Happy birthday to me

Well, yesterday was my birthday, which I had planned to spend quietly and anonymously at home, but apparently, dear sis Amber had different plans. She invited all the family over and made me brownies, as I don't particularly like cake. It was fun and so sweet. thank you Amber!!

Our Bear

Colin was finally awarded his Bear in scouts after having earned months and months ago. We are so proud of him and his accomplishments! He also received his gold arrow point and 6 silver. It's hard going form one program to another and trying to work into what each one is doing, but he seems to adjust well and keep a good attitude about it. Next month he moves on to Webelos! Way to go Colin!

The had a guest speaker come and talk about heroes and the boys were excited to be able to participate.

Harlem Ambassadors

We took the boys to a Harlem Ambassadors basketball game. It wasn't as fantastic as the original Harlem Globetrotters, but they had a good time and it was quite entertaining. Of course, we had to buy an autographed basketball to commemorate the event.

Hop 2 it!

We went to Hop 2 It for Carson's birthday part y and had a GREAT time! What a fun way to excercise! The kids had so much fun and I got about an hour of running and jumping worked in to my excercise routine. I took a ton of pictures with Anna's camera and I am hoping to get some of those to add to the blog soon, too. This is what I have so far.

Our Excellent Young Woman

We attended Autumn's YW in Excellence last Sunday and are so proud of the many things she is learning and the many projects she has undertaken. Autumn is incredibly talented in music, art, writing, math, creativity and has taken up baking and cooking lately, as well. I am amazed every day by the things she can do. I can't wait to see the woman she will grow into.

Harvest Festival

I cannot tell you how happy I am that Halloween week is over!! We had so many events, parties, festivals...Xavier had a fun Harvest Festival on Saturday - we all had a lot of fun, even Autumn who disappears everytime I bring the camera out.

There was an egg toss - Keegan loved to throw it waaayyyy up in the air and it finally broke as I caught it...thanks, Keegan!

Colin and Zach kept their egg intact for a long time. I was impressed!
Keegan liked trying to get the golf balls in the pumpkins

I swear we are never doing makeup again!! I had to do Colin's makeup 4 days in a row!! He looked pretty scary, though.

Zach loved trying the different ways to carry the little pumpkins across the grass.

Keegan LOVES his dinosaur costume!! he had a great time.

Children of the Corn

We got together with Curtis and Alicia's families to enjoy an afternoon of CSI corn maze fun. The kids had a great time running through the maze, getting lost, scaring each other (and us parents when we couldn't find them) and just having a good time playing with their cousins. It wasn't the scariest or hardest maze we've been to, but with so many small kids to look after, it was just perfect. (special thanks to Alicia for some of the 'better' pics)

Keegan couldn't help but rolling down the hill to and from the maze

My baby sister, Alicia and her baby, Emma, giving her "mean eyes" look - so much fun to hang out with!

A rare picture of Autumn smiling - she is so beautiful!

I've never been very photogenic, but with Alicia's skill with photoshop, it's not too bad. Love to hold and play with Emma.

We had a fabulous time and it wasn't even all that cold. Of course, as is about a weekly tradition, we enjoyed some lovely (cheap) Little Caesar's pizza afterwards. Thanks for such a fun time!!

Volcano drinks

I missed getting a picture of the initial insertion of the dry ice into the drinks, which was spectacular, to say the least, but the kids really enjoyed their Volcano's at our local candy shop and deli, Daisy's. Keegan's was a fantastic flow-over of bubbles and grape soda, Colin's was just a fizzler and Autumn and Zach's were lovely renditions of volcanoes getting ready to blow. Thanks, Colin, for earning two gift certificates for work well done at school!

Creation of evil, childless men

Daylight Savings Time switch is coming...I miss Arizona!!

Autumn Leaves

During our break from carving pumpkins, the boys discovered all the fallen leaves and had a great time raking them up, throwing them all around and burying themselves. It was fun to watch them having such a good time together.