Spooky Trees

We've been planning it for weeks. Finish the costumes and take a trip to the "spooky trees" to have a shoot. The kids were so excited. So was I, let's be honest. Willing subjects. They didn't disappoint.

How to Train your Dragon has been a hit at our house.
o.k. so maybe that's an understatement. They are OBSESSED with it. I have to admit, it's a great movie, and these were the funnest costumes I've made yet. Morgan's was already made, but I added the wings. She kind of looked like a dinosaur before that. Paige's skirt is my favorite. . . and hers. I think she'd wear it to school every day if I let her. Tyler loves his necklace and studded vest.

My only hang up is the name of Paige's character. "Astrid". . . are you kidding me? What kind of parent names their kid Astrid. Let's pray that Paige doesn't mumble when she introduces herself.

Tyler couldn't be convinced to be Hiccup. He needed something more manly. "Scary Viking" it is. He likes anything with a mask so he can be silent all night. Talking to people would be pure torture.

There's a dragon now!

Watch out. . . she looks fierce!

WAIT! Don't hurt her! It turns out, dragons can be trained after all.

They make great pets.

and apparantly they suck their thumbs. . . who knew.

Happy Haunting!

thankful

Today I am thankful

I think it's the weather, or maybe the fact that we don't have to be anywhere all morning and afternoon. It's refreshing. The clean laundry smells nice. Shane got to go golfing for the 1st time in a month. The kids have been outside all morning enjoying the weather. They have been laughing and playing and getting along while they watch tv, ride bikes, play ball and conquer super mario together. They all sing the theme songs in unison for Phineas and Ferb, Elmo, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Super Mario Galaxy and How to Train your Dragon. I think it's cute. Mo sings "hotgog" to the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse song, so now they all sing it that way.

Today I'm thankful to be a mom, a wife, a maid, a "costume designer", a photographer and a daughter of God.

I don't care if it sounds cheesy or cliche.

I just want to say it outloud today, because a lot of days I don't feel as thankful. Somedays it feels like drudgery. Somedays it feels stressful. Today, it just feels nice.

Thats all. Just nice.

a bed

I've been following a blog for quite some time now. First, it was called Knock off Wood, now it is called Ana-White.com LOVE it! I dreamed of the furniture I would build. I showed Shane every plan. He mumbled things under his breath.

It came time to move Mo out of her crib. That's right, she's officially a big girl.


"Let's just go shopping for a bed," he said.

"Fine," I said, knowing full well that the bed we wanted would be way too pricey on the showroom floor.

After 3 hours of shopping. . . "So, how much do you think we would spend if we made the bed?"

Be still my soul.
I jumped right on the plans.

The trundle was a breeze. The bed gave us a little trouble, but nothing that we didn't work through. All in all, it turned out great. Shane is already talking about building an entertainment center.

The trundle. . . coming along nicely.

Here's the headboard before it was fully painted.

And here's the finished product. . . LOVE it!

Fall Break- week 1

Fall break is here. . . in fact, it's almost over now. Tyler and Paige had rave reviews from their teachers at PTC and both earned 2 awards each at the assembly. Paige in music and perfect attendence and Tyler in perfect attendence and President's list. I LOVE that my kids love school!

Grandpa Ron and Grandma Silly came to visit for 5 days and brought along a couple of surprises. I was in the kitchen when they pulled up and Tyler and Paige were outside on the lawn, waiting for them to come. Tyler comes bursting into the house and yells. . . " MOM, they're here in a MUSTANG, and ANNA is in the back!"

I knew about Anna, but the "Mustang" was a bit of a shock, especially because it wasn't a Mustang. It was a Camaro. Hello Ty. Grandpa sure has great taste.

Enter hailstorm bring golf ball sized hail. I'm not kidding. Shane called from Scottsdale to let us know that Dad should pull into the garage because the hail is headed our way. He should know. Around 50 golf-ball-sized dents in the Camry. . . bummer.

While Mom and Dad were here we:

saw Karate Kid (very cute movie!)

ate our weight in popcorn as we watched Karate Kid

burned it off at kickbox cardio the next day and our legs paid the price all week.

played volleyball in the hall

ate like pigs

loved every minute of it

shopped a little

napped a little

went swimming

rode the ghetto kiddie rides at Jambo (hey, it was a buck per kid)

ate lots of apples and pears (and tootsie pops - they're considered fruit, right?)

taught Mo to say "oh gosh!"

had a blast!

rude awakening

ATTENTION all crickets:

I do NOT want you near my house.
I do NOT appreciate your songs
I do NOT appreciate your visits in the dark of the night.
Especially the visits that involve you walking across my face.

Visit me again in the night. . . and you WILL die. Just like your little friend did last night.

I'm completely grossed out.



Sincerely,
Kayleen

p.s. I will never look at Jiminy the same way again.

Sedona. . . revisited

Every other year, continuing education for Shane . . . Sedona. We LOVE it! Red rocks, fresh air, hiking, swimming, shopping, relaxing and picnicking. This year we ventured back to Slide Rock Park, and since the conference was in Sept instead of Nov, we enjoyed the swimming.

Sedona 2007

2008

2010

Holy MOLY! Where is the time going? These kids weren't afraid of anything.
Their swimming skills have improved significantly.

They just took the plunge into the painfully COLD water. (I'm talkin' pain like stabbing needles. I could barely put my feet in.)

Then they sunned themselves on the rocks to shake off the shivers.

I either have to be 100% committed to the activity at hand and leave the camera behind, or 100% committed to taking pictures of the activity. Otherwise, I just worry that my camera will be damaged or stolen. I chose to be the photographer, which I don't regret. Next time, however, I will be jumping in whole-heartedly!

Shane tried his hand at the slide rock and high dive. Tyler also rode the slide rock with Shane, which I got on video. . . priceless.

We even managed a family photo on the hike back to the car. I love it when someone offers to snap a picture!

As we headed home we couldn't resist a picture by the giant chicken. These two kind of look neglected at this point. . . but boy howdy are they happy to be standing by this chicken!