Petting Zoo

I've been sick with strep throat and it's been cold so we haven't been up to much. We did take advantage of the last fall day that we didn't need jackets and headed to the petting zoo... My kids always LOVE to see the animals and so do I actually.

this llama had a crush on baylee.

we were there at the perfect time. the horses hadn't been fed lunch yet so they were hungry and were eating from our hands. it was awesome. avaree was very brave!

enlarge this picture to see baylee's face.

i love this picture of weston and the cow.

Where has everyone been?? Has the blogging world seem slower to anyone else lately?? I guess it's that time of year!

Fall Ball

Baylee played fall softball and Griffin played flag football this year.

The top left picture Griffin is throwing a touch down pass. His team only lost one game. Aren't the mountains in the background beautiful?

The fans. The season started out beautiful but by the end we were watching the games from the car. Now it's time to bring on basketball season!

Proud To Be An American

I am so proud to be an American! I love our country and all the freedoms we enjoy for being American citizens... including the oppurtunity to vote. Barack Obama was not my first choice for president (I REALLY wanted Mitt Romney and still do) but Obama has been chosen and I will support him. It actually feels good to have the election over with, doesn't it? It's obvious that our country is divided and it's my hope and prayer that Obama will work to unite us.

Yeah for Proposition 8 passing! That is such good news for all my Cali friends. Except Jason and I couldn't help but think that if it didn't pass then maybe some of you would move to Utah! That's okay. We' ll take a visit. I admire so many of you for all you did to fight for Proposition 8.

My friend, Jana, posted some inspiring articles on her blog that if you have time to read I recommend. One is about George Bush and is a good reminder that we should RESPECT our President and my favortite one is written by Mitt Romney called "One Matters For Impact." http://www.jana-lifein2008.blogspot.com/

Lastly, Jason's brother Brandon is leaving next week to Iraq. Deep down I'm scared to death for him but I'm so grateful their are soldiers willing to fight for us and our AMAZING country!

God Bless America, Home of the Free, Land of the Brave!

Griffin's Fourteen!

Since Griffin's Birthday is on Halloween. He gets a few days of celebrating...

10/30~ Jason and I took only Griffin out to dinner. He had just gotten his braces tightened the day before and his teeth were hurting so he chose Olive Garden hoping that pasta would be easy to eat but it still hurt. Poor guy.

10/31~ He spent his actual birthday playing and trick or treating with his friend Harrison.

11/1~ He took his friend, Bridger, to lunch and the movie Eagle Eye.

11/2~ We had our traditional family party and he FINALLY got to open his presents!

(avaree thinks every birthday is hers too)

Good things about Griffin:

~He is so obedient. He will do anything asked of him. I hope that my kids can learn this from him.
~He is smart and gets good grades. His teachers adore him.
~He is SO good with little children. No one can make my kids laugh like Griff.
~He is funny and very cute for a boy going through puberty. :)
~He has a righteous heart... he just earned his Duty to God award in Scouts, he served as the Deacons Quorum President and is now in the Teachers Quorum Presidency. Jason just ordained him a Teacher on Sunday, which was a special thing to witness. In the blessing Jason said, "what a great example he is to those around him especially his older siblings. He also mentioned, "how proud people on the other side were of him." I don't doubt that my Mom is SO proud of him and the kind of person he is becoming and has chosen to be.

We love Griff and are so glad he is a part of our family!!

Halloween!!

Griffin was a halloween baby because he was born on Halloween!! Happy Birthday Griff!! (more to come)

Baylee turned a pumpkin garbage bag into a cute costume.

I was a doc and Jason was my patient. (my costume was a little boys size 6-8... does anyone have a child that would like to borrow it next year?)

LOVE my lady bug and chicken!! I can't get enough of those cute faces.

Party #1

We didn't do much trick or treating this year because...
1. it was raining
2. we have a lot of candy already and
3. Princess Leia and Hans Solo were in town from Vegas so we had to go SEE them!

The spider family through a great party and won for best costumes (in my opinion). The food was a hit with homemade pumpkin bread bowls and green finger breadsticks. Kids played hard and late and we left WAY too tired!!

Party #2

Annual party at the Rice's. Lori LOVES halloween and goes all out. This year was especially fun because Linda (Jason's mom, the HOT cowgirl) and Ed (her hubby) were in attendance. FYI... Jason built the Rice's house and it is beautiful and held a lot of people well.