Bakugan Fever

Gary has joined the ranks as a Bakugan fanatic. Here he and the boys in the neighborhood came up with a great plan to enjoy the beautiful fall day and play their favorite game. Ryan and Gary brought out the table and chairs and the other boys joined in. Gary is really good at the game and the strategy needed to win.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Tonight we started off the Halloween festivities is style. I spent the day making costumes for our neighbors. Ryan was a Taco Bell taco and Hot sauce packet. I made the hot sauce packet for him then went on to make a Egyptian costume for Molly. I hemmed the skirt and made the top. I then tacked the scarf to look like a cape. After a frantic day of sewing I then helped the girls put on their make-up. Sariah is a punk rocker this year. This costume was Benjamin's a few years ago. Sariah really can wear anything and look good. Our bishop even came up to us to let us know how well she pulled it off! The boys wore soccer uniforms. Benjamin wore Rachel's and Gary wore his because he was just coming home from a game in which his team won. I am the ward photographer so I continued to be busy throughout the night taking pictures. Judging for the costumes was the last event of the evening and Sariah won! I do not know who the judges were but it was great fun! Now we are home just in time to watch the Yankees and Angels game 5. Kim and Benjamin are very happy about this.

Happy Halloween to all!

Advancement and Merit Badge

Benjamin and Gary had their awards night for Boy Scouts. Benjamin was the patrol leader and posted the colors with Gary and a couple other scouts. This was a big night because the boys received their advancements. Benjamin got ten badges all together these included seven merit badges, star advancement and two awards from scout camps. Gary received two advancements in the scouting program and now is a first class. He also received three merit badges. We are very proud of their accomplishments. If you asked them what they liked most about Boy Scouts they would say camping and being able to carry and use a knife. They both purchased their own knives over the past couple of weeks. I was proud of them for using their own money to make the purchases and more then a little apprehensive on them actually using them!

Peek into my world...

Gary asked if he could have some minature marshmallows as a snack. I gave him some and asked him to go do some reading. I went to check on him and there he was roasting the minature marshmallows over my candle in the dining room.
I just blew out the candles and walked away.
Gary exclaimed "Why did you do that? They were really good!"
When I told Kim about the incident his advice was next time tell him to go outside.

Amelia's Homecoming 2009

HOMECOMING!

The kids looked forward to their first high school dance. They had a friend that was on the homecoming court as a senior so they went to the parade and game to show their support and "hang out" with friends. Benjamin got a new skinny tie for his birthday that is a throw back to the 80's. It is so funny to see the styles come back again. Benjamin rocked the look with his all black clothing and his stripped hat and tie! Sariah wore this beautiful dress that we altered to make more modest. She stood out in the crowd as being a true goddess and those around her pailing in comparison! Sariah had her hair done at the beauty parlor and with minimal make-up she was ready to go. When she got to the dance several people remarked that she looked like she just came out of a magazine or could pass as a vampire from the New Moon movie trailers! The kids came home early because the dancing was inappropriate and made them feel uncomfortable. We will just stick with church dances in the future!

Estes Park

We spent a few days in the high country enjoying Estes Park. We went with my little sister's family and had a picnic. Hiking and discovering what mother nature had for us to see was the order for the day. When we are in the high country life seems just a little sweeter and any problems just melt away. Even with a professional camera you can't quite get all the beauty in the lens but I still tried. I just love to take pictures and the kids were more then happy to let me snap away. How I love the Rockies let me count the ways...

Rock climbing and repelling O MY!

While on a recent trip out west the children spent the day rock climbing and repelling. We had professionals there to teach us all on what we were going to need to do to be successful. Rachel suprised me and went up the side of the cliff first with no hesitation or problems. Benjamin chose the toughest climb which was to be expected. He will always push himself to excel at any task and prefers the path that ROCKS! Gary is our little spider monkey climbing everything including taking the rock wall WITH OUT any gear or ropes as the day progressed! Sariah can make anything look good and has to do it in style! Check out those poses!

Soccer Mania !!!

Saturdays are a special day its the day we get to practice our ability to multi-task! Gary and Rachel are in the fall league for soccer. There teams are doing very well and more importantly the kids are learning skills and having fun. Gary is a natural and amazing to watch. He is also not afraid of anything! He reminds me A LOT of his father when he is playing on the field. Gary is the best on his team and the coaches have asked if he had a twin because they could sure use him! Rachel is the sunshine of her team. She is just learning the sport and goes out every game and plays her best. Her team lost last weekend but when I saw her she was so excited running up to me saying, "Mom guess what I did? I used my left foot to make a play!" This is impressive for a beginner. Rachel also had her first goal ever!