Family Pictures

We took the family to Antelope Island for Family Pictures.

Brandon and I dread them every year. If you know our girls

you know that they don't cooperate very well for pictures.

We took over 300 and got maybe 2 where every girl was

looking at the camera. We decided to through in a few funny

faces to mix it up for the girls and give us all a break. We took

a few of those and this one was my favorite. Brandon and I

couldn't help but laugh at our girls. They always do the same

faces!

Preschool Halloween Party

I volunteered to help out with Paige's Halloween Party.

Paige has afternoon preschool so all morning she was

bugging me to put her costume on. I told her after lunch

she could put it on. So every five minutes it was, "Is it lunch

time mom"? "No Paige"

Finally, it was lunch time and she giggled putting on her

witch costume.

Such a cute witch!

Paige colored a picture while waiting for everyone to arrive.

Most kids get bugged by their mask or hat that go with

their costume. But not Paige. She had to have her hat and

broom stick while she colored, sang, danced, decorated cookies.

Paige and her friend Riley (Bat Man).

The Preschool class. Some kids did not want to be separated

from their mom for a picture. I'm so glad Paige is not

that way.

Miss Katie read the class a couple of Halloween books.

I love how Sierra acted like she was part of the class.

I think she will do just fine in preschool next year.

Sierra decorating her cookie. Miss Katie was so nice to

involve her in everything.

Paige concentrating on BINGO.

Miss Katie took every ones picture next to Frankenstein.

Sierra would not go near him!

Bean Bag Toss.

Pin the Eye on the Monster.

Paige was so funny to watch. She just giggled the

entire time and kept saying, "I can't see".

Singing the nursery rhyme, "Little Miss Muffet"

In this picture they are saying the words,

"scared Miss muffet away".

They were so cute!

Paige has the sweetest teacher. We love Miss Katie.

Pumpkin walk

The girls look forward to the pumpkin walk

every year. Although they would rather walk

through with their friends! At least this year

was warmer then last.

We told the girls to find their favorite pumpkin for us

to take their picture by. Paige picked the Konfu Panda

characters.

Riley picked the CTR pumpkin.

Got to love Sierra's blank stare.

Big girl bed

We were trying to keep Sierra in her crib

as long as we could. But she finally figured out

she can climb out and even back in when she was

tired. So it was time for the big girl bed.

You can tell by her face she is excited.

Now we just have to potty train her!

With in the first few seconds the bed was up big sister,

Paige showed her how to jump on the bed. Here comes

more bruises.

Her first night in her new bed and fast asleep.

She of course fell out during the night, and

has almost every night since.

Red Lobster

My mom and her husband were driving through town on the

way back home to Idaho and invited us to dinner at the

Red Lobster.

The girls liked watching the lobsters in the tank.

One of the hostess took a lobster out so the girls could

touch one. Riley was the only one who dared too.

I'm pretty proud of Riley for eating shrimp. She ate 3.

I personally hate any kind of seafood. I've never tried shrimp

and never well. John loves seafood so that is usually what we eat

when we go out to dinner with him. Luckily they did have

some chicken on the menu.

And chicken strips for the girls.

Paige didn't eat much chicken but kept stealing bites

of Grandma's salad.

Thanks Mom and John for dinner.

We loved spending what time you had with us

before you drove home.

Black Island Farms Field Trip

Paige had her first field trip to

Black Island Farms

They get to go on a hay ride, Pick their own

pumpkin to take home, eat doughnuts and

play in the farms courtyard.

They always have so much fun!

We invited her sisters and neighbor to come along.

On the hay ride the kids past around some of the food

that is grown on the farm.

Picking out their pumpkin.

Paige loves doughnuts!

Going down the big slide.

Paige was a little scared. Good thing

Riley and Hallie went with her.

Paige loves having her friend, Riley Tidwell in her preschool class.

Riley and Sierra

Riley Tidwell and Paige

Going through the mini corn maze.

Hallie, Riley Tidwell, Paige, Riley and Livia

Waiting for the pig races.

Day Farms

Waiting for the hay ride.

And here we go....

Sierra

Paige

Riley

Broken Foot

Most of you know I broke my foot. But if you didn't

check out the x-ray. Pretty impressive. The doc. said I should

heal in time. Ironically enough this is my 2nd bone I've broke

which happens to be the same bone I broke but on the opposite

foot. The fifth metatarsal. And I must admit I'm a klutz and

I loose my balance all to often. And yes it hurt but not

anymore. I now just have to deal with the after math.

Thanks to my wonderful husband who has taken over

all my wife and motherly duties. I'm so lucky! I have to say

one last thing, that if you pray for something you most always

get it. Next time I'll pray for patience with out the trial!!!

Is that possible? Anyway life must go on.

So what really happened was this... Our Family

was vacationing in Lake Mead. I was filming Riley

Skiing when she crashed, so I moved from the back

of the boat and headed to the front. When I was

stepping down off the back seat the boat swayed and

I stepped down onto a ski handle and my bone cracked.

I knew then I had broke my foot when I heard the

two cracks. It sounded absolutely disgusting.

So here I am now with a 6 week disability!

I guess it couldn't have come at a better time.

Plus there are people with worse off situations

then I have so I have no room to complain.

Thanks to everyone who has been so kind

and willing to help. It means so much!

Lake Mead

Our family had the opportunity to vacation

at Lake Mead with family and friends.

We had a great time! The girls keep asking

when we are going to Lake Mead again.

On the drive down we stopped in St. George

to break up the long drive. My girls don't

do long drives very well. However they made

it there and back with out puking. Yeah!!!

We met up with Jeff and Rachael and ate out at

Cafe Rio then took the girls to see the

St. George Temple. They get so excited to see

any temple we happen to pass by.

We then relaxed in the hotel hot tub.

The next morning we all headed the rest of the way down

to Lake Mead. With 2 boats, 5 vehicles, 13 adults, 2 teenagers,

and 4 kids. When I say "We" I mean Grandma and Grandpa

Gardner, Katie and Spencer, Jeff and Rachael, and the Payne

family. Who are the Gardners friends from Farmington.

We've vacationed with them before to Lake Powell. They are

tons of fun!

The first day we scouted out the lake for a good beach and

did not have much luck. So we anchored the boats together

and had lunch on the boat. If any of you know Sierra, you

know that the does not eat much and it is funny to see

her holding an entire sandwich. But to our surprise she

ate the whole thing.

We found a beach and of course the first thing Riley did

was grab a bucket and search for sea shells.

Grandma is also so good to search for shells with her.

Paige's and Riley's mouths full of goodies.

All the kids took turn driving Grandpa's boat. One of their

favorite things to do.

Each day when we docked the boat the kids watched all

the carp fish. The fish were huge and they had fun

feeding them chips and bread.

The boat ramp was very long. So the kids would ride

in the truck on the way up instead of walking.

You can't go on a trip with Grandma and not eat good!

I my self had too many BBQ beef sandwiches.

The girls had never seen a palm tree. They

thought it was pretty cool!

Sierra playing in the sand.

Spencer and Riley climbing the rocks.

Riley and Paige looking for "treasures" to take home.

Blowing Bubbles.....

Sierra

Paige

and Riley

Grandma always remembers the fun stuff!

We finally convinced Riley to try skiing. We have been

asking her all summer. She has been a little nervous to

try. I made Riley a promise and told her if I tried

slalom skiing then she would have to try. That was

a big sacrifice for me since I have only gotten up

a few times before. I'm not very good at skiing and

prefer boarding. Anyway it was worth seeing Riley ski.

Grandpa held her steady until the boat pulled her up.

Brandon drove the boat. And Spencer held the other end

of the rope in the boat. And I was the photographer.

Riley loved it and wants to go again!

We are so proud of you Riley! You did it!

I have no doubt she will pass me up with talent

in water sports.

A big Kiss from daddy!

Oh she didn't just ski for the excitement. Grandpa

offered 10 bucks if she did. Nice deal Riley.

Getting paid to have fun!

The water was so nice and smooth Brandon

couldn't pass it up. He usually boards but

felt like a good ski run.

Okay so he tried boarding also.

Sierra, Grandma and Katie chilling on the beach.

Paige

Sierra and Josh

On the way back to the marina Sierra and Paige

fell asleep in Grandma's arms. A hard day

at the beach I guess!

It was so nice to get away and have fun!

Thank you Bob and Lisa for the fun trip!