Latest addition to our family....

Meet Lucy. She is a 3 month old Boxer and she is our new puppy. It's a little hard to believe but we finally did it and found our sweet little Lucy. Elliot went and picked her out today and we couldn't be happier. She is so gentle with the kids and they just love her. Although- they were a little unsure in the beginning. She loves to play fetch and will bring it back and drop it too. She is very affectionate and playful and seems to be a really good fit so far in our family. Its an early Christmas present to the kids..... so Merry early Christmas! =)

Thanxgiving!

Thanksgiving this year was fabulous. We were able to spend time with Elliots family at Pismo Beach. We rented a really fun house right near the beach and all stayed together. The weather could not have been any better and the kids even got in the ocean on Thanksgiving day. Elliots sister Ellen made the whole Thanksgiving meal which was wonderful. The kids were able to play together with their cousins, yamma and yampa, along with 3 aunts and 1 uncle so they couldn't have been happier. It was really hard to leave on Friday but the time came when we had to face reality. It was a great week together and a great Thanksgiving!

The house we stayed in.

The view from the top deck of the house (AWESOME!)

Sunset view from a restaurant

Elliot, Scot and I at the restaurant overlooking the ocean.

Andrew and Scot riding in the car to one of our many adventures.

All the cousins (except James) at the petting zoo.

The girls on the tire swing at their favorite park overlooking the beach.

Aunt Liz with Macie, Andrew and Scot

Sweet little baby James playing on the beach.

Macie and Aunt Liz (and their cowgirl boots)

Ell and I sportin our cowboy gear for family pictures

We went with the cowboy theme this year so we could send this picture to Elliots brother who is serving a mission in Tennessee.

Yee ha....

The indistructive boot pinata that Uncle Matt had to break after the kids had about 3 tries each.

Ellie's Party!

We survived Ellie's 8th Birthday Party a week ago (thankfully). We decided to have a movie night for a bunch of 8 year olds (about 15 to be exact). You're probably saying to yourself - What was she thinking? Well, I wasn't thinking. But it happened none the less. Ellie picked high School Musical 3 to be viewed. So, the kids arrived. They ate pizza. Then they watched about 20 minutes of the movie and then went CRAZY. I then had to come up with some fun games on the spot to fill in about 1 1/2 hours that I didn't plan on and then decided to just let them run wild. The kids were filled with ice cream sundaes, candy and caramel popcorn. After all was said and done, the night was over. Ellie had a blast and that made the night well worth it.

So U Think U Can Dance.....

For my dads 60th Birthday- Jody and I took my parents to the Season 5 tour of SYTYCD and had a BLAST! We were also able to go behind stage after the show and meet the top 12 dancers of the season. It was a very fun experience to meet them all and they were all really super nice. The talent that these dancers have is amazing and the show they performed that night really was impressive. They have worked hard to get to where they are and all deserve to be a part of that show. It was a great night to spend with my parents and sister. A lot of family memories came flooding back as we were all together again (without spouses and children). I am blessed to come from a great family and am thankful for this new memory to add to my list! =)

Fall...

Its Fall right now and we have lots and lots of leaves just calling our kids names. So, yesterday- they couldn't stand it any longer. Awww... to be a kid again. =)

The BIG #8

Today is my sweet Ellie's 8th birthday..... Oh how I love this girl. She is sweet, loving, kind, funny, smart, coordinated, keeps me on my toes, picky about what clothes she wears, REALLY REALLY hates having her teeth pulled, is a fabulous big sister to Scot and Macie, keeps her dad in line (and anyone else for that matter), is good at playing the piano, has a great memory, is a great singer, and is a good example to everyone she meets.

This birthday is extra special because that means she will be baptized and become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She is looking forward to that special day in 3 weeks.

We love you Ellie and are so thankful that you are ours. Thanks for being such a special girl. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Look who showed up.....

to my house today.....

He showed up unexpectedly....

but I didn't mind.

He even let himself in my house.....


bummer =)

"knot heads"

I dont know what you call this hairstyle (my dad calls them "knot heads".... but Ellie and Macie wanted me to do something different with their hair on Sunday and this is what I did. I guess you could also call it the Princess Leah hair too if you wanted. Whatever its called..... they sure looked cute! =)

PARTY TIME

We had Scot's party (carnival style) on Friday. He was able to invite his friends from church, Joyschool & soccer too! My AWESOME mother-in-law is SO creative and put together all the games for his party. There was bowling, ball toss, lasso the horse, candy walk (which Ellie did with Ashley and Sean), pool filled with balloons, giant tic tac toe, wheelbarrow relay & cookie spelling. Along with all the fun games- we had a pinata too. Scot had to have donuts just like his sister did and they were a big messy success. Everyone had a great night and Scot is now very proud to say that he is a big 5 year old.

Scot blowing out his candle

Happy boy opening his Legos

Pinata time...

The BIG 5 year old...

Aunt Jody helping with bowling...

Yamma, Aunt Liz & Macie at the wheelbarrow race..

Sean, Ashley & Ellie (right before I took this- I said "Sean and his woman".... hence Seans embarrassed look ;)

Aunt Liz & Yampa.... massage time =)

SCOTTY'S BIRTHDAY

Today is Scotty's 5th birthday! Words cannot explain how much I love being a mom to this little man. He has shown me how different girls and boys personalities can be. I love that he will still snuggle with me (if I catch him in a good mood). I love that when he sleeps- he often puts his hands behind his head. I love that he will play Polly Pockets and Barbies with his sisters just so he can be with the girls. I love that he also will sit and play with his Army guys by himself. I love that he will play Lego's for hours and hours and build the coolest things. I love to hear him sing along to the primary songs in the car (he actually is a pretty good little singer). I love to watch him help Elliot whenever he is working with tools or building something. I love that he is a daredevil and will climb to the top of the ladder like it's nothing (he definitely didn't get that from me) =) I love that he sleeps in. I love that he is a great swimmer and has no fear when it comes to jumping in the water. Most of all- I love that our Father in Heaven sent him to be a part of our family. I love you Scotty. Happy 5th Birthday!

Trunk-o-treats.....

The very long awaited night came when the kids could dress up and go from car to car and be given loads and loads of candy. Our ward had the trunk or treat which is always a great success with our kids. Ellie and Scot were pro's and did very well. I was very proud of little Macie because this year she was very independent and determined to do it on her own. She very loudly would say "Trick or Treat" and even more loudly yell "Thank You", but she waited and waited until the candy giver said "You're Welcome". At one point she turned to me and said, "mom, they're not saying 'You're Welcome' ". I've quickly realized that Macie has a thing about manners. About the 5th car into the night, she said to me "mom, I like this- this is FUN". Everyone was happy and of course, came home and sorted out ALL of their candy. Goodbye Halloween- til next year!

Dorothy, a cheerleader and Batman

The cheerleader....

Batman (with his serious Bat Face)

Dorothy (and her little dog too)

All the grandkids and of course Papa (or is that Mad-Eye Moody from HP?) =)

Grandkids again....

Ellie and Ashley..


Macie found another Dorothy just like her......