Polar Express

The weekend after Thanksgiving we went to Williams, AZ, with four other families in our ward for the Polar Express. We had so much fun.

Kiddies in their pajamas

Here's our whole group before we got on the train

On the train we sang songs and read the Polar Express story

mamma's boy

daddy and daughter

they served hot chocolate and cookies. Jackson was so exhausted that he fell asleep sitting up and holding his cookie! The kids were really excited to meet Santa. He gave them each a bell.

After the train ride we went swimming

Then we put the kids to bed and the adults congregated in the hallway for cards and treats until after midnight when someone complained about the noise!

Thanksgiving

We had a blast in Utah over Thanksgiving week. I drove up with the kids on Monday morning to have a few extra days to hang out at Jane's new house in SLC. Her house was AMAZING! This was the first time I had seen it all remodeled and furnished. And it just worked well with the kids. My kids were in heaven in the play room. I don't think they've ever seen more toys in their lives!

Monday night we went to the Sky Box at Gateway for dinner and games with a group of families from Jane's ward.

We played games and went on rides

And I had to play a quick game of the original Mario Brothers!

Cute cousins cracking up!


And the blue-eyed boys
Tuesday we went to Hogle Zoo. It was my first time there, and it was pretty cool. We dressed Brookie and Lexi in matching shirts!

My best friend from growing up, Kaira, came to meet us with her daughter, Maya. Isn't she adorable?? We all went on the carousel and train ride and looked at the animals.

Then Kaira came to check out Jane's house. That night Jane and I put the kids down and snuck in a quick trip to Nordstrom Rack and to se Jordan & Taryn's new house. It's so cute!

Wednesday we packed all five kids in Jane's car and ran some errands. The kids did really well together this trip. They just played and had fun. It was the best I think they've ever done together, which made it nice for Jane and I!

Thursday I picked Jeff up from the airport and then everyone met at my parents' house. We had a delicious Thanksgiving meal in the afternoon and sat around and talked. Later we went to see Isaac & Liz's new house (lots of new houses in our family)! Friday was boy's day. My dad took all the boys shooting in the canyon and then to Boondocks to play minature golf, lazer tag, bumper cars, and video games. Jess and I snuck out for a few quick errands while grandma watched the kids (Thanks Kathryn)!

That night everyone met up at temple square to see the lights.

It was really fun. I hadn't been in years. After we all met at Jane's for treats.

Saturday was girl's day. Kathryn took all the girls to lunch at Happy Sumo. Then we went shopping and to see The Secret Life of Bees. We had a great time together, and it was fun to run into the Jacksons from Hawaii. That night we got sitters for the kids and we all went to see The Christmas Carol at Hale Theater. I was really tired and didn't feel like going, but I ended up loving it. It's such a great story, and I definitely came away from it wanting to be better.

Thanks dad and K-mom for such a fun Thanksgiving weekend!

Twilight

A few weeks ago I tagged along with Kim and her friends to dinner and to see Twilight. We were first in line thanks to Amber's husband, Vaughn, who stood in line for hourse while we ate! It was a fun night, and it was hilarious to be in the theater with all of the tweens who ooohed and aaahed anytime a boy was on screen!

I Love to See The Temple

A week and a half ago we had Stake Conference. One speaker recommended taking your kids to see the temple. Lexi had been asking to go for months, and Jeff had Tuesday off for Veteran's Day, so we went to lunch and then walked around the temple grounds.

I'm so grateful I get to be with these guys forever!

The always successful family self portrait.

Jeff's Bday (and the rest of our crazy week)

Okay, I'm already behind a week. This was two weeks ago!

The kids new favorite thing is to play with all of the couch pillows. They make tents and cribs and slides and mountains and anything.

Here's Lexi being a good mommy to baby Ariel

Thursday Jeff had a birthday. We were so excited to go out that night and go indoor skydiving to celebrate. Well, a few minutes before I picked up the babysitter I called the skydive place and they were closing early for a special event. Ugh! I was so bummed. So, we ended up going to grab a quick bite, and then we saw Eagle Eye. We still need to go indoor skydiving one of these days.

Some of our friends were in town for the day, so I met Lindsay at the mall. Turned out to be quite the fiasco for both of us. Between losing keys and a cell phone, the kids play area being torn down, Lexi peeing through her jeans (I mean SOAKED -- luckily I had just bought dress ups for Xmas presents, so she was quite happy to change into the new Snow White dress!) and the kids crying because they wanted to go on more rides (Jackson was screaming so loud that everyone in the area was just staring at me), we hardly got to catch up. And did I mention that I got home and couldn't find some of the stuff I had bought...I had left it at the store.

That night Jeff and I went to the temple for ward temple night, which was quite the fiasco, too. I left my dress at home and we got there with just seconds to spare! Fortunately I left feeling much better than I did when I arrived!

Saturday was a gorgeous day. We went hiking to Mary Jane Falls up at Mt. Charleston with some friends from the ward. We went prepared for winter cold, but it ended up being hot and sunny. It was really fun.

Can you read this??

Several people have told me that they can't read the text on my blog. I just changed my font to black, so let me know if that helps!

Boulder City Train

Saturday Jeff THOUGHT it would be fun to take the kids down to the Boulder City Train and go for a ride. Well, we seemed to forget that we have two very opinionated and independant toddlers and any fun activity can quickly turn into a miserable one given their moods. Jackson sat still for about two seconds, and then he wanted to wander up and down the train cars. There were several sessions of screaming and one throw-myself-on-the-floor tantrum (pictured below). Love that!

At one time this engine was actually used for the Heber Creeper!

enjoying the ride...for a moment anyway

Happy Halloween!

We started our Halloween celebration last Monday by carving our little pumpkin for FHE and reading Halloween stories and singing Halloween songs.

Is that the saddest little jack-o-lantern or what? :)

Friday Jeff had the day off for Nevada Day. We took the kids to lunch at Sammy's Woodfire Pizza. The whole shopping complex there was doing "safe trick-or-treating" for the afternoon, so we joined in the fun (even without the kids' costumes).
That night we went to our ward trunk-or-treat, which was a lot of fun. It's such an easy way to do it for our young kids.
Jackson was a bat. Not the cutest costume, but definitely worth the $5 we spent on it! :)

Lexi was a cheerleader. She just thought she was part of High School Musical!

Jackson's favorite part was the popcorn

After the trunk or treat we met a few other families at the Jenson's and hung out. The kids were all lining up on the sidewalk to take a picture together, but Jackson just plopped down in the middle of the driveway...and I just noticed that he is still holding his popcorn!

One more funny story. My mom's birthday is on Halloween. We called her earlier in the day, and I had asked Lexi to sing "Happy Birthday To You" with Jeff and I. Well, my moms answering machine picked up and we sang, but Lexi barked the whole song like a dog (yep, she's still in act-like-a-dog phase). After we were done I scolded Lexi for barking the song and told her it made me sad that she wouldn't just sing for Nana. Well, then I looked at my phone, and it was still on, and the whole scolding was left on the message! BUSTED!! I just had to laugh...and I'm sure my mom did, too!

Afternoon at the Bellagio

We have had the nicest, warmest fall here in Vegas. Saturday we wanted to enjoy the nice day and go to the Bellagio to see the new display in the atrium.

The kids loved this tree creature that moved his eyes and spoke.
Lots of pumpkins everywhere

fall tunnel that has water shooting over you

After we went out for the fountain show. They did my favorite song, "Time to Say Goodbye" by Sarah Brighton, and some others.

Busy Week

Last Saturday night we took the kids to the Haunted Harvest at Springs Preserve. They had several trick-or-treat stations set up and it was all decorated. We met our friends there, and it was fun!

Monday I took the car in to get our new tires (which we just bought on Friday) checked out because they were making a funny noise. They said it would be just a few minutes, so I took the kids next door to Chuck E Cheese's. An hour later I went back to check and the car hadn't even been looked at yet. Urgh! I was so annoyed I just left. But at least the kids had fun playing games and going on rides...
Monday night was really nice weather and Jeff suggested we hike Lone Mountain for FHE. We made it almost all the way, but it got dark and we had to turn around. Lexi walked the whole thing herself! The view was awesome from up there. Who knew the desert could look so nice!

part way up there's a bench that Jackson rested on

View from (almost) the top!
Thursday I took the car back to Pep boys to have the tires checked. This time I called first and explained what happened Monday. They assured me I would have first priority and it should just be a few minutes. So, we took the car back in and I took the kids back to Chuck E Cheese's while we waited. An hour later I went back to check on the car and guess what...they had forgotten to check it out! I was beyond frustrated. I explained to the manager what happened, and he was really nice about it and apologized several times, but seriously...what a waste of time!

Today I watched my friend's kids for a few hours. My kids loved it! We danced, played play-doh, did bubbles outside, played with cars, ate, etc. Lexi and T were playing babies and wanted me to make them cribs out of couch pillows!

This week we also went to Town Square story time and to Claim Jumper, worked out, had stake auxillary training, plus all of the normal errands/cooking/cleaning. Tonight Jeff and I got a sitter and went out. It was nice to just have time together. Our lives have been CRAZY lately between his work being busy and my new calling. I mean CRAZY. I feel like I've never been busier, but life is good!