Happy Birthday to Anna

Hooray for Anna's Birthday!
Playing with her moon sand gift.

Sweet Anna had her fourth Birthday last week. She was so excited and felt so special to turn a year older. I'm so glad we had the excuse to celebrate her--I need that to happen for everyone at least once a year.

Zoo

Thanksgiving with Aunt Ione

It was so nice to spend Thanksgiving with Aunt Ione and some of her family. I can't believe we didn't even take one picture. Jay and Ione are almost done with the last family history book and hoping to leave for a mission soon. And we're contemplating a move back to Utah in the next few years so who knows if we'll ever be there for Thanksgiving again. I wish I took pictures.

We did however, get lots of pictures of our trip to Fresno zoo the next day. It was a little coolish, but we survived almost 4 hours of walking/chasing the kids around before we were satisfied that we'd seen everything. I don't know about he rest of the gang, but I was pooped out.

More Horses

This was our only shot of the actual horses.

Family picture on the fence.

Wild Horses

We've enjoyed two visits from Aaron in the last several weeks. He's had several work trips down in El Centro (5 hours south) and came up to spend his Sundays off with us. Must report that he's quickly becoming the kid's favorite uncle. We really need to spend time with family more often. Anyone want to visit Disneyland with us this spring?

Yup, that's handsome guy is my brother. Last Saturday night we took him out to see the sights (I mean sight) of Ridgecrest. Here we are at the wild horse and burro reserve. These are the excess horses and burros that are gathered off the public lands in California, Neveda, and other surrounding areas. They are vaccinated and kept here until people adopt them.

St. George

We really enjoyed sharing the day with Mic and Libby at their sealing last weekend. We're so happy for them!

We also loved that the kids got to spend some one-on-one time with Grandma and Grandpa.

Hoorah for Isreal!

Happy Halloween

Lydia loved playing the part of the ballarina. She jumped, danced, and twirled around the whole schoolyard during her school parade.

Sammy was supposed to be a cowboy only we couldn't find his hat or his sheriff's vest when it came time for dressing up. He looks good in his new Wranglers, though.

Sam had a typical first halloween where he became emotionally attached to his candy. He asked for his black pumpkin first thing next morning.

The Fairy Princess

Prop 8 Passed!

Prop 8 passed. Hooray for marriage! Hooray for families! Thanks to you all for your prayers, faith, and contributions too.

Dad at Work

Here's our handsome Dad!

Nathan waived signs at the back gate of the base tonight from four to six. He joined several other Yes on 8 people and a few No on 8 too. I drove the kids over so they could see him working for the cause. Only six more days until election day. We've signed up to do lots of work up until and including all day Tuesday. The opposition are running some pretty tricky ads about civil rights and equal treatment. It really takes focusing on the implications to families to not be swayed. So glad to have the gospel (and the time-honored insights from my mom) to help me see the true and lasting values.

Pumpkin Patch

Fun at the pumpkin patch last Saturday

Before and After

Before

(a few weeks ago)
After
(After the trip to the beauty parlor, that is.)

Here's the bad side.

This is the good side.

I guess that's what I get for not cutting it myself sooner!

Anna's Day

That's my hand not her's.

I guess Anna needed some time in the spotlight. I noticed her with a pair of scissors yesterday while I was talking on the phone and told her not to cut the blanket. Twenty minutes later I found her in her room with handfuls of hair strewn across the floor.

Eye glasses

Lydia got her new glasses today. Isn't she pretty?

Relay for Life

Here's our future distance runners participating in the Relay for Life (a fundraiser for cancer research) last weekend. We were walking in honor of our previous bishop who passed away almost a year ago.

Circus

So this is the circus we attended two weeks ago. It was a little late for the kids to be up. They were sad and tired the last half. We stayed till the end, but Nathan was in outside the tent with kids during half of the last acts. Here we are at intermission--still happy. Can you tell which ones are the elephants and which are the monkeys?

Star Lydia

Lydia got to be star student of the week in her class a couple of weeks ago. We all enjoyed getting to visit her class on her special day.

hand

Lydia's kissing hand.

Beach Fun

We enjoyed a trip to the Newport Beach temple a weekend ago. It's a brand new small temple located in South L.A. After our sessions we spent a couple of hours at the state park beach. Nathan helped the kids dig their own personal ocean since they were a little afraid to get in the real one.

Lydia starts school

Just wanted to share our newest news that we wish more of you were near to enjoy with us. Here's some pictures of our cute new school girl.