Halloween

We had a great Halloween! With Trunk-or-treating, class parties, trick-or-treating, & the Sugar Fairy everyone was happy.

Clara was our sweet ballerina. She kept pointing our her ballet shoes to everyone.

Samantha picked her costume according to what she thought was the most fancy...the spanish princess won.

Alex was Speed Racer. I bought the costume a size too big, but that didn't stop him from running from house to house.

We went trick-or-treating around our neighborhood. The kids received way too much candy, so the Sugar showed up the next morning took it all and left a wonderful toy in it's place. Happy ending for both parent and child.

Here are a few of the things we have been up to....

Bike ridding. Clara can't reach the peddles, but still insists on either George or I pushing her around the block. My poor aching back...she is sure getting one that we can push for her birthday.

The kids were so patient to make a temple trip with me (George was forced to work). So as a reward we went to Downtown Disney. They thought this was so much fun...can you imagine how excited they would be at Disney World? Someday. :)

Clara and Sammy found the princesses quickly. Any everyone HAD to bring home a souvenir.

Alex's first field trip. He is the one in the back with his hand raised. He had a blast!

Clara painted for the first time. Now I know why I have waited so long...it was a mess as you can see.

Carving the pumpkin with dad a few days before Halloween. We kept Mr. Jack-o-lantern inside until Halloween. They rot rather quickly out here.

Clara...what to do.

Clara baby is giving me a run for my money these days. Right now she is screaming up stairs fighting bedtime once again. But we do have our wonderful moments.

She loves to help me make dinner, cookies, or anything else and is always found sitting on the counter helping mom.

On the first day of school Clara and I headed to the beach. It was so much fun to just play in the sand with her.

If I don't get Clara in her car seat fast enough or take her out fast enough she escapes to the front seat where she pretends to drive. She loves to take out every cd, turn my windshield wipers on, turn my brights on, & put the music to the most interesting settings.

Clara is learning patience right now. I couldn't get to her fast enough to take her out of her highchair, so she decided to try herself. Needless to say, she got stuck.

Go Bills!

What a treat we had this past weekend (besides watching conference of course!). Ryan Denney, one of George's college buddies, plays for the Buffalo Bills and they were playing the Miami Dolphins. Just so happens Ryan's brother plays for the dolphins. Ryan graciously offered some tickets and passes to meet up after the game. The seats were incredible! The food not worth the money. But seeing Denney leap over an opponent and sack the quarterback made the food taste like it came from a 4 star restaurant! So great to catch up with Ryan after the game and meet his family. Too bad the Bills lost, but it made a Dolphin fan out of Alex. :)
Never serious...maybe it was the sugar rush from the cotton candy he consumed in less than a minute.

You can always count on Clara to watch some football with her daddy. They have spent many of late nights watching together.

Ryan is on the right end all ready in position to strike.

A family picture with Ryan (Sammy stayed home to play with some friends). Either he is a giant or I am a midget.

First Day of School

August 24th was the first day of school and the kids where excited! We had had a wonderful summer, but I was ready for the kids to go back to school.

Alex started Kindergarted! I can't believe my baby boy is big enough to go to school! Here is Florida they have all day kindergarten...6 hours...crazy! I miss having him around, but he loves to learn!

Sammy begged to cut her hair before school started. I decided to let her, because it at least makes her look younger. And I would love to keep her little forever. She is my big 2nd grader. She has already made tons of friends and found a few boys in class to have crushes on. :)

One of Alex and Samantha's favorite things about school is when they get to see each other in the halls! Knowing they have each other makes sending them to school a lot easier.

Alex saying good-bye to his dad on the first day. Thumbs up! Everything will be ok.

Snorkels!

What can be more fun than snorkeling in your own pool! Well, doing it at the beach is, but the kids had just as much fun learning how to use them in the pool and then we took them to the beach and they had a blast!
Even mom joined in on the fun!

Couldn't wait to try them out!

Lemonade Stand

They kids have been begging me to let them do a lemonade stand. I always say no because there are just not that many people who hang out outside in the middle of the summer heat in Florida. But I finally gave in. They had 1 customer (besides mom & dad) who gave them $5 for 2 glasses. They were thrilled! And the rest of the lemonade went in their tummies.

Summer Vacation 2009

Our 6 week long vacation was something else! We had such a great time, but this mom was so worn out by the end. Clara discovered tantrums on this trip and what no sleep does to her. I vowed never to go so long again, but after looking back on the pictures I just might do it again. It is just like child birth, the more time passes the more one tends to forget about the bad part & only remembers the good. And we did have a good time! It was so great to be with family & dear friends! There was lots of playing with cousins, Hoogle Zoo trip, couples getaway, Gateway Discovery Center, Hobbs Family Reunion, Twin Falls fun, motorcycle rids, visiting old friends, swimming, movies, shopping, Zions National Park, boating & jet skiing, two 10k runs (beating George on of the times :)), hikes, train rides, California, staying up way too late, eating way too much, & having a blast! Here is a slide show of some of the highlights. Remember it was a long vacation so I left out a lot of pictures. I didn't want to bore you all to sleep.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

I am back...sorry!

I know it has been forever...but I am back finally! There will be quite a few posts to follow so be patient.

We're off...

It is time for us to head back west for 6 weeks. We are really excited to see friends and family! So, there won't be any posting for a while, but I'll be back.

Wanted to post George's Father's Day gift...Marlins vs. Yankees game. We had a great time! So. Florida is little New York, so there were tons of Yankees fan. They lost....sad, but it was a great game.

South Florida Beach Fun

We are getting really excited for our 6 week long trip to Utah, Idaho, & California! But we had to make sure we got in enough beach time here in Florida. So if you can't find us this week we'll be at the beach.
Sammy brought her goggles the last few times and has been exploring the ocean floor.

The whole family took a trip to the beach last Saturday. So nice to have a helping hand. Clara just loves the ocean! She will run right in.

3 cute kids being so patient to pose for just one quick picture.

Alex loves to have the waves wash over him.

Weekly ward park days have turned into weekly beach trips and we love them. Nothing like a relaxing day at the beach!

Memorial Day

This is how we spent our Memorial Day...in the pool. Alex decided to be brave and started swimming on his own. He hasn't stopped since.

George and Sammy rigged this nice way to relax in the pool. Now that is some quality father-daughter time.

Sammy practicing treading some water. Her new thing is jumping into the deep end.

Clara loves the pool. During the week she asks to go swimming with daddy in the water...her wish comes true each Saturday.

This is me with both arms full in the pool. Luckily Alex and Sammy are both doing so much better. Now if only Clara would wear the life jacket. Maybe I could swim alone. :)

End of Another School Year

I always feel like such a kid when the end of another school year comes. I get very excited and all caught up in the activities. This year Alex graduated from preschool and Sammy graduated from 1st grade. Here are the highlights.

Alex's preschool graduation from Kids Academy was quite the event. They held it at a Marriot Hotel, wore cap & gowns, and put on a great program. Doesn't he look very grown up?

Proud daddy.

A mom who is trying to hold back the tears.

Sammy enjoyed her first grade class. They had a Hawaiian Luau class party. Sammy with a couple of her friends.

What could be better then pizza?

Sammy's class only had 5 girls by the end (only 8 to start). But they had fun anyways.

A little update...

A few random photos of some fun time in May.

This was my Mother's Day Tea Party at Alex's school. He made me that wonderful hat. We sipped water (I said no to the ice tea), nibbled on yummy cookies that they had made, & had delightful conversation.

Sammy's been taking gymnastics and really love it. Her favorite time is on the bar.

Clara is into shoes. She always wants to wear the fancy ones, but can't seem to walk in the at all, which drives her crazy!

George went to Switzerland for "work". He was there for 4 days, had two meeting, & did a lot of sight-seeing. Hopefully, next time I can tag-a-long.

The kids were so excited to see their daddy...a week was too long for them. He brought home delicious chocolates, which Clara loved! She was so tired, but had to finish every last bite.