night group

The first Saturday of the month is our turn to watch the South and Vance kiddos. The kids love it and we get two nights a month without our kids! It is nice to have a break every once in a while.

Dinner time with 8 kids!

Storytime before going home.

Liam starts Pre-school

Well a week after his sister started school it is finally Liam's turn. He has been so excited to start pre-school with his little friends that he has been carrying his backpack around for a week! This is the same type of program we did for Claudia where a few mom's get together and rotate teaching the kids twice a week. It was so much fun last year that we decided to do it for Liam. He loves it and enjoys having his special school days.

Liam on his first day!


Getting ready to leave...

Claudia getting ears pierced

Ever since Claudia was 3 years old she has asked to get her ears pierced and I always told her she could when she turned 5. Well the time has finally come and she has been so excited about getting them done. She has talked about it almost everyday for months! I think I was more nervous than she was!


Getting ready...


Done... she did not even cry!


A special treat for the brave girl and of course Liam too!