Day After Christmas Hike - Camelback Mountain

Cub Scout Hay Ride

Sam LOVED the hay ride and was singing like crazy the entire time. Unfortunately, he got dazzled by the cameras and didn't sing much here, but he's still cute. The others had a lot of fun too. I (the mommy) had such a full heart watching my cute kids having such a good time.

Playing Catch Up

I missed a lot of the fall due to a MASSIVE picture back-up project (thanks Glen). Since I someday hope to make a memory book out of my blog posts, you get to see my fall flash-backs.

Thanksgiving

Thankful for helpers!We had a quiet year at home by ourselves, having a little swine flu with our Turkey. It was still fun in the kitchen with the kids. Sam and Jacob peeled and peeled. Dawson made our punch. Jeffrey has graduated from peeler and took up the torch (aka potato masher) since there was no Uncle Tim in the house.. BrookLynn made Grandma's cheeseball by herself!
BrookLynn and I even created our own NEW tradition! We made our own Cranberry Orange sauce. It was so yummy! Even the cranberry haters ate it, and Sammy pulled up the bowl and went for it with a spoon.

It has been a wonderful year, we have SO MUCH to be thankful for!

Melanie got Married!

How much Chicken Salad can YOU eat?

Marie, BrookLynn and I made A LOT!

Even though Jacob HAD planned on marrying Melanie, he thinks it's pretty ok because now we have Jed, and he thinks Jed is pretty cool. When I asked him who he's going to marry now he told me, "Well, I guess I will live with you forever, I can take care of you when you are old, and then you'll die." Sounds like a good plan to me!

Halloween

BrookLynn Angel.

See that glitter on her face? When she walked under the power line in became charged! I always knew glitter was dangerous!Samuel was the only other child to wear the notorious CARROT costume! When Jeffrey was 4 it was the scariest thing he could think of being for Halloween. He wore it 3 years in a row. When Jeffrey wore it he had green sweats and a coat, Sam went totally in the nude (his diaper fell off!) SUGAR RUSH!!!!!

A Lizard....Of Course!

Who needs hot chocolate?

Keeping Up

Lincoln Logs are still the thing at our house, and Sam has now turned from destroyer to builder!
It's so much fun to watch him try and copy the boys, and there is also a lot less crying from Jacob now that Sam has a respect for the buildings and the work they require!

Desert Clean-Up

You wouldn't believe how much fun you can have cleaning up garbage on a Saturday morning! Brandon's Eagle Project was to clean up the desert right by our house. We took all the kids out, and there just wasn't enough garbage to go around! They had so much energy running all over the place grabbing up all the trash. It was fun to spend the morning together like that!

Let's Play Music!

Jacob has also been learning music theory this year with a program called"Let's Play Music". It's really a lot of fun and he is enjoying it so much! We love to hear him sing and play all the cute little songs that are teaching him how to listen to and understand music.

Elf or Reindeer?

Road to Hana

(Ya, those birds are real)

Glen, BrookLynn, and Jeffrey braved the famous Road to Hana and it was well worth it!

Happy 6th Birthday Jacob

Let There Be Music!

This fall we've had a house full of music! Jeffrey is getting REALLY good on the guitar, and has started mentoring Berkeley. BrookLynn, Dawson, Berkeley, and Mom are all taking piano lessons, Jacob is taking a music theory class and learning to play the bells, and Glen is now playing the iPod. There is always someone playing music and it's bitter sweet that I have to wait my turn in the music room!

Daddy's Girls

I also had one of the most heavenly days of my entire life with Dad this trip. Our family has been very blessed.

Sarah Elizabeth Tanner

A few weeks ago I was able to sneak up to Utah to see new baby Sarah and take care of mommy Sarah! Besides loving on the baby, I loved being able to spend time with the other kids and be part of their natural habitat for a few days!After my visit I have come to the conclusion that the more Sarahs we have in the world, the better!