THE BEACH

Here we are at the beach.  I've been wanting to go to the ocean, however, Northern California beaches aren't your typical beaches.  They are cooldd.  We happened to go to the most dangerous beach in the country, so the kids were very scared.  It was still really pretty and the kids have a collection of seaweed.  They got to see sea lions, and had a great time with Nany and Papa.

Basket-Ball Stars

From now on in my blog I have given my kids fairy tale names, so as not to release their names to the public.  Jayden will be known as "Little Boy Blue", and Elise as "Mary Quite Contrary".
 

Here is Little Boy Blue and Mary Quite Contrary with her friend playing basket-ball.  They even named their team "The Cougars".  They had fun.  Mary Quite Contrary said that she will never play again, because she got hit in the face with a basket-ball.  Little Boy Blue, however, loved basket ball.  Every day you will see him outside practicing his basket-ball.  He had no idea what to do, but he tried so hard.  It was fun watching them.

Flag Football

I really need to work on taking better flag football pictures.  

Daddy was the coach this year, and all of the parents loved him.  There were a lot of parents that we didn't know, who came and told me that they were so glad that he was so positive with the kids and made the kids feel good.  He was great!!  Dallin also, did a good job playing and we had fun watching.  

Tadpole hunting

We have this pond by our house, more like a swamp.  Every Spring you will find us there catching tadpoles.  However, our tadpoles never survive to grow into frogs, because we leave them for too long.  Maybe we will let them live next year.

Halloween 2013

Presenting...

Sophie the Elephant

Elise the Cat

Jayden "The Incredible Hulk"

Dallin "The horse"

Notice Elise is a BYU cheerleader here

carving pumpkins

our end result, and we even had a BYU pumpkin!!

Balloon Races

This is our one time per year that we get to ride on the city bus.  The kids love it.  I love seeing the sky filled with balloons.  No balloon rides this year, but we did get to see Smokey Bear!!

The Redwoods

It's getting close to the end of the year and I'm running out of time.  So, I need to hurry up.  Between having sick kids, holiday preparation and life, anything else seems to get pushed aside.  So, here it goes...

THE REDWOODS

It was a lot of fun going to see the redwoods.  They are over 100 feet tall and it is amazing to look up and see that they go on forever.  I'm glad we got to go there this year.

The forest

Elise 

The wood really is red.

Mom and Dad

Our hike.  The kids were a little weary, but I thought it was fun.

Elise found these really cool heart shaped clovers, she was collecting them.

Dallin and Jayden

Sophie was a happy camper as usual.

Here we all are pointing up.

I'm Grateful for...

It's been a while since I posted, because we just got over having the Flu.  I am grateful that I didn't get sick, because I had to do all of the cleaning up.  I don't know how Mom's do anything if they get sick.  So, I am grateful for my health.

I am also trying to post pictures of events that have taken place throughout this year.  So, I can't go without mentioning Old Faithful Geyser.  Only two geysers like this exist in the whole world and we got to see one in California!!!  Not to mention it cost $50 to sit and watch steaming hot water shoot out of the ground.  This leads me into my next item of gratitude.  

I am grateful for my parents.  I don't think anyone in the whole world has parents quite like mine.  I don't know too many people who would pay $50 to see Old Faithful, other than my Daddy-O.  He is always looking for adventure and new experiences.  My parents provided me with so many learning opportunities throughout my life, that I would not be the same without them.  I learned to play the violin, piano, voice lessons.  I learned how to speak Spanish, French.  Not to mention I have been involved in almost anything that you can imagine.  I have done ice skating lessons, roller skating lessons, ski lessons, soccer, softball, basketball, cheer leading.  Piano competitions, singing competitions, orchestras, horseback riding.  All of this I owe to my parents who gave me a love of learning.  I love to learn and to explore, and to travel.  I am so thankful to my wonderful parents who provided me with the best possible life.  They are the best.  

Sophie

 Today... I am thankful for Sophie.  I have so many pictures of her, that I could make a really, really long post.  Here are some of my favorite pictures of her.  This year has been such a fun year with this little girl.  She is just so much fun, and we love having her around.  I can't believe that she is already 1 year old.