Happy Late Halloween

Ok, I know it's a little past Halloween, but we have been preoccupied and I haven't been up on my blogging at all. But I wanted to show some photos of my babies and I on Halloween....
(click on the photos in the book to see them larger)

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

AHHHH!! Can you believe it! Yesterday we sold our home!! (As long as everything goes right from here on out)
On Wednesday, the 5th, we had two different couples come through the home, and by 7:00 that night we had 2 offers on our house. They were both extremely low so naturally we countered them. Then they countered back. One of the counters was just obsurd, and the other was near what we wanted, so we countered the close offer again and met them in the middle. They accepted our offer and now we are under contract. We are due to close on December 10th! It's awesome news, but now where do we live :) We had a couple places in mind but they both sold before this... so now we are on the hunt and crossing our fingers that by some miracle we won't be homeless in a month. I'm sure all will work out fine. It's exciting and stressful all at once!
On another note, a big congratulations to my brother-in-law, Ethan, and his new wife Kylar. They were married this week in the Timpanogas Temple. We love you both so much, your wedding was wonderful. Congratulations!
(sorry if you don't like the pic guys, it's all I had, I think you're cute!)

Disney Trip

OK, I know you have all been anxiously waiting for me to post pictures of our awesome California/Disney trip... well wait no longer my friends! Unfortunately there isn't enough space on the entire Internet to hold the amount of pictures that I took, so I had to choose just a few (ha ha) but if you want the extended version of the trip you may visit us and I will be happy to take you through the whole amazing week!
Well here's a few details...we left Sunday October 19Th early in the morning. We were flying standby and didn't want to be bumped into a late flight. Luckily we got on the first flight out and the kids did just fine on the plane. Grace had a bit of ear trouble during the decent but she was alright. Later she kept telling people she got an ear infection on the plane.
Then we headed to our car rental place which treated us very well. They not only upgraded our little compact car to a Jeep Compass, but also gave us a GPS system all for the price of $20!! The GPS made Adam's whole day!
The nice little electronic goddess guided us to our hotel with ease. Then we were lucky again and got to check in 4 hours early, which was so nice because I wanted to change and get the kids all settled before we headed to DisneyLand.
At DisneyLand, a short walk from the hotel, our first ride was the Pirates of the Caribbean. Grace and Kaleb weren't sure what to expect but enjoyed it any way. Kaleb got a little nervous in the dark but still had fun. We went from ride to ride for the rest of the day. We had free stroller rentals so that helped with the getting around. We also watched the parade that night. I think that was as exciting to them as the rides. We had priority seating for it so we didn't have anyone competing with us for a spot. The kids got to see a lot of their favorite characters right in front of them. The princesses were blowing kisses to Grace and Ariel made a heart with her hands and held it up toward Grace. She loved that and later Grace did the same to Princess Bell when she met her.
We spent three days in the Disney Parks, then went to the beach for a day. The weather was perfect all week long, mid 80's, and the kids were much better behaved than I had anticipated.
Well there are too many exciting details to write so I will just post photos and captions for the rest, but we really had a great time and I can't wait to go again!!
(OK, so this slide show isn't the best, but it is late in the night and I can't get it right, sorry ) :)

photobook - Powered by Smilebox" src="http://www.smilebox.com/globalImages/blogInstructions/blogLogoSmileboxSmall.gif" width=386>

Make a Smilebox photobook

WE LOVE MICKEY

We went to DisneyLand!!! We left the 19th and just got home on the 23rd. It was an awesome trip! The weather was perfect, in the 80's, and the kids had a blast. Of course Kaleb was a bit sick of the lines and late naps by the 3rd day at the park, but he was still such a good boy. They both loved the rides. Grace even got to go on all the big ones; Splash Mountain, Thunder Mountain, Space Mountain, and Star Tours, with Adam. Kaleb was a little nervous about a few of the rides like the Matterhorn, but his favorites were the Buzz Lightyear and Autiotopia rides. We went on them over, and over... the lines weren't too long so that was ok.

After 3 crazy days at the DisneyLand and California Adventure Parks, we were ready for a break. We spent all of Wednesday at Huntington Beach. LOVED IT. The kids were totally entertained all day, just playing in the sand and running from the waves. Of course, Grace was jumping in the waves, Kaleb was running from them! We had such a great vacation, I really anticipated many more tantrums and problems but it turned out fabulous.

I will post some photos and more stories soon. I just need to get myself back to real life again! :)

Still here... Just Crazy busy

FOR SALE

Sorry it has been so long since I have updated, things have been rather crazy around here. A couple months ago Adam and I started looking at houses, just for fun. Then we started thinking maybe now would be a good time to move on to a bigger and better home (plus Adam is tired of living in the home he grew up in). SO, today we had my aunt Audrey over and signed the papers. She pounded the sign in the ground and it is official, our cute little home is for sale! It was really exciting until I saw that sign go in, now I am a bit nervous and sick. We love our friends and neighbors here!! Our house is really great too, we just need a bit more room, possibly for growth :)

So we have been spending much of our time researching homes, rates, what a short sale is, how to ready our home for sale, etc. etc. This last weekend was spent purging things to depersonalize, and deep cleaning. So, now my kitchen echos and I don't want anyone to touch anything!

Also, just before all this moving stuff, Adam and I decided that we all needed a vacation. Sooooo, WE'RE GOING TO DISNEYLAND!! In 11 days we will be flying (courtesy of our brother Ethan's buddy passes, thank you! ) to Anaheim and spending a few days with Mickey and friends. We are also going to take a day to spend at the beach. We're all so excited. Grace talks about flying to California everyday, and can't wait to see Cinderella! I'm not sure how Kaleb will be with everything, but we figure he is free so if he doesn't want to go on a ride, no biggie. Grace is even tall enough to go on most the big rides! Man I can't wait!! For the first week or so after we decided to go, I couldn't sleep :) It was good when we started looking at homes because it got my mind off planning the trip, but then I have lost a bit of sleep over the other as well. Eh, sleep is overrated!

Congratulations to my hubby too, who just a month ago got promoted to Engineer!! That means he gets to drive the big toys/trucks! He gets a bit of a raise too, which is always nice. He worked hard to get it and I'm very proud of him. He loves the position.

Being sworn in as an engineer (He's the hottie second from the right) I got to pin on his new badge.

Yup, things have been hoppin' in the Archuleta home but we are having fun. Take care ya'll!!

Quick Thinking

Yesterday the kids and I were playing Lego's. Grace built a tall tower and Kaleb was helping me build one. Of course when Grace showed me her tower, Kaleb scurried over there and knocked it down. Not in a mean way, that's just what towers are for, right? Well this time Grace didn't yell at him (she usually does) which was nice. He went back to building with me and she started a bigger and wider tower, with a flower on top. Then she had to go potty. No sooner was she in the bathroom did Kaleb get up to get some other blocks and knocked over her new tower. Not on purpose this time. Luckily it was in big pieces. As soon as I quickly start putting it back together I hear from upstairs...
Grace: Did Kaleb just knock down my tower?
Me: No, he was getting the blocks out.
Grace: Did he knock down my tower?
Me: Your tower is fine. (the sound of more blocks being poured from a bag)
Grace: He knocked it over didn't he?
Me: No, he's just getting out the blocks...
Soon she was down stairs, and surprised/excited to see that her tower was standing! No harm done. I got a good laugh out of it though.

Last Summer Outing

Last Wednesday, my family and I decided to go on one last camping trip before it was too cold. We chose to go up American Fork Canyon and camped at a site called Granite Flats. We had a huge campsite and it was beautiful. Lush green plants, trees formed a canopy around our tent site; there were lots of trails that went off in every direction, and then led back to camp. Which was nice so we could let the kids roam a lot. The first night we were there we got invaded by raccoons! The campsite manager warned us to put our food and coolers in our truck, and we did, but we forgot the big cooler. Well in the middle of the night (2:30 am) I woke up to the sound of our cooler opening and shutting. Adam wasn't concerned and thought that they just knocked over some gold fish we left in a cup. So I got the flashlight and headed out there to investigate. Now, I am a total animal lover and was rather excited to see a real 'coon, but it was pitch black outside and Adam had just finished telling me how raccoons are vicious, rabid animals! So I was a bit startled when I got to the cooler to find two huge 'coons staring me in the face, both with a mouth full of loot. A few feet away from them was a bag of some left over KFC chicken we had brought up from dinner. I stood there and shinned the light on them for a while and one took off, but the other held his ground (and his precious chicken breast). It was a gorgeous creature, the mask covered his eyes and connected all the way in the middle over his nose. He was a funny character, I'm sure he couldn't see anything but the bright light on him, but he kept slowly creeping behind the tree that was near him, and then slowly peeking his head out and going back to eating. It was funny, and intriguing to watch him there. But it was still so dark and I was getting nervous. I quickly grabbed the bag of chicken, shoved it in the top of the cooler and covered the cooler with our 5 gallon water cooler. The 'coon didn't budge, even when I passed him to go back to the tent. I was sure he was going to charge me. The rest of the night I couldn't sleep, too worried about 'coons knocking over the water cooler, worried that the smell of the chicken they got would attract a larger animal (mt. lion or bear) and Kaleb heard me come in and wanted to sleep with me. He took up all of my side. I was sandwiched between him and Adam. The good part of not sleeping was that I heard the most beautiful owl hoots not far from our spot. It was awesome. I could fall asleep to that every night.


The next morning we took off on an adventure and hiked to Timpanogos Cave. Adam carried Kaleb on his back and Grace and I struggled behind. I think if I weren't trying to keep my pace slow to stay with Grace it wouldn't have been quite as hard, but I got a great work out! It was an awesome hike, steap, and Grace did the whole thing by herself. We carried her a little on the way down but she really was so tough. We are so proud of her. The scenery was awesome.

The cave was amazing as well. We were all in awe the entire time, even the kids were taken witht he dark cold cave. The tour guide was very nice and patient with Grace, who had a question/comment every 5 minutes, she joked with her and was very good to her. There's no way that I could remember all the details of what we saw and the photos don't do it justice, but here are some anyway...

Cave bacon anyone? (on the right.)

This is the "heart of Timpanogos". Estimated to weigh about 2 tons. Fun, fun experience.We will definitely do it again, maybe not with the kids next time, it was a bit rough for them.

The rest of the day we just played around the campsite. Kaleb and I took a long nap, and when I woke up it was to the sound of romping behind me. I knew Adam and Grace went hiking up there so I thought she had fallen. Then I saw a flash of something go by in the bushes right next to the tent. Later I learned that Grace and he came close to two large deer and they took off by our tent.

Kaleb doing what he does best, getting dirty! Of course when we are camping I welcome the mess. It's good for them :)
Top photo in collage, is Tibble Fork Reservoir, near Granite Flats. Bottom left is a view of the city from the Timpanogos trail.
And to top the night off we invented "Ultimate S'mores", that's what I'm calling them. Grace was eating her reg. s'more and saw the brown roasted part of her mellow and thought it was peanutbutter... A light came on and we tried it out. MMmmmm, mmm, good. Peanutbutter, chocolate, marshmellow and grahm cracker. Delicious.

Hiking and the Hogle Zoo

Last Friday Adam and I decided to take the kids on a hike. We wanted to go up Mill Creek Canyon, but the roads were closed for the new freeway bridge they are putting in. So Adam took us to some foothills up town, and we found the Bonneville Shoreline trail. It wasn't as pretty as Mill Creek would have been, but it still had a fabulous view of the city.
We got a good work out going up and down the steep hills the trail offered. There were lots of birds and Grace loved the acorns that were starting to ripen.

Stopping for a snack...

After that we went to a nearby park, Lindsey Gardens, to have lunch and let the kids play. I can't tell you the last time I saw a carousel at a park like this! They made some friends while we were there and they were nice enough to share their sand toys with Kaleb.

Then on Saturday, while my Adam was at work, the kids and I joined friends Ashley and Janica (and kids) for a trip to the zoo. We were a bit worried that it would be busy because of the day, but it wasn't bad at all. Everyone had a great time, the kids ran around and took turns pushing strollers. Kaleb was amazed by all the monkeys. In this photo you can see the smaller monkey picking on the bigger monkey, the big one gave up and finally handed over the ball! It was very funny to watch. The bird show was awesome. They sent hawks and owls soaring over our heads, nearly touching us. Kaleb got a little nervous but we were all in awe. I love birdies!! Grace donated a dollar to a cockatoo. Took it right out of her hand. She loved that. I know our zoo isn't that big or super exciting right now but there were still so many things to do. They have the new elephant habitat, and Asian Highlands, with the big kitties, and a carousel! We did it all... road the carousel, the train, saw the cats and other animals.

(Grace and Kaleb with friends Kennedy, Brooklyn, and Kaitlyn.)They even had some "enrichment" activities for the kids to try. They were to show the kids what the animals get to do for stimulation. (a special thing they had going that day) Grace got to paint like an elephant and they made masks, dug for toys in some hay, smelled different smells (one smelled very bad!) and there were a few other activities. Lots of fun.

What a fun day, thanks to Janica and Ashley for inviting us! The hills were a bit brutal with a double stroller, but that was very good for me. After we left we grabbed a Slurpee at 7-Eleven and visited Adam at the fire station for a minute.

Family Reunion

Hello there from hot and sunny St. George! My mom kidnapped me this weekend and we have been enjoying a quiet get away. Mostly we have been totally taking it easy; reading, shopping, getting a tan... but the highlight of the trip was Friday night. We went to the Tuacahn Theater and saw The Sound of Music. It was fantastic. The mountain is a magnificent backdrop, and the play was great. Can't wait to go again, next time with Adam.
But enough of that, I really got on to tell you all of a fun Family Reunion we had last week. (Yes I just put fun and family reunion in the same sentence.) It was with my mom's side of the family and we don't see them all very often because they live all over the place.
This year my grandma decided to have a Luau theme for the party, but she had another trick up her sleeve as well.

It was so good to have all of our family there. So many of them that we rarely see. I was especially glad that both my aunts who live back east were there together. Julia, 3rd from the bottom left and Jayne, photos later. (I love you both so much and it was awesome to see you again.) My Great Uncle Ben and wife Karen were there as well from San Francisco. (Love you guys, thanks again for the books, the kids love them.) I won't go through and name everyone but it was great to see them all. FYI, my grandma is the one in the middle left photo. Isn't she pretty.

There were many activities for the kids; hula hoops, toy toss game and they learned a little hula dance. First they made their own grass skirts, then Kiersti and cousins Kaity and Kelly taught them to sway to the music. Grace was concentrating very hard, notice the tongue sticking out of her mouth.

There were also swimming pools. Grace was taunting her second cousin, Kelly, who had the hose and she got was she was looking for! Good job Kelly. Later we had the traditional watermelon seed spitting contest, per Uncle Ben's request. My dad won by a mile. Kaleb loved trying to spit, of course he was spitting chunks of watermelon rather than just the seed. And he still tries to spit when he is bored with eating, he thinks it's funny. thanks for that g-ma and Ben.

Okay, here's the best part. For those of you out there that are single and thinking of eloping, be forewarned, your family (mother) may make you pay. Last July 4th my Aunt Jayne and her new husband Tim eloped and then later sent us all an email with slide show... it was a beautiful wedding with their daughters Kelly and Kaity. Well, my grandma decided it needed to be celebrated, and apparently humiliation was the best way. She had me (and my new cousin Kaity) dress Jayne in a toilet paper gown, and Tim had to wear a tuxedo t-shirt that was way too small. Then she had a mock ceremony complete with Adam as the preacher. It was very funny, and they were all great sports about it!

It was a fun party. I love my family very much and appreciate all their love and support in return. Hope to see you all again soon.

Fool Me Once, Shame On You; Fool Me Twice, Shame On Me...

My dear little Kaleb is the mischievous one in the family. Grace has had a couple moments here and there but nothing like this guy. Well this week tops it off so far. No major damage done, just a major pain.


Yesterday Adam and I were reading Breaking Dawn (loving it by the way) waiting for Kaleb to wake from his nap. When 4:00pm rolled around and he was still quiet we decided to check on him so he wouldn't sleep too long. We had a work steak fry to go to last night so I jumped in the shower to get ready and Adam went for Kaleb... He got down on his stomach and peaked under the door (this is how he checks without waking him), he didn't see any feet but he got a strong whiff of something. He jumped up and hurried in to find he wasn't asleep, and he was covered in thick white goo. He had gotten into the Desitin ( a diaper rash cream) and rubbed it ALL over his right leg, thick, and his hands, clothes and floor! Adam brought him into the bathroom and I poked my head out, shocked. Kaleb wasn't quite sure what to make of our reaction. Of course we weren't happy about it, but we weren't really mad either. Adam left him on the counter so not to spread the mess and grabbed the camera for pics. Then he passed him off to me to scrub down. Now those of you who have had experience with Desitin will understand what I mean when I say water resistant. That stuff was not coming off. I had to use our regular bar of soap, not baby wash, and then it still came off only in layers after who knows how many scrub and rinse patterns I went through. I did forget to mention, in Kaleb's defense, there was good reasoning to his madness. When Adam undressed him, he did have a stinky diaper and a bit of a rash. SO he was just trying to help, right?

"Hmmm, maybe that wasn't the best idea"

Needless to say we put that tube far out of site and reach. I also went to the steak fry smelling like it and our load of laundry that was washed with his clothes all smell of it as well. Lovely.

Ok, so that was pretty crazy but we're not done yet, oh no that would be too easy... So today I noticed that Kaleb was quiet too long after he should have been awake... Oh ya, you know where this is going... so I walk in his room and he had found another tube of Desitin!! I had no idea that there was another and didn't think to tell Adam to check when he put up the first. UGH! At least this time the floor wasn't smeared with it and he didn't get it on as thick. Must have caught him sooner this time. He didn't have a poopy diaper either, so this was just for pure enjoyment. Only he was NOT happy about me cleaning him up this time. What a little stinker. But it still makes me laugh. I know I did plenty of that sort of thing to my mom too. Yes mom, it's all coming back on me. On the flip side here are some sweet moments from my little handful of trouble...

Singing into a crayon microphone with daddy (obviously before the hazard)

Loving my friend Rachel's new baby, Jason Glad. He constantly wants to hold this guy. It's so cute how into babies he is.

Cameras Don't Lie

Well my camera doesn't anyway. Adam and I have decided it is time for a change of body type. We both weigh more than we would like to admit and want to do something about it. So, the other night we took a "before" picture of each other, from all sides. EWE!!! All I can say is that this type of photo is not recommended for fun but highly recommended for motivation! Don't know how I will do it but I have some trimming to do. Good luck to me.

Less of this...
More of this...

Let Freedom Ring

July is a busy and exciting month! We have been running around crazy all month long. The 4th of July is one of our favorite holidays. Not only for the fireworks, but for the nature of the celebration. Adam and I often will contemplate the importance of that day in 1776 when we became a free nation. FREE. Free to choose who we will be and where we will go. How we want to raise our family, what religion we will follow, or if we want to follow one at all. Being able to vote for a President and other leaders. Choosing where we will live, what job we want ect. The list goes on and on you all know. I just love it. And I love our flag, it is so beautiful. And our anthem... so many great things we have.
And who doesn't love the celebrating. BBQ's, parades, carnivals, fireworks, picnics, and baseball games, swimming. We've been lucky to have done them all this year. It's been so fun. On the 4th Adam and I took the kids to the West Jordan parade and carnival. They had a great time gathering taffy thrown to them, watching the horses and other performers. The motorcycle brigade was a huge hit. That night Adam worked the Sugar House event and the kids and I went to my parents to celebrate my sister Kiersti's birthday.
Yes, my brother is always that goofy! There we are all together. Me, Tyler, Brynn and Kiersti. (In order even!) :)

Kaleb and I chilled in the back of the truck, while Grace preferred sitting on Papa's lap during fireworks. I couldn't tell if Kaleb was more concerned or intrigued by them. He was pretty tired too, just nestled right into me for most of the show.
The next night, July 5th, we had our friends Emily and Rob Palmer over for more fireworks. (They invited us to play in golf tournament with them and Adam won closest to the pin. The prize was a huge box of fireworks.) It was a lot of fun watching the kids play with their little friends. Some of our other neighbors (the Wooton's) came by as well. Of course the teenage boys were being naughty with some bottle rockets they came across.... But it was a fun night.

Grace was really getting into the role of dancing in the strobe lights. I love that we are surrounded in a cloud of smoke in the other picture. (Me, the kids, with Emily, Halle and Chloe)

Hey, another picture of the two of us together... we're getting better at that. :)

So there many other things that happened between then and the 24th of July (some I've posted) but I am going to skip ahead...

Of course this celebration is for the Pioneers who came across the country and settled Salt Lake City in 1847. To whom I totally give huge props!! I've been on a couple of the Pioneer Treks that they simulate, once as a Ma and Pa. Not easy in the least bit. And it's nothing like the real thing. I don't think I would have been strong enough. I really love this day. Remembering all the strength and courage those people had. And it is fun to watch the parade in the morning and see some of the modern pioneer acts that they portray on the floats.

Well after watching the parade, Adam and I took the kids to the Olympic Oval swimming pool in Kearns. It was fantastic. They have the best kids area there! Slides, water guns, ropes, fountains to dance in, and a GIANT bucket that fills up and dumps on a huge crowd at the bottom. I was too chicken to get under it, I think I would have gotten knocked on my butt. Grace did it with Adam though. I wish I had brought my camera, very cool place. That night we joined Adam's family at the Bee's game. It has become a tradition now that we all go to the game together on this day. It is so fun. The ball game, cotton candy, snowies, popcorn (sugar, sugar, SUGAR). We had great seats, just to the side of first base. Once the kids were all sugared up (big thanks to Meme and Papa J for supplying some of that!) we took them over to a huge hill where they ran around with other kids and rolled down the hill 'til they were dizzy. It was such a good night. The firework show was awesome. Kaleb nestled into me again, but wouldn't take his eyes off the action.

GO BEES!!
Grace was SURE she was going to catch a ball!
See, I told you we were getting better at this...
Adam's little (ha ha) brothers and significant others: Jonathan and Carissa, Ethan and Kyler

I love how the mountains provide a perfect backdrop to the flag.

So that is a bit of what we've enjoyed this month, it's a lot for you all to read, but I hope you enjoyed the pictures!