THANKSGIVING 2011

Great entertaining featuring Piper

18 Kids between the 4 of us, 18 years old to a 4-month old.

Good friends, good food, good times. I am very thankful for my friends and family.

Glowing Holloween Creations

Chad's Jack Pumpkin.

Piper's own creation

Chloe's carving.

Buffy's ghost

Taking Golf on like a Pro

Check out his form. LOVE him.

NEW SCHOOL YEAR

My friends have asked me if I cried because my last baby staredpre-school. I have never been the mom who cries when her child starts school. From my first-born, Buffy to now my baby-boy Chad. On the contrary, I feel exchited for my childre as they venture onto new learning adventures. I love to hear theexcitement voice as they share with me the events of their day. Usually, it's something non-academic. I will never forget when Chloe came homeandtoldmeoneofthekids inherkindergarten classsaid a bad word. I asked her what the word is andshetoldme it was the "S"word. Come to find ou the word was "stupid". Comical for sure.

This year, all my kids are in school and I have to admit, I do like having a quiet house for a couple of hours. On the first day of school, when I picked Chad up, with a shocking voice he said to me, "Mommy, there are girls in my in my school!!! WHY???" I have to let him know that they do allow girls to be educated now. Where does he think his sisters go to every day??

Chad already for pre-school Piper my big kindergartener
Sweet Chloe, ready for 2nd grade
Can't believe Buffy is in 4th grade
Going over the basics
Chad and Daddy

Colorado River

Every summer we look forward to going to the Colorado River in Arizona just our family. We avoid the crowds of people by going during the weekdays. It's truly one of my favorite places to go to make memories as a family. The warm water, the hot dry air, just beautiful and peaceful. I love the stillness of the water, and the echoing of our kids laughter up and down the river. This is how we do summer.

Uncle Everett's Desert Ranch

I'd thought to give the kids a great start on their summer this year by visiting Everett's ranch in the desert. This place has everything possible to entertain the kids all day. This is the first summer which I feel like I can enjoy all the kids swimming without having to chase a baby. Now that Chad is turning 3, he's just is one the older kids. All I have to do is sit there with a book and make sure everyone has plenty of sunblock. We invited some of our neighbor friends to come with us and all the kids swam all day in the lake and pool. There's was no other sound other than that of the kids laughing and having a great time. The only thing that was missing was John. We will have to come back with him before summer is over.

Cabo

Been married for 10 years.

Me paddle boarding around this giant floating city to the arch.

Lunch at Zipper's

Father-n-Son Campout

Teaching Chad to fish
On the way home they saw a tank museum and had to stop to check it out.

Healthy breakfast, potato chips...yummy and Mommy is not here to take it away.

A moment of stillness, Chad and Curtis waiting for the catch of the day.

First father-n-son campout was successful. Chad had so much fun and he was wiped out by the end of the day.

Lake Mary at Sunset

Olivia and Chloe

Ellie and Buffy

Swinging monkeys

Chad already to go

John working the waves. Gotta surf even in flat water.

Our beautiful Piper