Family Camping

We went camping this weekend as a family. I was so afraid that it would be disastrous, but it worked out really well. We had five families total share one spot. It was great to spend time with friends and eat yummy food.

This was Leah's first camping trip. She did pretty good. She did wake up crying in the night and Michael took her to the van where she spent the last two hours of the night sleeping. Dallin and Joshua went right to bed and didn't wake up Leah. They did great! My boys really love camping.

We went on a little hike. It was fun to walk and see nature. I love getting out of the city.

Joshua wanted to go fishing so bad. We do not have poles and Michael hasn't fished much, so he isn't as excited about it as the boys. We will have take the boys another time.

It was so fun to be with our friends. The little ones all went to bed pretty good and we got to sit around the fire and talk. It was so nice.

New Things

We had a very exciting week. We tried a few new things.

 Dallin and Rayna went to the Arboretum with Michael. They didn't have any other siblings with them. Dallin had a great time. Michael said he was happy up until they went to pick up Joshua from school. I guess it crushed his dream of being an only child. ;) He must have enjoyed his one on one time with Dad. :)

I got 25lbs of tomatoes. My friend Elise came over to teach me how to can them. It took me until about midnight but I did it, and enjoyed it. I made it into tomato sauce.

It was Raytheon day at Six Flags. We asked Tony and Jenny to come with us. It was so fun! They traded us off and on so we can go on bigger rides. We are so glad that they came with us.

Leah did great! She handled the day so well. Leah was only allowed on one ride. The steam engine. She was such a trooper.

Dallin was a little slow to enjoy the rides. When he finally decided that he could enjoy himself he loved the trucks! I think he rode them like 8 times. I know it doesn't sound like a big thing but he also used his first public restroom. He hates using public restrooms. I think that may be why he decided he could enjoy himself. Silly boy! He had a good time though.

Joshua had an amazing time! He loved this tower ride. They go up and drop you down. He went on four different roller coasters. This is coming from a boy who is afraid to jump out of the van. He also went on this ride where you go up about 200 ft and then they drop you down in a parachute. Michael wanted to try it, but was scared. Joshua asked Tony to go with him and loved it! When Michael and I went on it, Michael kept saying "if Joshua can do it, I can." Michael did great. He didn't even get sick. Jenny got a little sick. I got in a few big roller coasters which was fun since I think the last time I went to an amusement park was over 6 years ago with Jenny, Michael and his brother Paul. There were hardly any lines at the park. No lines is really the way to go!

The other new thing this week is I have a new job at church. I am now going to be a nursery leader. I was released as a counselor in Relief Society. I am told that it will be a good break for me. I am not sure about the break part (kids and break don't usually go in the same sentence:), but a change every once in a while is nice. I was told that I needed a break, which is probably true but almost embarrassing that people noticed. :) It should be fun change, but I will miss the people I worked with before.

Happy Halloween!

We have had many parties and Halloween activities.  It has been great!  Thanks to our friends and family for inviting us.

 The boys picked the faces for the pumpkin.  I had to convince Michael to do it outside.  He didn't want to at first because he told me it was too cold.  It was over 60 degrees.  I thought he was from Idaho.  ;)

 My very proud boys.

 Leah the fire house dog.

 Michael the fire chief and his fire fighters.  I am the victim that was rescued with the fire house dog.

 Uncle David invited us up for a carnival.  We had a great time.  The putting was Joshua's favorite.

 This is cousin Vivian she is fishing.  She is so great with my kids.

Joshua fishing.

My Cute Kids!

Busy Week

Joshua had to big firsts this week. He had his first cavity fixed. He did so great!! The dentist was so impressed that she allowed him to pick out two toys. He decided to pick out one for him and one for Dallin. He is such a sweet boy! I also had my first parent teacher conference. It kind of makes me feel old. He is doing really well. Joshua's teacher loves how he is so well behaved. It makes me feel like I got an A in parenting. ;)

Dallin is learning his letters. He pretty much just loves the letter D. He doesn't care much for any other letter. We took the kids to the carnival at Joshua's school. Dallin was so good all of the tosses. He is our little athlete. He has decided that he doesn't need to nap anymore. It has been working out okay so far. He needs one about once or twice a week, and usually will tell me.

Leah is crawling around and putting everything in her mouth. She will pull the electric outlet cover out and put it in her mouth. Silly.

We were invited to a costume Birthday party yesterday. We had a great time! The boys are being fire fighters for Halloween so they got to wear their costumes to the party. They have actually worn them quite a bit. They just like to play in them. They are big fans of fire fighters. Joshua will talk any fire fighters ear off if given the chance. Leah is going as the fire house dog. She is a cutie!

Michael took the Scouts camping this weekend, and had a good time. I think now that the weather is cooling off life is getting busier. :)

Bragging time!

We are so proud of Joshua. He won an award for perfect attendance for the first six weeks. He also won the citizenship award. They pick one girl and one boy for this award. Ms. De Guzman said from the very beginning Joshua listened and always asked before doing things. It just makes me so happy! He also got a perfect report card! Yeah Joshua!!!

Dallin and I have been working at home. He is supposed to be showing off his Halloween decorations that we made. He has grown up so much this last week or so. He got it in his head that he was going to go to school on Wednesday and I think that is why he was doing such a good job listening and controlling his emotions a little more. I felt so bad that when I realized what was going on. At least on Friday he got to go to the awards assembly, so he got to go to school.

Leah turned 8 months old. I can't believe how big she is getting. We know since she stole Dallin's peanut butter and honey sandwich that she doesn't have any allergies to those things. She loves crackers. She loves her brown puffed rice cereal. I am constantly sweeping and vacuuming the floor trying to keep her from putting things in her mouth that the boys may have left behind. She is doing great at sitting up now. She is finally enjoying it. She has even pulled herself up to standing. If she wants something bad enough she will do whatever she can to get it. She has forgotten how to sleep the last two weeks. It felt like I had a newborn all over again. I am hoping that she is getting a tooth or that there is a good reason for this madness. She is still happy during the day at least. The hat she is wearing below is the hat Elise made for her. It is so cute and fits my Leah bug perfectly!

The boys have said some funny things lately that I wanted to write down. We were watching women's steeple chase. It is the long distance run with hurdles. Joshua said "that doesn't look easy." I agreed and then he said "plus they have to run in their underwear!" We went to the playground yesterday and their were a few other people there. Dallin looked less than thrilled and said "I don't like people." At the dentist Dallin and Joshua got to pick a present. They both picked killer whales. The Dentist said "I am so glad that I don't have to be a dentist to a shark." Dallin glared and said "This is not a shark. This is a whale." It was warm one afternoon and we were outside. Joshua announces "It is so hot. We need to move to Idaho or Wyoming. Do you think Afton and Rayna would move with us?" This is the second time he has mentioned moving and both times he wanted his friend Afton and Rayna to move with him. Kids are so funny! Gotta love 'em!

Paul's Birthday and Wedding Pictures

It was Paul's birthday this weekend, or at least that is what Trixie and Brianna tell me. :)  It was really great Brianna called me up last Tuesday and asked if I wanted to fly out to visit them on his birthday.  It was really nice of her father to provide the free ticket. On Friday I flew out of Dallas to El Paso.  I was going to try and make it to Phoenix before Paul came home from school.  However I wasn't able to get a flight until latter at night.  Brianna was able to keep the secret though and they came and picked me up.  Paul and I ran into each others arms filled with overwhelming joy, oh who are we kidding this is Paul.  But I did get a smile so I know he was glad to see me.  It was a lot of fun to hang out with Paul, Brianna, and Susana.  They are a great family.  We watched conference, played video games, went to a museum, and watched transformers 3.  It was great!  Susana is really cute and Paul and Brianna are great parents.  I don't have the pictures yet so I will have to post them later.

On another note Jonathan sent us our wedding pictures.  It is amazing how young we look.  I guess kids make hair fall out, wrinkles everywhere, and bags under the eyes.  Anyway I thought I would share a few of my favorite photos.  We look pretty good back then, Trixie's says I look more distinguished now.(A nice way of saying, yes you look different but I still love you)

I love this picture, Trixie has a wonderful smile.  Of course she will get mad about me posting this stuff and remove it later, so hopefully you get to see this before it is deleted. :)

Pretty Flowers!

Me having to wash our car after Cameron and Page covered it with stuff.

Not the best picture of the cake, but it was pretty.

My little niece Willow.  She reminds me a lot of Dallin.

Trixie will hate this photo, but I love it.

I am the luckiest man ever.