Halloween Festivities

October was filled with the usual Halloween activities, carving pumpkins, Heber Creeper, Cornbellies, parties etc...

Anna was a beautiful blue butterfly this year

Shaun and I were paper dolls

For the last few years we have had soup at our house before trick-or-treating. Everyone is encouraged to dress up, but there are those party poopers that just refuse. (we have the Tanners, Cooks, Browns, Crocketts, Nielsen's, Turley kiddos', Christiansens, Amber and the Cassells.) Not everyone had their picture taken.

After our party and trick-or-treating around the neighborhood, which I believe Anna and Leila were out the longest and got the most candy. Shaun couldn't get them to quit. We headed up to say hello to the grandparents. They were having their own party at the Whips. ( We have us, Grandma and Grandpa, Kip and Emily, Scott and Toni, Loni and Ian and Whit and Kyle.)

Anna had a school program, which I don't have pictures of because I was on the stage with her. All the kids and me. She has become super shy and nervous and wouldn't go up if I wasn't up there.

These are 2 of her fun teachers, Ms. Valerie and Ms. Carolyn.

Our Pumpkin masterpieces

We rode the Heber Creeper spooky train...

A good place for a chat

I came outside to find the family and heard talking from the tree. We have a tree in the front yard that all the kids love to climb. Anna and Shaun were hanging out having a talk.

Another 1st Day of Pre-School

Anna was off for her 3rd 1st day of pre-school. She loves going and learning every day. 

 Anna spent all morning coloring this picture for her teachers. Miss Val said that she did an amazing job and that this was artwork of an older child. She was impressed, as was I. 

Anna and one of her best friends Annie on their way into school.

Kidney Stones...

Shaun woke up Wednesday morning at 6 am with what he thought was a kidney stone. When he described the pain, I knew that is exactly what it was. I've had them before. He tried to tough it out, I bought him a diakon radish and juiced it for him, which he threw up 30 seconds later. After 2 hours he'd finally had enough and we headed for the ER. They got him hooked up to some drugs and he was a happy camper after that.

5 days later...

I wake up at 6 am in a lot of pain, yep, it's a kidney stone. Off to the ER go get some of those fabulous drugs.

Anna's homemade skirt

A friend of mine had made a darling skirt for her daughter, so I wanted to give it a shot to see if I could make it happen. With a little guidance I did it and Anna loves it. 

All I want for Christmas...

...is my two front teeth.

And she still has them!! 

After dinner one evening Anna went out and hopped on her bike. She is a great rider and got a little too confident. While doing little circles in the driveway at the neighbors, she fell right on her face.  She came home crying and I ran out and saw her mouth was full of blood. I asked her if her teeth were there and she said they were. I took her inside and set her at the kitchen sink. Shaun looked in and didn't see her teeth. They were pushed all the way back and her roots were showing. Shaun grabbed her and the keys and ran to the car. He was out there honking, but not really knowing where he was going. I ran out there and got in the car, so he wouldn't just leave me. But we got around the block and I made him pull over so we could call the dentist. I didn't have any of the numbers with me, so I had to google everything, taking lot's more time than if we'd just stayed home and gotten a hold of someone. Shaun is a little bit drama...but he loves his little gal. Finally, after 45 mins we got a dentist to meet us. On our way in to his office I noticed that Shaun didn't have any shoes on. He was in such a hurry to get out of there that he just went in his socks. Like I said....drama!! He told us they were going to have to come out, but Shaun asked him to try to put them back in and we could see what happened over time.

 Neighbors and family were so nice to Anna when they heard of her traumatic experience. She got flowers, balloons, ice cream, toys etc...

She had a nice fat lip and some scrapes, but she still has her front teeth. They turned a little gray for a bit, but they have since gone back to white. Also, when the dentist pushed them in, one was a little in front of the other and a little lower. They have also gone back to straight. The dentist was surprised at how great they looked when we took her back in for her check up.

Anna's Pre-School Graduation



The graduating class: Dominic, Brooklyn, Anna, Annie Ingrid, Deagan, Brayden & Brixton.

Deagan, Anna and Brixton ready to play musical chairs.

Anna graduated from her 2nd year of pre-school. Her teachers were Miss Kendra and Miss Shauna from Hi-5 Pre-school.  She had a great time with them and learned a lot.

My Graduate!!

Motocross

This is our 3rd year going to Motocross. It's a fun night out with the family and good friends.

Anna was more entertained with the dip n' dots than she was with the racing.

Happy Easter

All Anna wanted for Easter this year was Parsnip Pete and she got it. Along with a new swimsuit, cover-up, Tangled and some candy.

St. George

We went on a quick trip down to St. George with just our family.

We hiked the crack up by the Dixie, at least Anna and I did. Shaun sent us off at the bottom and met us up top.

We visited a little ghost town just outside of Zion's.

We pulled over and I shot a few roundsWe hiked some more.

and we thought we were hilarious playing with the mirrors in the condo.

A Talented Dad

When we first found out we were having a girl, I was a little worried. I didn't do hair... Shaun and I were talking about it on the way home from the ultrasound, I was saying that our little girl would never have her hair done because I didn't know what I was doing. Shaun looked at me and said "don't worry, I've got it under control." 4 years 4 months later he finally does her hair. I think he did a great job. Apparently he knows how to braid, then he did a little twist into a clip on the side. He got her ready for church.
I knew he was talented in many other areas, I guess I can now add hair onto that list.

Annual Snowbasin Trip

We went on our annual Snowbasin ski trip and had a ton-o-fun. Anna loved the gondola and did great skiing. "The Primary colors"

Kyle, Patrick & Shaun We took Anna over to Strawberry for a run and somehow missed all the Blue and Green runs. We ended up in the trees with power and cliffs. Shaun carried her down a lot of it, but she did ok on her own. Needless to say, it was a long run.

No Cavities

Anna went in for her first dentist appointment. She was amazing...a perfect patient! She was able to watch Monsters Inc. on the tv that was in the ceiling. I wish my dentist had that.

She did awesome!! Her brushing has paid off, no cavities!!

Tubing

There are definite benefits of having parent's that live up the canyon...like our own tubing hill in the back yard. The boys worked hard building it up then we played hard later that night.

Shaun was snow blowing

Anna & Myranda with Leila and Brian on the back of the train.
Anna and Leila had the most fun. They went up and down over and over...until the tube popped!
Anna and Leila on their hike back up. It's a long way for little legs.

Patrick, Loni, Kyle & Ezra

Samantha & Claire, Myranda

Keeping warm by the fire!

Patrick and Ezra