Fall 2011

Have you ever checked a blog and noticed how long its been since they posted?  Yea, well mine says 7 months.  Just for the record, its doesn't seem like that long.  So, here is my attempt to update, a few months at a time.  We'll start with Fall 2011.

August
Just having fun with a camera.

School started here mid August last year and being the fabulous mother I am, I didn't take a single picture of the kids on the first day.  Yep, I'm in the running for mother of the year.  Madde started first grade while Hunter continued preschool.  Since both are at their respective schools for a second year, they feel like old pros and were excited to get back. 

Dayton started Hippotherapy (horse back riding).  It seemed to take about a month for him to not scream every time they put him on the horse.  A couple months into it, they started "back riding" him (someone would sit behind him on the horse).  It allows them to trot.  We have discovered that he LOVES to trot.  He seems so much happier to get on the horse and usually is calm the entire time.

 Sorry, its blurry, but a closer shot.

 A few months later with Ms. Mari.

 "Can we trot yet?"

September



We decided to take a trip to CA in September.  It started with Brad wanting to see a Utah football game and snowballed into a family Disneyland vacation.  Okay, it was only one day, but it was the perfect day.  The park was empty, we barely waited in line and the kids (including Dayton) were awesome.  Madde loved all the roller coaster rides with Thunder Mountain and the Matterhorn tying for first place.  Hunter went on the roller coasters, but decided he doesn't like the "bumpy rides" and preferred the Buzz Lightyear blaster ride (which we rode 8 times). 

 Ariel is my favorite princess.  When Madde walked up, Ariel said, "Will you do me a favor, you are so beautiful, can I have a picture with you?"  Madde was dumb founded and could only nod.  Yep, as a Mom, she will forever be my favorite princess.

 Hunter's an old pro with his blaster out already

 We spent an afternoon at the beach.  My kids are too timid to be in the water, but loved racing the waves.

October
I love fall.  I love that from Halloween to Christmas, its one continuous party.  It's my favorite time of the year. 
Instead of a Halloween party at our church, we had a scripture party and the kids got to dress up as their favorite scripture (Book of Mormon) character.  Hunter went as Captain Moroni (I love the dollar store with their cheap, plastic swords and shields).  Madde went as an angel, specifically, the angel who told Mary she was pregnant.  I don't know where that came from, but that's what she wanted to go as.  Sorry, no pictures - see previous comment about mother of the year.
Madde and Hunter each had a Halloween class party, a Fall festival and actual Halloween.  We had such a good time dressing up.  Madde I believe was a princess (can't remember which one).  Hunter was a surfer for his class party, a dog for the Fall festival, and I can't remember what he was for actual Halloween.  Once again, no pictures.  I think I have mother of the year in the bag.

This picture was taken for our Christmas card, I chopped the balloon out, but it just so happens Hunter was dressed up for preschool.  See, I did document something in October.

 Also in October, Madde lost her first tooth.  It was loose for days and she was so scared about pulling it out.  It fell out one night in the bath and once she got over the initial shock, she was so proud to have lost her first tooth.

November
The first part of November revolved around Brad.  First his birthday, which we celebrated in our usual over-the-top fashion by baking brownies.  I know, party animals.

 Brad then went on a 5 day deer hunt in southern NM.  He caught his first deer.  He was thrilled and I am now a proud owner of antlers.  Brad said something about hanging antlers being a rite of passage.  He's allowed to hang them in the garage.  Congratulations babe, good shooting.

On November 19th my grandma passed away.  What was going to be a quiet Thanksgiving turned into a big car trip.  We (me and the kids - Brad was on call) decided to spend Thanksgiving in AZ with my family before traveling to CA for my grandmas funeral.  It was fun to see family and celebrate my grandma's life.  She was amazing.  Just wish I would have taken some pictures :)

Well, that's it for now.  Stay tuned, I actually used my camera in December.